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Effects of hepatitis C virus on cardiovascular risk in infected patients: a comparative study

C P M S Oliveira1, C R Kappel, E R Siqueira

  • 1Department of Gastroenterology, University of Sao Paulo School of Medicine, Sao Paulo, Brazil.

International Journal of Cardiology
|July 26, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is linked to intermediate cardiovascular risk and elevated pro-inflammatory cytokines, suggesting a potential role in atherosclerosis development. Further research is needed to clarify this association.

Area of Science:

  • Hepatology
  • Cardiology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • The association between Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and cardiovascular disease pathogenesis remains incompletely understood.
  • HCV may influence cardiovascular risk through inflammatory pathways.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the direct impact of HCV on cardiovascular risk.
  • To correlate cardiovascular risk with pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokine levels in HCV patients.

Main Methods:

  • Study included 62 treatment-naive, non-obese, non-diabetic HCV genotype 1 patients and compared them to healthy blood donors.
  • Evaluated cardiovascular risk using the Framingham score, serum cytokines (IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α), and traditional cardiovascular risk factors.
  • Excluded patients with pre-existing cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, renal failure, cancer, or on specific medications.

Main Results:

  • HCV patients exhibited an intermediate cardiovascular risk (Framingham score median 12%) and significantly higher levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α) compared to controls.
  • The Framingham score directly correlated with total cholesterol and diastolic blood pressure, and inversely with HDL-C.
  • Ratios of pro-inflammatory to anti-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α/IL-10, IL-6/IL-10) were elevated in HCV patients.

Conclusions:

  • HCV monoinfection, in non-obese, non-diabetic, treatment-naive individuals, is associated with intermediate cardiovascular risk.
  • Elevated pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α) are characteristic of HCV infection and may contribute to increased cardiovascular risk.

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