Hepatic iron accumulation may be associated with insulin resistance in patients with chronic hepatitis C.
OBJECTIVE
Insulin resistance and hepatic iron overload are frequently demonstrated in hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related liver diseases. We investigated the relationship between insulin resistance and hepatic iron deposition in patients with chronic HCV infection.


METHODS
Insulin resistance was evaluated using the homeostasis model assessments for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) in 56 non-diabetic non-obese patients with biopsy proven chronic hepatitis C. The relationship between insulin resistance and serum ferritin levels or the grade of hepatic iron deposition was assessed.


RESULTS
The levels of plasma immunoreactive insulin (IRI) and HOMA-IR were significantly correlated with serum ferritin levels and the grade of hepatic iron deposition (P = 0.003).Although IRI and HOMA-IR increased in parallel with the development of hepatic fibrosis, insulin resistance (HOMA-IR > 2) was observed in 11 (26.2%) of 42 patients even without severe fibrosis (F0-2). Among patients without severe fibrosis, IRI and HOMA-IR were significantly higher in patients with iron deposits than in those without iron deposits.


CONCLUSIONS
Hepatic iron overload may be associated with insulin resistance in patients with chronic hepatitis C, especially in patients with mild to moderate fibrosis.
Sumida
Yoshio
Y
Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Nara City Hospital, Nara, Japan.
Kanemasa
Kazuyuki
K
Fukumoto
Kohei
K
Yoshida
Naohisa
N
Sakai
Kyoko
K