Platelet sparing effect of COX II inhibition used with pegylated interferon alfa-2a for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C: a short term pilot study |
| |
Authors: | George Magdalene M Li S David Mindikoglu Ayse L Baluch Mehdi H Dhillon Sonu Farr Deborah Van Thiel David H |
| |
Institution: | Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Department of Medicine, Loyola University Medical Center, Stritch School of Medicine, 2160 South First Avenue, Maywood, IL 60153, USA. |
| |
Abstract: | The role of a cyclooxygenase (COX) II inhibitor in reducing microvascular inflammation and the platelet count associated with interferon (IFN) plus ribavirin therapy of chronic hepatitis C (HCV) was assessed. Three plasma mediators (biomarkers) associated with platelet activation, inflammation and fibrosis were measured. Eighteen IFN na?ve patients were studied. Nine were treated with pegylated IFN alfa-2a (PEG-IFN alpha-2a) plus ribavirin and rofecoxib; nine were treated with PEG-IFN alpha-2a plus ribavirin. A complete blood count, liver panel and HCV-RNA were assayed weekly. Human soluble P-selectin (hs-P-selectin), human interleukin-8 (IL-8), human interleukin-13 (IL-13) and human thrombopoietin (TPO) were assayed at 4 week intervals. The COX II inhibitor reduced the platelet reduction experienced with PEG-IFN alpha-2a treatment of HCV despite a reduction in the plasma TPO level. Hs-P-selectin was increased in both groups. In contrast, human IL-8 levels declined to undetectable levels in virologic responders. Similarly, human IL-13 levels declined with therapy (P < 0.001). These data suggest that: (1) a COX II inhibition is associated with an increase in the platelet count despite a reduction in the TPO level; (2) human IL-8 and human IL-13 but not hs-P-selectin levels decline in those who experience an early virologic response. |
| |
Keywords: | COX II Hepatitis C Interferon Platelets |
本文献已被 ScienceDirect PubMed 等数据库收录! |
|