Association of alpha-interferon and acetyl cysteine in patients with chronic C hepatitis.
Panminerva Med 2000;
42:187-92. [PMID:
11218623]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Numerous experimental findings have underlined the relationships between liver damage and production of oxygen-derived free radicals during inflammation. In chronic hepatitis C liver disease this damage may be attributed to altered oxide-reductive balance and glutathione (GSH) depletion. Moreover, it may be linked to chronic inflammation provoked by the replicative activity of the hepatitis C virus and its relationships with immune system cells. Our aim was to assess the effects of combined IFN + NAC treatment to compare the effects of interferon alpha-n1 associated with N-acetyl cysteine treatment with the results observed using interferon therapy alone.
METHODS
EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN
prospective randomised study.
SETTING
Ambulatory and hospitalised care.
PATIENTS
77 selected patients affected by chronic C hepatitis.
INTERVENTIONS
our patients were investigated by laboratory tests (ALT values, RIBA test, HCV-RNA, oxide-reductive balance), liver biopsy and liver US. The recruited subjects were treated with interferon and N-acetyl cysteine or with interferon alone.
RESULTS
Our findings confirmed the presence of oxidative stress in patients with chronic hepatitis C and showed earlier relapse in patients treated with interferon alone. The difference between the results in patients treated with interferon and N-acetyl cysteine and those on interferon alone was significant.
CONCLUSIONS
The good results and absence of side effects in patients treated with interferon + N-acetyl cysteine recommend wider use of this association.
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