Lack of UCP2 reduces fas‐mediated liver injury in ob/ob mice and reveals importance of cell‐specific UCP2 expression

Péter Fülöp, Zoltán Derdák, Anthony Sheets, Edmond Sabo, Eric P. Berthiaume, Murray B. Resnick, Jack R. Wands, György Paragh, György Baffy – 29 August 2006 – Fatty liver is vulnerable to conditions that challenge hepatocellular energy homeostasis. Lipid‐laden hepatocytes highly express uncoupling protein‐2 (UCP2), a mitochondrial carrier that competes with adenosine triphosphate (ATP) synthesis by mediating proton leak. However, evidence for a link between UCP2 expression and susceptibility of liver to acute injury is lacking.

Hepatitis C virus entry: Molecular biology and clinical implications

Heidi Barth, T. Jake Liang, Thomas F. Baumert – 29 August 2006 – With an estimated 170 million infected individuals, hepatitis C virus (HCV) has a major impact on public health. A vaccine protecting against HCV infection is not available, and current antiviral therapies are characterized by limited efficacy, high costs, and substantial side effects. Binding of the virus to the cell surface followed by viral entry is the first step in a cascade of interactions between virus and the target cell that is required for the initiation of infection.

Efficacy of peginterferon alpha‐2b in chronic hepatitis delta: Relevance of quantitative RT‐PCR for follow‐up

Corinne Castelnau, Frédéric Le Gal, Marie‐Pierre Ripault, Emmanuel Gordien, Michelle Martinot‐Peignoux, Nathalie Boyer, Bach‐Nga Pham, Sarah Maylin, Pierre Bedossa, Paul Dény, Patrick Marcellin, Elyanne Gault – 29 August 2006 – Hepatitis delta virus (HDV) can cause severe acute and chronic liver disease in patients infected by hepatitis B virus. Interferon alpha at high doses, although poorly efficient, is the only treatment reported to provide some benefit in chronic hepatitis delta. Pegylated interferon alpha (PEG‐IFN) has not yet been evaluated.

Primary sclerosing cholangitis: Summary of a workshop

Nicholas F. LaRusso, Benjamin L. Shneider, Dennis Black, Gregory J. Gores, Stephen P. James, Edward Doo, Jay H. Hoofnagle – 29 August 2006 – Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a rare but important liver disease that leads to cirrhosis and need for liver transplantation in a high proportion of cases. The disease occurs in approximately 1 per 100,000 population per year, usually presents in adulthood, and affects men more often than women.

Antituberculous therapy–induced fulminant hepatic failure: Successful treatment with liver transplantation and nonstandard antituberculous therapy

Ramazan Idilman, Sadik Ersoz, Sahin Coban, Ozlem Kumbasar, Hakan Bozkaya – 24 August 2006 – Standard antituberculous therapy including isoniazid, rifampin, ethambutol, and pyrazinamide is widely used for the treatment of active tuberculosis. Its most important side effect is hepatotoxicity, ranging from asymptomatic transaminitis to fulminant hepatic failure. A 19‐year‐old woman was admitted to our unit due to jaundice and unconsciousness. According to her past medical history, she was diagnosed as having extrapulmonary tuberculosis and had been prescribed standard antituberculous therapy.

Subscribe to