Randomized study comparing vitamin D3 and 1alpha-Hydroxyvitamin D3 in combination with pegylated interferon/ribavirin therapy for chronic hepatitis C

摘要

Background and Aim: An intention-to-treat prospective randomized study was carried out to compare the potentiation of antiviral efficacies between cholecalciferol, non-activated vitamin D3 supplement, and alfacalcidol, activated 1a-Hydroxyvitamin D3 [1a (OH)-vitamin D3].Methods: Chronic hepatitis patients with genotype 1b hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection showing serum HCV-RNA levels greater than 5 Log IU/mL received oral administration of cholecalciferol (2000 IU/day) or alfacalcidol (0.5 mug/day) for 4 weeks, and then they were given pegylated interferon (Peg-IFN)-a2a plus ribavirin therapy in combination with either vitamin D3 for 48 or 72 weeks according to the response-guided manner. Results: A total of 36 patients were evaluated. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 [25(OH)-D3] levels were increased only in patients in the cholecalciferol group during the lead-in vitamin D administration, and the levels at 4 weeks were higher in these patients than in those in the alfacalcidol group (P < 0.001)