The effect of zinc supplementation on the treatment of chronic hepatitis C patients with interferon and ribavirin

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effects of zinc supplementation on serum zinc and copper levels, and the severity of adverse reactions and virologic responses in chronic hepatitis C patients undergoing interferon (IFN)/ribavirin therapy. DESIGN AND METHODS: Forty subjects were randomly assigned to receive IFN-alpha-2a/ribavirin with or without zinc gluconate for 24 weeks, then a period of 6 months for follow-up. Twenty healthy controls were also enrolled in the study. Blood samples were collected at different time points during therapy and at 6 months after the completion of therapy and were analyzed for zinc and copper levels. The adverse reactions and the virologic responses were also examined accordingly. RESULTS: Serum zinc levels were significantly lower in chronic hepatitis C patients than in healthy controls and further depressed by IFN/ribavirin treatment. However, serum zinc levels in patients were remediable by zinc supplements. No apparent difference was seen in virologic responses between subjects with or without zinc supplements, but certain adverse side effects associated with the zinc therapy were significantly decreased. CONCLUSIONS: Zinc supplementation may be a complementary therapy in chronic hepatitis C patients to increase the tolerance to IFN-alpha-2a and ribavirin.