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

Background/Purpose: Insulin 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. Methods: The 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. Results: The 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. Conclusion: The 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.