IRS1 Expression in Hepatic Tissue and Leukocytes in Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infected Patients: A Comparative Study

Aims. To determine lymphocyte IRS (IRS1 cells) in HCV patients, correlating it to liver IRS (IRS 1liver) and HOMA-IR. This study tested the hypothesis that IRS1 cells expression can be used as insulin resistance (IR) marker in HCV-infected patients. IRS1 cells were not studied before in HCV infection. Materials and Methods. HCV chronically infected patients, naïve, nonobese, noncirrhotic, and nondiabetic were prospectively included and compared to controls (blood donors). Blood was taken, and leukocytes were separated. IRS1 was determined by real-time PCR. Liver tissue was obtained from transplant donors as controls. Results. 41 HCV-positive patients were included, 26 males (60.5%); mean age of 45 (±7.9); 33 (80.5%) from genotype 1. 6 out of 12 controls were males (50%); mean age was 26.7 (±3.2). There was expression of IRS1 in leukocytes. The median IRS1 cells (HCV) were 0.061 (0.004 to 0.469); the median IRS 1liver (HCV) was 0.0003 (0.00002 to 0.0186)—lower than in controls (resp., P = 0.005 and P = 0.018). HOMA-IR had an inverse correlation with IRS 1liver (P = 0.04). There was no correlation between IRS1 liver and IRS1 cells (P = 0.930). Conclusions. There was expression of IRS1 in leukocytes. IRS1 cells and IRS1 liver were lower in HCV patients than in controls.