The aim of this study was to evaluate the concentration of sTfR as an indicator of intracellular iron stores in relation to serum iron management parameters in children with CHC and potential influence of treatment with IFN-alpha and ribavirin.
Fifteen children with diagnosed CHC were enrolled into the study, age range 6–17.5 years (mean 11.17 ± 3.86 years), 11 boys and 4 girls. Children were treated with IFN-alpha (3 MU/M2 s.c. three times a week) and ribavirin (15 mg/kg p.o. daily) for 12 months. sTfR level was detected by latex test N Latex sTfR (DADE Behring).
Observation after 16 weeks of the treatment revealed significant increase of sTfR level (sTfRI = 1.27 mg/dl versus sTfRII = 1.57 mg/dl; p = 0.002) and serum Tf (TfI = 190.98 ± 61.23 mg/dl versus TfII = 232.53 ± 53.64 mg/dl; p = 0.019) with the decline in serum iron (Iron I = 138.72 ± 65.91 versus Iron II = 104.98 ± 22.12; p = 0.049) and ferritin (Ferritin I = 240.35 ± 125.43 mg/dl versus Ferritin II = 145.65 ± 78.87 mg/dl; p = 0.022). Patients with viral response to treatment developed higher, although not significant, sTfRII levels than nonresponders.
Combined therapy with IFN-alpha and ribavirin causes an increase in sTfR level with decline in serum iron and ferritin, revealing intracellular reduction of iron stores depending on the result of treatment.