Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 11, 2026

LDL Cholesterol Uptake Assay Using Live Cell Imaging Analysis with Cell Health Monitoring
08:45

LDL Cholesterol Uptake Assay Using Live Cell Imaging Analysis with Cell Health Monitoring

Published on: November 17, 2018

Hepatitis C infection and clearance: impact on atherosclerosis and cardiometabolic risk factors

Aya Mostafa1, Mostafa K Mohamed, Mohamed Saeed

  • 1Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, AinShams University, Cairo, Egypt.

Gut
|June 30, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is linked to diabetes and favorable lipids, but atherosclerosis risk remains similar after HCV clearance. Chronic HCV infection directly increases atherosclerosis risk, even after accounting for other cardiovascular factors.

Area of Science:

  • Hepatology and Viral Infections
  • Cardiovascular Disease Research
  • Metabolic Syndrome Studies

Background:

  • Chronic hepatitis C (HCV) infection is paradoxically associated with diabetes and favorable lipid profiles.
  • This association presents a complex cardiometabolic profile in individuals with HCV.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of HCV infection and its clearance on atherosclerosis.
  • To examine the cardiometabolic response following HCV eradication.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional study conducted in Egypt.
  • Involved 329 chronically infected, 173 cleared infection, and 795 never infected participants (age ≥35).
  • Assessed diabetes, glucose, lipids, visceral fat, and carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) via ultrasound.

Main Results:

  • Increased diabetes prevalence and mesenteric fat deposition in both chronic and cleared HCV groups compared to never infected.
  • Lower LDL cholesterol in chronic HCV, normalizing after clearance.
  • No significant difference in carotid IMT by infection status initially, but increased IMT in chronic HCV after adjusting for risk factors.

Conclusions:

  • HCV clearance normalizes lipid profiles but does not fully resolve hyperglycemia or visceral adiposity.
  • Chronic HCV infection appears to have a direct detrimental effect on atherosclerosis (increased IMT).
  • Cardiovascular risk in HCV is multifactorial, influenced by infection status, metabolic changes, and clearance outcomes.
Abstract

More Related Videos

A Three-Dimensional Spheroid Model to Investigate the Tumor-Stromal Interaction in Hepatocellular Carcinoma12:24

A Three-Dimensional Spheroid Model to Investigate the Tumor-Stromal Interaction in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Published on: September 30, 2021

Related Concept Videos

Hepatitis01:25

Hepatitis

Hepatitis is an inflammatory condition of the liver most commonly caused by hepatotropic viruses (A–E), though non-infectious causes such as alcohol and drugs also exist.Hepatitis AHepatitis A virus (HAV) is a non-enveloped RNA virus of the Picornaviridae family. It is primarily transmitted via the fecal-oral route, typically through ingestion of contaminated food or water. After ingestion, HAV enters the bloodstream through the oropharynx or intestinal epithelium and reaches the liver. The...
Atherosclerosis III: Management01:26

Atherosclerosis III: Management

Management of atherosclerosis involves an integrated strategy encompassing pharmacological treatment, surgical interventions, lifestyle changes, and nutrition therapy to address the multifactorial nature of the disease.Pharmacological TherapyA cornerstone of atherosclerosis management is the use of pharmacological agents. Statins, such as atorvastatin, are pivotal in inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase, an enzyme that catalyzes an initial step in cholesterol synthesis in the liver. This reduction in...
Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction01:30

Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): An Overview with Scientific InsightsCoronary Artery Disease (CAD), often referred to as C-A-D, is a prevalent blood vessel disorder classified under the broader category of atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a pathological process characterized by the hardening and narrowing of arteries due to the accumulation of atherosclerotic plaques. These plaques are composed of cholesterol, fatty substances, inflammatory cells, calcium, and fibrin, reducing blood flow to...
Cirrhosis II: Pathophysiology01:24

Cirrhosis II: Pathophysiology

Cirrhosis is a progressive chronic liver injury caused by prolonged inflammation, excessive fibrotic remodeling, and impaired regeneration. Over time, repeated hepatic insults disrupt the liver’s architecture and function, leading to reduced blood flow, impaired bile drainage, and diminished metabolic capacity.Pathophysiology of cirrhosisCirrhosis arises from three main responses to chronic liver damage: inflammation, immune activation, and hepatocyte death. These processes lead to structural...
Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Drug Dosing and Hepatic Blood Flow01:26

Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Drug Dosing and Hepatic Blood Flow

Chronic liver disease significantly impacts drug metabolism due to alterations in hepatic blood flow and enzyme accessibility. This disruption affects the body's pharmacokinetics—the movement and processing of drugs within the system. Key enzymes crucial for metabolizing medications become less accessible, changing how drugs are processed and utilized. Furthermore, liver disease influences the synthesis of plasma proteins, such as albumin and globulins, which play critical roles in drug binding...
Atherosclerosis I: Introduction01:30

Atherosclerosis I: Introduction

Atherosclerosis is a progressive disorder characterized by the buildup of plaques on the arterial inner wall, causing them to narrow and harden over time. These plaques comprise lipids, calcium, blood components, carbohydrates, and fibrous tissue. The process primarily affects the intima of large and medium-sized arteries, reducing blood flow in any artery.Etiology and risk factorsThe cause of atherosclerosis is multifactorial, involving a complex interplay among endothelial injury, lipid...