SERUM RETINOL BINDING PROTEIN 4 LEVEL IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC HEPATITIS C.

Abstract

Hepatitis C virus infection is one of the principle causes of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma.The
aim of antiviral therapy is the cure of hepatitis C by sustained elimination of the virus. A large
proportion of patients do not respond to Pegylated interferon plus which have unpleasant side effects
and high costs.
Study aim
Investigation of the relationship between the changes in the serum RBP4 levels throughout the course
of Pegylated interferon, ribavirin and the virological response pattern.Also the association between
serum RBP4 and biochemical & histological characteristics of chronic hepatitis C patients.
Methods:
Our study included 30 patients with chronic HCV; they were followed up for 18 months. They were
divided into three groups; the responders(n=10), the relapsers(n=10) and breakthrough group(n=10).
All the patients were subjected to thorough history taking and clinical evaluation. They were exposed
to All the investigations necessary before initiation of combined therapy. Serum RBP-4 was
examined at baseline, week 24th, week 48th, and 6 months after the end of treatment, and correlated
with liver histology and virological response
Statistical Analysis: Data were entered, checked and analyzed using SPSS for windows version 17,
presented as mean±SD. Paired t test for comparison of data before and after therapy, ANOVA for
multiple comparison, stepwise regressive analysis for determinimg independent variables affecting
RBP4.
Results: Sustained virological response was associated with significant reduction in RBP4 level at the
end of the treatment course, however failure to attain this reduction in RBP4 level, and the most
important is persistent elevation in RBP4 at the end of treatment was coincident with breakthrough
and relapse.
Conclusion: RBP4 a marker of insulin resistance can be used as predictor of SVR in patients with
CHC under combined therapy