title: Profile of oxidative stress markers is dependent on vitamin D levels in patients with chronic hepatitis C.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Although vitamin D deficiency can change liver injury progression in patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV), the main molecular mechanisms involved are largely unknown. The first aim of this study was to evaluate the association between oxidative stress and hypovitaminosis D in patients with HCV. The second aim was to verify whether oxidative stress is involved in the molecular mechanisms related to liver injury.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study included 147 participants: 89 controls and 58 patients with HCV (vitamin D < 30, n = 32; vitamin D > 30, n = 26).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients with HCV and hypovitaminosis D presented significantly higher aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index (APRI; P = 0.0464) and viral load (P = 0.0426) levels than patients with HCV without hypovitaminosis D. Regarding oxidative stress, HCV patients with hypovitaminosis D had higher advanced oxidation protein products (P = 0.0409), nitric oxide metabolites (P = 0.0206) levels, and oxidative stress index (P = 0.0196), whereas total radical-trapping antioxidant parameter (P = 0.0446) levels were significantly lower than HCV patients without hypovitaminosis D. Vitamin D in patients with HCV showed inverse correlations with levels of iron (r = -0.407, P = 0.0285), ferritin (r = -0.383, P = 0.0444), APRI (r = -0.453, P = 0.0154) and plasma lipid hydroperoxides levels (r = -0.426, P = 0.0189).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Vitamin D insufficiency contributes to the inflammatory process and oxidative stress imbalance in patients with HCV. The profile of oxidative stress markers in these patients depends on vitamin D levels, which probably change intracellular signalling pathways and increase inflammation and liver injury.
authors: Department of Pathology, Clinical Analysis and Toxicology, Health Sciences Center, University of Londrina, Paraná, Brazil.
authors: Jorge P Sales
authors: JP
authors: de Almeida
authors: Department of Pathology, Clinical Analysis and Toxicology, Health Sciences Center, University of Londrina, Paraná, Brazil.
authors: Lucas Silva
authors: LS
authors: Liberatti
authors: Department of Infectology, Health Sciences Center, University of Londrina, Londrina, Brazil.
authors: Fernanda Esteves Nascimento
authors: FE
authors: Barros
authors: Department of Pathology, Clinical Analysis and Toxicology, Health Sciences Center, University of Londrina, Paraná, Brazil.
authors: Ana Paula
authors: AP
authors: Kallaur
authors: Department of Pathology, Clinical Analysis and Toxicology, Health Sciences Center, University of Londrina, Paraná, Brazil.
authors: Marcell A Batisti
authors: MA
authors: Lozovoy
authors: PostGraduate Program in Health Sciences, University of Londrina, Paraná, Brazil.
authors: Bruna Miglioranza
authors: BM
authors: Scavuzzi
authors: Department of Internal Medicine, Health Sciences Center, University of Londrina, Paraná, Brazil.
authors: Carolina
authors: C
authors: Panis
authors: Department of Internal Medicine, Health Sciences Center, University of Londrina, Paraná, Brazil.
authors: Edna Maria V
authors: EM
authors: Reiche
authors: Department of Internal Medicine, Health Sciences Center, University of Londrina, Paraná, Brazil.
authors: Isaias
authors: I
authors: Dichi
authors: Department of Pathology, Clinical Analysis and Toxicology, University of Londrina, Paraná, Brazil. Electronic address: deianame@yahoo.com.br.
authors: Andréa Name Colado
authors: AN
authors: Simão
mesh_terms: D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000097:blood; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D005293:Ferritins / Q000097:blood; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D007501:Iron / Q000097:blood; D008054:Lipid Peroxides / Q000097:blood; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects*; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000097:blood*; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D008054:Lipid Peroxides; D014807:Vitamin D; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D005293:Ferritins; D007501:Iron; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D000410:Alanine Transaminase
keywords: Hepatitis C virus; Inflammation; Iron metabolism; Liver injury markers; Vitamin D insufficiency