Do low-titre auto-antibodies predict autoimmune disease during interferon-alpha treatment of chronic hepatitis C?
These results suggest that the presence of low-titre auto-antibodies may be a risk factor for the development of autoimmune dysfunction during IFNalpha therapy for chronic hepatitis C. Patients with no detectable auto-antibodies have a low risk for developing autoimmune complications during treatment with IFNalpha.
We conclude that C-peptide possesses antithrombotic actions in vivo. A causal role of PAI-1 in this scenario needs to be further addressed. However, the reversal of C-peptide action by insulin may invalidate the use of this peptide as a treatment option to improve rheology and microcirculation in diabetic patients.