Do statins reduce hepatitis C RNA titers during routine clinical use?
OBJECTIVE
To compare hepatitis C virus (HCV) titers in patients with chronic hepatitis C with and without exposure to 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors (statins).


METHODS
Medical records were reviewed for 6463 patients with documented HCV infection at a single center between March 2004 and September 2006. Patients with confirmed viremia and meeting inclusion criteria were assigned to one of three groups: Group A (n = 50), dyslipidemic patients with statin usage during HCV RNA polymerase chain reaction (PCR) determination; Group B (n = 49), dyslipidemic patients with prior or future statin usage but not at the time of HCV RNA PCR determination; and Group C (n = 102), patients without statin usage during the study period. The primary analysis explored the effect of statin therapy on HCV viremia. Secondary analyses assessed class effect, dose response, and effect of other lipid-lowering therapies on HCV viral titers.


RESULTS
Median HCV RNA titers did not significantly differ among the three groups (Group A: 4 550 000 IU/mL, Group B: 2 850 000 IU/mL, Group C: 3 055 000 IU/mL). For those subjects with longitudinal assessment of HCV viremia prior to and while on statins, there were no significant differences between pre- and post-HCV viral titers. Additionally, no differences in HCV titers were observed at any dose level of the most prescribed statin, simvastatin. However, hypertriglyceridemia independently correlated with HCV titers, and niacin exposure was associated with significantly lower viral titers (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
There was no apparent effect of statins on HCV viral replication in this analysis. Further investigation is warranted to explore the possible antiviral properties of triglyceride-lowering agents and their potential role as adjuncts to standard HCV therapy.
Research Section, Philadelphia Veterans Administration Medical Center, Research A402A, 3900 Woodland Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19104, United States.
Kimberly-A
KA
Forde
Connie
C
Law
Rose
R
O'Flynn
David-E
DE
Kaplan
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000235:genetics* / Q000821:virology*; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000187:drug effects*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000378:metabolism; D014766:Viremia / Q000821:virology
D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D012367:RNA, Viral; D014280:Triglycerides