Alterations of leptin during IFN-alpha therapy in patients with chronic viral hepatitis.
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.
Zografos
Theodoros A
TA
Research Laboratory of Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Medical School, University of Thessaly, 41222 Larissa, Greece.
Rigopoulou
Eirini I
EI
Liaskos
Christos
C
Togousidis
Elias
E
Zachou
Kalliopi
K
Gatselis
Nikolaos
N
Germenis
Anastasios
A
Dalekos
George N
GN
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
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D020738:Leptin