Effect of sustained virological response to treatment on the incidence of abnormal glucose values in chronic hepatitis C

Retrospective study of the associations between hepatitis C virus infection and metabolic factors

AIM

To evaluate the bidirectional association between metabolic syndrome (MS) components and antiviral treatment response for chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study included 119 HCV + patients treated with pegylated-interferon-α and ribavirin. Metabolic characteristics and laboratory data were collected from medical records. Differences in baseline clinical and demographic risk factors between responders and non-responders were assessed using independent samples t-tests or χ² tests. The effects of sustained viral response (SVR) to antiviral treatment on de novo impairments in MS components, including impaired fasting glucose (IFG) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), were assessed using univariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis, while the effect of MS components on SVR was assessed using univariable logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

Of the 119 patients, 80 (67%) developed SVR over the average 54 ± 13 mo follow-up. The cumulative risks for de novo T2DM and IFG were 5.07- (95%CI: 1.261-20.4, P = 0.022) and 3.87-fold higher (95%CI: 1.484-10.15, P = 0.006), respectively for non-responders than responders, when adjusted for the baseline risk factors age, sex, HCV genotype, high viral load, and steatosis. Post-treatment triglyceride levels were significantly lower in non-responders than in responders (OR = 0.27; 95%CI: 0.069-0.962, P = 0.044). Age and HCV genotype 3 were significantly different between responders and non-responders, and MS components were not significantly associated with SVR. Steatosis tended to attenuate SVR (OR = 0.596; 95%CI: 0.331-1.073, P = 0.08).

CONCLUSION

SVR was associated with lower de novo T2DM and IFG incidence and higher triglyceride levels. Patients infected with HCV should undergo T2DM screening and antidiabetic treatment.

Reversion of disease manifestations after HCV eradication

Chronic infection with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) may lead to hepatic fibrosis and eventually cirrhosis, at which stage, patients have a substantial risk of liver failure, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and liver-related death. Moreover, HCV infection is associated with several extrahepatic manifestations which impact the quality of life and increase the non-liver-related mortality rate. For patients with compensated liver disease, interferon (IFN)-based antiviral therapy has been a treatment option for over two decades. Long-term follow-up studies indicated that among those with sustained virological response (SVR) the extend of hepatic fibrosis can regress and that their risk of cirrhosis-related complications (including HCC) is reduced, also in case of cirrhosis. Recent population-based studies extended these observations for solid extrahepatic outcomes, such as end-stage renal failure and cardiovascular events. Most importantly, SVR has been associated with prolonged overall survival. These results highlight the importance of the development of new direct-acting antivirals (DAAs), by which almost all patients are able to eradicate HCV in a comfortable manner. Based on the excellent first experiences with the DAAs, physicians gained confidence to use these drugs among patients with decompensated cirrhosis on a more regular basis as well. This was not possible with interferon therapy. Also in this high risk population the DAAs show high SVR rates with improvements in biochemical parameters of liver function shortly after therapy, especially in case of SVR. In fact, some patients could actually be removed from the liver transplantation waiting list due to clinical improvement following DAA therapy. How these short-term results translate into a prolonged (long-term) survival has yet to be determined, as well as which patients with decompensated liver disease are likely or not to benefit from viral eradication. Here we review the current data regarding the beneficial clinical outcome with antiviral therapy as well the remaining uncertainties in this field, both for patients with compensated liver disease and patients with decompensated liver disease.

Hepatitis C-A clinical review

With an estimated prevalence of about 170 million people worldwide, chronic hepatitis C is an important cause of chronic liver disease associated with a substantial risk of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. The recent past has borne witness to remarkable advancements in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C with the development of novel, effective, and well tolerated medications that have resulted in paradigm shifts in treatment approaches and may potentially affect the natural history of the disease. We provide a clinical review of current concepts and future developments in the management of chronic hepatitis C to aid in the understanding and individualization of chronic hepatitis C treatment. J. Med. Virol. 88:1844-1855, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Association of Overt Diabetes Mellitus with the Non-CC but not the CC Genotype of Interleukin-28B in Hepatitis C Virus Infected Patients

BACKGROUND

Interleukin-28B (IL-28B) polymorphism is an important predictor for hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment response. Whether IL-28b genotypes also influence other nontreatment related clinical parameters is unclear.

METHODS

Patients with HCV-related chronic liver diseases who attended our department during 2012-2014 were retrospectively analyzed. The single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of rs12979860 (IL-28B) were correlated with various clinical parameters. We also compared these parameters in patients with and without overt diabetes to identify possible associations.

RESULTS

A total of 115 patients were included (median age 48, range 15-76 years; 70% males). Overall, 43/115 (37%) patients had chronic hepatitis, while the remaining 72/115 (63%) had cirrhosis. The most common IL-28B genotype was CC, which was found in 53% of patients (61/115), while the remaining 47% were nonCC [CT 42% (48/115) and TT 5% (6/115)]. Clinical and laboratory parameters like Hb, white blood cell (WBC), platelets, bilirubin, transaminases, and albumin were similar in the CC and nonCC genotypes. Overt diabetes mellitus was present in 22% (25/115) of patients. Patients with nonCC genotype had significantly higher prevalence of overt diabetes mellitus than patients with CC genotype (31% [17/54] versus 13% [8/61]; p < 0.05). When parameters were compared in patients with and without overt diabetes mellitus, only IL-28B and age were significantly associated with overt diabetes mellitus (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

In HCV patients, overt diabetes mellitus was more commonly associated with the nonCC genotype of IL-28B than the CC genotype. Carriers of the T-allele of SNP rs12979860 were more likely to have insulin resistance than CC homozygotes, and this finding may explain the higher prevalence of diabetes in non-CC genotypes. Thus, an IL-28B test may be useful in patients of HCV in order to determine their likelihood of developing diabetes mellitus.

Treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus by viral eradication in chronic hepatitis C: Myth or reality?

Chronic hepatitis C is a systemic disease inducing metabolic alterations leading to extrahepatic consequences. In particular, hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection seems to increase the risk of incident type 2 diabetes mellitus in predisposed individuals, independently of liver disease stage. The mechanisms through which hepatitis C induces T2DM involve direct viral effects, insulin resistance, pro-inflammatory cytokines and other immune-mediated processes. Many studies have reported the clinical consequences of type 2 diabetes mellitus on hepatitis C outcome, but very few studies have addressed the issue of microangiopathic complications among patients with hepatitis C only, who develop type 2 diabetes mellitus. Moreover, clinical trials in HCV-positive patients have reported improvement in glucose metabolism after antiviral treatment; recent studies have suggested that this metabolic amelioration might have a clinical impact on type 2 diabetes mellitus-related complications. These observations raise the question as to whether the HCV eradication may also have an impact on the future morbidity and mortality due to type 2 diabetes mellitus. The scope of this review is to summarise the current evidence linking successful antiviral treatment and the prevention of type 2 diabetes mellitus and its complications in hepatitis C-infected patients.

Positive hepatitis B surface antibody is associated with reduced risk of diabetes mellitus in retired female Chinese workers

BACKGROUND

To study the relationship between positivity for hepatitis B surface antibody (HBsAb) and the risk of diabetes mellitus in the retired Chinese population.

METHODS

A cross-sectional analysis was conducted in 900 retired Chinese workers attending a health check-up program. HBsAb, hepatitis B surface antigen, oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), fasting plasma glucose (FBG), 2-h plasma glucose 2hBG, and insulin levels were collected.

