Insulin Resistance in HCV Infection

Inclusion criteria for HCV participants: * Male or female patients between 18 and 60 years of age * Body mass index (BMI) \> 20 Kg/m2 * Serologic evidence of hepatitis C infection by anti-HCV antibody * Detectable plasma HCV-RNA * Compensated liver disease with the following minimum biochemical parameters: prothrombin time \< 2 seconds prolonged compared to control and bilirubin \< 3 mg/dL * Willingness to provide informed consent Inclusion criteria for healthy Latino volunteers (without HCV infection): -Same inclusion criteria as above except no evidence of HCV infection (anti-HCV antibody negative) Inclusion criteria for participation in 6-week alcohol abstinence follow-up testing: -Latinos who are moderate1 alcohol drinkers (1NIAAA definition: female: no more than 3 drinks on any day \& no more than 7 drinks per week; male: no more than 4 drinks on any day and no more than 14 drinks per week). Steady-State Plasma Glucose \< 180 mg/dL Exclusion criteria: * Hepatitis B or HIV infection * Subjects with liver disease other than that caused by HCV * Known history of diabetes, or fasting plasma glucose concentration \>126 mg/dl * Known history of cirrhosis of the liver, as well as individuals with decompensated liver disease such as those with ascites, variceal bleeding, and encephalopathy * Known history of pancreatitis * Prior or current treatment for HCV * Heavy alcohol use (\>80 g/d) * Subjects of lipid lowering agents, steroid/ anabolic therapy * Significant medical illness that would interfere with the completion of the study Exclusion criteria for healthy (non HCV) Latino volunteers: -Same as above, including subjects with HCV infection