The role of alpha-glutathione S-transferase in the monitoring of hemodialysis patients with hepatitis C virus infection undergoing high-dose interferon-alpha-2b therapy
M. Boran et S. Cetin, The role of alpha-glutathione S-transferase in the monitoring of hemodialysis patients with hepatitis C virus infection undergoing high-dose interferon-alpha-2b therapy, NEPHRON, 82(1), 1999, pp. 22-26
The study aimed to evaluate the behavior of alpha-glutathione S-transferase
(alpha-GST) in the serum of hemodialysis patients with hepatitis C virus (
HCV) infection following treatment with high-dose IFN-alpha-2b. Ten patient
s with detected anti-HCV antibodies and HCV RNA by RT-PCR were selected and
treated with high-dose interferon (IFN)-alpha-2b, 10 million units s.c. da
ily for 2 weeks followed by 3 times per week for 6 additional weeks. Blood
samples were obtained from these patients at baseline for plasma alpha-GST
and hepatic aminotransferases, Patients were monitored with weekly blood co
unts and monthly liver enzymes. Biochemical (normal alpha-GST and ALT) and
virologic (negative HCV RNA by RT-PCR) responses were observed in 3 (30%) o
f the 10 patients. At the end of the follow-up (follow-up duration 44 weeks
), 3 patients demonstrated long-term biological and virologic responses and
7 had relapses. In the nonresponders plasma AST and ALT approached normal
levels on some occasions despite persistent viral RNA. In contrast to;trans
aminases alpha-GST remained distinctly elevated in nonresponders and provid
ed a more clear distinction between the responders and nonresponders. In co
nclusion, plasma alpha-GST, as a sensitive and reliable marker of response,
may have a role in the monitoring of hemodialyzed patients undergoing IFN-
alpha-2b therapy.