Effect of interferon alpha and ribavirin treatment on serum levels of transforming growth factor-β1,vascular endothelial growth factor,and basic fibroblast growth factor in patients with chronic hepatitis C

摘要

AIM:To assess the role of transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1),vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)andbasic fibroblast growth factor(bFGF)in the pathogenesisof fibrosis associated with chronic hepatitis C(CHC)and to evaluate the influence of the antiviral therapyon above parameter levels depending on the treatmentresults(complete response or no response).METHODS:Study group included 100 patients withCHC,in whom fibrosis in liver specimens was assessed(Scheuer fibrosis score:1-4 points).Control groupincluded 30 subjects with antibodies anti-HCV presentand persistently normal ALT level,without fibrosis(Scheuer fibrosis score:0 points).Concentration ofstudied parameters was assayed in the serum byimmunoenzymatic method before and after the therapywith interferon alpha-2b and ribavirin.RESULTS:TGF-β1 levels were significantly higher in thestudy group compared to the control group(35.89 vs 32.37ng/mL;P=0.023).Such differences were not found in VEGFand bFGF levels.In patients showing complete response(negative HCV RNA and normal ALT level),significantincrease in VEGF(112.8 vs 315.03 pg/mL;P<0.05)andbFGF(2.51 vs 15.79 pg/mL;P=0.04)levels were found.Significant decrease in TGF-β1 level was observed bothin responders(37.44 vs 30.02 ng/mL;P=0.05),andin non-responders(38.22 vs 30.43 ng/mL;P=0.043).bFGF levels before the treatment were significantly lower(2.51 vs 5.94 pg/mL;P=0.04),and after the treatmentsignificantly higher(15.79 vs 4.35 pg/mL;P=0.01) in patients with complete response than in those with noresponse.CONCLUSION:Among the analyzed parametersTGF-β1 seems to play the most important role in thepathogenesis of fibrosis in CHC.Levels of this factor aresignificantly lower in subjects who do not have fibrosisdeveloped in them.Good therapeutic effect in CHCpatients is associated with significant changes in TGF-β1,VEGF,and bFGF levels,bFGF seems to have the highestusefulness in the prognosis of treatment efficacy.