Testing hepatitis C patients for oxidative stress may limit liver damage and the development of liver cancer, according to a study reported in the February issue of Antioxidants and Redox Signaling.

Oxidative stress plays a major role in chronic hepatitis C. Previous studies have found various oxidative stress markers to be elevated in hepatitis C virus-related liver disease.

The study involved 54 hepatitis C patients and 23 patients without hepatitis C who served as controls. Researchers at Kawasaki Hospital in Japan detected the presence of oxidative stress in serum and liver biopsy specimens of patients with hepatitis C.

"Detection of oxidative stress markers may be important for monitoring disease progression in hepatitis C virus patients," concluded the researchers. "Antioxidant therapy in combination with antiviral therapy may minimize liver damage and aid in the prevention and subsequent development of (liver cancer)."

Other sources: Antioxidants and Redox Signaling. 2004 Feb; 6(1): 19-24