Assessment of the Antiviral Effect of Atorvastatin on Hepatitis C Virus

Men and women ages 30 to 80 infected with HCV viremia whose physician has determined need cholesterol lowering medication will be recruited by the study investigators from Massachusetts General Hospital. The study investigators will approach the potential subject after the referring doctor has ascertained that the potential subject is interested in meeting with the investigator. Each subject who consents will undergo phlebotomy of 10 cc of blood three times. Once prior to the initiation of atorvastatin to measure the patients viral load. In addition, patients will undergo phlebotomy 4 and 12 weeks after the initiation of atorvastatin. The week 12 phlebotomy is required in all patients started on atorvastatin to monitor for side effects. Therefore patients who enroll in this study will undergo one additional phlebotomy. As part of our study an extra 10 cc of blood will be taken at these times to measure the patients HCV viral load.