Additional effect of low iron diet on iron reduction therapy by phlebotomy for chronic hepatitis C.

Background/aims: Iron-induced oxidative stress plays an important role in the pathogenesis of chronic hepatitis C. Both phlebotomy for removing body iron stores and low iron diet for minimizing portal iron supply to the liver have been shown to improve serum transaminase levels in patients with the disease. However, the cooperative effects of phlebotomy and low iron diet have not yet been elucidated in detail.