Successful treatment with lamivudine may correlate with reduction of serum ferritin levels in the patients with chronic hepatitis and liver cirrhosis type B.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

To study the changes in serum ferritin levels in lamivudine (LAM)-treated patients with chronic hepatitis and liver cirrhosis type B and determine whether successful treatment with LAM results in a reduction of serum ferritin levels.

METHODS:

Thirty patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection were followed prospectively during their treatment with LAM for 12 months. Serum HBV DNA, ferritin levels, and emergence of YMDD mutants were monitored. A case of severe liver cirrhosis with hepatic hemosiderosis that was treated successfully with LAM also is shown as a representative case.

RESULTS:

Serum alanine aminotransferase and ferritin levels decreased significantly more in the patients treated with LAM without YMDD mutants (n = 23) than those with mutants (n = 7). Hepatic hemosiderosis along with serum iron markers improved greatly in the representative patient.

CONCLUSION:

Successful treatment with LAM may reduce serum ferritin levels and improve hepatic siderosis in a subset of patients with chronic HBV infection.

• Authors: Shogo Ohkoshi, Akira Yoshimura, Satoshi Yamamoto, Masahiko Yano, So Kurita, Kazuhide Yamazaki, Yo-Hei Aoki, Satoshi Yamagiwa, Hiroto Wakabayashi, Motoya Sugiyama, Tohru Takahashi, Tohru Ishikawa, Yasunobu Matsuda, Takafumi Ichida, Tomoteru Kamimura, Yutaka Aoyagi
• Journal: Hepatology international (Hepatol Int) Vol. 2 Issue 3 Pg. 382-7 (Sep 2008) ISSN: 1936-0533 [Print] United States
• PMID: 19669269 (Publication Type: Journal Article)