Insulin resistance and sustained virological response in hepatitis C: from bench to bedside.

摘要

Insulin resistance is the main feature of metabolic syndrome and is characterised by hyperinsulinaemia in patients with normal fasting glucose. It has been associated with an increased risk of developing diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (1). In recent years, a large body of literature, including molecular, epidemiological, randomised-con-trolled trials and observational studies, has highlighted the interaction between hepatitis C and insulin resistance (2). Molecular studies demonstrated the ability of hepatitis C virus (HCV) to promote insulin resistance by interfering with the intracellular signalling of insulin. Transgenic mice expressing core protein developed stea-tosis, insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes mellitus.