S-adenosyl methionine improves early viral responses and interferon-stimulated gene induction in hepatitis C nonresponders.

ABSTRACT:

Background & aims

Less than half of patients infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) achieve sustained viral clearance after pegylated interferon (peginterferon) and ribavirin therapy. S-adenosyl methionine (SAMe) improves interferon signaling in cell culture. We assessed the effect of SAMe on the kinetics of the early antiviral response and interferon signaling in nonresponders to previous antiviral therapy and investigated the mechanisms involved.

Methods

Nonresponders with HCV genotype 1 were given peginterferon alfa-2a and ribavirin for 2 weeks (course A, baseline/control). After 1 month, patients received SAMe (1600 mg daily) for 2 weeks and then peginterferon and ribavirin for 48 weeks (course B; completed by 21 of 24 patients). Viral kinetics and interferon-stimulated g

SUBMITTER: Feld JJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3021477 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature