Elevated plasma levels of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide in patients with chronic hepatitis C during interferon-based antiviral therapy

AIM： To investigate plasma levels of N-terminal probrain natriuretic peptide （NT-proBNP）, an established marker of cardiac function, in patients with chronic hepatitis C during interferon-based antiviral therapy.METHODS： Using a sandwich immunoassay, plasma levels of NT-proBNP were determined in 48 patients with chronic hepatitis C at baseline, wk 24 and 48 during antiviral therapy and at wk 72 during follow-up.RESULTS： Plasma NT-proBNP concentrations were significantly increased （P 〈 0.05） at wk 24, 48 and 72 compared to the baseline values. NT-proBNP concentrations at baseline and wk 24 were closely correlated （r = 0.8; P 〈 0.001）. At wk 24, 7 （14.6%） patients had NT-proBNP concentrations above 200 ng/L compared to 1 （2%） patient at baseline （P = 0.059）. Six of these 7 patients had been treated with high-dose IFN-α induction therapy. In multiple regression analysis, NT-proBNP was not related to other clinical parameters, biochemical parameters of liver disease or virus load and response to therapy. CONCLUSION： Elevated levels of NT-proBNP during and after interferon-based antiviral therapy of chronic hepatitis C may indicate the presence of cardiac dysfunction, which may contribute to the clinical symptoms observed in patients during therapy. Plasma levels of NT-proBNP may be used as a diagnostic tool and for guiding therapy in patients during interferon- based antiviral therapy.