Modifications in the serum concentrations of prolyl hydroxylase in patients with chronic hepatitis B during and after interferon therapy.

A total of eight patients with chronic active HBsAg-positive hepatitis was treated with recombinant interferon-alb for 12 months and serum aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, y-globu­ lin and prolyl hydroxylase concentrations were determined every 3 months. Liver biopsies after 12 months' treatment revealed a signifi­ cant (P < 0.05) reduction in the histological activity score. After 6 months, alanine aminotransferase (P < 0.01) and aspartate amino­ transferase (P < 0.05) concentrations fell significantly compared with baseline concentrations. Serum prolyl hydroxylase concentrations declined significantly (P < 0.05) after 15 months and remained depressed. It is concluded that interferon-alb therapy reduced fibro­ genetic activity in chronic active hepatitis B.