Inclusion Criteria:

• HCV RNA: Positive
• Biopsy approved in genotype 1
• Age older than 18 yrs

Exclusion Criteria:

• ongoing pregnancy or breast feeding
• Hx of hemochromatosis
• Hx of metabolic liver dis.
• Hx of HCC
• Hx of autoimmune hepatitis
• Hx of alcoholic liver dis.
• Hx of bleeding from esophageal varices
• ongoing systemic anti-viral or anti-neoplasmic treatment
• Hx of treatment with an anti-depressant medication at therapeutic doses for at least 3 months at any pervious time
• Hx of treatment with an tranquilizer at therapeutic doses for psychosis for at least 3 months at any pervious time
• Hx of hospitalization for psychiatric dis.
• Hx of suicidal attempt
• Hx of IBD
• Hx of SLE
• Hx of scleroderma
• Hx of rheumatoid arthritis
• Hx of ITP
• Hx of autoimmune hemolytic anemia
• Hx of severe psoriasis
• Hx of chronic pulmonary dis. associated with functional limitation
• Hx of MI or unstable angina
• Hx of arrhythmia requiring ongoing treatment
• Hx of functional class III or IV
• Hx of severe seizure dis. or current anti-convulsant use
• Hx of organ transplantation with existing functional graft
• Hx of severe retinopathy
• Hx of Thalassemia
• Hx of spherocytosis
• Hx of cerebrovascular dis.