SERUM-LIPID LEVELS DURING INTERFERON THERAPY IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONICHEPATITIS-C

Interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) may affect lipid metabolism by stimulatin g hepatic fatty acid synthesis. The aim of this study was to evaluate serum lipid levels during IFN-alpha therapy in patients with biopsy-pr oven chronic active hepatitis C. A total of 22 patients (18 males and 4 females; age 25-55 years) received 3 MU of recombinant IFN-alpha(2b) 3 times a week for 6 months. Serum lipids were determined at baseline and then every month until the end of therapy, All patients had norma l serum lipid levels at baseline. No significant level of modification occurred in patients during the therapy. An increase in serum lipid l evels during low-dose IFN-alpha therapy seems to be uncommon in hepati tis C virus-infected patients with baseline normal levels.