title: Effect of chronic hepatitis C virus infection on inflammatory lipid mediators.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Platelet-activating factor (PAF), a powerful phospholipid mediator of inflammation, is degraded by plasma PAF-acetyl-hydxolase (pPAF-AH), an enzyme which circulates in serum mainly in a complex with lipoproteins that confer its biological activity. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is linked to lipoproteins in serum too. Reduced pPAF-AH activity was observed in several diseases, including systemic vasculitis.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate if chronic HCV infection could alter pPAF-AH physiological functions.
  
  
  METHODS
  145 subjects were studied: 56 HCV- and 52 HBV-infected patients (pathologic controls); 37 healthy subjects (healthy controls).
  
  
  METHODS
  pPAF-AH activity, PAF and Apo B100 titers were determined in plasma; enzyme expression levels were evaluated in monocyte-derived macrophages. HCV-RNA was detected in plasma, peripheral blood mononuclear cells and liver samples.
  
  
  RESULTS
  HCV-infected patients showed an increase of PAF levels following a significant decrease of pPAF-AH activity. A recovery of pPAF-AH activity occurs only in patients who clear HCV after the antiviral treatment. Expression levels of pPAF-AH mRNA and Apo B100 titers were not modified in HCV patients in comparison to controls.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In light of these results, it is tempting to hypothesize that during chronic HCV infection, the PAF/pPAF-AH system may be altered and this condition may contribute to HCV-related vascular damage.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Center for the Study of Systemic Manifestations of Hepatitis Viruses MaSVE, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: Cristina Tosti
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Guerra
authors.forename: Patrizio
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Caini
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Giannini
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Giannelli
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gragnani
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Petrarca
authors.forename: Vera
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Solazzo
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Monti
authors.forename: Giacomo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Laffi
authors.forename: Anna Linda
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Zignego
mesh_terms: D043203:1-Alkyl-2-acetylglycerophosphocholine Esterase / Q000032:analysis / Q000502:physiology*; D053299:Apolipoprotein B-100 / Q000097:blood; D002353:Carrier State / Q000201:enzymology; D005260:Female; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000150:complications / Q000201:enzymology*; D006801:Humans; D008264:Macrophages / Q000201:enzymology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010972:Platelet Activating Factor / Q000032:analysis; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D014657:Vasculitis / Q000201:enzymology / Q000209:etiology
chemical_list: D053299:Apolipoprotein B-100; D010972:Platelet Activating Factor; D012367:RNA, Viral; D043203:1-Alkyl-2-acetylglycerophosphocholine Esterase