RESULTS

Participants positive for HBsAb were younger, with lower blood pressure, lower FBG and 2hBG serum uric acid, and glutamic pyruvic transaminase than those who were HbsAb negative. There were 306 subjects with impaired glucose tolerance and 121 with type 2 diabetes (T2D) in the present cohort. Using Chi-squared analysis to assess the risk of diabetes, women positive for HBsAb had a lower prevalence of T2D than those negative for HBsAb (15.7% vs 26.5%, respectively; P < 0.01). Multivariate analysis revealed family history of diabetes, age, and waist circumference were independently associated with a higher prevalence of diabetes, and that HBsAb positivity was independently associated with a lower prevalence of diabetes (odds ratio 0.579; 95% confidence interval 0.388-0.918) when adjusted for sex, family history of hypertension and dyslipidemia, and body mass index.

CONCLUSIONS

An HBsAb-positive status is associated with a low rate of diabetes and better metabolic status. A prospective study of patients with known vaccination records is needed to investigate whether hepatitis B virus vaccination could protect against the development of diabetes.

Natural History of Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C infection is a common cause of cirrhosis and indication for liver transplantation in the United States. The incidence of chronic hepatitis C has been declining, but rates of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma are projected to increase. The outcome of chronic hepatitis C is variable. It is estimated that 20% to 25% will develop cirrhosis over a 25-year to 30-year period. The rate of disease progression is influenced by many host, viral, and environmental factors. Few can be modified.

Glucose abnormalities in Asian patients with chronic hepatitis C

Many studies have demonstrated a potential association between type 2 diabetes (T2D) and hepatitis C virus infection in Western countries, while similar evidence is limited in Asia. We compared the prevalence of glucose abnormalities (impaired fasting glucose [IFG] and T2D) and their risk factors between Asian and non-Asian chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients, and evaluated whether glucose abnormalities impacted the viral responses to peginterferon plus ribavirin treatment (current standard of care in most Asian countries). This study retrospectively analyzed data of 1,887 CHC patients from three Phase II/III studies with alisporivir (DEB025) as treatment for CHC. The chi-square test was used to compare the prevalence of IFG/T2D between Asian and non-Asian CHC patients, and logistic regression was used to adjust for sex, age, and cirrhosis status. Risk factors for IFG/T2D were evaluated using univariate and multivariate analysis. Our results indicated that the prevalence of IFG/T2D was high in both Asian and non-Asian CHC patients (23.0% vs 20.9%), and no significant difference was found between these two populations (adjusted odds ratio: 1.3, 95% confidence interval: 0.97, 1.7; P=0.08). Age, sex, and cirrhosis status were risk factors for IFG/T2D in both populations, while body mass index was positively associated with IFG/T2D in non-Asian but not in Asian participants. No significant differences in sustained virological response rates were seen between patients with normal fasting glucose and patients with IFG/T2D for both populations. These results demonstrate that the prevalence of glucose abnormalities in Asian CHC patients was similar to that in non-Asians, and glucose abnormalities had no impact on viral response to peginterferon plus ribavirin.

Extrahepatic morbidity and mortality of chronic hepatitis C

Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is associated with several extrahepatic manifestations. Patients with HCV may develop mixed cryoglobulinemia and its sequelae, ranging from cutaneous and visceral vasculitis to glomerulonephritis and B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma. HCV-infected patients have increased rates of insulin resistance, diabetes, and atherosclerosis, which may lead to increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Neurological manifestations of HCV infection include fatigue and cognitive impairment. The mechanisms causing the extrahepatic effects of HCV infection are likely multifactorial and may include endocrine effects, HCV replication in extrahepatic cells, or a heightened immune reaction with systemic effects. Successful eradication of HCV with interferon alfa and ribavirin was shown to improve some of these extrahepatic effects; sustained virological response is associated with resolution of complications of cryoglobulinemia, reduced levels of insulin resistance, reduced incidence of diabetes and stroke, and improved fatigue and cognitive functioning. The availability of new interferon-free, well-tolerated anti-HCV treatment regimens is broadening the spectrum of patients available for therapy, including those in whom interferon was contraindicated, and will likely result in greater improvements in the extrahepatic manifestations of HCV. If these regimens are shown to confer significant benefit in the metabolic, cardiovascular, or neuropsychiatric conditions associated with HCV infection, extrahepatic manifestations of HCV may become a major indication for treatment even in the absence of liver disease.

Assessing cardiovascular risk in hepatitis C: An unmet need

Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality, as a result of the progression towards cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Additionally, HCV seems to be an independent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVD) due to its association with insulin resistance, diabetes and steatosis. HCV infection represents an initial step in the chronic inflammatory cascade, showing a direct role in altering glucose metabolism. After achieving sustained virological response, the incidence of insulin resistance and diabetes dramatically decrease. HCV core protein plays an essential role in promoting insulin resistance and oxidative stress. On the other hand, atherosclerosis is a common disease in which the artery wall thickens due to accumulation of fatty deposits. The main step in the formation of atherosclerotic plaques is the oxidation of low density lipoprotein particles, together with the increased production of proinflammatory markers [tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-18 or C-reactive protein]. The advent of new direct acting antiviral therapy has dramatically increased the sustained virological response rates of hepatitis C infection. In this scenario, the cardiovascular risk has emerged and represents a major concern after the eradication of the virus. Consequently, the number of studies evaluating this association is growing. Data derived from these studies have demonstrated the strong link between HCV infection and the atherogenic process, showing a higher risk of coronary heart disease, carotid atherosclerosis, peripheral artery disease and, ultimately, CVD-related mortality.

Clearance of Hepatitis C Virus Improves Insulin Resistance During and After Peginterferon and Ribavirin Therapy

Patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection are at a greater risk of developing insulin resistance (IR). However, little is known about when insulin sensitivity may improve during or after treatment for hepatitis C. In this study, we examined the effect of combination therapy with pegylated interferon-α and ribavirin on IR in patients with chronic HCV infection. We also analyzed factors associated with changes in insulin sensitivity. IR was estimated by homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-IR). HOMA-IR was measured before therapy, during therapy (12 and 24 weeks), and at the end of therapy (EOT; 24 or 48 weeks). We analyzed 78 HCV patients receiving combination therapy. Twenty-two patients (28.2%) exhibited pretreatment IR (HOMA-IR >2.5). In all patients, HOMA-IR was not significantly different from baseline values at 12 weeks (P = 0.823), 24 weeks (P = 0.417), or at EOT (P = 0.158). In patients with pretreatment IR, a significant decrease in HOMA-IR was observed at 12 weeks (P = 0.023), 24 weeks (P = 0.008), and at EOT (P = 0.002). Multivariate analysis using a logistic regression model showed that baseline HOMA-IR is the only factor associated with the decline in HOMA-IR during and after therapy. The eradication of HCV infection was associated with improved insulin sensitivity among patients with pretreatment IR. This significant improvement in insulin sensitivity may occur as early as 12 weeks after the initiation of antiviral therapy.

