title: Serum concentrations of insulin-like growth factor-I (igf-I) as a marker of liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C.
abstract: Liver biopsy was until recently the only way of evaluating liver fibrosis. Noninvasive tests for hepatic fibrosis, without potential risks, are desired by clinicians as well as patients. Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) synthesis is disturbed in liver fibrosis and reflects the severity of the clinical stage. We assessed serum IGF-I levels in patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) to correlate with liver fibrosis and antiviral therapy. Forty patients with CHC and persistently abnormal alanine aminotransferase values were enrolled and treated with peginterferon alpha-2a 180 microg per week plus ribavirin for 24 (n=20) or 48 (n=20) weeks. All patients underwent liver biopsy before treatment (METAVIR fibrosis stage F0, n=13; F1-F2, n=14; F3, n=7; F4, n=6). Serum IGF-I was measured at baseline, at the end of treatment period, and 24 weeks after finishing treatment. Mean IGF-I values were significantly lower in patients with advanced fibrosis (F4, 65.9+/-17.9 ng/mL) than in the others (F0, 145.2+/-47.1; F1-F2, 150.3+/-89.6; and F3, 121.4+/-35.2 ng/mL; P < .05). Serum IGF-I levels increased during combined therapy, being this increment markedly higher in patients with sustained virologic response. In conclusion, IGF-I synthesis is disturbed in CHC and reflects the severity of the liver fibrosis. Combined therapy improves serum IGF-I levels. IGF-I could represent a good, noninvasive marker of liver fibrosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol, Carretera del Canyet s/n, 08916, Badalona, Barcelona, Spain. vlorenzo@ns.hugtip.scs.es
authors.forename: Vicente
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Lorenzo-Zúñiga
authors.forename: Ramon
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bartolí
authors.forename: Helena
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Masnou
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Montoliu
authors.forename: Rosa Ma
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Morillas
authors.forename: Ramon
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Planas
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood*; D001706:Biopsy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D007118:Immunoassay; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000378:metabolism*; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000097:blood* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D015415:Biomarkers; D012367:RNA, Viral; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I