The homeostasis model assessment of the insulin resistance score is not predictive of a sustained virological response in chronic hepatitis C patients.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the independent association between the homeostasis model assessment of the insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) score and rapid virological response (RVR) and sustained virological response (SVR) in chronic hepatitis C (CHC). METHODS: Observational prospective cohort study of 412 CHC patients [59% males; mean age 45 years; genotype 1 (44%), 2 (32%), 3 (19%) and 4 (5%)] treated with pegylated interferon α plus ribavirin. RESULTS: A HOMA-IR ≥2.0 was present in 49% and a metabolic syndrome in 4% of patients. By multivariate analysis, independent predictors of SVR were the lack of advanced fibrosis (≥F3) in genotype 1 and a lower body mass index in genotype 3 patients. In the subgroup of patients in whom HCV-RNA was evaluated at week 4 (n = 281), independent predictors of RVR were HCV-RNA <700,000 IU/ml, age <40 years and lower aspartate aminotransferase:alanine aminotransferase ratio in genotype 1 and baseline HOMA-IR ≤2 in genotype 3 patients. No predictive factor of RVR was identified among genotype 2 patients. RVR was the strongest predictor of SVR among genotype 1 or 3 patients. CONCLUSIONS: In this series of treatment-naïve, Caucasian CHC patients at a low risk for the metabolic syndrome, HOMA-IR is not a predictor of SVR, irrespective of the HCV genotype, although it may predict RVR in genotype 3 infection.

[Evaluation of the mutagenicity of detergents by tests on bacteria, plant cells and human leucocytes.]. / Studio della mutagenicità di formulati detergenti mediante test su batteri, cellule vegetali e leucociti umani.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the mutagenicity of several traditional detergents and that of newer more biodegradable detergents, by using a bacterial test (Ames test), a plant cell test (Allium cepa micronuclei test) and a human leucocyte test (Comet test). All tests were conducted using a wide range of doses (1-2000 mg/l). None of the examined detergents induced mutations in S.typhimurium. One traditional detergent showed a genotoxic effect with the A. cepa test, while all newer detergents and one traditional detergent were shown by the Comet test to be capable of inducing DNA damage.