The role of serum leptin levels in chronic hepatitis C with steatosis.

Background/aims: Leptin has recently been suggested to play a role in the pathogenesis of hepatic steatosis and steatohepatitis in the absence of viral infection. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether leptin levels are associated with hepatic steatosis in chronic hepatitis C.

Methodology: Thirty-one patients (22 female, 9 male, mean age: 51 +/- 9) with histologically proven chronic hepatitis C were included in this prospective, controlled, observational, clinical study with blind outcome assessment. Patients with and without steatosis in liver biopsy served as each others' controls.

Results: Chronic hepatitis C patients with (n=23) and without steatosis (n=8) were similar with respect to their serum glucose, lipid and leptin levels (p>0.05). Serum leptin levels were correlated with both patient factors, such as obesity and with liver enzymes, such as ALT, AST only in patients with steatosis. Chronic hepatitis C patients with or without steatosis had similar leptin levels of 6.3 +/- 2.5 and 4.9 +/- 2.5, respectively.

Conclusion: Leptin levels were well correlated with antropometrical parameters in chronic hepatitis C patients. Leptin levels were associated with evidence of impaired hepatic function in patients with chronic HCV related steatosis. Serum leptin may be a prognostic marker for patients with chronic HCV infection with steatosis.