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International Immunology, Vol. 16, No. 1, pp. 51-54, January 2004
© 2004 Japanese Society for Immunology

Paradoxical alteration of acute-phase protein levels in patients with chronic hepatitis C treated with IFN-{alpha}2b

László Kalabay1, Elemér Nemesánszky2, Antal Csepregi2, Mária Pusztay2, Károly Dávid3, Gábor Horváth3, Ervin Ibrányi4, László Telegdy4, Alajos Pár5, Adrienn Bíró1, Béla Fekete1, Judith Gervain6, Margit Horányi7, Pál Ribiczey8, Mihály Csöndes9, Mónika Kleiber1, Szilvia Walentin1, Zoltán Prohászka1 and George Füst1

1 Third Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Kútvölgyi út 4, 1125 Budapest, Hungary 2 Second Department of Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology, Polyclinic of the Hospitaller Brothers of St John of Good, Frankel Leó út 17-19, 1027 Budapest, Hungary 3 Central Hospital of Ministry of Internal Affairs, Városligeti fasor 9-11, 1071 Budapest, Hungary 4 Third Department of Internal Medicine, Szt László Hospital, Gyáli út 5-7, 1097 Budapest, Hungary 5 First Department of Internal Medicine, University of Pécs, Ifjúság út 13, 7624 Pécs, Hungary 6 St George Hospital Székesfehérvár, Seregélyesi út 3, 8000 Székesfehérvar, Hungary 7 Department of Molecular Diagnostics, National Medical Center, Daróci út 24, 1113 Budapest, Hungary 8 County Hospital, Zalaegerszeg, Zrínyi M. u. 1, 8900 Zalaegerszeg, Hungary 9 Petz A. Hospital, Györ, Vasvári P. u. 2-4, 9024 Györ, Hungary

Correspondence to: L. Kalabay; E-mail: kalasz{at}kut.sote.hu
Transmitting editor: A. Falus

Previously we observed elevation of the serum concentration of two acute-phase protein (AFP) complement components (C9 and C1-inhibitor) in patients with chronic hepatitis C who responded (R) to IFN-{alpha} therapy, but not in non-responders (NR). In the present study we investigated the effect of high-dose IFN-{alpha} therapy on serum concentrations of two positive [orosomucoid (OROSO) and C-reactive protein (CRP)] and two negative [transferrin (TF) and fetuin/{alpha}2HS-glycoprotein (AHSG)] AFP in an outpatient setting. We investigated blood samples of 40 patients with chronic hepatitis C at the onset and at the end of a 3-month treatment with high-dose IFN-{alpha}2b (5 MIU/day for 6 weeks, followed by 5 MIU t.i.w.) and of 52 healthy individuals. Serum concentrations of OROSO, TF and AHSG were measured by radial immunodiffusion; CRP levels were determined by immunotubridimetry. Compared to controls, patients with chronic hepatitis C had significantly lower OROSO and CRP, and higher AHSG levels. By the end of treatment, OROSO concentration increased in R (P = 0.0054), but not in NR patients. In contrast, TF levels decreased in R (P = 0.0040), but did not change in NR patients. Similarly, in R patients, AHSG levels tended to decrease (P = 0.0942) following IFN-{alpha} treatment. We conclude that the acute-phase reaction is suppressed in patients with chronic hepatitis C that may be potentially related to the responsiveness to IFN-{alpha} therapy.

Keywords: chronic hepatitis C, fetuin/{alpha}2HS-glycoprotein, IFN-{alpha} therapy, orosomucoid, transferrin


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