The increased ratio of CD4+/CD8+ was positively correlated with inflammation in hepatitis C patients with metabolic syndrome

Abstract

Background/aims: The incidence of metabolic syndrome (MS) in hepatitis C patients in Taiwan is not well known. Although the ratio of CD4(+)/CD8(+) T lymphocytes is considered to possibly affect the pathogenesis of hepatitis C, the effects of MS on CD4(+)/CD8(+) T lymphocytes remain unknown. The aims of this study to assess (1) the incidence of MS, (2) the inflammation status and fatty changes of liver, and (3) changes in their CD4(+)/CD8(+) T-lymphocyte ratio in patients with hepatitis C.

Methods: 60 hepatitis C patients were classified into MS or non-MS group. The terms of anthropometric data, MS components, and T-lymphocytes were assessed.

Results: The proportion of hepatitis C patients suffering from MS was 26.7% in this study. The CD4(+)/CD8(+) T-lymphocyte ratios were higher in patients with MS than non-MS group. Hepatitis C patients with MS also had higher levels of ferritin than non-MS. Moreover, the level of ferritin positively correlated with the severity of fatty liver. The CD4(+)/CD8(+) T-lymphocyte ratio is also positively correlated with ferritin level and the severity of fatty liver.

Conclusions: Hepatitis C patients with MS had higher ratio of CD4(+)/CD8(+) T lymphocyte, which is associated with a high inflammatory response and a fatty change of liver.