Combined phlebotomy and ursodeoxycholic acid treatment in the patients with chronic hepatitis C

As an option to interferon, either iron removal by phlebotomy or ursodeoxyc holic acid administration has been recommended for patients with chronic he patitis C. Some patients, however, show only partial responses to such mono therapy. In the present study, we investigated the effects of a combination of phlebotomy and ursodeoxycholic acid in the patients who did not show no rmalization of serum alanine aminotransferase levels by either phlebotomy o r ursodeoxycholic acid monotherapy. The combination of these therapies in a ny order additively improved the biochemical parameter to the upper normal range. There were no statistically significant differences between the resu lts of the two combination treatments. The combination treatment was also e ffective in decreasing serum alpha fetoprotein levels. (C) 2000 Elsevier Sc ience Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.