IL28B genotypes affect lipid profiles and viral clearance rate in chronic hepatitis C patients treated with pegylated interferon plus ribavirin

Abstract

Background: The mechanisms by which IL28B genotypes affect CHC outcomes remain unclear. Since metabolic regulation and interferon response are highly integrated, IL28B genotypes may affect metabolic profiles. We aimed to examine the association of IL28B rs8099917 genotypes with metabolic profiles, and the impact of metabolic profiles on viral kinetic parameters. Methods: A case-control analysis of subjects with and without chronic HCV infection was performed. The HCV Group consisted of 91 CHC patients treated with pegylated interferon alfa-2a (Peg-IFN) plus ribavirin, and the Control Group consisted of 91 age, sex and body mass index (BMI)-matched subjects without HCV infection. The associations of IL28B rs8099917 genotype with pretreatment metabolic profiles and early viral kinetic parameters were evaluated. Results: Although HCV patients had significantly lower serum triglyceride, total cholesterol and LDL levels than the controls, IL28B rs8099917 genotypes were associated with serum triglyceride and HDL levels only in HCV patients, but not controls (Table 1). HCV patients with TT genotype had lower serum triglyceride and fasting blood glucose, but higher HDL than those with GT genotype. Compared to HCV genotype 1 patients, the differences in metabolic profiles were more significant in genotype 2 patients. In addition, patients with higher serum TG, higher fasting blood glucose, and lower HDL had a lower viral clearance rate (Table 2). Conclusions: IL28B genotypes may affect lipid profiles of chronic hepatitis C patients, especially in HCV genotype 2 patients. Patients with higher serum fasting blood glucose, triglyceride, and lower HDL have a lower viral clearance rate during Peg-IFN plus ribavirin therapy.