Interferon-alpha reduces insulin resistance and beta-cell secretion in responders among patients with chronic hepatitis B and C

in Journal of Endocrinology
Authors:
TY Tai
Search for other papers by TY Tai in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
JY Lu
Search for other papers by JY Lu in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
CL Chen
Search for other papers by CL Chen in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
MY Lai
Search for other papers by MY Lai in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
PJ Chen
Search for other papers by PJ Chen in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
JH Kao
Search for other papers by JH Kao in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
CZ Lee
Search for other papers by CZ Lee in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
HS Lee
Search for other papers by HS Lee in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
LM Chuang
Search for other papers by LM Chuang in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
, and
YM Jeng
Search for other papers by YM Jeng in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
Free access

Sign up for journal news

This study aimed at elucidating the effects of interferon (IFN)-alpha on glucose metabolism in patients with chronic hepatitis B and C infections. Twenty-eight biopsy-proven patients with chronic hepatitis B (ten cases) and hepatitis C (18 cases) were given IFN-alpha for a total of 24 weeks. The patients received a 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), glucagon stimulation test, tests for type 1 diabetes-related autoantibodies and an insulin suppression test before and after IFN-alpha therapy. Ten of the 28 patients responded to IFN-alpha therapy. Steady-state plasma glucose of the insulin suppression test decreased significantly in responders (13.32+/-1.48 (S.E.M.) vs 11.33+/-1.19 mmol/l, P=0.0501) but not in non-responders (12.29+/-1.24 vs 11.11+/-0.99 mmol/l, P=0.2110) immediately after completion of IFN-alpha treatment. In the oral glucose tolerance test, no significant difference was observed in plasma glucose in either responders (10.17+/-0.23 vs 10.03+/-0.22 mmol/l) or non-responders (10.11+/-0.22 vs 9.97+/-0.21 mmol/l) 3 Months after completion of IFN-alpha treatment. However, significant differences were noted in C-peptide in both responders (2.90+/-0.13 vs 2.20+/-0.09 nmol/l, P=0.0040) and non-responders (2.45+/-0.11 vs 2.22+/-0.08 nmol/l, P=0.0287) before vs after treatment. The changes of C-peptide in an OGTT between responders and non-responders were also significantly different (P=0.0028), with responders reporting a greater reduction in C-peptide. No case developed autoantibodies during the treatment. In patients who were successfully treated with IFN-alpha, insulin sensitivity improved and their plasma glucose stayed at the same level without secreting as much insulin from islet beta-cells.

 

  • Collapse
  • Expand