Effect of Hepatitis C Virus Genotype, Cirrhosis, and Viral Cure on Serum Phosphatidylinositol Species Profiles

TL;DR

This study shows that curing hepatitis C virus (HCV) changes certain fat-like molecules in the blood, but only in patients without severe liver damage.

Contribution

The study identifies how HCV infection and treatment affect specific phosphatidylinositol species in serum, particularly in non-cirrhotic patients.

Findings

Serum PI species profiles changed in non-cirrhotic patients after HCV treatment but not in those with cirrhosis.

Genotype 3a was linked to lower levels of specific PI species that remained reduced after treatment.

Changes in PI species were not correlated with standard liver injury markers.

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Phosphatidylinositol (PI) species are bioactive lipids implicated in liver fibrogenesis. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) relies on host lipid metabolism for infection. The relationship between serum PI profiles, chronic HCV, and liver injury remains incompletely defined. Methods: Fourteen PI species were quantified by direct flow injection–tandem mass spectrometry (FIA–MS/MS; triple quadrupole) in serum from 178 patients with chronic HCV at three time points: before treatment and at weeks 4 and 12 after starting direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy. Results: At baseline, PI 34:1, 36:1, and 36:3 were higher in patients with ultrasound-diagnosed cirrhosis than in those without, whereas PI 38:4, 40:5, and 40:6 were lower. In non-cirrhotic patients, PI 36:3, 36:4, 38:3, 38:4, and 38:5 increased, while PI 40:5 and 40:6 declined at weeks 4 and 12 after therapy start. In cirrhosis, viral cure was not associated with changes in PI species. By the end of therapy, cirrhotic patients showed higher PI 36:3 and lower PI 38:4 than non-cirrhotic patients. Genotype 3a was associated with lower PI 38:3, 38:4, and 38:5; the reduction in PI 38:4 persisted to the end of therapy. Across time points, most PI species did not correlate with routine markers of liver injury or inflammation. Conclusions: HCV cure remodels the serum PI profile in non-cirrhotic patients. These findings suggest that altered PI profiles are primarily linked to HCV infection, supporting a role for PI lipids in viral propagation.

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