Toward a more complete understanding of the association between a hepatitis C sustained viral response and cause-specific outcomes

Sustained viral response (SVR) is the optimal outcome of hepatitis C virus (HCV) therapy, yet more detailed data are required to confirm its clinical value. Individuals receiving treatment in 1996-2011 were identified using the Scottish HCV clinical database. We sourced data on 10 clinical events: liver, nonliver, and all-cause mortality; first hospitalisation for severe liver morbidity (SLM); cardiovascular disease (CVD); respiratory disorders; neoplasms; alcohol-intoxication; drug intoxication; and violence-related injury (note: the latter three events were selected a priori to gauge ongoing chaotic lifestyle behaviours). We determined the association between SVR attainment and each outcome event, in terms of the relative hazard reduction and absolute risk reduction (ARR). We tested for an interaction between SVR and liver disease severity (mild vs. nonmild), defining mild disease as an aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index (APRI) <0.7. Our cohort comprised 3,385 patients (mean age: 41.6 years), followed-up for a median 5.3 years (interquartile range: 3.3-8.2). SVR was associated with a reduced risk of liver mortality (adjusted hazard ratio [AHR]: 0.24; P < 0.001), nonliver mortality (AHR, 0.68; P = 0.026), all-cause mortality (AHR, 0.49; P < 0.001), SLM (AHR, 0.21; P < 0.001), CVD (AHR, 0.70; P = 0.001), alcohol intoxication (AHR, 0.52; P = 0.003), and violence-related injury (AHR, 0.51; P = 0.002). After 7.5 years, SVR was associated with significant ARRs for liver mortality, all-cause mortality, SLM, and CVD (each 3.0%-4.7%). However, we detected a strong interaction, in that ARRs were considerably higher for individuals with nonmild disease than for individuals with mild disease.

CONCLUSIONS

The conclusions are 3-fold: (1) Overall, SVR is associated with reduced hazard for a range of hepatic and nonhepatic events; (2) an association between SVR and behavioral events is consistent with SVR patients leading healthier lives; and (3) the short-term value of SVR is greatest for those with nonmild disease.

Insulin resistance and its consequences in chronic hepatitis C

Chronic hepatitis C (CHC) is generally a slowly progressive disease, but some factors associated with rapid progression have been identified. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) may contribute to a broad spectrum of metabolic disturbances - namely, steatosis, insulin resistance (IR), increased prevalence of impaired glucose tolerance, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), lipid metabolism abnormalities and atherosclerosis. HCV can directly or indirectly cause both IR and steatosis, but it is still not resolved whether this viral impact bears the same prognostic value as the metabolic counterparts. As the population exposed to HCV ages, the morbidity due to this disease is increasing. The rising epidemic of obesity contributes to higher prevalence of IR and T2DM. Our understanding of the mutual association between both disease states continues to grow, but is still far from complete. This review briefly discusses the most probable mechanisms involved in IR development in the course of CHC. Molecular mechanisms for the direct and indirect influence of HCV on intracellular insulin signaling are described. Subsequently, the consequences of IR/T2DM for disease progression and management are summarized.

Achieving sustained virological response: what's the impact on further hepatitis C virus-related disease?

Continuous hepatic inflammation as a result of chronic infection with the hepatitis C virus may lead to the development of fibrosis and eventually cirrhosis. At the stage of cirrhosis, patients are at elevated risk of liver failure and hepatocellular carcinoma, two complications that shorten their life expectancy. Survival may be further impaired by the extra-hepatic manifestations of chronic hepatitis C virus infection, such as diabetes mellitus and lymphoma. Sustained virological response (SVR) following antiviral therapy has been associated with regression of hepatic fibrosis as well as with a reduction in portal pressure, both important markers of liver disease severity. Long-term follow-up studies indicated that SVR was related not only to a reduced occurrence of solid clinical end points, including liver failure and hepatocellular carcinoma, but also cardiovascular events and malignant lymphomas. Together, these findings may explain the recently observed improved overall survival among patients who attained SVR, even in the case of advanced liver disease.

Cardiovascular disease and hepatitis C virus infection: an irrelevant statement or a hot relationship?

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is well known for being the leading cause of hepatocellular carcinoma and cirrhosis, contributing to a devastating array of metabolic dysfunctions associated with hepatic failure. However, the cardiac manifestations of HCV and chronic hepatitis C (CHC) are being explored, thus illuminating the connection between HCV infection and cardiac disease. Although not all studies agree, the evidence in favor of CHC promoting major risk factors for cardiovascular disease such as hypertension, insulin resistance, diabetes mellitus, and atherosclerosis is compelling. Similarly, properly warranted attention is being guided towards CHC as an independent risk factor for the development of atherosclerotic heart disease and cardiomyopathy. This review provides a synopsis on the relationship between (HCV) infection and cardiac disease, emphasizing on some of the key possible mechanisms and population derived data.

Facts and fictions of HCV and comorbidities: steatosis, diabetes mellitus, and cardiovascular diseases

The hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major cause of chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma worldwide. A significant portion of the morbidity and mortality associated with HCV is a consequence of numerous HCV-associated comorbidities. Type 2 diabetes and atherosclerosis, two known complications of the metabolic syndrome, are noteworthy, because HCV has been suggested to play a role in their pathogenesis. In addition, HCV also causes steatosis, which may increase the risk of cardiovascular events. This review summarizes the evidence supporting the association between HCV and steatosis, insulin resistance/type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Their diagnostic, prognostic and management aspects are discussed.

Association between interferon use and reduced metabolic and vascular complications among patients with hepatitis C

We examined whether interferon treatment is associated with reduced metabolic/vascular complications in hepatitis C virus patients. The study had historical prospective cohort design using Maryland Medicaid administrative data (2006-2009). The end point was the incidence rate of mild, severe and combined mild/severe events from the Diabetes Complications Severity Index (DCSI). Interferon-treated and -untreated hepatitis C virus patients were matched on baseline covariates. Using multivariate counting process Cox regressions, we modeled the association between interferon receipt of at least 24 weeks and DCSI events incidence rate. Treated whites had similar rate of mild DCSI events, significantly 64% (p < 0.01) lower rate of severe DCSI events, and overall 29% (p = 0.14) lower rate of mild/severe DCSI events, compared with untreated whites. Compared with untreated blacks, treated blacks had a similar rate of DSCI events. Future studies should confirm our findings and should include important clinical variables such as viral genotype, virologic count and achieving sustained virologic response.

Review article: HCV genotype 3 – the new treatment challenge

BACKGROUND

Over the past several years, hepatitis C therapy has been pegylated interferon and ribavirin based. Although protease inhibitor-based therapy has enhanced response rates in genotype 1, the recent advances in therapy have demonstrated a challenge in genotype 3, a highly prevalent infection globally.

AIM

To provide a comprehensive summary of the literature evaluating the unique characteristics and evolving therapies in genotype 3.

METHODS

A structured search in PubMed, the Cochrane Library and EMBASE was performed using defined key words, including only full text papers and abstracts in English.

RESULTS

HCV genotype 3 is more prevalent in Asia and among intra-venous drug users. Furthermore, it interferes with lipid and glucose metabolism, and the natural history involves a more rapid progression of liver disease and a higher incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). New therapies with protease inhibitors have focused on genotype 1 largely and have demonstrated enhanced responses, but have limited activity against genotype 3. Thus far, in clinical trials, NS5B and NS5A inhibitors have performed more poorly in genotype 3, while a cyclophilin inhibitor, alisporivir, has shown promise.

CONCLUSIONS

As treatments for HCV have evolved, genotype 3 has become the most difficult to treat. Furthermore, genotype 3 has special characteristics, such as insulin resistance and alterations in lipid metabolism, which may partly explain the lower treatment responses. A great deal of emphasis on advancing therapy is needed in this population that appears to have a more rapid progression of liver disease and a higher incidence of HCC.

