Ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) is increased in patients with chronic hepatitis C infection and related to markers of oxidative stress and inflammation.

Inflammation and oxidative stress have been reported in patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) infection, but their influence on ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) levels and diabetes prevalence remains unknown. Sixty-three CHC patients, 28 with diabetes, and 40 healthy controls were enrolled in the study. Circulating levels of oxidative stress markers [Nε-(carboxymethyl)lysine- advanced glycation end products (CML-AGEs) and advanced oxidation protein products-(AOPPs)], pro-inflammatory cytokines (interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor α), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) were assessed. Compared with the controls, the CHC patients with diabetes showed a significant increase in plasma concentrations of IMA, AOPPs, interleukin-6 and hsCRP (P < 0.05). The values of IMA and hsCRP were more elevated in patients with diabetes than without diabetes (both P < 0.01). The positive relationships were found between hsCRP and presence of diabetes, IMA (both P < 0.01) and AOPP levels (P < 0.05). CML-AGEs did not show any significant correlation with IMA, markers of inflammation and presence of diabetes. In conclusion, we have documented significant elevation in plasma levels of IMA and AOPPs in CHC patients. In addition, circulating IMA was associated with inflammation markers and diabetes prevalence. This observation suggests a relationship between IMA and inflammation in CHC patients with diabetes, which may represent one of the mechanisms involved in the accelerated atherosclerosis in this population.