Endogenous oxidized LDL levels predict treatment response in interferon-based therapy of chronic hepatitis C

Background: Oxidized low density lipoprotein (oxLDL) is a naturally occurring chemically altered form of LDL. oxLDL is generated during oxidative processes in the blood vessel wall and oxLDL serum level is not strongly correlated with that of native LDL. Both in vitro generated and endogenous oxLDL potently inhibit entry of hepatitis C virus into liver cells by perturbing the interaction between HCV and scavenger receptor class B type I, one of several essential HCV receptors on the hepatocyte surface. Whether endogenous oxLDL levels have an impact on treatment outcome in chronic hepatitis C is unknown. Methods:…