Jain SK, Pemberton PW, Smith A, McMahon RFT, Burrows PC, Aboutwerat A, Warnes TW. Oxidative stress in chronic hepatitis C: not just a feature of late stage disease.
J Hepatol 2002;
36:805-11. [PMID:
12044532 DOI:
10.1016/s0168-8278(02)00060-0]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 136] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS
Chronic hepatitis C infection is a major world-wide problem, frequently progressing to cirrhosis, liver failure or hepatoma. The pathological mechanisms of disease progression are unclear but oxidant stress may play a role.
METHODS
Markers of lipid peroxidation, antioxidant status, hepatic fibrogenesis and liver function were measured in blood or urine from 42 chronic hepatitis C patients. Fibrosis was graded histologically in a subgroup of 33 patients.
RESULTS
The lipid peroxidation marker 8-isoprostane and the ratio of oxidized to reduced glutathione were significantly elevated (P<0.001, P=0.006). The antioxidants glutathione, selenium and vitamins A, C and E were significantly decreased (all P<0.001) compared to age and sex matched controls. Abnormal values were more marked in cirrhotics, but significant changes were also observed in the non-cirrhotic group. The fibrosis score correlated positively with urinary 8-isoprostane and type III procollagen peptide and negatively with vitamin A.
CONCLUSIONS
Oxidant stress, as reflected in blood and urine by a wide range of pro- and antioxidant markers, is a significant feature of hepatitis C infection. Although more severe in the cirrhotic group, there was clear evidence of oxidant stress in non-cirrhotic patients. Antioxidant therapy may therefore have a role in slowing disease progression to cirrhosis.
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