| Theme |
Interferon Therapy for Viral Hepatitis : an Update Reference |
| Title |
Therapeutic Phlebotomy as a Treatment for Chronic Hepatitis C |
| Author |
Koji Miyanishi |
4th Department of Internal Medicine, Sapporo Medical University |
| Author |
Junji Kato |
4th Department of Internal Medicine, Sapporo Medical University |
| [ Summary ] |
Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is associated with a high risk of liver cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Several studies on patients with chronic hepatitis C have shown that hepatic iron overload is attributable to liver injury and that iron reduction improved serum aminotransferase levels. Excess iron is known to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) within cells, which causes mutagenic lesions, such as 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OH-dG). Therapeutic phlebotomy (weekly phlebotomy of 200 grams until a state of mild iron deficiency defined as below 10 ng / ml of serum ferritin is achieved, followed by monthly maintenance phlebotomy) and a low iron diet (within 5 - 7 mg / day iron uptake) with a long term follow up, decrease hepatic 8-OH-dG levels and the risk of HCC development in patients with chronic hepatitis C. |