Monocyte chemotactic protein-1 and soluble adhesion molecules as possible prognostic markers of the efficacy of antiviral treatment in chronic hepatitis C.

AIM

To explain the role of Monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) and soluble adhesion molecules in chronic hepatitis C during the treatment of interferon alpha (IFNalpha) 2 b and ribavirin (RBV).

METHODS

Concentrations of MCP-1, soluble adhesion molecules intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1), sP-selectin, interleukin (IL) 6, and IL10 in serum were estimated in the group of 40 patients with chronic hepatitis C treated with IFNalpha2 b and RBV in 0, 16, 32, 48 wk of the therapy.

RESULTS

In chronic hepatitis C, before and during the treatment, the serum levels of MCP-1 and sP-selectin in responders were similar to those of healthy subjects. In non-responders (NR), MCP-1 increased in the course of IFNalpha+RBV treatment, differences were statistically significant as compared to responders. MCP-1 correlated statistically with the activity of periportal inflammation (r = 0.35, P<0.05) but not with staging of liver fibrosis. sICAM-1 positively correlated with inflammatory activity and fibrosis in NR. sP-selectin did not correlate with histological findings in the liver. The MCP-1 correlated with the soluble form of sP-selectin concentrations (r = 6, P<0.001) and with IL-10 level in NR (r = 0.4, P<0.05). There was no correlation observed between the concentration of MCP-1 and sICAM-1, IL-6 during the treatment.

CONCLUSION

MCP-1 concentration may be a prognostic marker of the efficacy of IFN+RBV therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C.