Hepatitis C virus and metabolic disorder interactions towards liver damage and atherosclerosis

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is one of the main causes of liver disease worldwide, and alterations of glucose metabolism have reached pandemic proportions in western countries. However, the frequent coexistence between these two conditions is more than simply coincidental, since HCV can induce insulin resistance through several mechanisms. Indeed, the virus interferes with insulin signaling both directly and indirectly, inducing the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Furthermore, the entire viral life cycle has strict interconnections with lipid metabolism, and HCV is responsible for a "viral" steatosis which is frequently superimposed to a "metabolic" one. Several evidences suggest that HCV-induced metabolic disorders contribute both to the evolution of liver fibrosis and, likely, to the progression of the other disorders which are typically associated with altered metabolism, in particular atherosclerosis. In the present review, we will examine in depth the links between HCV infection and insulin resistance, liver steatosis and diabetes, and analyze the impact of these interactions on the progression of liver fibrosis and atherosclerosis. Special attention will be focused on the highly debated topic of the relationship between HCV infection and cardiovascular disease. The available clinical literature on this item will be broadly reviewed and all the mechanisms possibly implied will be discussed.

Interaction between hepatitis C virus and metabolic factors

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection disrupts the normal metabolism processes, but is also influenced by several of the host’s metabolic factors. An obvious and significantly detrimental pathophysiological feature of HCV infection is insulin resistance in hepatic and peripheral tissues. Substantial research efforts have been put forth recently to elucidate the molecular mechanism of HCV-induced insulin resistance, and several cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-α, have been identified as important contributors to the development of insulin resistance in the distant peripheral tissues of HCV-infected patients and animal models. The demonstrated etiologies of HCV-induced whole-body insulin resistance include oxidative stress, lipid metabolism abnormalities, hepatic steatosis and iron overload. In addition, myriad effects of this condition have been characterized, including glucose intolerance, resistance to antiviral therapy, progression of hepatic fibrosis, development of hepatocellular carcinoma, and general decrease in quality of life. Metabolic-related conditions and disorders, such as visceral obesity and diabetes mellitus, have been shown to synergistically enhance HCV-induced metabolic disturbance, and are associated with worse prognosis. Yet, the molecular interactions between HCV-induced metabolic disturbance and host-associated metabolic factors remain largely unknown. The diet and lifestyle recommendations for chronic hepatitis C are basically the same as those for obesity, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome. Specifically, patients are suggested to restrict their dietary iron intake, abstain from alcohol and tobacco, and increase their intake of green tea and coffee (to attain the beneficial effects of caffeine and polyphenols). While successful clinical management of HCV-infected patients with metabolic disorders has also been achieved with some anti-diabetic (i.e., metformin) and anti-lipid (i.e., statins) medications, it is recommended that sulfonylurea and insulin be avoided.

The impact of hepatitis C burden: an evidence-based approach

BACKGROUND

Infection with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) has been considered a major cause of mortality, morbidity and resource utilisation in the US. In addition, HCV is the main cause of hepatocellular cancer (HCC) in the US. Recent developments in the diagnosis and treatment of HCV, including new recommendations pertaining to screening for HCV by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and newer treatment regimens with high efficacy, short duration and the potential for interferon-free therapies, have energised the health care practitioners regarding HCV management.

AIM

To assess the full impact of HCV burden on clinical, economic and patient-reported outcomes.

METHODS

An expert panel was convened to assess the full impact of HCV burden on a number of important outcomes using an evidence-based approach predicated on Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation methodology. The literature was summarised, graded using an evidence-based approach and presented during the workshop. Workshop presentations were intended to review recent, relevant evidence-based literature and provide graded summary statements pertaining to HCV burden on topics including the relationships between HCV and the development of important outcomes.

RESULTS

The associations of HCV with cirrhosis, HCC, liver-related mortality, type 2 diabetes mellitus, rheumatological diseases and quality of life impairments are supported by strong evidence. Also, there is strong evidence that sustained viral eradication of HCV can improve important outcomes such as mortality and quality of life.

CONCLUSIONS

The current evidence suggests that HCV has been associated with tremendous clinical, economic and quality of life burden.

Hepatitis C virus infection and insulin resistance

Approximately 170 million people worldwide are chronically infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV). Chronic HCV infection is the leading cause for the development of liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and is the primary cause for liver transplantation in the western world. Insulin resistance is one of the pathological features in patients with HCV infection and often leads to development of type II diabetes. Insulin resistance plays an important role in the development of various complications associated with HCV infection. Recent evidence indicates that HCV associated insulin resistance may result in hepatic fibrosis, steatosis, HCC and resistance to anti-viral treatment. Thus, HCV associated insulin resistance is a therapeutic target at any stage of HCV infection. HCV modulates normal cellular gene expression and interferes with the insulin signaling pathway. Various mechanisms have been proposed in regard to HCV mediated insulin resistance, involving up regulation of inflammatory cytokines, like tumor necrosis factor-α, phosphorylation of insulin-receptor substrate-1, Akt, up-regulation of gluconeogenic genes like glucose 6 phosphatase, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase 2, and accumulation of lipid droplets. In this review, we summarize the available information on how HCV infection interferes with insulin signaling pathways resulting in insulin resistance.

The impact of obesity and metabolic syndrome on chronic hepatitis C

The metabolic syndrome and the hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection are 2 global health care challenges with a complex interaction. Insulin resistance, a central component of the metabolic syndrome, is epidemiologically and pathophysiologically intrinsically linked to HCV infection. Insulin resistance and diabetes affect clinical outcomes in patients with liver disease related to HCV, namely, incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma, liver-related mortality, fibrosis progression rate, response to antiviral therapy, and possibly the incidence of cardiovascular events. Viral and metabolic steatosis and its interactions with HCV and the metabolic syndrome are discussed. Management and the need for further research conclude the article.

Cardiovascular risk, lipidemic phenotype and steatosis. A comparative analysis of cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic liver disease due to varying etiology

BACKGROUND

Liver regulates lipid metabolism in health and disease states. Nevertheless, the entity of cardiovascular risk (CVR) resulting from dysregulation of lipid metabolism secondary to liver disease is poorly characterized.

AIM AND METHODS

To review, based on a PubMed literature search, the features and the determinants of serum lipid phenotype and its correlation with hepatic steatosis, insulin resistance (IR) and CVR across the wide spectrum of the most common chronic liver diseases due to different etiologies.

RESULTS

Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) is associated with steatosis, IR and a typical lipid profile. The relationship between alcohol intake, incident type 2 diabetes (T2D) and CVR describes a J-shaped curve. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and probably nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in particular, is associated with IR, atherogenic dyslipidemia and increased CVR independent of traditional risk factors. Moreover, NASH-cirrhosis and T2D contribute to increasing CVR in liver transplant recipients. HBV infection is generally free from IR, steatosis and CVR. HCV-associated dysmetabolic syndrome, featuring steatosis, hypocholesterolemia and IR, appears to be associated with substantially increased CVR. Hyperlipidemia is an almost universal finding in primary biliary cirrhosis, a condition typically spared from steatosis and associated with neither subclinical atherosclerosis nor excess CVR. Finally, little is known on CVR in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

CONCLUSIONS

CVR is increased in ALD, NAFLD and chronic HCV infection, all conditions featuring IR and steatosis. Therefore, irrespective of serum lipid phenotype, hepatic steatosis and IR may be major shared determinants in amplifying CVR in common liver disease due to varying etiology.

