Journal
DIGESTIVE DISEASES AND SCIENCES
Volume 53, Issue 4, Pages 1114-1121Publisher
SPRINGER
DOI: 10.1007/s10620-007-9983-1
Keywords
hepatic steatosis; antihyperlipidaemic effects; HCV; interferon alpha; ribavirin
Categories
Ask authors/readers for more resources
Background Hepatic steatosis is a common presentation in patients with chronic hepatitis C. Interferon alpha exerts both antiviral and immunomodulating actions, and influences on lipid metabolism. The aim of our study was to test whether L-carnitine reduces steatosis in patients treated with interferon and ribavirin. Patients and methods A total of 70 patients were randomly assigned to receive either leucocyte IFN alpha at a dose of 3 MIU thrice a week plus 1,000 mg ribavirin per day for 12 months (group A) or IFN alpha and ribavirin at the same dose plus 2 g carnitine per day (group B). Results Comparison of the two treatments showed significant differences between the mean values of the following parameters at the end of the treatment: ALT -68 vs -95 IU/ml (P < 0.05), total cholesterol 0.08 vs -0.91 mmol/l (P < 0.05) and triglycerides +0.25 vs -20 mmol/l (P < 0.05); and at the follow-up: AST -35 vs -65 IU/ml (P < 0.05) and ALT -55 vs -84 IU/ml (P < 0.05). All values were lower in group B (IFN + Ribavirin + Carnitine) than in group A (IFN plus Ribavirin). When comparing those patients treated with IFN + ribavirin with those treated with IFN plus ribavirin plus carnitine, the response at the end of the treatment was 48% vs 56%, and the sustained response 39% vs 46%, respectively. Conclusions Combined treatment with L-carnitine, ribavirin and IFN alpha resulted in greater antihyperlipidaemic effects and than with ribavirin and IFN alpha alone. The results of this study suggest that L-carnitine may have a role among the reduction of steatosis strategies in patients with hepatitis C treated with IFN alpha and ribavirin.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available