Platelet sparing effect of COX II inhibition used with pegylated interferon alfa-2a for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C: A short term pilot study

Magdalene M. George, S. David Li, Ayse L. Mindikoglu, Mehdi H. Baluch, Sonu Dhillon, Deborah Farr, David H. Van Thiel

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

8 Scopus citations

Abstract

The role of a cyclooxygenase (COX) II inhibitor in reducing microvascular inflammation and the platelet count associated with interferon (IFN) plus ribavirin therapy of chronic hepatitis C (HCV) was assessed. Three plasma mediators (biomarkers) associated with platelet activation, inflammation and fibrosis were measured. Eighteen IFN naïve patients were studied. Nine were treated with pegylated IFN alfa-2a (PEG-IFN α-2a) plus ribavirin and rofecoxib; nine were treated with PEG-IFN α-2a plus ribavirin. A complete blood count, liver panel and HCV-RNA were assayed weekly. Human soluble P-selectin (hs-P-selectin), human interleukin-8 (IL-8), human interleukin-13 (IL-13) and human thrombopoietin (TPO) were assayed at 4 week intervals. The COX II inhibitor reduced the platelet reduction experienced with PEG-IFN α-2a treatment of HCV despite a reduction in the plasma TPO level. Hs-P-selectin was increased in both groups. In contrast, human IL-8 levels declined to undetectable levels in virologic responders. Similarly, human IL-13 levels declined with therapy (P<0.001). These data suggest that: (1) a COX II inhibition is associated with an increase in the platelet count despite a reduction in the TPO level; (2) human IL-8 and human IL-13 but not hs-P-selectin levels decline in those who experience an early virologic response.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)159-165
Number of pages7
JournalCytokine
Volume27
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 21 2004

Keywords

  • ALT
  • AST
  • BUN
  • COX
  • COX II
  • EIA
  • G-CSF
  • HCV
  • Hepatitis C
  • IL-8
  • Interferon
  • Platelets
  • alanine aminotransferase
  • aspartate aminotransferase
  • blood urea nitrogen
  • cyclooxygenase
  • enzyme immunoassay
  • granulocyte colony stimulating factor
  • hepatitis C virus
  • interleukin-8

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Immunology and Allergy
  • Immunology
  • Biochemistry
  • Hematology
  • Molecular Biology

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