CONICET | Buscador de Institutos y Recursos Humanos

provide calories, and that are necessary for the maintenanceof metabolic and growth functions. The fat-solublevitamins (A, D, E and K) are absorbed in the gastrointestinaltract and usually stored in the liver, adipose tissueand muscle, and eliminated with feces. Generally, vitaminsare used as reinforcement therapy in patients withcomplex diseases, such as cancer, whose course and/or treatment puts them in a state of general discomfort.Many experts worldwide advise patients against the useof supplements and promote obtaining nutrients fromfoods whenever possible.IFN-α has been used clinically for deferring the progressionof liver damage or for the prevention of hepatocellularcarcinoma progression in patients with chronic hepatitisB or C. Interestingly, many IFN-α-treated patientsundergo a flu-like state, which makes them eager toconsume supportive vitamins as nutritional supplements.However, the benefits of such combinations are not fullystudied.It has been demonstrated that simultaneous treatment ofmouse cells with interferon and vitamin A (retinoic acid)resulted in an inhibition of interferon action. On the otherhand, it has been reported that vitamin D exerts veryinteresting outcomes when combined with interferon totreat hepatitis and other hepatic malignances. The numberone fat-soluble vitamin consumed worldwide, vitaminE, has been demonstrated to be not entirely safe,if safe at all, when used combined with drugs that actas pro-oxidant, as interferon. And finally, vitamin K hasbeen demonstrated to be effective when combined withantitumor drugs to enhance their antiproliferative effects;but also, it has been demonstrated to block the apoptoticeffects of IFN-α in a rat model of hepatocarcinogenesis.The aim of this presentation is to summarize the effectsof different fat soluble vitamins when consumed as supportivetherapy during the treatment of liver diseases withIFN-α-2b.Findings from our own and other authors reveal thatsupportive therapies with vitamins are not always safe,as they could put patients? lives at risk. It is necessaryto start paying attention to the overall treatment layout,since vitamins might have a negative role on the finaloutcome.