Introduction: Hyperhemocysteinemia is a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Some studies reported that plasma level of hemocysteine increases in patients with hepatitis B. The aim of this study was to peruse the effect of interferon-alpha on hemocysteine levels in patients with hepatitis B. Interferon alpha (IFN-α) is a therapeutic agent for treatment of hepatitis B.

Materials & methods: 20 patients with hepatitis B participated in this study. Plasma levels of hemocysteine assayed before and after IFN-α therapy and data were compared by using t-test and correlation.

Findings: Plasma levels of hemocysteine in patients group showed a significant increase compared to the control group (p<0.001). IFN-&alpha; therapy reduced plasma levels of hemocysteine compared to before treatment (p<0.0001) and hemocysteine levels after treatment did not show any significant difference compared to the control group (P> 0.806).

Discussion & Conclusions: Results showed that plasma levels of hemocysteine increased in patients with hepatitis B and treatment by Interferon-alpha reduced hemocysteine levels. Interferon-alpha was also able to inhibit atherogenesis development.