[Serum lipoproteins in patients with porphyria cutanea tarda].

BACKGROUND

To know the lipid profile in patients with porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT).

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

Serum lipoproteins have been studied in 64 males with PCT: 42 with chronic hepatitis C and 22 seronegatives for hepatitis B and C virus. Thirteen patients without porphyria, but with chronic hepatitis C, and 13 healthy subjects were also studied.

RESULTS

Patients with chronic hepatitis C, with or without PCT, had a decrease of total and VLDL cholesterol (TC and VLDLc) and apolipoprotein (apo) B in comparison with healthy controls and seronegative for hepatitis C virus patients with PCT.

CONCLUSIONS

Lipid abnormalities found in PCT are not related with this disease, but with the presence of chronic hepatitis C often associated to PCT.