title: The impact of diet on liver fibrosis and on response to interferon therapy in patients with HCV-related chronic hepatitis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  A deranged metabolic status and alcohol intake may trigger induction and progression of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) liver disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether dietary composition affects the severity of liver damage and response to therapy in patients with HCV-related chronic hepatitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  We enrolled 1,084 patients with biopsy-proven HCV-related chronic hepatitis (432 treated with interferon plus ribavirin) and 2,326 healthy subjects in this prospective study conducted in a university hospital. Dietary habits were recorded in enrolled individuals, and their alcohol consumption was evaluated with a questionnaire (AUDIT). Body mass index, and plasma levels of blood glucose, nitrogen, creatinine, cholesterol, and triglycerides were also measured. All individuals underwent routine liver tests and HCV genotyping.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At study onset, there were no differences in metabolic status or alcohol consumption between patients and controls. About 50% of each group was overweight, and about 60% consumed alcohol. Patients and controls had similar dietary habits. Intake of carbohydrates, lipids and polyunsaturated fatty acids, and alcohol consumption were independent factors of liver damage at histology (logistic regression analysis). Some dietary components (unsaturated fatty acids, iron, zinc, vitamin A, and niacin) and alcohol intake differed significantly (P < 0.05 and P 0.01, respectively; univariate analysis) between responders and nonresponders to interferon therapy. Genotype, age, body mass index, steatosis, and fibrosis were independent predictors of therapy outcome (P < 0.02; multivariate analysis).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The severity of HCV-related chronic hepatitis depends on a variety of factors. Our results show that dietary composition is related to the extent of liver damage. Although traditional risk factors independently affected treatment response, some dietary components were associated with nonresponse to therapy in our patients. This suggests that HCV patients may benefit from instructions regarding their diet.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine and Hepatogastroenterology, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Carmela
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Loguercio
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Federico
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Masarone
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Torella
authors.forename: Camillo Del Vecchio
authors.initials: Cdel V
authors.lastname: Blanco
authors.forename: Marcello
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Persico
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004032:Diet; D005260:Female; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D007372:Interferons / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D012254:Ribavirin; D007372:Interferons