Abstract

We aimed to evaluate factors associated with changes in skeletal muscle mass in hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected patients after treatment with direct-acting antivirals (DAAs). Consecutive HCV-infected patients after treatment with DAA were recruited into the study. Patients who achieved sustained virological response (SVR); and had complete clinical information, preserved serum samples at baseline and SVR48, and skeletal muscle mass evaluations based on the psoas muscle mass index (PMI) on computed tomography at baseline and ≥ 12 months were included. Altogether, 70.7% of patients (41/58) showed increased PMI after DAA therapy, and mean relative PMI was significantly higher after DAA therapy than at baseline. There were no significant associations between baseline clinical factors routinely examined in clinical practice and increased PMI. Among factors reported to be associated with skeletal muscle loss in patients with chronic liver disease, serum zinc levels and total and free carnitine levels increased significantly after DAA therapy and only changes in serum free carnitine levels were significantly associated with an increased PMI (r = 0305, P = 0.020). In conclusion, increased skeletal muscle mass after successful HCV eradication by DAAs was significantly associated with increased serum-free carnitine levels. l-carnitine supplementation may be beneficial in patients with low skeletal muscle mass after DAA.

Details

Title
Possible correlation between increased serum free carnitine levels and increased skeletal muscle mass following HCV eradication by direct acting antivirals
Author
Tokuchi Yoshimasa 1 ; Suda Goki 1 ; Kimura Megumi 1 ; Maehara Osamu 2 ; Kitagataya Takashi 1 ; Kubo Akinori 1 ; Yoshida Sonoe 1 ; Fu Qingjie 1 ; Yang, Zijian 1 ; Hosoda Shunichi 1 ; Ohara Masatsugu 1 ; Yamada, Ren 1 ; Suzuki Kazuharu 1 ; Kawagishi Naoki 1 ; Nakai Masato 1 ; Sho Takuya 1 ; Natsuizaka Mitsuteru 1 ; Morikawa Kenichi 1 ; Ogawa Koji 1 ; Ohnishi Shunsuke 2 ; Sakamoto Naoya 1 

 Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Sapporo, Japan (GRID:grid.39158.36) (ISNI:0000 0001 2173 7691) 
 Hokkaido University, Department of Pathophysiology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sapporo, Japan (GRID:grid.39158.36) (ISNI:0000 0001 2173 7691) 
Publication year
2021
Publication date
2021
Publisher
Nature Publishing Group
e-ISSN
20452322
Source type
Scholarly Journal
Language of publication
English
ProQuest document ID
2561647828
Copyright
© The Author(s) 2021. This work is published under http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ (the “License”). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.