[Clinical research] FILE : 2007
OXIDATIVE-INFLAMMATORY DAMAGE IN CIRRHOSIS.
Marotta Francesco, Hepato-Gastroenterology Dept.., S.Giuseppe Hospital, Milan, Italy
Oxidative DNA damage occurs as an early event in HCV infection and is an indication of the potential for carcinogenesis. The aim of this study was to test a novel antioxidant/immunomodulator in HCV-related cirrhotics.
The study group consisted of 50 patients with HCV-related cirrhosis with transaminase values less than twofold increased (ALT<80 IU/l). Patients underwent a standardised food-vitamin composition assessment and were randomly allocated into 2 groups. At the beginning, they were assessed for dietary intake, nutritional status and iron level and then given alpha-tocopherol 900IU/day or given 9g/day of a fermented papaya preparation (FPP, Immun'-Âge®, Osato Research Institute, Gifu, Japan) at bedtime for 6 months. Ten healthy subjects served as controls. Patients were checked monthly for: routine tests, Redox Status (GSH, GSH-Px, GSSG, malondialdehyde), plasma -tocopherol, 8-OHdG level in circulating leukocyte DNA and serum levels of cytokines.
Patients with cirrhosis showed a significant imbalance of redox status (low antioxidants/high oxidative stress markers) (p<0.005 vs controls). Both treatment regimens did not affect transaminases as a whole. However, vitamin E supplementation almost normalized ALT only in the limited vitamin-E-deficient subgroup. A significant improvement of redox status was obtained by both regimens. However, only FPP significantly decreased 8-OHdG and the improvement of cytokine balance with FPP was significantly better than with vitamin-E treatment (p<0.05). While the present data seem to suggest a potential supportive role of antioxidants/immunomodulators as FPP in HCV patients, more studies are needed to substantiate their effect on the natural history of the disease.
Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology22: 697-703 (2007)
- [Clinical research] FILE : 2007
