Effects of interferon-beta on plasma lipid and lipoprotein composition andpost-heparin lipase activities in patients with chronic hepatitis C

Background: Interferon therapy has been shown to induce lipid abnormalities . Aim: We assessed the effects of interferon-beta on the lipoprotein profile and post-heparin lipase activities in 26 normolipaemic patients with chroni c hepatitis C. Methods: Interferon-beta was administered subcutaneously at doses of 6 x 10 (6) U (units) three times a week, over 6 months, and lipoproteins and post- heparin lipases were measured at baseline and at the end of therapy. Results: Plasma triglycerides increased by 21% due to preferential enrichme nt in those contained in the very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) and low de nsity lipoprotein (LDL) fractions. The concentration of cholesterol decreas ed slightly in the high density lipoprotein (HDL) subfractions. Lipoprotein lipase, but not hepatic lipase activity decreased by a 36%, and this chang e showed a significant negative correlation with changes in plasma triglyce rides. Five patients (19.5%) responded to interferon-beta therapy. The lipo protein profile was no different between responders and non-responders to t herapy. Conclusions: Interferon-beta treatment in normolipaemic patients with chron ic hepatitis C induced moderate disturbances in plasma lipoproteins, associ ated with inhibition of lipoprotein lipase activity.