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Association Between Retinol-Binding Protein 4 Levels and Hepatitis C Virus Infection: A Meta-Analysis

Yingying Lin1, Xinyu Cui2, Na Zhu2

  • 1Department of Center of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Peking University Ditan Teaching Hospital, No. 8, Jingshun East Street, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100015, China.

Diseases (Basel, Switzerland)
|November 26, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) levels did not differ overall in hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection but correlated negatively with disease severity. RBP4 may serve as a biomarker for HCV progression.

Area of Science:

  • Hepatology
  • Biochemistry
  • Clinical Medicine

Background:

  • The association between retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection requires clarification.
  • Understanding RBP4's role in HCV pathogenesis is crucial for potential therapeutic strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To systematically evaluate circulating RBP4 levels in patients with HCV.
  • To investigate the correlation between RBP4 levels and HCV disease severity.

Main Methods:

  • A systematic literature search was conducted across Embase, PubMed, and Cochrane databases up to January 1, 2024.
  • Meta-analysis was performed on eight studies involving 2612 participants (1282 HCV patients, 1152 controls).
  • PROSPERO registration: CRD42023489051.

Main Results:

  • Overall RBP4 levels showed no significant difference between HCV patients and controls.
  • A subgroup analysis of Asian participants revealed significantly lower RBP4 levels in HCV patients.
  • A negative correlation was observed between RBP4 levels and HCV disease severity across populations.

Conclusions:

  • RBP4 levels in HCV infection are influenced by factors like genotype, ethnicity, and environment.
  • RBP4 levels appear to reflect disease progression severity in HCV patients.
  • RBP4 shows potential as a biomarker for monitoring HCV disease progression, warranting further mechanistic research.

Keywords:
hepatitis C virushumanliver functionmeta-analysisretinol-binding protein 4

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