Ozone-enriched Autologous Blood Transfusion Significantly Reduce Adverse Reactions In Chronic Hepatitis C Patients Receiving Interferon-α And Ribavirin

Objective:To study the effects of ozone-enriched autologous blood transfusion on the efficacy and adverse reactions in patients with chronic hepatitis C(CHC) receiving interferon-a and ribavirin.Methods:One hundred and five CHC patients were divided into control group and treatment group;The patients in control group (n=52) were treated with subcutaneous injection of peginterferon-a and oral administration of ribavirin,while the patients in treatment group(n=53) were treated with combinational therapy of interferon,and ribavirin, and ozone-enriched autologous blood transfusion(an average of10to16times).The regimen lasted for48weeks with a24week-posttreatment of follow-up.The virologic response rates and adverse reactions were observed. Results:The incidence rates of serum high triglycerides levels,hypertension and diabetes in patients of treatment group were28.3%,28.3%and28.3%,respectively,significantly higher than those in the control patients(5.8%,7.7%and7.7%,respectively,P<0.05);No significant differences as respect to gender,average age,liver function tests, RNA load and percentage of cirrhosis were observed between the two groups;The incidence rates of fever,flu-like symptoms and reduction of hemoglobin in patients of the treatment group(50.9%,35.8%and34.0%, respectively) were significantly lower than those in the control patients (73.1%,x2=5.5,P<0.01;59.6%,x2=5.9,P<0.01and55.8%,x2=5.0,P<0.05);The rates of early virologic response,virologic response at end of treatment and sustained virologic response in patients in the treatment group(83.0%,83.0%and74.4%,respectively) were not significantly different from those (88.5%,86.5%and76.3%,respectively) in the control patients.Conclusions:Although some patients having metabolic syndrome,the virologic response rate in patients receiving interferon-a and ozone-enriched autologous blood transfusion is very high,with reduced adverse reactions.Ozone-enriched autologous blood transfusion may be promising in reducing interferon-a-induced adverse reactions.