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World J Gastroenterol. Mar 21, 2014; 20(11): 2825-2838
Published online Mar 21, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i11.2825
Published online Mar 21, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i11.2825
Hepatitis C virus and metabolic disorder interactions towards liver damage and atherosclerosis
Umberto Vespasiani-Gentilucci, Paolo Gallo, Antonio De Vincentis, Giovanni Galati, Antonio Picardi, Internal Medicine and Hepatology Unit, University Campus Bio-Medico of Rome, 00128 Rome, Italy
Author contributions: Vespasiani-Gentilucci U, Gallo P, De Vincentis A, Galati G and Picardi A contributed to this manuscript.
Correspondence to: Antonio Picardi, MD, PhD, Internal Medicine and Hepatology Unit, University Campus Bio-Medico of Rome, Via Alvaro del Portillo 200, 00128 Rome, Italy. a.picardi@unicampus.it
Telephone: +39-6-225411207 Fax: +39-6-225411944
Received: October 29, 2013
Revised: December 25, 2013
Accepted: January 3, 2014
Published online: March 21, 2014
Revised: December 25, 2013
Accepted: January 3, 2014
Published online: March 21, 2014
Core Tip
Core tip: In this review we will analyze the mechanisms possibly contributing to the relationship between hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and altered metabolism, as well as the clinical data suggesting that HCV-induced metabolic disorders favour both the progression of liver damage in terms of steatosis/fibrosis and the development of atherosclerosis. Particular attention will be devoted to the highly debated topic concerning the link between HCV infection and cardiovascular disease, a time-related interpretation on the factors impacting cardiovascular risk in the course of HCV infection will be provided, and, finally, the complex virus/host interplay will be graphically synthesized to provide an intuitive picture of the item.