Combined Therapy for Chronic HCV With Interferon-α Plus Ribavirin Improved Insulin Resistance but did not Affect the Adiponectin Levels

Background/PurposeInsulin resistance may play an important role in the pathogenesis of Type 2 diabetes in subjects infected with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV). A combination therapy of interferon-α (IFN-α) plus ribavirin has been the mainstay of treatment for chronic HCV infection. Changes in insulin resistance and adiponectin levels after such a combination therapy, especially in Asian populations, are rarely reported. Hence, we performed this study to assess these changes before, during, and after the combination therapy.MethodsThe degree of homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance and adiponectin levels were evaluated in nondiabetic subjects affiliated with chronic HCV before treatment and at 3 and 6 months, respectively, after the cessation of the combined therapy of IFN-α plus ribavirin.ResultsThe parameters obtained before, during, and after cessation of the therapy showed that the degree of homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance significantly changed over time with age-, sex-, and body mass index–adjusted conditions. In contrast, adiponectin levels were totally unaffected.ConclusionThe extent of insulin resistance can be improved by the IFN-α plus ribavirin combination therapy. Despite a significant improvement in insulin resistance, the adiponectin levels remained unaffected.