The effects of interferon-alpha on serum lipid peroxidation and total thiol content in patients with chronic active hepatitis-C.

Chronic hepatitis develops in at least half of the patients with acute hepatitis C. Although there is currently no effective therapy for chronic hepatitis C (CHC), it is reported that Interferon-alpha (IFN alpha) has some beneficial effects. It has been suggested that changes in the oxidant-antioxidant balance may take decisive role in the progression of liver damage in viral hepatitis and IFN alpha might be effective in the treatment of liver damage by improving the antioxidant system. In the present study, when the patients with chronic active hepatitis-C (CAH-C) were compared to controls, serum thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) levels and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity as well as transaminase activities were increased, but total sulfhydryl (t-SH) contents were decreased Following IFN alpha treatment three times a week for a period of 6 months, it has been observed that elevated TBARS levels and GPx activity were decreased and reduced t-SH contents were increased significantly in patients with chronic active hepatitis-C (CAH-C). According to our results, these findings suggests that oxidative stress may play an important role in HCV induced liver injury and IFN alpha may be useful in treatment by reducing the oxidative stress.