Aim. Previous studies have demonstrated a link between HCV infection and increased risk of atherosclerosis and a possible role of HCV in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Methods. In the present study we investigated the prevalence of carotid-artery plaque and carotid intimamedia thickening by US, B mode in 84 patients with chronic hepatitis C. We correlate carotid intima-media thickening with the presence or absence of liver steatosis, insulin resistance, and HCV genotype. Results. Vascular lesion were observed in 71.4% of patients and was independent from age. Atherosclerosis was associated to BMI (P=0.007) and to steatosis (P=0.0001). Steatosis was associated to insulin resistance (P<0.001) and liver fibrosis (P<0.01). These preliminary findings suggest a high prevalence of atherosclerosis in chronic hepatitis C patients and a possible roie for steatosis as pathogenetic link between HCV infection and atherosclerosis. Conclusion. The association between steatosis and proaterogenic factors, such as oxidative stress, high TNF-a levels, hyperhomocysteinemia, hypoadiponectinemia, support this hypothesis

Atherosclerosis and chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection: Role of liver steatosis

Rinaldi L;
2007-01-01

Abstract

Aim. Previous studies have demonstrated a link between HCV infection and increased risk of atherosclerosis and a possible role of HCV in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Methods. In the present study we investigated the prevalence of carotid-artery plaque and carotid intimamedia thickening by US, B mode in 84 patients with chronic hepatitis C. We correlate carotid intima-media thickening with the presence or absence of liver steatosis, insulin resistance, and HCV genotype. Results. Vascular lesion were observed in 71.4% of patients and was independent from age. Atherosclerosis was associated to BMI (P=0.007) and to steatosis (P=0.0001). Steatosis was associated to insulin resistance (P<0.001) and liver fibrosis (P<0.01). These preliminary findings suggest a high prevalence of atherosclerosis in chronic hepatitis C patients and a possible roie for steatosis as pathogenetic link between HCV infection and atherosclerosis. Conclusion. The association between steatosis and proaterogenic factors, such as oxidative stress, high TNF-a levels, hyperhomocysteinemia, hypoadiponectinemia, support this hypothesis
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11695/126614
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