Altered Gene Expression in the Liver of γ‐Glutamyl Transpeptidase–Deficient Mice

Geetha M. Habib, Zheng‐zheng Shi, Ching‐nan Ou, Geeta Kala, Subbarao V. Kala, Michael W. Lieberman – 30 December 2003 – We used mice deficient in γ‐glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) to analyze the effects of GGT deficiency and altered thiol levels on gene expression in liver. GGT‐deficient mice have markedly reduced levels of glutathione (GSH), cysteine, methionine, and cysteinylglycine in liver.

Altered expression of heme oxygenase‐1 in the livers of patients with portal hypertensive diseases

Nobuya Makino, Makoto Suematsu, Yoshiaki Sugiura, Hiroyasu Morikawa, Susumu Shiomi, Nobuhito Goda, Tsuyoshi Sano, Yuji Nimura, Keizo Sugimachi, Yuzuru Ishimura – 30 December 2003 – This study was designed to determine changes in expression of heme oxygenase (HO)‐1, the stress‐inducible and carbon monoxide–producing enzyme, in normotensive and portal hypertensive human livers. GTS‐1, a monoclonal antibody against rat HO‐1 cross‐reacted with the human HO‐1 and blocked its enzyme activity, allowing us to examine the activity and localization of HO‐1.

Efficacy and safety of pegylated (40‐kd) interferon α‐2a compared with interferon α‐2a in noncirrhotic patients with chronic hepatitis C

K. Rajender Reddy, Teresa L. Wright, Paul J. Pockros, Mitchell Shiffman, Gregory Everson, Robert Reindollar, Michael W. Fried, Preston P. Purdum, Donald Jensen, Coleman Smith, William M. Lee, Thomas D. Boyer, Amy Lin, Simon Pedder, Jean DePamphilis – 30 December 2003 – Administration of interferon (IFN) 3 times weekly in patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) is associated with low sustained responses, which may be, in part, related to this regimen's inability to maintain IFN concentrations sufficient to suppress viral replication.

Nomenclature for antiviral‐resistant human hepatitis B virus mutations in the polymerase region

Lieven J. Stuyver, Stephen A. Locarnini, Anna Lok, Douglas D. Richman, William F. Carman, Jules L. Dienstag, Raymond F. Schinazi – 30 December 2003 – There is currently no universally accepted numbering convention for the antiviral drug‐related resistance mutations in the reverse transcriptase (rt) domain of the human hepatitis B virus (HBV) polymerase. The published inconsistencies have resulted from different HBV genotypes. A standardized numbering system for HBV polymerase is proposed.

Combination of interferon and ribavirin in chronic hepatitis C: Re‐treatment of nonresponders to interferon

Adrian M. Di Bisceglie, Judy Thompson, Nancy Smith‐Wilkaitis, Elizabeth M. Brunt, Bruce R. Bacon – 30 December 2003 – Chronic infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) may result in cirrhosis, liver failure, and hepatocellular carcinoma. A minority of patients have a sustained response to antiviral therapy, and nonresponders remain at risk of developing progressive liver disease. We conducted a randomized, controlled trial of therapy with the combination of interferon (IFN) and ribavirin in patients with chronic hepatitis C who had not responded to an initial course of therapy with IFN alone.

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