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Fibrogenesis is a common feature of many diseases where there is severe insult to the liver. The hepatic stellate cell trans-differentiation into a myofibroblast has been identified as an important event in liver fibrogenesis and has been well investigated over the last few years in a number of liver diseases. The trans-differentiation process can be monitored in vitro by evaluation of biomarkers that are characteristic of normal quiescent hepatic stellate cells or activated myofibroblasts. Two major parasitic diseases associated with liver injury and fibrosis are schistosomiasis and echinococcosis. Recent studies have highlighted a role for activated hepatic stellate cells in both murine and human schistosomiasis as well as demonstrating that schistosome antigens are able to regulate this trans-differentiation process. Study of the hepatic stellate cell and its interaction with parasite-derived antigens may be pivotal in our understanding of the pathology associated with schistosomiasis and other parasitic diseases, including echinococcosis, as well as revealing new information on the trans-differentiation process in this cell type.
BioMed Central (Hepatology) - Thu, 22 July 2010
http://www.biomedcentral.com
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In this randomized trial involving patients with cirrhosis and acute variceal bleeding who were at high risk for treatment failure, control of bleeding was more common and mortality was lower among patients assigned to early treatment with a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) than among those assigned to standard treatment with rescue TIPS, if needed.
New England Journal of Medicine (Hepatology) - Wed, 30 June 2010
http://www.nejm.org
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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today announced approval of the first rapid blood test for antibodies to the hepatitis C virus (HCV) for individuals 15 years and older.
Food and Drug Administration (Hepatology) - Wed, 30 June 2010
http://www.fda.gov
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The 63rd Session of the World Health Assembly (WHA) concluded on May 22 with a resolution on viral hepatitis, with particular emphasis on types B and C. Worldwide, an estimated 350 million people are chronically infected with hepatitis B; around 170 million people are chronically infected with hepatitis C. Together, they cause the deaths of some 1 million people every year, the overwhelming majority due to the consequences of chronic infection: cirrhosis and primary liver cancer.
The Lancet Infectious Diseases (Hepatology) - Tue, 22 June 2010
http://www.thelancet.com/journals/laninf
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The NHS must improve how it treats people with physical health problems caused by alcohol misuse, says the organisation responsible for setting the standards for good healthcare.
Around 1 in 4 men and women in the UK regularly drink above the recommended safe limits, which can cause them to suffer a variety of long term physical health problems such as liver disease, pancreatitis and Wernicke’s encephalopathy (a brain disorder caused by a lack of thiamine - vitamin B1). Those who regularly drink excessive amounts of alcohol may also experience physical withdrawal symptoms (such as tremors, seizures and hallucinations) if they abruptly reduce their intake or suddenly quit - the consequences of which can be fatal.
National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (Hepatology) - Tue, 8 June 2010
http://www.nice.org.uk
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Paracetamol-induced liver toxicity (both following an ingestion of high doses and for very-long-term therapies) is the commonest cause of acute liver failure in the USA, so researchers have wondered on the problem of the safety of analgesics and OTC NSAIDs.
MedNews (Hepatology) - Mon, 31 May 2010
http://mn.medsurfnews.com/
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In this randomized trial comparing vitamin E, pioglitazone, and placebo in adults without diabetes who had nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, vitamin E therapy was associated with a significantly higher rate of improvement in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis than was placebo (43% vs. 19%). Significant benefits of pioglitazone over placebo were shown for some secondary outcomes but not for the primary outcome.
New England Journal of Medicine (Hepatology) - Mon, 10 May 2010
http://www.nejm.org
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In this placebo-controlled, randomized trial of patients with a history of recurrent hepatic encephalopathy resulting from chronic liver disease, rifaximin (at a dose of 550 mg twice daily) prevented episodes of hepatic encephalopathy and hospitalizations involving hepatic encephalopathy.
New England Journal of Medicine (Hepatology) - Mon, 29 March 2010
http://www.nejm.org
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End-stage complications of hepatitis C include liver failure and liver cancer.
MayoClinic.com (Hepatology) - Mon, 22 March 2010
http://www.mayoclinic.com
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Autoimmune hepatitis — Comprehensive overview covers symptoms, complications, treatment and risk factors of this liver disease.
MayoClinic.com (Hepatology) - Mon, 1 March 2010
http://www.mayoclinic.com