[Effects of interferon treatment in alcoholic liver injury]

The concentration of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) in the blood is increased by alcohol drinking and decreased by abstinence. These facts suggested that alcohol abuse may enhance the replication of HCV. The effects of alcohol on HCV replication may be related to increased development of chronic hepatitis to liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma in HCV marker positive heavy drinker. These results indicated that HCV positive heavy drinkers must keep abstinence and that these patients have to be treated with interferon.