Does fluvastatin favour HCV replication in vivo? : a pilot study on HIV-HCV coinfected patients
Articolo
Data di Pubblicazione:
2009
Citazione:
Does fluvastatin favour HCV replication in vivo? : a pilot study on HIV-HCV coinfected patients / L. Milazzo, L. Meroni, M. Galazzi, M. Cesari, I. Caramma, G. Marchetti, M. Galli, S. Antinori. - In: JOURNAL OF VIRAL HEPATITIS. - ISSN 1352-0504. - 16:7(2009 Jul), pp. 479-484. [10.1111/j.1365-2893.2009.01104.x]
Abstract:
Fluvastatin showed anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) activity in vitro, through the inhibition of geranylgeranylation of cellular proteins, and a synergistic effect with interferon (IFN)-alpha. Nevertheless statins up-regulate low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor, required for HCV cell entry, and the closely related scavenger receptors SRBI and CD36; moreover they reduce class II major histocompatibility complex expression on antigen presenting cell, modulating T-cell activation. In vivo LDL levels have been identified as prognostic indicator of sustained viral response to IFN in patients with HCV infection, suggesting that lipid-lowering agents might conversely favour HCV entry into the hepatocytes and translate into higher viral replication. We evaluated the effect of fluvastatin on HCV-RNA levels, CD36 expression and T-cell homeostasis in HCV-RNA positive patients. HCV-RNA was measured at baseline and after 4 weeks in 42 HCV/HIV-1 co-infected patients, randomized to receive either fluvastatin 80 mg qd or no treatment. CD36 expression and markers of T-cell activation were evaluated by means of flow cytometry. Plasma interleukin (IL)-10, IFN-gamma and IL-7 were measured by ELISA. Serum cholesterol and LDL decreased significantly in the treatment group (P = 0.0001 and 0.01, respectively). Surprisingly a significant increase of HCV-RNA levels was seen after 4 weeks of fluvastatin (P = 0.03). The percentages of naive/activated/apoptotic cells and CD36 expression remained unchanged. Fluvastatin did not inhibit HCV-RNA replication in vivo; conversely we observed a significant increase of HCV-RNA levels. CD36 expression on monocytes were not up-regulated by statins as previously reported in vitro. The correlation between HCV infectivity, oxidized-LDL receptor and statins in HCV infection need further evaluation.
Tipologia IRIS:
01 - Articolo su periodico
Keywords:
chronic hepatitis C; drug targets; lipid metabolism; statins
Elenco autori:
L. Milazzo, L. Meroni, M. Galazzi, M. Cesari, I. Caramma, G. Marchetti, M. Galli, S. Antinori
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