Alcohol and viral hepatitis: A mini-review

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Dig Liver Dis. 2008 Jul 2. [Epub ahead of print]

Alcohol and viral hepatitis: A mini-review.

Gitto S, Micco L, Conti F, Andreone P, Bernardi M.

Department of Medicine, University of Bologna, Italy; Internal Medicine Unit,

Saint'Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, Bologna, Italy.

Due to their high prevalence in the general population, alcohol use and abuse

can be associated with hepatitis B and C virus infections and it has been

demonstrated that alcohol plays a role as a co-morbid factor in the development

of liver disease. There is evidence that alcohol abuse accelerates the

progression of liver fibrosis and affects the survival of patients with chronic

hepatitis C. The mechanism by which alcohol worsens hepatitis C virus-related

liver disease has not been fully clarified, but enhanced viral replication,

increased oxidative stress, cytotoxicity and impairment of immune response could

play a relevant role. Alcohol abuse also seems to reduce both sensitivity to

interferon and adherence to treatment. It sounds reasonable to presume that the

mechanisms enhancing liver damage in patients affected by hepatitis B are

similar to those involved in hepatitis C virus infection. However, more studies

are warranted to improve our knowledge about the interaction between alcohol

intake and hepatitis B virus infection. In conclusion alcohol abuse is

associated with an accelerated progression of liver injury, leading to an

earlier development of cirrhosis, higher incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma,

and higher mortality. Abstinence could reverse some of these deleterious

effects.

PMID: 18602355 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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