Nitric Oxide Levels and Sustained Virological Response to Pegylated-Interferon alpha2a plus Ribavirin in Chronic HCV Genotype 4 Hepatitis: a Prospective Study

作者：Ibrahim Mohamed; Gomaa Wafaey; Ibrahim Yehia; El Hadad Hazem; Shatat Mohamed; Aleem Ashraf Abdel; Essawy Mohamed; Fouad Yasser M^*

来源：Journal of Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases, 2010, 19(4): 387-392.

• HCV
• nitric oxide
• pegylated IFN-alpha
• ribavirin
• iNOS
• immunohistochemistry
• HCV genotype 4
• virological response

Background: The role of nitric oxide (NO) in infectious diseases is gaining attention because of its antiviral effects. Aim: To evaluate whether serum and hepatic NO levels are predictors of the outcome of treatment in patients with chronic hepatitis C genotype 4. Methods: Fifty six patients with chronic HCV genotype 4 treated with pegylated interferon (IFN) alpha-2a plus ribavirin underwent blood tests, assessment of serum level of NO and hepatic tissue expression of NO synthase (iNOS) before and during treatment. Results: The pre-treatment serum NO level was significantly higher in sustained responders (SR) [39.583 (35-43.8)] compared to relapsers [36.25 (26-43.8)], and non responders (NR) [35.417 (25.0-43.8)]. During treatment, the serum NO level was significantly higher in SR [58.125 (47.9-60.6)] compared to relapsers [53.854 (47.9-59.4)] and NR [50 (42.9-59.4)]. The pre-treatment iNOS expression was significantly higher in SR [37.5 (15-75)] compared with either relapsers [25 (15-45)] and or NR [20 (2-45)]. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, the serum NO was correlated with the virological response to pegylated interferon alpha-2a plus ribavirin therapy. Conclusion: In patients with chronic hepatitis C, nitric oxide levels may be associated with the outcome of pegylated-IFN-alpha 2a plus ribavirin treatment.

• 出版日期2010-12