Background and aimResponse to hepatitis C virus (HCV)-specific therapy is variable but might be influenced by host factors. We studied whether interleukin-6 (IL-6) level, IL-6-174G4C gene polymorphism, and insulin resistance affect the response to antiviral treatment in HCV-infected patients. Patients and methods Fifty-five chronic hepatitis C patients and 13 healthy individuals as controls were included in this study. Liver function tests, HCV RNA titer, ultrasonography, and histopathological examination of liver tissues were performed for all patients. Pretreatment plasma IL-6 levels and homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance were estimated. The IL-6-174G4C polymorphism was detected by the PCR/RFLP method. After 12 weeks of combined pegylated interferon-a and ribavirin therapy, patients were classified into responders or nonresponders according to whether they achieved an early virological response.
ResultsThe responders had significantly high IL-6 levels (P = 0.01), low mean stage of fibrosis (P = 0.03), and low viral load (P = 0.04) compared with nonresponders. Although not significant, patients with the IL-6-174 CC genotype reported a higher response rate (81%) compared with those with the CG genotype (50%) and GG genotype (62%). IL-6 level at a cutoff point of 2.15 pg/ml had 81.1% sensitivity and 72.7% specificity and showed significant relation with early virological response (P = 0.04).
ConclusionEstimation of basal IL-6 level could be used as a predictor of response to pegylated interferon-a and ribavirin therapy in CHC patients.
Objectives
A mounting evidence confirms the effect of caloric restriction and intermittent fasting in ameliorating body oxidative stress and inflammation. A growing body of evidence supports that chronic inflammation and increased level of oxidative stress augment the way for the development of metabolic diseases, such as diabetes and cancers. Objectives: This research was conducted to examine the effect of Ramadan diurnal intermittent fasting (RDIF) on the gene expression of cellular metabolism (SIRT1 and SIRT3) and antioxidant genes (TFAM, SOD2, and Nrf2).
Methods
One-hundred fourteen (75 males and 39 females) overweight and obese subjects and twelve healthy body weight controls were followed-up before and after Ramadan. Dietary, anthropometric and biochemical assessments were performed before and at the end of Ramadan fasting month.
Results
Results showed that the relative gene expressions in obese subjects in comparison to counterpart expressions of controls showed a significant (P < 0.001) increase in the anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-10), along with significant (P < 0.001) reductions in the proinflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and TNF-alpha). Expression of TFAM, SOD2, and Nrf2 significantly increased at the end of Ramadan (90.5%, 54.1%, and 411.5%, respectively). However, the metabolism-controlling gene (SIRT3) showed a highly significant (P < 0.001) downregulation accompanied by a trend for reduction in the SIRT1 gene at the end of Ramadan month, with % decrements of 61.8% and 10.4%, respectively.
Conclusions
Results suggest that RIF ameliorates the genetic expression of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory and metabolic regulatory genes. Thus, RIF presumably may entail a protective impact against oxidative stress and its adverse metabolic-related derangements in non-diabetic obese patients.
Funding Sources
University of Sharjah, UAE.
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