Decrease in serum concentration of nitric oxide (NO) metabolites after lamivudine therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis B

Park, Sung Keun; Cho, Yong Kyun; Hwang, Sang Jun; Koh, Young Lyul; Lee, Hyun Jong; Choi, Hyo Sun; Pae, Ji Cheul; Park, Jung Ho; Kim, Hong Joo; Park, Dong Il; Sohn, Chong Il; Jeon, Woo Kyu; Kim, Byung Ik; Mo, Ji Won; Park, Chang Shin

Abstract

BACKGROUND: It is known that the hepatic nitric oxide (NO) production is induced by various pathologic inflammatory response such as viral hepatitis and mediated by various cytokines from hepatic immune or non-immune cells. We have investigated nitric oxide metabolites (NOx) concentration to know the effect of lamivudine treatment on NOx in chronic hepatitis B patients, and the association between NO metabolic concentration and other clinical factors.
METHODS
The study subjects comprised 70 candidates for antiviral treatment for chronic viral hepatitis B. We observed the concentration of NOx in patients group before and after antiviral treatment with lamivudine 100 mg for 24 weeks and compared them with controls. We also examined clinical factors which can affect the concentration of NOx.
RESULTS
The mean concentration of NOx in chronic viral hepatitis B patients was significantly higher than that of control group. (patient group: 78.2+/-12.7 micrometer and healthy control group: 31.8+/-11.3 micrometer, p=0.014). The mean concentration of NOx significantly decreased after lamivudine treatment (after treatment: 44.2+/-17.9 micrometer and before treatment: 78.2+/-12.7 micrometer, p=0.027). HBV DNA titer and ALT level were significantly correlated with the concentration of NOx (HBV DNA titer: r=0.697, p=0.038 and ALT level: r=0.402, p=0.012).
CONCLUSIONS
The fact that serum NO concentration increased proportionally to the amount of ALT and HBV DNA and decreased after the treatment with lamivudine suggests that serum concentration of NO have correlation with course of HBV infection.