Different response to ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) in primary biliary cirrhosis according to severity of disease

To evaluate the effect of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) treatment according to the severity of primary biliary cirrhosis, a long-term prospective open trial in 54 consecutive PBC patients, 19 with histological stage I–II, 24 stage III, and 11 stage IV was carried out. UDCA was administered at a dosage of 250 mg twice a day. Clinical and biochemical assessment (AST, ALT, alkaline phosphatase, GGT, bilirubin) were done initially and every six months. Serum hyaluronate (HY) and type III procollagen amino propeptide (PIIIP) were also evaluated, as they are considered markers of fibrosis and prognosis. All patients were followed-up for at least two years (24–36 months); results were analyzed at 24 months after treatment. The composite pruritus score failed to show significant changes during UDCA treatment, while intensity score demonstrated a significant reduction from the 6th month. Patients with histological stage I–II disease had a significant decrease of liver enzymes (AST, ALT, alkaline phosphatase, GGT) after six months and maintained the levels up to 24 months. The patients with histological stage III disease showed a significant decrease of AST, ALT, alkaline phosphatase (but not GGT) up to month 18; subsequently AST and ALT serum levels increased, reaching values comparable to baseline by 24 months. In patients with histological stage IV disease no significant change in liver enzymes was observed during the follow-up. HY and PIIIP serum levels failed to show significant changes during UDCA treatment in the three groups of patients. In conclusion, although well tolerated in all patients with PBC, UDCA seems to improve itching and liver enzymes only in the pre cirrhotic stage. A long-term remission of the disease is maintained only in the early histological stages.     

Efficacy of fenofibrate in Chinese patients with primary biliary cirrhosis partially responding to ursodeoxycholic acid therapy

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy of fenofibrate combination therapy in Chinese patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) who had a partial response to standard dose of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) for at least one year. METHODS: PBC patients were treated with UDCA (13–15 mg/kg/day) for more than one year. The biochemical response to UDCA treatment was evaluated after treatment. Fenofibrate (200 mg/day) was added to 22 patients with partial response to UDCA. RESULTS: In patients with partial response to UDCA, serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and γ‐glutamyl transpeptidase levels significantly decreased after 3‐month combination therapy of UDCA and fenofibrate, 68% of these patients even reached normal ALP level. Serum triglyceride (TG) and cholesterol levels were improved, and alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) were also decreased during the combination therapy. However, fenofibrate had no significant effect on serum bilirubin levels. The improvement of liver biochemical tests was maintained in some patients with long‐term therapy (at least 6 months). No obvious adverse effects were observed in patients taking fenofibrate. CONCLUSIONS: Fenofibrate is effective for improving liver biochemical tests in patients who have partial response to UDCA monotherapy. It is worth exploring the efficacy of fenofibrate on histological changes in PBC patients.     

Biochemical response to ursodeoxycholic acid and long-term prognosis in primary biliary cirrhosis

Biochemical response to ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is variable. It has been recently proposed that an alkaline phosphatase (ALP) decline of more than 40% in baseline value or a normal level after 1 year of UDCA treatment (Barcelona criteria) could serve as a good marker of long-term prognosis. Our aim was to define the best efficient set of biochemistries able to identify UDCA-treated patients at risk of death or liver transplantation (LT). The efficiency of several combinations of serum bilirubin, ALP, and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) threshold values to predict outcome was assessed after 1 year of treatment in 292 patients with PBC. Patients showing ALP <3 upper limit of normal (ULN), AST <2 ULN, and bilirubin 1 mg/dL (relative risk [RR], 1.7), histologic stage >/=3 (RR, 1.5), interface hepatitis (RR, 1.9), and the absence of biochemical response (ALP >3 ULN or AST >2 ULN, or bilirubin >1 mg/dL) (RR, 2.3). Antinuclear antibodies against gp210 or Sp100 proteins were associated with death or LT in univariate but not in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: This study defines the best efficient biochemical response to UDCA, which, independent of baseline predictive factors, identifies patients with PBC with a good long-term prognosis. Patients who fail to achieve this response and those with interface hepatitis or advanced histological stage should be targeted for further therapeutic research.     

