Clinical, laboratory, instrumental, and genetic characteristics of patients with chronic hepatitis C and metabolic syndrome

   Actuality. In recent years, there has been a growing relationship between HCV infection and metabolic syndrome. Studies have shown that metabolic disorders can worsen the course of chronic hepatitis C, increasing the risk of disease progression and liver fibrosis.

   Objective. To identify the clinical, laboratory, and genetic characteristics of patients with HCV and metabolic disorders.

   Materials and methods. 201 patients aged 18–60 years were examined at the Yaroslavl Regional Infectious Diseases Clinical Hospital. Anamnestic data were collected, and anthropometric measurements were performed. The diagnosis of hepatitis C was verified based on the detection of a spectrum of antibodies (a-cor, a-NS3, a-NS4, a-NS-5) in blood serum by enzyme immunoassay (ELISA), as well as HCV RNA using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The molecular genetic study was conducted on the basis of the clinical and diagnostic laboratory of the Institute of Pharmacy of Yaroslavl State Medical University. The gene polymorphism was tested using real-time PCR on an iCycler iQ5 (BioRad) device with a set of SNP-express-RV reagents. Polymorphisms of the following genes were studied: APOE Leu28Pro, LPL S447X, and FTO A23525T.

   Results. According to the inclusion criteria, the patients were divided into two groups: the first (main) group was HCV with metabolic syndrome (161 people), and the second (comparison group) group was chronic hepatitis C without MS (40 people). Direct correlations have been established between the presence of mutations in the LPL S447X and FTO A23525T genes
in patients with a high degree of hepatitis activity, stages of AF F3-F4, dyslipidemia, and the severity of the components of metabolic syndrome.

   Conclusion. Metabolic disorders significantly aggravate the course of HCV infection and are more often associated with liver fibrosis progression.

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