[Changes in iron metabolism in chronic hepatitis C]

Serum iron studies have high values in 30% of patients with virus C (HCV) chronic hepatitis even in hemochromatosis range. These indices do not represent hepatic iron storage which has a low to moderate intensity. Heterozygosity for hereditary hemochromatosis could be responsible of the iron liver storage in some patients. Nowadays the relationship between hepatic iron loading and HCV infection is unknown. It has been suggested that iron storage could allow HCV infection or, by other way, it may be caused by the infection. Iron, per se, has hepatolesive effect and acts synergistically with HCV worsening liver injury. Also, iron storage reduces the interferon response rate, and iron depletion with phlebotomies improves transaminases level. However, it is discussed if the association: iron removal-interferon treatment improves interferon alone treatment response. In this work all these points are reviewed.