Abstract
BACKGROUND
Patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection have increased serum
omentin-1. Omentin-1 is an anti-inflammatory adipokine, and higher levels may
be a direct effect of HCV infection. Successful elimination of HCV by direct acting
antivirals almost normalized circulating levels of various molecules with a role in
inflammation.
AIM
To evaluate the effect of HCV infection on serum omentin-1, serum omentin-1
levels of HCV patients were measured before therapy and at 12 wk after therapy
end. Associations of serum omentin-1 with parameters of inflammation and liver
function were explored at both time points. Serum omentin-1 levels of patients
with and without liver cirrhosis, which was defined by ultrasound or the fibrosis-
4 (FIB-4) score, were compared.
METHODS
Serum omentin-1 levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay
in 84 chronic HCV patients before therapy and at 12 wk after therapy end where
sustained virological response 12 (SVR12) was achieved in all patients. Serum
omentin-1 of 14 non-infected controls was measured in parallel.
RESULTS
In patients with chronic HCV, serum omentin-1 levels were not related to viral
load or viral genotype. HCV patients with liver steatosis and HCV patients with
Peschel G et al. Omentin-1 of hepatitis C patients
WJH https://www.wjgnet.com 1316 December 27, 2023 Volume 15 Issue 12
diabetes had serum omentin-1 levels comparable to patients not suffering from these conditions. Serum omentin-1
levels at SVR12 were similar in comparison to pretreatment levels. In addition, serum levels did not differ between
HCV-infected patients and non-infected controls. Serum omentin-1 levels did not correlate with leukocyte count or
C-reactive protein. Positive correlations of serum omentin-1 with bilirubin and the model for end-stage liver
disease score (MELD) were detected before therapy and at SVR12 in the whole cohort. Bilirubin and the MELD
score also positively correlated with serum omentin-1 levels in the subgroup of patients with ultrasound diagnosed
liver cirrhosis before therapy. At SVR12, serum omentin-1 levels of patients with liver cirrhosis negatively
correlated with albumin. Before therapy start, patients with high FIB-4 scores had increased serum omentin-1 in
comparison to patients with a low score. Serum omentin-1 levels of patients with liver cirrhosis defined by
ultrasound were increased at baseline and at SVR12.
CONCLUSION
Present study showed that liver cirrhosis, but not HCV infection per se, is related to elevated serum omentin-1
levels.