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Viral eradication by direct-acting antivirals does not decrease the serum myostatin level in patients infected with
Kei Endo1, Takuro Sato1, Yuichi Yoshida1
1Division of Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Iwate Medical University School of Medicine, Iwate, Japan.
Objectives:
Myostatin has been assumed to be involved in the development of sarcopenia in patients with chronic liver disease, but the effect of hepatitis C virus (HCV) elimination on myostatin is unclear. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of a sustained virologic response at 24 wk (SVR24) after direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy on serum myostatin levels in patients infected with HCV.
Methods:
In this single-center retrospective study based on data collected from a university hospital, we analyzed patients infected with HCV who were treated with DAA between 2014 and 2017. We compared the serum myostatin level before and after DAA treatment and evaluated the correlation between myostatin and laboratory data.
Results:
In the 91 participants, the median myostatin level at the start of DAA and after achieving an SVR24 were 3042 (924-10177) and 3349 (498-7963) pg/mL, respectively. There was no significant difference in the myostatin level between the start of DAA treatment and after achieving an SVR24 (P = 0.79). The serum myostatin levels were significantly higher in men than in women and in patients with cirrhosis than in patients with chronic hepatitis both at the start of DAA and after achieving an SVR24. Serum myostatin levels showed a significant positive correlation with the skeletal muscle index and liver fibrosis markers (e.g., type Ⅳ collagen 7S, aspartate aminotransferase-platelet ratio index score, and fibrosis-4 index).
Conclusions:
Viral eradication by DAA treatment did not decrease the serum myostatin level in patients infected with HCV.
Insights
Direct-acting antiviral therapy for hepatitis C virus (HCV) does not alter serum myostatin levels. This finding suggests viral eradication does not impact myostatin, a protein linked to sarcopenia in chronic liver disease patients.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Virology
- Muscle Biology
Background:
- Myostatin is implicated in sarcopenia development in chronic liver disease.
- The impact of hepatitis C virus (HCV) elimination on myostatin remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effect of sustained virologic response (SVR24) after direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy on serum myostatin levels in HCV patients.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 91 HCV patients treated with DAA between 2014-2017.
- Comparison of serum myostatin levels before and after DAA treatment (SVR24).
- Correlation analysis between myostatin and laboratory data.
Main Results:
- No significant difference in myostatin levels before and after DAA therapy (P=0.79).
- Myostatin levels were higher in men and patients with cirrhosis compared to women and chronic hepatitis patients.
- Positive correlation observed between myostatin levels and skeletal muscle index and liver fibrosis markers.
Conclusions:
- HCV viral eradication via DAA therapy does not reduce serum myostatin levels.
- Myostatin levels are associated with sex and liver disease severity in HCV patients.
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