Insulin resistance and tumor necrosis factor-α in chronic viral hepatitis C in Makurdi, Nigeria

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus has been reported by studies as an extrahepatic manifestation of chronic hepatitis C (CHC). Aim: The present study aimed at determining the impact of CHC disease on insulin resistance (IR) and its correlation with tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in this infection. Materials and Methods: The present case–control study adopted purposive sampling technique in selecting 36 CHC and 36 anthropometrically matched apparently healthy individuals, who fulfilled the inclusion criteria. CHC was defined as persistent infection without remission for a period up to 1 year. Results: A statistically significant (P < 0.02) elevated TNF-α, fasting serum insulin (FSI), fasting plasma glucose, and homeostasis model of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were observed in CHC compared with the controls. The liver function profile of CHC group showed that plasma total protein and albumin were significantly low when compared to controls, whereas significant high aspartate and alanine aminotransferase levels were observed in the CHC group compared to controls. There was a statistically significant (P < 0.001) positive correlation between TNF-α and HOMA-IR (r = 0.751) and TNF-α and FSI (r = 0.694) in CHC patients. Conclusion: CHC disease could induce increased IR, partly mediated by TNF-α. We recommend metabolic profiling of chronic viral hepatitis C patients during disease management