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Vitamins B status and antioxidative defense in patients with chronic hepatitis B or hepatitis C virus infection

European Journal of Nutrition volume 50, pages 499–506 (2011)Cite this article

Abstract

Background & Aims

The impact of hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection upon B vitamins status and antioxidative defense in infected patients was examined.

Methods

Dietary record and blood levels of B vitamins and oxidative stress–associated biomarkers were determined for 195 healthy controls, 132 HBV, and 114 HCV patients.

Results

HBV-infected patients had significantly higher levels of total cholesterol, free fatty acids (FFA), and lower ghrelin level (p < 0.05); and HCV-infected patients had significantly higher Ishak inflammation score and lactate dehydrogenase activity (p < 0.05). HBV patients had significantly lower red blood cell (RBC) vitamins B2 and B6 levels, and HCV infection significantly decreased vitamins B2, B6 and folate levels in RBC and/or plasma (p < 0.05). Correlation coefficients of RBC vitamin B2 versus serum FFA in HBV patients, RBC vitamins B2 and B6 versus HCV RNA and Ishak inflammation score, and plasma vitamin B6 vs Ishak inflammation score in HCV patients were <−0.5. HBV-infected patients had significantly higher oxidized glutathione level and lower glutathione peroxidase activity (p < 0.05), but HCV patients had significantly lower superoxide dismutase and catalase activities (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

HBV or HCV infection enhanced oxidative stress and lowered B vitamins in circulation. In order to avoid other healthy risk, nutrition status should be monitored and limitation or supplementation of certain nutrients might be helpful for HBV- or HCV-infected patients.

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Fig. 1

Abbreviations

ALT:

Alanine aminotransferase

AST:

Aspartate aminotransferase

GPX:

Glutathione peroxidase

GSH:

Glutathione

GSSG:

Oxidized glutathione

Hb:

Hemoglobin

HBV:

Hepatitis B virus

HCV:

Hepatitis C virus

HDL:

High density lipoprotein

LDH:

Lactate dehydrogenase

LDL:

Low density lipoprotein

MDA:

Malondialdehyde

SOD:

Superoxide dismutase

XO:

Xanthine oxidase

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Acknowledgments

Authors, Lin CC, Liu WH, Wang ZH and Yin MC, would like to thank all subjects participated in this study.

Conflict of interest

None of the authors reports a conflict of interest.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Internal Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung City, Taiwan

    Chun-che Lin

  2. Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung City, Taiwan

    Chun-che Lin

  3. Radiation Safety Office, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung City, Taiwan

    Wen-hu Liu

  4. Department of Nutritional Science, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung City, Taiwan

    Zhi-hong Wang

  5. Department of Nutrition, China Medical University, 91, Hsueh-shih Rd., Taichung City, Taiwan, ROC

    Mei-chin Yin

  6. Department of Health and Nutrition Biotechnology, Asia University, Taichung County, Taiwan

    Mei-chin Yin

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  1. Chun-che Lin
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  2. Wen-hu Liu
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  3. Zhi-hong Wang
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  4. Mei-chin Yin
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Correspondence to Mei-chin Yin.

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Lin, Cc., Liu, Wh., Wang, Zh. et al. Vitamins B status and antioxidative defense in patients with chronic hepatitis B or hepatitis C virus infection. Eur J Nutr 50, 499–506 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-010-0156-1

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