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World J Gastroenterol. Mar 21, 2014; 20(11): 2888-2901
Published online Mar 21, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i11.2888
Published online Mar 21, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i11.2888
Interaction between hepatitis C virus and metabolic factors
Yasunori Kawaguchi, Toshihiko Mizuta, Department of Internal Medicine, Saga Medical School, Saga 849-8501, Japan
Author contributions: Kawaguchi Y conceived the study and coordinated the literature search and data review; Kawaguchi Y and Mizuta T drafted the manuscript.
Correspondence to: Yasunori Kawaguchi, MD, Department of Internal Medicine, Saga Medical School, 5-1-1 Nabeshima, Saga 849-8501, Japan. kawaguy@cc.saga-u.ac.jp
Telephone: +81-952-342362 Fax: +81-952-342017
Received: September 27, 2013
Revised: November 15, 2013
Accepted: January 6, 2014
Published online: March 21, 2014
Processing time: 171 Days and 16.4 Hours
Revised: November 15, 2013
Accepted: January 6, 2014
Published online: March 21, 2014
Processing time: 171 Days and 16.4 Hours
Core Tip
Core tip: A specific pathophysiologic feature of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is whole-body insulin resistance, which is related to oxidative stress, lipid metabolism abnormalities, hepatic steatosis, and iron overload. Host metabolic factors synergistically enhance the HCV-induced metabolic disturbance, affectively deteriorating the clinical course in patients with chronic hepatitis C. Consequently, diet, lifestyle and medications appropriate for metabolic disorders are important for management of HCV-infected patients to improve their prognosis.