BACKGROUND/AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate if plasma levels of alpha-glutathione-S-transferases (determined in basal conditions and monthly for 1 year during and 1 year after interferon therapy) could characterize patients who show only a primary response. METHODS: We studied 48 patients with biopsy-proven, hepatitis C virus ribonucleic acid positive chronic hepatitis treated with interferon: 18 were "Sustained Responders", 12 "Relapsers" and 18 "Non-Responders". RESULTS: Relapsers showed higher basal levels of alpha-glutathione-S-transferases, which remained higher than normal even when alanine aminotransferases normalized. No correlation was documented between alpha-glutathione-S-transferase levels and all other parameters examined (alanine aminotransferases, gamma-glutamyl-transpeptidase, viremia, and histological activity index). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that alpha-glutathione-S-transferase levels may be considered a predictive index of response to interferon therapy in chronic hepatitis C patients.
BACKGROUND/AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate if plasma levels of alpha-glutathione-S-transferases (determined in basal conditions and monthly for 1 year during and 1 year after interferon therapy) could characterize patients who show only a primary response. METHODS: We studied 48 patients with biopsy-proven, hepatitis C virus ribonucleic acid positive chronic hepatitis treated with interferon: 18 were "Sustained Responders", 12 "Relapsers" and 18 "Non-Responders". RESULTS: Relapsers showed higher basal levels of alpha-glutathione-S-transferases, which remained higher than normal even when alanine aminotransferases normalized. No correlation was documented between alpha-glutathione-S-transferase levels and all other parameters examined (alanine aminotransferases, gamma-glutamyl-transpeptidase, viremia, and histological activity index). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that alpha-glutathione-S-transferase levels may be considered a predictive index of response to interferon therapy in chronic hepatitis C patients.
Authors: Ezra Gabbay; Ehud Zigmond; Orit Pappo; Nila Hemed; Mina Rowe; George Zabrecky; Robert Cohen; Yaron Ilan Journal: World J Gastroenterol Date: 2007-10-28 Impact factor: 5.742