Viral load is associated with abnormal serum levels of micronutrients and glutathione and glutathione-dependent enzymes in genotype 3 HCV patients

• Viral load, micronutrients, antioxidants are key factors involved in oxidative stress.
• We investigated viral load GSH, GPx, GR, Cu, Mn, Zn, Se, and Fe in genotype 3 HCV patients.
• Abnormal levels of GSH, GPx, Gr and micronutrients are linked with the progression of hepatitis C.
• These parameters are associated to immune response, mitochondrial damage and inflammation.

BackgroundOxidative stress in hepatitis C patients has been linked to hepatitis C virus. We verified this assumption in HCV genotype 3 patients by detecting the relationship between viral load and certain specific oxidative stress markers like Cu, Mn, Fe, Se, Zn and glutathione and glutathione-dependent enzymes.MethodSubjects (n = 200, average age 24 years) with quantitative HCV RNA polymerase chain reaction-proven genotype 3 hepatitis C were simultaneously evaluated. Cu, Mn, Fe, Se and Zn serum levels were by using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Internationally accepted methods were used for viral load quantification of glutathione, GR and Gpx serum levels.ResultThere was a significant correlation between HCV viral load and studied parameters. With the increase of viral load from mild group (200,000–1,000,000 copies/ml) to severe group (5,000,000–25,000,000 copies/ml) the serum levels of Cu, Mn, Zn, and Fe and glutathione reductase were found to be abnormally high. However, in severe viral load group serum concentration of Se and glutathione was less than the healthy controls.ConclusionAs a significant correlation was detected between the study parameters in genotype 3 HCV patients, it is concluded that the studied micronutrients and glutathione and glutathione-dependent enzymes are the biomolecular targets of HCV to induce oxidative stress.General significanceConstant monitoring and regulation of the recommended biomolecular targets of HCV can improve the plight of more than 170 million patients suffering from hepatitis C virus around the globe.