Effects of interferon-beta on plasma lipid and lipoprotein composition and post-heparin lipase activities in patients with chronic hepatitis C

Abstract

Background: Interferon therapy has been shown to induce lipid abnormalities. Aim: We assessed the effects of interferon-β on the lipoprotein profile and post-heparin lipase activities in 26 normolipaemic patients with chronic hepatitis C. Methods: Interferon-β was administered subcutaneously at doses of 6 x 106 U (units) three times a week, over 6 months, and lipoproteins and post-heparin lipases were measured at baseline and at the end of therapy. Results: Plasma triglycerides increased by 21% due to preferential enrichment in those contained in the very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) and low density lipo-protein (LDL) fractions. The concentration of cholesterol decreased slightly in the high density lipoprotein (HDL) subfractions. Lipoprotein lipase, but not hepatic lipase activity decreased by a 36%, and this change showed a significant negative correlation with changes in plasma triglycerides. Five patients (19.5%) responded to interferon-β therapy. The lipoprotein profile was no different between responders and non-responders to therapy. Conclusions: Interferon-β treatment in normolipaemic patients with chronic hepatitis C induced moderate disturbances in plasma lipoproteins, associated with inhibition of lipoprotein lipase activity.