Interferon-Alpha-2a and Zinc Combination Therapy in Children with Chronic Hepatitis B Infection |
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Authors: | Zarife Kulo?lu Gülnihan K?rba? Esra Erden Aydan Kansu |
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Institution: | 1.Kurtulu?/Ankara,Turkey;2.Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology,Ankara University, School of Medicine,,Ankara,Turkey;3.Department of Pathology,Ankara University, School of Medicine,Ankara,Turkey |
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Abstract: | Zinc has been reported to enhance the response to interferon (IFN) or PEG-IFN plus ribavirin therapy, improve liver function,
and ameliorate hematologic side effects in patients with chronic hepatitis C. However, the role of zinc supplementation during
IFN therapy in chronic hepatitis B infection (CHB) remains unclear. We therefore aimed to report the results of zinc and IFN-alpha-2a
therapy in children with CHB. Twenty-two naive, HBeAg-positive children (mean age 10.4 ± 4.4 years) received IFN-α2a (9 MU/m2 sc) for 6 months plus peroral zinc (7.5 mg/day for <10 years and 10 mg/day for >10 years) for 12 months. Serum zinc, alanine
aminotransferase (ALT), complete blood count, hepatitis B virus DNA (HBV DNA), and serological markers were measured. Histological
(HR) and sustained response (SR) were evaluated at 6 months after completion of therapy. Normalization of ALT, HBeAg seroconversion,
and HBV DNA < 10,000 copies/ml were considered as SR. HR was defined as decrease in Knodell histological activity index (HAI)
score by at least 2 points compared to baseline. End of therapy ALT level and log HBV DNA were significantly lower than pretherapy
levels (p = 0.001 and p = 0.001, respectively), while zinc level was not different. Portal inflammation score significantly decreased after therapy
(p = 0.043), however, total HAI and other HAI components were not different. SR and HR were 25% and 52.9%. In conclusion as
a first study investigating the effect of zinc and IFN combination therapy in children with CHB, SR and HR rates were not
better than previously reported monotherapy or combination therapies. |
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