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

Authors

  • Mohamed Ibrahim Department of Pharmacology, Minia University Hospital, Minia University, El-Minia, Egypt
  • Wafaey Gomaa Department of Pathology, Minia University Hospital, Minia University, El-Minia, Egypt
  • Yehia Ibrahim Department of Internal Medicine, Minia University Hospital, Minia University, El-Minia, Egypt
  • Hazem El Hadad Department of Internal Medicine, Minia University Hospital, Minia University, El-Minia, Egypt
  • Mohamed Shatat Department of Internal Medicine, Minia University Hospital, Minia University, El-Minia, Egypt
  • Ashraf Abdel Aleem Department of Internal Medicine, Minia University Hospital, Minia University, El-Minia, Egypt
  • Mohamed Essawy Department of Radiology, Minia University Hospital, Minia University, El-Minia, Egypt
  • Yasser M. Fouad Department of Tropical Medicine, Minia University Hospital, Minia University, El-Minia, Egypt

Keywords:

HCV, nitric oxide, pegylated IFN-α, ribavirin, iNOS, immunohistochemistry, HCV genotype 4, virological response

Abstract

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-α 2a plus ribavirin treatment.

 

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Published

2010-12-01

How to Cite

1.
Ibrahim M, Gomaa W, Ibrahim Y, El Hadad H, Shatat M, Aleem AA, Essawy M, Fouad YM. Nitric Oxide Levels and Sustained Virological Response to Pegylated-Interferon alpha2a plus Ribavirin in Chronic HCV Genotype 4 Hepatitis: a Prospective Study. JGLD [Internet]. 2010 Dec. 1 [cited 2026 Mar. 13];19(4):387-92. Available from: https://jgld.ro/jgld/index.php/jgld/article/view/2010.4.8

Issue

Vol. 19 No. 4: December 2010

Section

Original Article