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Effects of interferon therapy on fibrosis serum markers in HCV-positive chronic liver disease.

AbstractOBJECTIVE:
To evaluate serum levels of prolyl-hydroxylase and helical domain of Type IV collagen, markers of hepatic fibrogenesis, in patients with HCV-positive chronic liver disease and the effects of interferon therapy on these markers.
DESIGN:
Prolyl-hydroxylase and Type IV collagen were determined before therapy and each month during the treatment and follow-up.
METHODS:
Fifty-seven HCV-positive patients were studied. All the subjects received alpha2a recombinant interferon, 6 MU subcutaneously three times a week for 4 weeks, followed by 3 MU thrice weekly for 5 months. After cessation of treatment, each patient was followed for 12 months. Prolyl-hydroxylase and helical domain of Type IV collagen were measured by using immunoenzymatic methods. HCV-RNA and HCV genotype were determined according to the method of Okamoto.
RESULTS:
In the patients prolyl-hydroxylase (39.8+/-8.9 ng/ml) was not different from controls (39.1+/-5.9 ng/ml). On the contrary, the patients showed a mean Type IV collagen (133.6+/-93.3 ng/ml) significantly (P < 0.01) higher than controls (100.2+/-10.5 ng/ml). A good relationship between the degree of liver fibrosis and the Type IV collagen serum level was found (r = 0.68; P < 0.005). In both responders and non-responders the Type IV collagen levels decreased during interferon therapy. During the follow-up, in responders the Type IV collagen did not show modifications, while in non-responders/relapsers it returned rapidly to the pretreatment levels (139.1+/-100.7 ng/ml).
CONCLUSION:
In HCV-positive chronic liver disease, prolylhydroxylase is not a good marker of hepatic fibrosis, while Type IV collagen is a useful tool for evaluating fibrogenic activity. Interferon seems to be able to reduce the liver fibrosis even without the inhibition of viral replication and independently from liver necrosis.
AuthorsL Mazzoran, G Tamaro, M A Mangiarotti, P Marchi, S Baracetti, U Gerini, M Fanni-Cannelles, F Zorat, G Pozzato
JournalEuropean journal of gastroenterology & hepatology (Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol) Vol. 10 Issue 2 Pg. 125-31 (Feb 1998) ISSN: 0954-691X [Print] England
PMID9581987 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
Chemical References
  • Biomarkers
  • Interferon alpha-2
  • Interferon-alpha
  • RNA, Viral
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Collagen
  • Procollagen-Proline Dioxygenase
Topics
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Biomarkers (blood)
  • Collagen (blood)
  • Female
  • Genotype
  • Hepacivirus (isolation & purification)
  • Hepatitis C (blood, drug therapy)
  • Hepatitis, Chronic (blood, drug therapy)
  • Humans
  • Interferon alpha-2
  • Interferon-alpha (therapeutic use)
  • Liver Cirrhosis (blood, drug therapy)
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Procollagen-Proline Dioxygenase (blood)
  • RNA, Viral (analysis)
  • Recombinant Proteins

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