Serum leptin and plasma ghrelin concentrations in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus with steatosis: Their effect on the response to antiviral therapy

Abstract

Objective: To assess serum leptin and plasma ghrelin concentrations and their roles in the response to antiviral therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) and steatosis Methods: This study was conducted on 50 chronic HCV patients with steatosis, and 50 healthy participants of matched age as a control group. Serum leptin, plasma ghrelin, serum HCV-RNA concentrations and insulin resistance were measured in patients with HCV before and after antiviral treatment using Peg-IFN plus ribavirin for 48 weeks. Results: We showed high insulin resistance and serum leptin level, while. low plasma ghrelin level at base line in patients with HCV compared to healthy controls. Leptin level increase (P=0.023) while ghrelin levels tend to decrease (P=0.004) as the grade of steatosis worsens. Sustained virological response ( SVR) as achieved in 28 patients (56%) and was associated with a lower grade of liver steatosis (P=0.013), milder fibrosis (P=0.002), low value of insulin resistance (P=0.001), lower leptin levels (P=0.005) and higher ghrelin levels (P=0.001). Conclusions: Decreased serum leptin whereas Increased plasma ghrelin before treatment may predict Sustained virological response. Ghrelin exerts antifibrotic effects in the liver and may represent a novel antifibrotic therapy.