الفهرس 
Hepatitis C virusOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
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Abstract
Hepatitis C treatment is improved dramatically after
the introduction of pegylated interferon (PEG IFN) and
ribavirin therapy and it reportedly eradicates the virus in
50% HCV positive patients. However, a number of side
effects are associated with the therapy, which may
ultimately lead to dose reduction or even discontinuation of
therapy.
Weight loss is a well established side effect
associated with interferon therapy and majority of the
patients on interferon therapy reportedly suffers from mild
to moderate weight loss. In HCV patients, weight loss and
tissue wasting are common, and particularly are highly
prevalent in the advance stages of the disease.
The researchers have reported causes of weight loss
with interferon therapy which include: malnutrition,
anorexia, infection, depression, thyroid dysfunction,
changes in glucose metabolism, induction of tumor necrosis
factor, changes in serum leptin and ghrelin, mitochondrial
damage and perhaps an HCV induced hypermetabolic
states.
The aim of the study was to find and clarify the
relation between serum Ghrelin hormone and weight loss in
hepatitis C infected patients on interferon therapy
Summary
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therapy with minimal or no effect on appetite and on
weight.
The current study found that ghrelin positively
correlates with body mass index (BMI) and weight.
Once the ghrelin is decreased the appetite suppresses
and the patients loose weight and BMI will affected.
Early virological response occurred in group (I)
patients; the decrease in weight was accompanied with
decrease in PCR >2 log at week 12. from these results, it
could be concluded that weight loss during INF therapy
could be associated EVR.
On the other hand group II who had non weight loss
not had improved EVR.
The current study found positive correlation between
serum ghrelin and post prandial blood glucose.
The study found no correlation between serum
ghrelin and liver function test, blood picture, degree of liver
damage.