Treatment of Hepatitis c by Using Direct-acting Antiviral

Evaluation of the Effect of Direct-Acting Antiviral Agents on Melatonin Level in Chronic Hepatitis C Patients in Egypt.

Patients with hepatitis c showed increased level of oxidative stress. Increased level of serum lipid peroxidation leads to the production of toxic mediators as malondialdehyde (MDA) which lead to disease progression. Chronic stress shunt tryptophan which is essential amino acid toward kynurenic pathway leading to lower level of serotonin and melatonin level. Currently, direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) show well-established efficacy against hepatitis C virus (HCV).

Inclusion Criteria:

• chronic hepatitis C patients had no other cause of liver disease

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV).
• Patients with acute hepatitis.
• Patients with renal insufficiency.
• Patients with Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) or other types of malignancy.
• Patients on current use of melatonin.
• Patients using of any of medications that have interaction with melatonin.
• Patients work in night shifts.
• Patients are consuming a lot of caffeine or heavy smokers.