Published online Jun 21, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i23.7089
Revised: January 17, 2014
Accepted: April 1, 2014
Published online: June 21, 2014
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a successful pathogen on the grounds that it exploits its host’s metabolism to build up viral particles; moreover it favours its own survival by inducing chronic disease and the development of specific anatomic changes in the infected organ. Steatosis, therefore, is associated with HCV infection by necessity rather than by chance alone. Approximately 6% of HCV patients have steatohepatitis. Interestingly, HCV steatosis occurs in the setting of multiple metabolic abnormalities (hyperuricemia, reversible hypocholesterolemia, insulin resistance, arterial hypertension and expansion of visceral adipose tissue) collectively referred to as “hepatitis C-associated dysmetabolic syndrome” (HCADS). General, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)-like, mechanisms of steatogenesis (including increased availability of lipogenic substrates and de novo lipogenesis; decreased oxidation of fatty substrates and export of fatty substrates) are shared by all HCV genotypes. However, genotype 3 seemingly amplifies such steatogenic molecular mechanisms reported to occur in NAFLD via more profound changes in microsomal triglyceride transfer protein; peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha; sterol regulatory element-binding proteins and phosphatase and tensin homologue. HCV steatosis has a remarkable clinical impact in as much as it is an acknowledged risk factor for accelerated fibrogenesis; for impaired treatment response to interferon and ribavirin; and development of hepatocellular carcinoma. Recent data, moreover, suggest that HCV-steatosis contributes to premature atherogenesis via both direct and indirect mechanisms. In conclusion, HCV steatosis fulfills all expected requirements necessary to perpetuate the HCV life cycle. A better understanding of the physiology of HCADS will likely result in a more successful handling of disease with improved antiviral success rates.
Core tip: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) steatosis occurs in the setting of multiple abnormalities collectively referred to as “hepatitis C-associated dysmetabolic syndrome”. General, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease-like, mechanisms of steatogenesis are shared by all HCV genotypes. However, genotype 3 seemingly amplifies such steatogenic molecular mechanisms. HCV steatosis has a remarkable clinical impact in accelerating fibrogenesis; impairing treatment response to interferons and ribavirin; and favouring the development of hepatocellular carcinoma and atherosclerosis. In conclusion, steatosis fulfills all expected requirements necessary to perpetuate the HCV life cycle and is associated with HCV infection by necessity rather than by chance.