Changes of serum neopterin, beta 2-microglobulin and interferon-gamma in patients with chronic hepatitis C treated with interferon-alpha 2b.

OBJECTIVES

Treatment with interferon (IFN) reduces viral replication and normalizes aminotransferase levels in a significant percentage of patients with non-A, non-B hepatitis or hepatitis C. Soluble immune activation markers were evaluated in patients with hepatitis.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Serum concentrations of soluble immune activation markers neopterin and beta 2-microglobulin (B2M) were compared to endogenous IFN-gamma levels in 17 patients with chronic hepatitis C before, during and after 9-months of treatment with IFN-alpha 2b.

RESULTS

Before therapy some patients had increased concentrations of the studied variables. During therapy neopterin and B2M concentrations further increased whereas IFN-gamma decreased. IFN-gamma and neopterin levels were correlated before but not during therapy. The correlations between neopterin and B2M were significant throughout the study.

CONCLUSION

The data indicate that IFN-gamma decreases during treatment and IFN-alpha 2b appears to enhance formation of neopterin and B2M.