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Non-transferrin-bound iron in untreated and ribavirin-treated chronic hepatitis C patients.
- Source :
-
Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics . Aug2002, Vol. 16 Issue 8, p1555-1562. 8p. 2 Charts. - Publication Year :
- 2002
-
Abstract
- Summary Background : In patients with chronic hepatitis C, elevations in serum iron levels, hepatic iron content and oxidative stress-related molecules have been reported. Treatment with ribavirin induces an increase in hepatic iron concentration. In situations of iron overload, non-transferrin-bound iron can appear. Therefore, we determined non-transferrin-bound iron levels in untreated chronic hepatitis C patients and in patients during interferon–ribavirin treatment. Materials and methods : In 10 untreated and 19 interferon–ribavirin-treated chronic hepatitis C patients, we examined non-transferrin-bound iron levels by a colorimetric method using nitrilotriacetic acid as a ligand and sodium triscarbonatecobalt(iii) to block free iron binding sites on transferrin. Results : Despite the presence of high serum iron saturation and ferritin levels, non-transferrin-bound iron was absent in the majority of hepatitis C virus patients (25/29, 86%). There was no difference in non-transferrin-bound iron levels between untreated and treated patients. Four patients with high non-transferrin-bound iron levels were distinguished by higher serum iron levels. In two of these patients, hepatocytic iron was present on liver biopsy. Conclusions : In the majority of chronic hepatitis C patients, non-transferrin-bound iron levels are normal. Treatment with ribavirin does not induce high non-transferrin-bound iron levels. Non-transferrin-bound iron levels are only higher than normal in hepatitis C patients with higher serum iron levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Subjects :
- *HEPATITIS C
*IRON in the body
*RIBAVIRIN
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 02692813
- Volume :
- 16
- Issue :
- 8
- Database :
- Academic Search Index
- Journal :
- Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 7188422
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2036.2002.01316.x