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Methamphetamine Promotes Hepatitis C Virus Replication in Human Liver Cells

While there have been numerous studies of hepatitis C in individuals who inject drugs (primarily heroin), less is known about the effects of non-injection drugs on hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Methamphetamine is a stimulant that may be taken as a pill, injected, snorted, smoked, or administered anally. In the April 2008 Journal of Viral Hepatitis, L. Ye of the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and colleagues reported on a laboratory study looking at whether methamphetamine inhibits innate immunity in host cells, thereby facilitating HCV replication in human hepatocytes (liver cells). 

Results

• Methamphetamine inhibited natural intracellular interferon alpha expression in human hepatocytes, which was associated with increased HCV replication.

• Methamphetamine also compromised the anti-HCV effect of recombinant interferon alpha, as used for hepatitis C treatment.

• Introduction of methamphetamine inhibited expression of the signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT-1), a key modulator of interferon-mediated biological responses.

• Methamphetamine also down-regulated expression of interferon regulatory factor 5 (IRF-5), a transcriptional factor that activates the interferon pathway. 

In conclusion, the authors wrote, "These in vitro findings that methamphetamine compromises interferon alpha-mediated innate immunity against HCV infection indicate that methamphetamine may have a cofactor role in the immunopathogenesis of HCV disease."

3/07/08

Reference

L Ye, JS Peng, Z Wang, and others. Methamphetamine enhances Hepatitis C virus replication in human hepatocytes. Journal of Viral Hepatitis 1594): 261-270. April 2008.