Investigation of PNPLA3 and IL28B genotypes on diabetes and obesity after liver transplantation: insight into mechanisms of disease

To identify genetic risks for obesity and diabetes postliver transplantation (LT), LT recipients underwent genotyping for IL28B rs12979860 (n = 295) and PNPLA3 rs738409 (n = 205) polymorphism in both donors and recipients. The development of obesity and diabetes/impaired fasting glucose (IFG) was determined 1-5 years post-LT. Recipient PNPLA-3 genotype was independently associated with obesity (BMI > 30) at 3 years posttransplant (genotype CC 33.7%, CG 48.3% and GG 82.4%, p = 0.002), with an odds ratio (OR 2.54, CI 1.38-4.66, p = 0.003), associated with the G allele. Diabetes/IFG diagnosed within 5 years posttransplant associated with PNPLA-3 non-CC genotype (HR 1.59, 1.12-2.26, p = 0.010), but not IL28B TT genotype (HR 1.46, 0.94-2.27, p = 0.092). No genotype variable was independently predictive of diabetes/IFG. The combination of PNPLA-3 non-CC and IL28B TT genotype was associated with increased risk of diabetes/IFG compared to PNPLA-3 CC, IL28B non-TT (HR 2.64, CI 1.30-5.39, p = 0.008). Donor genotypes were not associated with any of the outcomes analyzed. In conclusion, PNPLA-3 non-CC genotype is associated with posttransplant obesity but not independently with diabetes/IFG. The lack of donor related risk suggests a peripheral rather than central mechanism of insulin resistance in liver transplant recipients.

Interferon-based therapy reduces risk of stroke in chronic hepatitis C patients: a population-based cohort study in Taiwan

BACKGROUND

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has been linked to an increased risk of insulin resistance and carotid atherosclerosis.

AIM

To investigate the association between HCV infection and stroke, and the effect of interferon-based therapy (IBT) on stroke risk in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective cohort study that followed up 3113 subjects with a newly detected HCV infection and 12 452 age- and gender-matched subjects without HCV infection selected from a random sample of 10(6) beneficiaries from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Program up to 5 years. Use of IBT was defined as treatment with interferon alpha, pegylated interferon alpha-2a or pegylated interferon alpha-2b for at least 3 months. The hazard ratio (HR) for newly detected stroke was calculated for subjects with HCV compared to those without HCV, and for IBT-treated HCV patients compared to non-IBT-treated HCV patients while adjusting for possible confounding factors.

RESULTS

The overall person-years of follow-up were 8624.11 in patients with HCV, 54,533.69 in patients without HCV, 666.65 in IBT-treated patients, and 7886.49 in nontreated patients. The multivariable-adjusted hazard ratio (HR) for newly detected stroke was 1.23 for subjects with HCV compared to the age- and sex-matched subjects without HCV (adjusted HR = 1.23, 95% CI = 1.06-1.42, P = 0.008). Moreover, use of IBT significantly reduced the risk of stroke in HCV patients (adjusted HR = 0.39, 95% CI = 0.16-0.95, P = 0.039) after adjusting for known prognostic factors.

CONCLUSIONS

Interferon-based therapy may reduce the long-term risk of stroke in patients with chronic HCV infection.

Diabetes and infections-hepatitis C: is there type 2 diabetes excess in hepatitis C infection?

Individual epidemiologic studies as well as the pooled analysis of observational studies have indicated the association between type 2 diabetes (T2D) and hepatitis C virus infection (HCV). Whether HCV infection is the cause of diabetes or diabetic patients are more prone to get HCV infection is still in question. The objective of the present review was to provide answers to this issue, based on available evidence from epidemiologic, molecular, experimental and therapeutic studies. Our current understanding of how chronic HCV infection could induce T2D is incomplete, but it seems twofold based on both direct and indirect roles of the virus. HCV may directly induce insulin resistance (IR) through its proteins. HCV core protein was shown to stimulate suppressor of cytokine signaling, resulting in ubiquitination and degradation of tyrosine kinase phosphorylated insulin receptor substrates (IRS1/2) in proteasomes. HCV-nonstructural protein could increase protein phosphatase 2A which has been shown to inactivate the key enzyme Akt by dephosphorylating it. Insulin signaling defects in hepatic IRS-1 tyrosine phosphorylation and PI3-kinase association/activation may contribute to IR, which leads to the development of T2D in patients with HCV infection. The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are also implicated. PPARα/γ, together with their obligate partner RXR, are the main nuclear receptors expressed in the liver. PPARα upregulates glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, glycerol kinase, and glycerol transport proteins, which allows for glucose synthesis during fasting states. Decreased activity of PPARs could attribute to HCV-induced IR. Immune-mediated mechanisms may be involved in the indirect role of HCV in inducing IR. It is speculated that TNF-alpha plays a major role in the pathogenesis of IR through lowering IRS1/2. Furthermore, HCV infection- triggered ER stress could lead to the activation of PP2A, which inhibits both Akt and the AMP-activated kinase, the regulators of gluconeogenesis. In summary, we illustrate that HCV infection is accompanied by multiple defects in the upstream insulin signaling pathway in the liver that may contribute to the observed prevalence of IR and diabetes. Future studies are needed to resolve this issue.

A 24-week dietary and physical activity lifestyle intervention reduces hepatic insulin resistance in the obese with chronic hepatitis C

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Obesity- and virus-mediated insulin resistance (IR) are associated with adverse hepatic and metabolic outcomes in chronic hepatitis C (CHC). This study evaluates the tolerability and effects of a dietary and physical activity (PA) intervention in obese patients with insulin-resistant CHC.

METHODS

Obese patients (body mass index, BMI ≥30 kg/m(2) ) with CHC were recruited prospectively. Non-diabetic patients with IR (homeostasis model assessment of IR, HOMA-IR >2.0) proceeded to a 24-week lifestyle intervention comprising pedometer monitored increase in PA (≥10 000 steps/day) and an individualised dietary plan.

RESULTS

Ten non-cirrhotic and six cirrhotic patients [age 52 ± 8.5 years, BMI 35.9 (31.46-38.21)kg/m(2) ] were recruited, of whom all 16 (100%) completed the 24-week protocol. Increase in PA from 6853 (2440-9533) to 10 697 (7959-13566) steps/day (P = 0.001) and reduction in caloric intake from 2263 (1805.4-2697.0) to 1281 (1099.5-1856.3) kcal/day (equivalent to reduction of median 33% (25.3-49.8%), P < 0.001) were achieved. These behaviour changes led to a BMI reduction to 31.21 (28.72-36.10) (P < 0.001) and the HOMA-IR fell from 3.62 (2.75-4.87) to 2.08 (1.82-3.59) (P = 0.002). The hepatic insulin sensitivity index (ISI) improved significantly, but the skeletal muscle ISI did not. At week 24, 8/16 (50%) patients were no longer insulin-resistant (P = 0.008).

CONCLUSIONS

This 24-week intervention reduced BMI and reversed IR in significant proportion of patients. Such adjunctive therapy may improve hepatic and metabolic status in obese insulin-resistant CHC.

