Patients were randomized to receive acarbose ( Arm A ; n = 7 ) or metformin ( Arm B ; n = 6 ) or pioglitazone ( Arm C ; n = 5 ) in addition to peginterferon alfa-2b ( 1.5 g/kg/week ) plus ribavirin ( 1000-1200 mg/day ) or just PR ( Arm D ; n = 5 ) .