Vitamins B status and antioxidative defense in patients with chronic hepatitis B or hepatitis C virus infection.

Background & Aims: The impact of hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection upon B vitamins status and antioxidative defense in infected patients was examined. Methods: Dietary record and blood levels of B vitamins and oxidative stress-associated biomarkers were determined for 195 healthy controls, 132 HBV, and 114 HCV patients. Results: HBV-infected patients had significantly higher levels of total cholesterol, free fatty acids (FFA), and lower ghrelin level ( p < 0.05); and HCV-infected patients had significantly higher Ishak inflammation score and lactate dehydrogenase activity ( p < 0.05). HBV patients had significantly lower red blood cell (RBC) vitamins B and B levels, and HCV infection significantly decreased vitamins B B and folate levels in RBC and/or plasma ( p < 0.05). Correlation coefficients of RBC vitamin B versus serum FFA in HBV patients, RBC vitamins B and B versus HCV RNA and Ishak inflammation score, and plasma vitamin B vs Ishak inflammation score in HCV patients were <−0.5. HBV-infected patients had significantly higher oxidized glutathione level and lower glutathione peroxidase activity ( p < 0.05), but HCV patients had significantly lower superoxide dismutase and catalase activities ( p < 0.05). Conclusion: HBV or HCV infection enhanced oxidative stress and lowered B vitamins in circulation. In order to avoid other healthy risk, nutrition status should be monitored and limitation or supplementation of certain nutrients might be helpful for HBV- or HCV-infected patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]