Treatment of genotype-1 hepatitis C recurrence after liver transplant improves survival in both sustained responders and relapsers

The aim of this study was to evaluate the factors affecting the response to treatment and how it could affect survival in a large series of genotype-1 HCV-transplanted patients. Three-hundred and twenty six genotype-1 HCV patients were enrolled. One hundred and ninety-six patients (60.1%) were nonresponders and 130 (39.9%) showed negative HCV-RNA at the end of treatment. Eighty-four of them (25.8%) achieved sustained virological response, while 46 (14.1%) showed viral relapse. Five-year cumulative survival was significantly worse in nonresponders (76.4%) compared with sustained viral response (93.2) or relapsers (94.9%). Sustained responders and relapsers were therefore considered as a single 'response group' in further analysis. Pretreatment variables significantly associated with virological response at multivariate regression analysis were the absence of ineffective pretransplant antiviral therapy, the recurrence of HCV-hepatitis more than 1 year after transplant, an histological grading ≥4 at pretreatment liver biopsy, a pretreatment HCV-RNA level <1.2 × 10(6 ) IU/ml, and the absence of diabetes. As expected, also on-treatment variables (rapid and early virological response) were significantly associated to the response to antiviral treatment. In conclusion, this study shows that postliver transplant antiviral treatment results in beneficial effect on survival not only in sustained responders but also in relapsers.

Sustained virological response prevents the development of insulin resistance in patients with chronic hepatitis C

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is associated with insulin resistance (IR), which is a condition known to influence the progression of liver fibrosis and the response to pegylated interferon (PEG-IFN)/ribavirin (RBV) therapy. We aimed to assess whether a sustained virological response (SVR) after antiviral therapy prevents the development of IR in the long term. Members of the Milan Safety Tolerability study cohort, who received PEG-IFNα2a/RBV or PEG-IFNα2b/RBV, underwent a homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) at the baseline and 24 months after treatment completion. For all patients (n = 431), a liver biopsy sample was scored for grading, staging (Ishak), and steatosis. At the baseline, IR (HOMA value > 2) was detected in 48 patients (12%), and it was associated with body weight (P = 0.03), an HCV load < 0.6 × 10(6) IU/L (P = 0.006), fibrosis staging ≥ 4 (P = 0.01), and moderate to severe steatosis (P = 0.03). IR did not influence the rates of end-of-treatment response (75% versus 69%, P = 0.4), SVR (63% versus 60%, P = 0.8), or relapse (19% versus 24%, P = 0.5). After treatment, IR developed in 49 of the 384 nondiabetic patients (14%). Although the mean baseline and posttreatment HOMA values were similar in SVR patients (1.11 ± 0.8 versus 1.18 ± 1.1, P = 0.25), patients experiencing treatment failure showed a significant increase in the mean HOMA value at the follow-up visit (1.20 ± 0.85 versus 1.49 ± 1.3, P = 0.007), and there was an increased rate of de novo IR in non-SVR patients versus SVR patients (17% versus 7%, P = 0.007). According to a logistic regression analysis, treatment failure (odds ratio = 2.81, 95% confidence interval = 1.39-5.67, P = 0.004) and a 10% body mass index increase (odds ratio = 6.42, 95% confidence interval = 1.69-24.3, P = 0.006) were significantly associated with the development of de novo IR.

CONCLUSION

In nondiabetic patients with chronic HCV, the achievement of SVR with PEG-IFN and RBV prevents the development of de novo IR.

The metabolic regulator PGC-1α links hepatitis C virus infection to hepatic insulin resistance

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is strongly associated with insulin resistance and diabetes mellitus. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma co-activator 1α (PGC-1α) is a transcriptional co-activator involved in the initiation of gluconeogenesis in the liver. Increased hepatic expression of PGC-1α has been implicated in insulin resistance. We investigated whether modulation of PGC-1α levels following HCV infection underlies HCV-associated hepatic insulin resistance.

METHODS

HCV genomes were expressed in hepatoma cells followed by analysis of PGC-1α and gluconeogenesis levels.

RESULTS

PGC-1α was robustly induced in HCV infected cells. PGC-1α induction was accompanied by an elevated expression of the gluconeogenic gene glucose-6 phosphatase (G6Pase) and increased glucose production. The induction of gluconeogenesis is HCV dependent, since interferon treatment abolishes PGC-1α and G6Pase elevation and decreases glucose output. Moreover, PGC-1α knockdown resulted in a significant reduction of G6Pase levels in HCV full length replicon cells, emphasizing the central role of PGC-1α in the exaggerated gluconeogenic response observed in HCV patients. Treatment of HCV replicon cells with the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine resulted in reduction of PGC-1α levels, suggesting that HCV-induced oxidative stress promoted PGC-1α upregulation. Finally, both PGC-1α and G6Pase RNA levels were significantly elevated in liver samples of HCV infected patients, highlighting the clinical relevance of these results.

CONCLUSIONS

PGC-1α is robustly induced following HCV infection, resulting in an upregulated gluconeogenic response, thereby linking HCV infection to hepatic insulin resistance. Our results suggest that PGC-1α is a potential molecular target for the treatment of HCV-associated insulin resistance.

The outcomes of glucose abnormalities in pre-diabetic chronic hepatitis C patients receiving peginterferon plus ribavirin therapy

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Pre-diabetes is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) development. This study aimed to elucidate the impact of treatment response on sequential changes in glucose abnormalities in pre-diabetic chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients.

METHODS

Chronic Hepatitis C patients with a baseline haemoglobin A1C (A1C) range 5.7-6.4% who achieved 80/80/80 adherence were prospectively recruited. All patients received current peginterferon-based recommendations. The primary outcome measurement was their A1C level at the end of follow-up (EOF). The interaction between variants of the IL28B gene and outcomes of glucose metabolism was also measured.

RESULTS

A total of 181 consecutive CHC patients were enrolled. The mean A1C at EOF was 5.82 ± 0.41%, which was significantly lower than the baseline level (5.93 ± 0.21%, P < 0.001). At EOF, 63 (34.8%) patients became normoglycaemic, whereas 10 (5.5%) patients developed DM. The sustained virological response (SVR) rates of 63 normoglycaemics, 108 pre-diabetics and 10 diabetic patients at the EOF were 92.1%, 84.3% and 50% respectively (normoglycaemics vs. diabetics P = 0.003; pre-diabetics vs. diabetics P = 0.02). Achievement of an SVR was the only predictive factor associated with normoglycaemia development at EOF by multivariate logistic regression analysis (Odds ratio = 2.6, P = 0.04). The prevalence of the interleukin 28B rs8099917 TT variant in patients who developed DM (70.0%) at EOF tended to be lower than that in patients with pre-diabetics (87.0%) or normoglycaemics (92.1%).

CONCLUSION

Successful eradication of HCV improves glucose abnormalities in pre-diabetic CHC patients.

Effects of interferon-alpha treatment on the incidence of hyperglycemia in chronic hepatitis C patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

There is a significant association between effects of interferon-alpha treatment and the risk of developing hyperglycemia in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis on the basis of published observational studies was to estimate risk of hyperglycemia in chronic HCV patients who had acquired sustained virological responses (SVR) compared to those without SVR.

Methodology

We identified eligible studies by searching the relevant databases, including PubMed, Embase, and Google, for papers published between January 1990 and April 2011. The selection of eligible papers was carried out using a scoring system based on guidelines and inclusion criteria that were established before the articles were identified. Heterogeneity across studies was determined and the meta-analysis was performed following standard guidelines.

Conclusions

Eleven eligible studies provided data of the incidence of hyperglycemia in chronic hepatitis C patients with SVR in comparison with patients without these conditions. The results demonstrated that SVR was associated with a lower risk of hyperglycemia (odds ratio = 0.497, 95% confidence interval 0.421–0.587, p<0.001), and there was no evidence of any substantial between-study heterogeneity (I² = 24.4%, p>0.1). Results of meta-regression showed patients with different baseline glucose (normal vs. abnormal) and patients with co-infected HIV (presence vs. absence) as the sources of low heterogeneity (p<0.15).The lowest risk of hyperglycemia was described in patients with normal glucose baseline (OR = 0.402, 95%CI 0.297–0.543, p<0.001). This is the first systematic review and meta-analysis performed to examine the association between SVR and risk of hyperglycemia in patients with HCV infection. Our meta-analysis suggests that SVR reduce the risk of developing glucose abnormalities, especially in patients with normal glucose baseline.

The interaction of metabolic factors with HCV infection: does it matter?

Given the pandemic spread of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and the metabolic syndrome (MS), the burden of their interaction is a major public health issue, bound to increase in the near term. A better appreciation of the clinical consequences of the relationship between HCV and MS is needed, not only due to their potential synergism on liver disease severity, but also because of the multifaceted interactions between HCV and glucose and lipid metabolism. HCV infection per se does not carry an increased risk of MS, but is able to perturb glucose homeostasis through several direct and indirect mechanisms, leading to both hepatic and extrahepatic insulin resistance. This translates into accelerated liver disease progression (including the development of hepatocellular carcinoma), reduced response to antivirals and, in susceptible individuals, increased risk of developing full-blown type 2 diabetes. HCV may also cause hepatic steatosis, especially in patients infected with genotype 3, although the clinical impact of viral steatosis is debated. Possibly as a result of HCV-induced insulin resistance, and despite a paradoxically favourable lipid profile, the cardiovascular risk is moderately increased in chronic hepatitis C. In addition, the interaction with the MS further increases the risks of cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, diabetes, and cardiovascular events. Thus, targeted lifestyle and pharmacological measures are urgently warranted in chronic hepatitis C with metabolic alterations.

Impact of peginterferon alpha and ribavirin treatment on lipid profiles and insulin resistance in Hepatitis C virus/HIV-coinfected persons: the AIDS Clinical Trials Group A5178 Study

BACKGROUND

The effect of peginterferon alpha/ribavirin (PEG-IFN/RBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) clearance on lipid and insulin resistance (IR) profiles in HCV/human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) coinfection is unknown.

METHODS

We measured fasting total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C), high-density lipoproteins (HDL-C), triglycerides (TG), glucose, and insulin at defined intervals in the A5178 study (N = 329), a prospective treatment trial in HCV/HIV coinfection. Changes from baseline and the relation between baseline values of these variables to sustained virologic response (SVR) were determined.

RESULTS

Of 182 subjects with metabolic data, 98 achieved early virologic response (EVR) and continued PEG-IFN/RBV. Among those, median pretreatment HCV RNA was 6.6 log(10 )IU/mL; 73% had HCV genotype 1. Median pretreatment TC was 176 mg/dL (interquartile range [IQR],150-205]; median LDL-C was 99 mg/dL (IQR, 79-123); median HDL-C was 40 mg/dL (IQR, 31-47); and median TG was 147 mg/dL (IQR, 101-221). Median homeostasis model assessment of IR (HOMA-IR) was 3.3 (IQR, 1.7-5.3). The EVRs demonstrated a decline in TC, LDL-C, and HDL-C, whereas TG increased on treatment but returned to near baseline 24 weeks after end of treatment (EOT). The HOMA-IR decline from entry to 24 weeks after EOT was significant among non-sustained virologic responders and nonsignificant among sustained virologic responders; this difference was offset after adjusting for higher HOMA-IR at baseline among the former. Among all 182 subjects, entry LDL-C was associated with SVR in a joint logistic model adjusted for HCV genotype, race, and prior IFN (odds ratio, 1.17 per 10 mg/dL increase; 95% confidence interval, 1.03-1.32), but TC, HDL, TG, and IR were not.

CONCLUSIONS

Peginterferon alpha and RBV can significantly affect lipid profile and IR in HCV/HIV-coinfected persons. Although the lipid profile returns to near pretreatment levels after completion of treatment, our data suggest persistent modest improvement in IR with treatment. Clinical Trials Registration. NCT00078403.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus and chronic hepatitis C: which is worse? Results of a long-term retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

The long-term outcome in patients with chronic hepatitis C and type 2 diabetes mellitus treated with interferon and ribavirin is unclear. We compared incidence of liver-related events and mortality rates between hepatitis C virus-positive patients with or without diabetes mellitus, and the incidence of diabetes-related events between diabetic patients with and without hepatitis C.

METHODS

Retrospective study of 309 patients with chronic hepatitis C. Incidence of liver-related events, diabetes-related events and mortality rates were assessed over a mean follow-up of 11.02±4.9 years.

RESULTS

50 (16%) chronic hepatitis C patients had diabetes mellitus. Diabetics showed a higher number of diabetes- and liver-related events than non-diabetics (10% vs 1.5%, p=0.006; 18% vs 5.7%, p=0.007, respectively) with a mortality of 14% vs 1.5% (p=0.0003). Baseline cirrhosis (p=0.002) and non-sustained virological response (p=0.01) were independent risk factors for liver events; diabetes mellitus (p=0.01) and hypertension (p=0.0017) were independent factors for diabetes-related events.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with chronic hepatitis C, comorbidity with diabetes mellitus was associated with a higher mortality rate and incidence of liver/diabetes-related events. Independent risk factors for liver-related events were the non-response to antiviral therapy and cirrhosis at baseline.

Impact of insulin resistance on HCV treatment response and impact of HCV treatment on insulin sensitivity using direct measurements of insulin action

OBJECTIVE

Insulin resistance, as measured by surrogate markers, is associated with lower response to hepatitis C virus (HCV) therapy and may improve with HCV eradication. We prospectively evaluated the impact of directly measured insulin resistance and abnormal glucose metabolism on achieving sustained virologic response (SVR) with HCV therapy and assessed whether SVR results in improved insulin sensitivity and fasting glucose.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

A total of 50 noncirrhotic, nondiabetic, HCV-infected patients (27 untreated, 23 treated with pegylated interferon/ribavirin, nonrandomized) underwent clinical and histologic evaluation and 75-g oral glucose tolerance test. Insulin sensitivity was assessed directly with insulin suppression test by measuring steady-state plasma glucose (SSPG) concentration during a 240-min infusion of octreotide, glucose, and insulin. Of the subjects, 43 had at least one follow-up evaluation.

RESULTS

Patient characteristics were median age 48, 57% male, and 52% white. SVR was achieved in 61% (14 of 23) of treated subjects. SVR was independently associated with HCV genotypes 2 and 3 (odds ratio 8.8 [95% CI 1.2-61.7]) but was not strongly associated with insulin sensitivity. When controlling for elapsed time between measurements, being on interferon, and BMI, SSPG decreased by 36 mg/dL (-88 to 16) in those with SVR and decreased by 28 mg/dL (-93 to 38) in those without SVR, compared with the untreated group. BMI (coefficient 9.1 per 5 units; 95% CI 5.3-12.9) and interferon use (coefficient 56; 95% CI 6.8-105) were associated with SSPG.

