786 INTRA-HEPATIC NK CELLS FROM CHRONICALLY HCV-INFECTED PATIENTS ARE AS RESPONSIVE AS THOSE FROM NON-INFECTED LIVER

Abstract

OHdG – HPLC-EC)], telomere length [T/S – RT-PCR], apoptosis [M30 – ELISA test] and liver fibrosis [Pro-Collagen III (PIIINP – ELISA)]. At t0 the patients were categorized into two groups, in relation to their routine coffee intake (0–2 and 3–5 cups/day). Results: At t0, AST, GGT and ALP levels were significantly lower while HCV-RNA levels significantly higher in patients with higher coffee consumption (p =0.05). During the month of coffee intake, 8-OHdG and PIIINP levels significantly dropped, to regrow during the abstinence period (p =0.05/p = 0.04, respectively), while T/S became significantly shorter (p = 0.006). A significant negative correlation was found between T/S and 8-OHdG levels (p = 0.03). HCV-RNA and M30 (apoptosis) levels were significantly higher during coffee intake (p =0.002 and p=0.04). Conclusions: During coffee intake, despite an increase in viral load, that however is not considered a strong prognostic factor for HCC development, we observed: – a lower level of collagen deposition in the liver, that probably mediates the protection exerted by coffee with respect to progression to cirrhosis; – a reduction in oxidative DNA damage, correlated with increased telomere length (with consequent increased genomic stability) and an increased apoptosis, that both potentially mediate the reduced risk of HCC development. Supported by ISIC Scientific Committee.