Hepatitis C Specificity in Lowering Serum Lipids of Patients with Chronic Renal Failure

This study describes the effects of the hepatitis C virus on lipid profile and some other parameters in patients with CRF. A clinical comparison was made between CRF patients with and without the hepatitis C virus. Abnormal lipid profiles in most patients with CRF are represented by high levels of serum cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL, and VLDL, and low levels of serum HDL cholesterol. While there was a lowering in serum cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL, and VLDL levels in CRF patients with hepatitis C infection, there is a positive association between the progression of CRF and fasting serum TG and cholesterol, regardless of age or gender, and the DM state of patients. HCV viral infection appeared to be related to decreased blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels, demonstrating that the HCV virus might possess a significant influence on the lipid profile within the serum of patients with chronic HCV infection. HCV binding to plasma lipoproteins has previously been demonstrated, as has the relationship between HCV infection and hypobetalipoproteinemia. The LDL receptor was additionally proposed to be one of the HCV receptors involved in HCV endocytosis, with LDL in the blood of patients effectively modulating HCV attachment to its target. HCV and LDL receptors could serve as competing inhibitors of LDL binding in HCV-infected individuals, creatinine and urea levels were elevated in HCV patients, reflecting renal abnormalities. HCV enables direct infection of renal tubular cells that contain ACE2 receptors on their surfaces.