CONCLUSIONS

Insulin resistance does not appear to be strongly associated with SVR. HCV therapy may improve insulin resistance regardless of virologic response; however, BMI and interferon use were clearly associated with insulin resistance.

Diabetes mellitus following liver transplantation in patients with hepatitis C virus: risks and consequences

Recurrent hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection of the allograft occurs universally following liver transplantation. Longitudinal natural history studies have identified several pre- and posttransplant factors associated with more rapid fibrosis progression, including baseline host and viral factors, donor factors and posttransplant immunosuppression effects, such as metabolic syndrome. Evidence accumulated over the past two decades indicates that HCV has metabolic associations, in particular insulin resistance and diabetes mellitus. Approximately half of HCV-positive liver transplant recipients develop posttransplant diabetes mellitus (PTDM), which is associated with accelerated fibrosis progression and poorer graft and patient survival outcomes. This review summarizes the risks and consequences of insulin resistance and PTDM in HCV-positive liver transplant recipients. Risk for developing PTDM is one factor that should be considered when choosing the primary immunosuppressive regimen following liver transplantation. Comparative studies suggest that cyclosporine A-based immunosuppression may provide improved responses to antiviral therapy and reduced incidence of PTDM compared with tacrolimus-based immunosuppression. Addressing insulin resistance and PTDM in HCV-positive liver transplant recipients may have the potential to slow HCV complications and improve survival outcomes.

Recipient IL28B polymorphism is an important independent predictor of posttransplant diabetes mellitus in liver transplant patients with chronic hepatitis C

IL28B polymorphisms are strongly associated with response to treatment for HCV infection. IL28B acts on interferon-stimulated genes via the JAK-STAT pathway, which has been implicated in development of insulin resistance. We investigated whether IL28B polymorphisms are associated with posttransplant diabetes mellitus (DM). Consecutive HCV patients who underwent liver transplantation between 1-1995 and 1-2011 were studied. Genotyping of the polymorphism rs12979860 was performed on DNA collected from donors and recipients. Posttransplant DM was screened for by fasting blood glucoses every 1-3 months. Of 221 included patients, 69 developed posttransplant DM (31%). Twenty-two patients with recipient IL28B genotype TT (48%), 25 with IL28B genotype CT (25%) and 22 with IL28B genotype CC (29%) developed posttransplant DM. TT genotype was statistically significantly associated with posttransplant DM over time (log rank p = 0.012 for TT vs. CT and p = 0.045 for TT vs. CC). Multivariate Cox regression analysis correcting for donor age, body mass index, baseline serum glucose, baseline serum cholesterol, recipient age and treated rejection, showed that recipient IL28B genotype TT was independently associated with posttransplant DM (hazard ratio 2.51; 95% confidence interval 1.17-5.40; p = 0.011). We conclude that the risk of developing posttransplant DM is significantly increased in recipients carrying the TT polymorphism of the IL28B gene.

Steatosis and insulin resistance in response to treatment of chronic hepatitis C

This review will focus on the impact of steatosis and insulin resistance on the response to antiviral therapy for chronic hepatitis C. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is known to have direct and/or indirect effects on lipid and glucose metabolism, leading to, among other disturbances, steatosis and insulin resistance, respectively. Some of these disturbances have a marked HCV genotype distribution. For example, on average, patients with HCV genotype 3 have the highest prevalence and severity of viral fatty liver. On the other hand, the current global spread of the metabolic syndrome represents a formidable cofactor of morbidity in HCV-related chronic liver disease. Thus, the pathogenesis of steatosis and insulin resistance in patients with chronic hepatitis C may often be dual, i.e. viral and metabolic. This distinction is relevant because the effect (if any) of steatosis or insulin resistance on the response to antiviral agents seems to depend on their pathogenesis. Accumulating data suggest that viral fatty liver may not impact on response to therapy, while metabolic steatosis does. Similarly, viral insulin resistance may not reduce the rate of response to therapy to the same extent that metabolic insulin resistance does. Some implications for patient management are discussed.

HBV and HCV infection in type 2 diabetes mellitus: a survey in three diabetes units in different Italian areas

Viral infections and the metabolic syndrome may coexist in several individuals, due to the large prevalence of obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Antiviral therapy has changed the natural history of chronic viral hepatitis, but viral infection may remain undiagnosed in the absence of systematic screening. We determined the prevalence of HBV and/or HCV infection in an Italian cohort with T2DM (859 consecutive patients, 413 females) in three Italian centers: Turin, Bologna, and Naples. Screening for viral disease was coupled with the determination of parameters of metabolic syndrome. Fourteen patients were HBsAg-positive, 51 anti-HCV with a prevalence of genotype-1 infection in 58% of cases. Thirty cases had newly diagnosed viral markers, only one-third had already-diagnosed liver disease, 16 were being followed-up by a Liver Unit, and 9 cases had received antiviral treatment. Patients with viral markers had higher liver enzyme levels in comparison with virus-negative patients (P < 0.0001), whereas the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome was similar in the 2 groups. A positive correlation between BMI and alanine aminostransferase levels was only present in virus-negative cases, where the probability of enzyme levels above the upper limit of normal increased by 5% for unit of increase in BMI (OR: 1.05; 95% CI: 1.003-1.100, P = 0.037). In conclusion, the prevalence of HBV and HCV is non-negligible in patients with T2DM, but these cases may long remain undiagnosed. Elevated liver enzymes might be frequently disregarded in diabetes Units and ascribed to metabolic syndrome, thus excluding T2DM patients from specific disease-modifying antiviral treatment for hepatitis.

Visceral fat volume predicts new-onset type 2 diabetes in patients with chronic hepatitis C

Ninety seven patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) and 72 with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) were enrolled. Increased visceral fat area (VFA) was associated with high values of HbA1c. The variables associated with a high risk of new-onset diabetes had a VFA>101 cm(2) in CHC, but not in NAFLD.

Lipid and carbohydrate parameters in children with chronic hepatitis C

PURPOSE

HCV chronic infection still presents a very serious epidemiological and clinical problem. Apart from its cytopathic effect on liver parenchyma, its detrimental effect on lipid and carbohydrate metabolism has recently been emphasized. The aim of the study was to assess lipid and carbohydrate parameters in children with chronic HCV-related hepatitis.

MATERIAL/METHODS

The study comprised 41 children with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) aged between 7 and 18 years, and 30 healthy controls. The anthropometric measurements of the subjects were taken, and, after overnight fasting, serum glucose, insulin, total bilirubin, AST, ALT, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and triglyceride levels were investigated. The HOMA IR insulin resistance index was also calculated.

RESULTS

The values for mean body mass index (BMI), glucose, insulin, bilirubin, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL/C index and HOMA IR levels did not differ significantly between the two groups. AST and ALT were significantly higher in the control group. The serum levels of cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol showed a tendency toward lower values in the control group. We found positive correlation between serum levels of insulin and HOMA IR with staging (respectively r=0.336, P < 0.04 and r=0.386, P < 0.02).

CONCLUSIONS

In children with CHC and a relatively short duration of the disease, lipid and glucose disorders are not observed. Correlations between insulin and HOMA IR with staging suggest the ability of HCV to contribute to fibrosis through interference with glucose metabolism.