Association of IL28B genotypes with metabolic profiles and viral clearance rate in chronic hepatitis C patients

Abstract

Purpose: IL28B genotypes have a strong impact on treatment outcomes of chronic hepatitis C (CHC) and on-treatment viral kinetics. Since metabolic regulation and interferon response are highly integrated, metabolic profiles may play an important role in the link between IL28B genotypes and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Thus, the association of IL28B rs8099917 genotypes with metabolic profiles and the impact of metabolic profiles on hepatitis C viral kinetic parameters were examined.

Methods: A case-control analysis including 278 CHC patients and 280 subjects without chronic HCV infection was performed. The associations of IL28B rs8099917 genotype with pretreatment metabolic profiles and early viral kinetic parameters were evaluated.

Results: Compared to HCV genotype 1 patients, the differences in metabolic profiles were more significant in genotype 2 patients. HCV genotype 2 patients with TT genotype had higher serum total cholesterol and high density lipoprotein (HDL) levels than those with GT genotype, and the differences remained significant when adjusted for age, sex, and body mass index (p = 0.005 for total cholesterol; p = 0.006 for HDL). In addition, patients with higher serum TG, higher fasting blood glucose, and lower HDL had a lower viral clearance rate.

Conclusions: IL28B genotypes may affect lipid profiles of CHC patients, especially in HCV-genotype 2 patients. Patients with higher serum fasting blood glucose, triglyceride, and lower HDL have a lower viral clearance rate during pegylated interferon plus ribavirin therapy.

Keywords: HCV RNA; Hepatitis C virus; IL28B genotype; Mathematical model; Metabolic profiles; Pegylated interferon; Viral kinetics.