Alterations of leptin during IFN-α therapy in patients with chronic viral hepatitis

Background/Aims Leptin has a particular profibrogenic role in the liver. We investigated whether IFN-α influences leptin production in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and C (CHC). Leptin was determined in serial samples from 63 CHB and 42 CHC IFN-α treated patients. Furthermore, we evaluated whether leptin alterations were associated with patientsʹ characteristics. Methods Sera were investigated at serial time-points using an enzyme-linked-immunosorbent-assay. Controls consisted of 36 patients with autoimmune liver diseases and 44 healthy patients. Results Leptin levels before IFN-α administration were higher in CHB and CHC compared to healthy (P<0.004) and diseased controls (P=0.0001). In CHB patients, we observed a significant reduction of leptin during IFN-α treatment and lasting for up to 6 months after the end of treatment, followed by an increase reaching pretreatment levels at 1.5 years after stopping therapy. The pattern of leptin alterations was similar in CHC patients where leptinʹs decrease was more pronounced at 6 months after the end of treatment. Biochemical or virological response to treatment was not associated with leptin reduction in both groups. Conclusions This study provides information on leptin kinetics during IFN-α treatment and follow-up in CHB and CHC patients and suggests IFN-α as a potential inhibitor of leptin production.