Serum retinol-binding protein 4 as a predictor of fibrosis regression and response to direct-acting antiviral drugs in chronic hepatitis C virus patients

Abstract

Abstract Background Hepatitis C virus is the underlying cause of chronic hepatitis which frequently progresses to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. In addition, HCV is thought to cause steatosis, dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular events. The aim of this study is to evaluate the role of serum RBP-4 in the prediction of fibrosis regression and the response of treatment among chronic HCV patients receiving direct-acting antiviral agents. Methods This study included 40 chronic HCV Egyptian patients, divided into two groups: Naive cases, 20 chronic HCV patients before starting first line of treatment; Relapser cases, 20 chronic HCV patients who were non-responders before starting second line treatment; and 10 healthy subjects as control. Laboratory investigations including complete blood count, full hepatic profile, fibroscan assessment, and retinol-binding protein-4 level at baseline and re-assessed 12 weeks after the end of treatment [sustained virological response SVR12]. Student T test, analysis of variance, chi-square, Tukey’s test, and Pearson correlation coefficient tests were used for statistical analysis. Results Baseline retinol-binding protein-4 level was significantly higher in the naïve case group than in the relapser and control groups with a P value of P value of < 0.001. All the naïve patients had 100% SVR12, only 90% of the relapser group achieved SVR12. A significant reduction in retinol-binding protein-4 and fibrosis staging and measurements by fibroscan among all studied patients were noted after receiving direct acting antivirals (P value < 0.001). Retinol-binding protein-4 levels before and after treatment were significantly lower among F4 patients in comparison to those of F1–F3 patients (P value 0.002, 0.009, respectively). The best cutoff value of retinol-binding protein-4 in the prediction of liver cirrhosis (F4) was ≤ 46 pg/ml with sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 66.67%. Conclusion Serum retinol-binding protein-4 was found to be higher in chronic HCV infection with a significant reduction after successful eradication. Its level is much lower in cirrhotic patients [F4]. As a result, retinol-binding protein-4 may have a promising role in assessing direct acting antivirals response, as well as a prognostic value in predicting liver cirrhosis.