Application of Nutrigenomics in HCV Hepatosteatosis: Impact of Food Factors-Gene Interactions

ABSTRACT

Nutrigenomics is a relatively new branch of nutrition science. Its goal is to study the impact upon on the function of our genes of the foods we eat. Hepatosteatosis is strongly associated with HCV infection. It seems firmly established that the hepatitis C virus can directly alter host cell cholesterol/lipid metabolism through lipogenic genes and thus induce hepatic steatosis. A combination of pegylated interferon (IFN) with ribavirin is currently the most effective therapy for CH C. However, the sustained viro-logical response (SVR) rate still remains only approximately 55%. Furthermore, it is even less likely that patients with HCV genotype 1 infection affected by steatosis achieve an early (week 12) virological response (EVR) or SVR at all.

Up till today, only a limited number of studies have reported an association between dietary and hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA- induced hepatosteatosis. Nutrigenomics offer tools to search for novel nutritional management/theraspeutic options, especially regarding the effects of intake of saturated and trans- fatty acids, for chronically HCV-infected patients. Not only polysaturated (lauric, myristic, and palmitic) but also monounsaturated (oleic) fatty acids induce replication of HCV RNA.

This far three nutrients studied: β-carotene, vitamin D₂, and linoleic acid are found in a cell culture system to inhibit HCV RNA replication. In addition polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) especially arachidonic acid (AA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) have been demonstrated to inhibit HCV RNA replication. These PUFAs, in particular highly the unsaturated n-3 fatty acids change the gene expression of PPARa and SREBP, induce suppress the expression of mRNAs encoding key metabolic enzymes and will hereby suppress hepatic lipogenesis and triglyceride synthesis,secretion and accumulation in tissues. It seems important that these findings are taken into account and specific nutritional supplements developed and tried in people with chronic hepatitis C.

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