title: Vitamin D improves viral response in hepatitis C genotype 2-3 naïve patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine whether vitamin D improved viral response and predicted treatment outcome in patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 2-3.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty patients with chronic HCV genotype 2-3 were randomized consecutively into two groups: Treatment group [20 subjects, age 48 ± 14 years, body mass index (BMI) 30 ± 6, 65% male], who received 180 μg pegylated α-interferon-2a plus oral ribavirin 800 mg/d (Peg/RBV), together with oral vitamin D3 (Vitamidyne D drops; 2000 IU/d, 10 drops/d, normal serum level > 32 ng/mL) for 24 wk; and control group (30 subjects, age 45 ± 10 years, BMI 26 ± 3, 60% male), who received identical therapy without vitamin D. HCV RNA was assessed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Undetectable HCV RNA at 4, 12 and 24 wk after treatment was considered as rapid virological response, complete early virological response, and sustained virological response (SVR), respectively. Biomarkers of inflammation were measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The treatment group with vitamin D had higher BMI (30 ± 6 vs. 26 ± 3, P < 0.02), and high viral load (> 400,000 IU/mL, 65% vs. 40%, P < 0.01) than controls. Ninety-five percent of treated patients were HCV RNA negative at week 4 and 12. At 24 wk after treatment (SVR), 19/20 (95%) treated patients and 23/30 (77%) controls were HCV RNA negative (P < 0.001). Baseline serum vitamin D levels were lower at baseline (20 ± 8 ng/mL) and increased after 12 wk vitamin D treatment, to a mean level of (34 ± 11 ng/mL). Logistic regression analysis identified vitamin D supplement [odds ratio (OR) 3.0, 95% CI 2.0-4.9, P < 0.001], serum vitamin D levels (< 15 or > 15 ng/mL, OR 2.2, P < 0.01), and BMI (< 30 or > 30, OR 2.6, P < 0.01) as independent predictors of viral response. Adverse events were mild and typical of Peg/RBV.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Low vitamin D levels predicts negative treatment outcome, and adding vitamin D to conventional Peg/RBV therapy for patients with HCV genotype 2-3 significantly improves viral response.
authors.affiliation: Department of Liver, Ziv Medical Center, Safed 13100, Israel. assy.n@ziv.health.gov.il
authors.forename: Assy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nimer
authors.forename: Abu
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mouch
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015992:Body Mass Index; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000821:virology*; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D019562:Viral Load; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D014807:Vitamin D; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D012254:Ribavirin; C417083:peginterferon alfa-2b