Insulin resistance and not steatosis is associated with modifications in oxidative stress markers in chronic hepatitis C, non-3 genotype

Abstract

Background: Modifications of oxidative stress are reported in hepatitis C. The relationship between insulin resistance (IR), steatosis and oxidative stress is not established. Materials and methods: One hundred and eighty-seven HCV-RNA patients were assessed by determination of biochemical, metabolic and viral features, HOMA-IR and morphological alterations. In the 52-non-3 genotypes sub-group and 35 healthy individuals, thiobarbituric acid (TBARS), total glutathione (total-GSH), vitamins C and E, lycopene, β-carotene, glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase and superoxide dismutase were determined. Results: In non-3 genotype patients, steatosis was associated with higher values of BMI, HOMA-IR and triglycerides. In the 52-HCV sub-group, values of TBARS, GPx and total-GSH differ from the control group. Despite these, differences could not be observed according to the presence of steatosis, patients with IR presented significant differences regarding total-GSH (p=0.019), β-carotene (p=0.006), lycopene (p=0.005) and GPx (p=0.009). Conclusion: In non-3 genotype HCV carries, IR, and not steatosis, is associated with modifications in serum levels of oxidative stress.

Keywords::

• Insulin resistance
• chronic hepatitis C
• hepatic steatosis
• oxidative stress markers
• fibrosis

Acknowledgement

We acknowledge the financial support to this paper from Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Sao Paulo (02/05260-6).

Declaration of interest: The author reports no conflicts of interest. The author alone is responsible for the content and writing of the paper.