Serum zinc as a factor predicting response to interferon-alpha2b therapy in children with chronic hepatitis B |
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Authors: | Ozbal Ebru Helvaci Mehmet Kasirga Erhun Akdenizo?lu Figen Kizilgüne?ler Asli |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Pediatrics, Social Security Tepecik Teaching Hospital, Izmir, Turkey;(2) Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Celal Bayar University Faculty of Medicine, Manisa, Turkey |
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Abstract: | Although it has been unclear why more than 50% of children with chronic hepatitis B virus infection do not respond to interferon
therapy, in some instances resistance to interferon probably is caused by an inability to stimulate appropriately cellular
immune responses to hepatitis B virus. It is known that immune integrity is tightly linked to zinc status. We examined the
relationship between serum zinc levels and response to interferon (INF)-α therapy in children with chronic hepatitis B. Twenty-five children with chronic hepatitis B infection were injected with
5 × 106 units/m2 recombinant IFN-α 2b subcutaneously three times weekly for 9 mo. Children were followed for at least 9 mo after the end of therapy.
Sustained response was obtained in eight (32%) patients. Although initial serum zinc and alanine aminotransferase levels were
significantly higher; initial hepatitis B Virus (HBV)-DNA values, hepatic activity index, periportal necrosis, and fibrosis
scores were significantly lower in sustained responders than in nonresponders. Mean baseline serum zinc, alanine aminotransferase
and HBV-DNA values, histologic activity index, periportal necrosis, and fibrosis scores were predictive of response to IFN-α 2b therapy. These findings suggest that serum zinc levels might be used as a factor predicting response to interferon-α 2b therapy, and so may help in identifying those children with a better chance of response. |
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Keywords: | Children hepatitis B virus interferon predictive factor zinc |
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