Abstract :
Host genetic factor has been shown to be influential at least partially in determining treatment responsiveness.
For HCV infection, LDL-R has been proposed to promote hepatitis C virus endocytosis. Polymorphisms
within the LDL-R gene are associated with familial hypercholesterolemia, atherosclerosis and obesity. Previous
studies have shown a correlation between single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in LDL-R gene and treatment
response as well as degree of inflammation and fibrosis. We conducted a study to determine whether in Thai
patients, LDL-R polymorphisms may also exert such effect. A total of 111 patients with chronic hepatitis C genotype
3 were included. Demographic data, HCV genotype, and treatment results at 11 separated LDL-R SNPs were
collected. Our results showed SNP in intron3.2 to be borderline associated with response to treatment. Further
study is needed, however, owing to the small sample size in this study. More data on severity of inflammation and
fibrosis should also be added to identify other possible correlations. |
file/Thai-Journal-of-gastroenterology-vol-11-no-1-4076325.pdf