Antioxidant and Immunomodulator Properties of Viusid in Patients With Chronic Hepatitis C
Antioxidant and Immunomodulator Properties of Viusid in Patients With Chronic Hepatitis C
The pathogenesis of chronic hepatitis C (CHC) is associated to severe oxidative stress and
 non-selective immunological disturbance that leads to necro-inflammation and progression of
 fibrosis. Previous trials suggested that antioxidant and inmunostimulant therapies may have a
 beneficial effect. The purpose of the study is to evaluate whether Viusid, a nutritional
 supplement with hepatoprotective properties, could ameliorate the oxidative stress and
 modulate the immune response in patients with CHC and non-responders to pegylated interferon
 plus ribavirin, during 24 weeks of treatment.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  HCV infection confirmed on a positive test for anti-HCV antibody and HCV RNA
 detectable in serum by Polymerase Chain Reaction.

 -  Histological diagnosis of chronic hepatitis.

 -  Patients who were non-responders to previous treatment with pegylated interferon and
 ribavirin or who had contraindicated the antiviral treatment.

 -  Age between 18 and 65 years.

 -  Ability to provide informed consent.

 -  Absence of significant alcohol ingestion (weekly ethanol consumption of less than 40
 g)

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  Presence of other form of liver diseases (viral or autoimmune hepatitis, drug-induced
 liver disease, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, metabolic and hereditary liver disease
 and α-1 antitrypsin deficiency).

 -  Pregnancy or lactation.

 -  Decompensated cirrhosis.

 -  Absence of clinical and ultrasonographic evidence of liver cancer, with α-fetoprotein
 levels ≤ 200 ng/ml.

 -  Refusal to participate in the study.

 -  Concomitant disease with reduced life expectancy.

 -  Severe psychiatric conditions.

 -  Drug dependence.

 -  Co-infection with hepatitis A or B or HIV.

 -  Pregnancy.