Paradoxical alteration of acute-phase protein levels in patients with chronic hepatitis C treated with IFN-alpha2b

Previously we observed elevation of the serum concentration of two acute-phase protein (AFP) complement components (C9 and C1-inhibitor) in patients with chronic hepatitis C who responded (R) to IFN-alpha therapy, but not in non-responders (NR). In the present study we investigated the effect of hig...

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Published in:International immunology 2004-01, Vol.16 (1), p.51-54
Main Authors: Kalabay, László, Nemesánszky, Elemér, Csepregi, Antal, Pusztay, Mária, Dávid, Károly, Horváth, Gábor, Ibrányi, Ervin, Telegdy, László, Pár, Alajos, Bíró, Adrienn, Fekete, Béla, Gervain, Judith, Horányi, Margit, Ribiczey, Pál, Csöndes, Mihály, Kleiber, Mónika, Walentin, Szilvia, Prohászka, Zoltán, Füst, George
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Acute-Phase Proteins - analysis
Acute-Phase Proteins - drug effects
Female
Hepatitis C, Chronic - blood
Hepatitis C, Chronic - drug therapy
Humans
Interferon alpha-2
Interferon-alpha - therapeutic use
Male
Middle Aged
Recombinant Proteins
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Summary:Previously we observed elevation of the serum concentration of two acute-phase protein (AFP) complement components (C9 and C1-inhibitor) in patients with chronic hepatitis C who responded (R) to IFN-alpha therapy, but not in non-responders (NR). In the present study we investigated the effect of high-dose IFN-alpha therapy on serum concentrations of two positive [orosomucoid (OROSO) and C-reactive protein (CRP)] and two negative [transferrin (TF) and fetuin/alpha2HS-glycoprotein (AHSG)] AFP in an outpatient setting. We investigated blood samples of 40 patients with chronic hepatitis C at the onset and at the end of a 3-month treatment with high-dose IFN-alpha2b (5 MIU/day for 6 weeks, followed by 5 MIU t.i.w.) and of 52 healthy individuals. Serum concentrations of OROSO, TF and AHSG were measured by radial immunodiffusion; CRP levels were determined by immunotubridimetry. Compared to controls, patients with chronic hepatitis C had significantly lower OROSO and CRP, and higher AHSG levels. By the end of treatment, OROSO concentration increased in R (P = 0.0054), but not in NR patients. In contrast, TF levels decreased in R (P = 0.0040), but did not change in NR patients. Similarly, in R patients, AHSG levels tended to decrease (P = 0.0942) following IFN-alpha treatment. We conclude that the acute-phase reaction is suppressed in patients with chronic hepatitis C that may be potentially related to the responsiveness to IFN-alpha therapy.
ISSN:0953-8178