[Serum variations of 2 markers of fibrogenesis in chronic hepatitis C treated with alpha interferon]

Abstract

We evaluated variations in serum levels of N-terminal peptide of type III procollagen (PIIIP) and laminin (Lam-P1) in 36 anti-HCV positive patients, confirmed by RIBA II, with chronic hepatitis treated with alpha interferon (IFN) at a dose of 6 million units (MU) three times for week for 6 months, followed by 3 MU three times for week for a further 6 months. We consider responders (R) those patients who after one year of therapy had normalized ALT levels, and non-responders (NR) the remaining subjects. Serum PIIIP and Lam-P1 were determined by RIA on entry to the study and at 12 months. Ten patients underwent a percutaneous liver biopsy also at the end of the therapy for the histological evaluation of the necroinflammatory activity and fibrosis according to the Knodell score system. Overall, at the end of therapy, the mean levels of both markers were lower than at entry to the study, with a statistically significance only for the Lam-P1 values (p < 0.05). When, however, we divided the patients into R (n = 15) and NR (n = 21) subgroups, the mean baseline values of both markers were significantly higher in NR vs controls and after therapy there was a significantly reduction only for PIIIP values (p < 0.01). In the group of R there is a slight, but not significantly reduction of both markers. The comparison of the Knodell's score before and after IFN treatment showed an improvement of the necroinflammatory activity, but not of fibrosis. In conclusion patients R to IFN therapy have lower baseline values of PIIIP and Lam-P1 than NR and therapy with IFN improves the serum values of PIIIP as well as the score of the necroinflammatory activity.