Alterations in iron metabolism in chronic anti-HCV positive hepatitis. The relationship with response to interferon treatment

A prospective study in which the existence of iron metabolism alterations (increase in the serum levels of iron and ferritin and the presence of iron in liver tissue) in a group of 53 patients diagnosed with chronic anti-HCV positive hepatitis was performed. The aim of the study was to determine whether these parameters influence the response to interferon treatment. Elevations were observed in the serum levels of iron and/or ferritin in 17 (32%) of the patients. Higher than normal values of serum iron or ferritin in pretreatment analyses were associated with worse therapeutic response. The basal serum levels of iron and ferritin were significantly higher in non responding patients. No relationship was found between the presence of iron in the hepatic parenchyma and response to interferon treatment.