Does a lower insulin resistance affect antiviral therapy response in patients suffering from HCV related chronic hepatitis

According to a recently published study ( Gut 2005; 54 :1003–8), insulin resistance is a worsening factor in hepatitis C virus (HCV) related chronic hepatitis. There is much debate as to whether insulin resistance depends on hepatitis C virus, or vice versa, or whether it is an independent syndrome. As insulin resistance is the link between obesity, metabolic alterations, and endothelial damage, it is a characteristic feature of the metabolic syndrome. Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis is a …