Effects of long-term interferon-α treatment on glucose tolerance in patients with chronic hepatitis C

Background/Aims: Interferon-α has been reported to acutely induce insulin resistance and glucose intolerance. The effects of long-term treatment with interferon-α on glucose metabolism remain unclear. Methods: Thirty-two Japanese patients with chronic hepatitis C were given interferon-α (6×106 U/day) daily for 2 weeks and thereafter 3 times weekly up to 6 months. The patients received a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test before the treatment. Fifteen patients also had an intravenous glucose tolerance test for an assessment of insulin sensitivity with Bergmanʹs minimal model. These tests were repeated 3 months after the treatment. Results: Insulin sensitivity was not affected by the treatment (5.7±3.8 vs 5.2±3.8 10−4•min−1•mU−1•l, not significant) and a statistically significant but minimum decrease in area under the curve of plasma glucose (1012±332 vs 928±282 mmol•1−1•min, pvs 294±334 mU•l−1•min, p Conclusion: Contrary to the known acute metabolic effects, interferon-α therapy for 3 months in patients with chronic hepatitis C did not have deleterious effects on insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance.