Histologic Improvement of Fibrosis in Patients with Hepatitis C Who Have Sustained Response to Interferon Therapy

Article Abstract:

Interferon therapy may cause liver fibrosis to regress in patients with hepatitis C. Researchers took liver biopsies three years apart in 593 patients with hepatitis C, of whom 487 began taking interferon within six months of the first biopsy. Of the patients taking interferon, 183 had a response indicated by a suppression of the virus. In these 183 patients, liver inflammation and fibrosis regressed in 89%. Patients who did not respond to interferon and those never treated had no changes in their liver biopsy.

Drug therapy, Liver

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Increased nitric oxide in the exhaled air of patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis

Article Abstract:

Patients with liver cirrhosis may develop heart disorders due to increased levels of nitric oxide in their exhaled air. Patients with liver cirrhosis frequently have heart disorders relating to low blood pressure. Researchers measured the exhaled nitric oxide output and heart output of 50 patients with liver cirrhosis, 6 patients with long-term hepatitis, and 15 healthy volunteers. They divided the patients with liver cirrhosis into 3 groups according to the severity of the disease. Patients with the most advanced stage of liver cirrhosis had higher levels of both nitric oxide output and heart output than the healthy people. There was no difference in nitric oxide output and heart output in patients with less severe liver cirrhosis and those with hepatitis compared to the healthy people.

Measurement, Physiological aspects, Nitric oxide, Liver cirrhosis

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Interferon Therapy Reduces the Risk for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: National Surveillance Program of Cirrhotic and Noncirrhotic Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C in Japan

Article Abstract:

Interferon therapy can significantly reduce the risk of liver cancer, especially among people who test positive for viral presence or biochemical risk factors. Of 2,890 patients with chronic hepatitis C, 2,400 were given interferon therapy and 490 were not treated. Liver cancer developed in 89 of the 2,400 on interferon and in 59 of the 490. When statistics were adjusted for variable factors, the interferon group showed about half the risk of the others.

Statistical Data Included, Risk factors, Liver cancer

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