title: Eicosapentaenoic acid supplementation for chronic hepatitis C patients during combination therapy of pegylated interferon alpha-2b and ribavirin.
abstract: Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) (1.8 g/day) was administered to 12 chronic hepatitis C patients receiving combination therapy of pegylated interferon (PEG-IFN) alpha-2b and ribavirin for 48 weeks (EPA group). Twelve patients were not administered EPA (control group). All patients also received vitamin E and C (300, 600 mg/day, respectively) during the therapy. Serum alanine aminotransferase improved to a normal level in 8 of 12 patients from the EPA group and 6 of 12 patients from the control group after 12 weeks. Lymphocyte counts decreased significantly after 8 weeks in the control group, but not the EPA group. T-helper (Th) 1 decreased after 4 weeks in the control group, but not in the EPA group (two-way ANOVA; P < 0.05). Th1/Th2 ratios were elevated in 9 of 12 patients in the EPA group, and 3 out of 12 in the control group (P < 0.05) after 8 weeks. After 12 weeks, the arachidonic acid/EPA molar ratio of erythrocyte membrane phospholipid correlated negatively with the leukocyte count (n = 24, r = -0.439, P < 0.05) and the neutrophil count (n = 24, r = -0.671, P < 0.02). The hemoglobin level improved after 48 weeks compared with 24 weeks in only the EPA group. These findings suggest that EPA supplementation may be useful in therapy for chronic hepatitis C.
authors.affiliation: Department of Natural Science and Ecological Awareness, Graduate School of Humanities and Sciences, Nara Women's University, Kitauoyanishimachi, Nara 630-8506, Japan. faa_kawashima@cc.nara-wu.ac.jp
authors.forename: Aiko
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kawashima
authors.forename: Ikuyo
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Tsukamoto
authors.forename: Tomoko
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Koyabu
authors.forename: Yasuko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Murakami
authors.forename: Takayo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kawakami
authors.forename: Naoko
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kakibuchi
authors.forename: Kouichi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Takaguchi
authors.forename: Keiji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kita
authors.forename: Misako
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Okita
mesh_terms: D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D014810:Vitamin E; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D012254:Ribavirin; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid; D000410:Alanine Transaminase; C417083:peginterferon alfa-2b; D001205:Ascorbic Acid