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Review
. 2015 May;1(1):17-29.
doi: 10.5114/ceh.2015.51375. Epub 2015 Apr 30.

Insulin resistance and its consequences in chronic hepatitis C

Michał Kukla  1 , Damian Piotrowski  2 , Marek Waluga  1 , Marek Hartleb  1
Affiliations
Review

Insulin resistance and its consequences in chronic hepatitis C

Michał Kukla et al. Clin Exp Hepatol. 2015 May.

Abstract

Chronic hepatitis C (CHC) is generally a slowly progressive disease, but some factors associated with rapid progression have been identified. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) may contribute to a broad spectrum of metabolic disturbances - namely, steatosis, insulin resistance (IR), increased prevalence of impaired glucose tolerance, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), lipid metabolism abnormalities and atherosclerosis. HCV can directly or indirectly cause both IR and steatosis, but it is still not resolved whether this viral impact bears the same prognostic value as the metabolic counterparts. As the population exposed to HCV ages, the morbidity due to this disease is increasing. The rising epidemic of obesity contributes to higher prevalence of IR and T2DM. Our understanding of the mutual association between both disease states continues to grow, but is still far from complete. This review briefly discusses the most probable mechanisms involved in IR development in the course of CHC. Molecular mechanisms for the direct and indirect influence of HCV on intracellular insulin signaling are described. Subsequently, the consequences of IR/T2DM for disease progression and management are summarized.

Keywords: adipokine; chronic hepatitis C; fibrosis; insulin resistance; liver; steatosis.

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Conflict of interest statement

Authors report no conflict of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Pathogenesis of insulin resistance in chronic hepatitis C
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Metabolic aspects of chronic hepatitis C
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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