Paradoxical alteration of acute-phase protein levels in patients with chronic hepatitis C treated with IFN-alpha2b.
Previously we observed elevation of the serum concentration of two acute-phase protein (AFP) complement components (C9 and C1-inhibitor) in patients with chronic hepatitis C who responded (R) to IFN-alpha therapy, but not in non-responders (NR). In the present study we investigated the effect of high-dose IFN-alpha therapy on serum concentrations of two positive [orosomucoid (OROSO) and C-reactive protein (CRP)] and two negative [transferrin (TF) and fetuin/alpha2HS-glycoprotein (AHSG)] AFP in an outpatient setting. We investigated blood samples of 40 patients with chronic hepatitis C at the onset and at the end of a 3-month treatment with high-dose IFN-alpha2b (5 MIU/day for 6 weeks, followed by 5 MIU t.i.w.) and of 52 healthy individuals. Serum concentrations of OROSO, TF and AHSG were measured by radial immunodiffusion; CRP levels were determined by immunotubridimetry. Compared to controls, patients with chronic hepatitis C had significantly lower OROSO and CRP, and higher AHSG levels. By the end of treatment, OROSO concentration increased in R (P = 0.0054), but not in NR patients. In contrast, TF levels decreased in R (P = 0.0040), but did not change in NR patients. Similarly, in R patients, AHSG levels tended to decrease (P = 0.0942) following IFN-alpha treatment. We conclude that the acute-phase reaction is suppressed in patients with chronic hepatitis C that may be potentially related to the responsiveness to IFN-alpha therapy.
Kalabay
László
L
Third Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Kútvölgyi út 4, 1125 Budapest, Hungary. kalasz@kut.sote.hu
Nemesánszky
Elemér
E
Csepregi
Antal
A
Pusztay
Mária
M
Dávid
Károly
K
Horváth
Gábor
G
Ibrányi
Ervin
E
Telegdy
László
L
Pár
Alajos
A
Bíró
Adrienn
A
Fekete
Béla
B
Gervain
Judith
J
Horányi
Margit
M
Ribiczey
Pál
P
Csöndes
Mihály
M
Kleiber
Mónika
M
Walentin
Szilvia
S
Prohászka
Zoltán
Z
Füst
George
G
D000209:Acute-Phase Proteins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011994:Recombinant Proteins
D000209:Acute-Phase Proteins; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins