title: Alterations of leptin during IFN-alpha therapy in patients with chronic viral hepatitis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Leptin has a particular profibrogenic role in the liver. We investigated whether IFN-alpha influences leptin production in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and C (CHC). Leptin was determined in serial samples from 63 CHB and 42 CHC IFN-alpha treated patients. Furthermore, we evaluated whether leptin alterations were associated with patients' characteristics.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sera were investigated at serial time-points using an enzyme-linked-immunosorbent-assay. Controls consisted of 36 patients with autoimmune liver diseases and 44 healthy patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Leptin levels before IFN-alpha administration were higher in CHB and CHC compared to healthy (P<0.004) and diseased controls (P=0.0001). In CHB patients, we observed a significant reduction of leptin during IFN-alpha treatment and lasting for up to 6 months after the end of treatment, followed by an increase reaching pretreatment levels at 1.5 years after stopping therapy. The pattern of leptin alterations was similar in CHC patients where leptin's decrease was more pronounced at 6 months after the end of treatment. Biochemical or virological response to treatment was not associated with leptin reduction in both groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study provides information on leptin kinetics during IFN-alpha treatment and follow-up in CHB and CHC patients and suggests IFN-alpha as a potential inhibitor of leptin production.
authors.affiliation: Research Laboratory of Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Medical School, University of Thessaly, 41222 Larissa, Greece.
authors.forename: Theodoros A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Zografos
authors.forename: Eirini I
authors.initials: EI
authors.lastname: Rigopoulou
authors.forename: Christos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Liaskos
authors.forename: Elias
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Togousidis
authors.forename: Kalliopi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Zachou
authors.forename: Nikolaos
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Gatselis
authors.forename: Anastasios
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Germenis
authors.forename: George N
authors.initials: GN
authors.lastname: Dalekos
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D019693:Hepatitis, Autoimmune / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D020738:Leptin / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000097:blood*; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D020738:Leptin