Galectin‐1 exerts immunomodulatory and protective effects on concanavalin a–induced hepatitis in mice

Luca Santucci, Stefano Fiorucci, Francesco Cammilleri, Giuseppe Servillo, Barbara Federici, Antonio Morelli – 30 December 2003 – Galectin‐1, an endogenous lectin with immunomodulatory activities, induces selective, Fas‐independent apoptosis of activated T cells. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect galectin‐1 exerts on concanavalin A (Con A)–induced hepatitis, a T‐cell–dependent model of liver injury.

Iron overload in cirrhosis—HFE genotypes and outcome after liver transplantation

David J. Brandhagen, William Alvarez, Terry M. Therneau, Kent E. Kruckeberg, Stephen N. Thibodeau, Jurgen Ludwig, Michael K. Porayko – 30 December 2003 – Previously, we found appreciable hepatic iron deposition in one third of our patients undergoing liver transplantation (LTx) with approximately 10% of cases having quantifiable iron in the range of that seen in hereditary hemochromatosis (HHC). The aim of this study was to compare clinical outcome in liver transplant patients with and without iron overload.

Hepatitis B immunoglobulin discontinuation followed by hepatitis B virus vaccination: A new strategy in the prophylaxis of hepatitis B virus recurrence after liver transplantation

Alberto Sánchez‐Fueyo, Antoni Rimola, Luis Grande, Josep Costa, Antoni Mas, Miguel Navasa, Isabel Cirera, Jose Maria Sánchez‐Tapias, Juan Rodés – 30 December 2003 – It is widely agreed that hepatitis B virus immunoglobulin (HBIG) should be administered for at least 12 months to patients transplanted for hepatitis B virus (HBV)‐related diseases to prevent HBV recurrence. No data are available, however, on how long this treatment should be used, and most centers currently administer HBIG on a life‐long basis.

Insulin‐like growth factor‐I reverts testicular atrophy in rats with advanced cirrhosis

Inma Castilla‐Cortazar, Maria Garcia, Jorge Quiroga, Nieves Diez, Fernando Diez‐Caballero, Alfonso Calvo, Matias Diaz, Jesus Prieto – 30 December 2003 – The pathogenesis of hypogonadism in cirrhosis is not completely understood. The levels of insulin‐like growth factor‐I (IGF‐I), an anabolic factor with trophic actions on testes, are reduced in cirrhosis. This study was undertaken to evaluate whether rats with advanced cirrhosis develop hypogonadism and whether the administration of IGF‐I exerts beneficial effects on testicular structure and function.

A new step toward standardization of serum hepatitis C Virus–RNA quantification in patients with chronic hepatitis C

Michèle Martinot‐Peignoux, Nathalie Boyer, Véronique Le Breton, Gaëlle Le Guludec, Corinne Castelnau, Raoudha Akremi, Patrick Marcellin – 30 December 2003 – The need to improve efficacy of antiviral therapy for chronic hepatitis C has prompted the development of quantitative assays, which allows the assessment of viral load before therapy.

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