title: Determinants of serum ALT normalization after phlebotomy in patients with chronic hepatitis C infection.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Phlebotomy is performed to reduce excessive iron accumulation in hepatic tissue. We studied serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) normalization rates and 50% reduction in initial serum ALT (ALT(50%) reduction rate) in patients with hepatitis C viral (HCV) infection and investigated the factors that influenced the response to phlebotomy therapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  We evaluated 23 consecutive patients with HCV infection who underwent phlebotomy. Phlebotomy was performed a few times per week, then a few times per month, and 200-400 ml of blood was removed at each session, depending on the clinical response. During the course of therapy, hemoglobin (Hb), serum ALT, and ferritin levels were assessed monthly.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In patients with Hb of less than 11 g/dl, the ALT(50%) reduction rate was 87.5%. In patients with a serum ferritin level of less than 10 g/dl the ALT(50%) reduction rate was 83.3%. In patients with Hb of less than 11 g/dl, the ALT normalization rate was 50%, and in those with a serum ferritin level of less than 10 g/dl, the ALT normalization rate was 41.7%. Multivariate analysis identified ALT less than 100 IU/l at the start of phlebotomy as an independent factor associated with ALT normalization. Of the 7 patients who showed no response to phlebotomy, 85.7% were obese (body mass index > or =25 kg/m(2)), and 40% showed more than 30% steatosis on liver histology. The cumulative ALT normalization rate in relation to the total volume of blood loss was 43.9% with a blood less or more than 3 l, and thus was optimal above 3 l.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although the sample number was relatively small, the results of our study suggest that phlebotomy is effective therapy for HCV patients who are nonobese, show little or no steatosis on liver histology, and have a baseline serum ALT level of less than 100 IU/l.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Toranomon Hospital, 2-2-2 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-8470, Japan.
authors.forename: Yusuke
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kawamura
authors.forename: Norio
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Akuta
authors.forename: Hitomi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sezaki
authors.forename: Tetsuya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hosaka
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Someya
authors.forename: Masahiro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kobayashi
authors.forename: Fumitaka
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Suzuki
authors.forename: Yoshiyuki
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Suzuki
authors.forename: Satoshi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Saitoh
authors.forename: Yasuji
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Arase
authors.forename: Kenji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ikeda
authors.forename: Hiromitsu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kumada
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D005293:Ferritins / Q000097:blood; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000378:metabolism; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000097:blood* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018962:Phlebotomy; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D006454:Hemoglobins; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D012367:RNA, Viral; D005293:Ferritins; D000410:Alanine Transaminase