Effects of pegylated interferon α on fibrinolytic parameters in patients with chronic hepatitis C

Clin Appl Thromb Hemost. 2011 Oct;17(5):449-53. doi: 10.1177/1076029610371475. Epub 2010 Aug 10.

Abstract

Interferon (IFN) interacts with endothelial cells and modulates the functions of these cells. In our study, we aimed to determine the effects of treatment with pegylated IFN-α (peg-IFN-α) on fibrinolytic parameters in patients with chronic hepatitis C. Fifteen patients with chronic hepatitis C were treated with peg-IFN-α once per week plus daily oral ribavirin. Euglobulin lysis time (ELT), plasma levels of D-dimer, tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA), plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1), and thrombin activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFI) were determined before treatment, 2 weeks, 1 month, and 3 months after the initiation of the treatment. Plasma levels of t-PA increased significantly 1 month and 3 months after the treatment (P < .05). The PAI-1 and TAFI levels in 2 weeks, 1 month and 3 months after treatment were not statistically different as compared with pretreatment levels (P > .05) No significant difference in plasma D-dimer levels was observed during peg-IFN-α treatment (P > .05). There was a significant decrease in ELT 1 month and 3 months after the treatment (P < .05). Our results indicated that treatment with peg-IFN-α may be associated with enhanced fibrinolysis.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antiviral Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Carboxypeptidase B2 / blood
  • Female
  • Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products / metabolism
  • Fibrinolysis / drug effects*
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic / blood*
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic / drug therapy*
  • Humans
  • Interferon-alpha / administration & dosage*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1 / blood
  • Ribavirin / administration & dosage
  • Time Factors
  • Tissue Plasminogen Activator / blood

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products
  • Interferon-alpha
  • Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1
  • SERPINE1 protein, human
  • fibrin fragment D
  • Ribavirin
  • Carboxypeptidase B2
  • Tissue Plasminogen Activator