原发性胆汁性肝硬化停用熊去氧胆酸治疗的前瞻性研究

目的 评价原发性胆汁性肝硬化(PBC)患者停用熊去氧胆酸(UDCA)的反应.方法 27例经UDCA治疗后肝功能正常>6个月的PBC患者分为A、B两组,A组停用UDCA,B组维持UDCA 13～15 mg·kg-1·d-1治疗,两组患者在性别、年龄、病程等方面相匹配,观察12个月.结果 随访过程中A组1例退出,B组1例失访.A组12例,B组13例.A组2例出现病情进展,占17%,均为血清胆红素升高至正常值2倍以上,分别发生在第3个月和第12个月;B组患者未出现病情进展,两组差异无统计学意义.至观察结束时,A组92%疾病复发,B组为15%,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05). A组患者丙氨酸转氨酶(ALT)、天冬氨酸转氨酶(AST)、碱性磷酸酶(ALP)、γ-谷氨酰转肽酶(GGT)升高,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05).血清胆红素平均水平差异无统计学意义.B组上述指标均维持稳定.结论 对UDCA治疗后肝功能正常的PBC患者需要长期维持UDCA治疗.     

扶正化瘀胶囊联合熊去氧胆酸胶囊治疗原发性胆汁性肝硬化临床研究

目的观察扶正化瘀胶囊联合熊去氧胆酸胶囊对原发性胆汁性肝硬化(PBC)患者症状、血清细胞因子、免疫相关指标的影响。方法选择PBC患者60例,随机分为实验组及对照组各30例。实验组给予扶正化瘀胶囊联合熊去氧胆酸胶囊口服,对照组单用熊去氧胆酸胶囊口服,疗程均为24周。记录并分析治疗12、24周患者中医临床症状、抗线粒体抗体(AMA)、抗线粒体抗体-M2亚型(AMA-M2)、免疫球蛋白G(IgG)、免疫球蛋白M(IgM)、免疫球蛋白A(IgA)、免疫球蛋白B(IgB)、碱性磷酸酶(ALP)、γ-谷氨酰转肽酶(GGT)、ALT、AST、TBil及总胆固醇(CH)、甘油三酯(TG)等各项指标的变化。结果两组患者在治疗12、24周ALT、AST、TBil、ALP、GGT、TG、CH、AMA、AMA-M2、IgM与治疗前组内比较均改善显著,差异均有统计学意义(P均0.05);而IgA、IgB、IgG与治疗前组内比较均无明显改善,差异均无统计学意义(P均0.05)。实验组治疗12、24周中医临床症状较前明显改善,而对照组治疗12周中医临床症状无改善,治疗24周中医临床症状略有改善,但治疗前后差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。实验组治疗12、24周中医临床症状、ALP、GGT、ALT、AST、TG、AMA-M2均较对照组明显改善,差异均有统计学意义(P均0.05),而实验组治疗12周AMA、IgM及TBil与治疗前比较略有下降,但与对照组比较差异无统计学意义(P均0.05)。实验组治疗24周中医临床症状、ALP、GGT、ALT、AST、TG、AMA-M2较对照组均有显著下降,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论熊去氧胆酸胶囊联合扶正化瘀胶囊治疗PBC,在改善中医临床症状、转氨酶及线粒体抗体方面较单纯使用熊去氧胆酸胶囊有明显疗效,但对降低CH、lgA、IgB、IgG无显著作用。     

Characteristics of peripheral blood Gamma-glutamyl transferase in different liver diseases

Gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) is a marker of oxidative stress and cholestasis. Because of its low specificity, clinicians usually ignore its diagnostic value.To compare and analyze the clinical features of GGT in primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), drug-induced liver injury (DILI), alcoholic liver disease (ALD), and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) from the perspective of different causes instead of the severity of the disease.We observed the distribution characteristics and the rate of abnormality of GGT in the above 4 diseases. The relationship between GGT and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total serum bilirubin, triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol was analyzed using Spearman correlation.The highest level of GGT was up to 1000.00 to 2000.00 U/L in PBC and DILI, and the highest level of GGT was more than 2000.00 U/L in ALD, yet the difference was not statistically significant (P > .05). The highest level of GGT was only about 200.00 U/L in NAFLD and was the lowest in 4 liver diseases. Also, GGT was positively correlated with ALP, TC in PBC and DILI. Also, in ALD, GGT was positively correlated with ALT, AST, ALP, TG, and TC. In NAFLD, GGT was positively correlated with ALT, AST, and TG.The abnormal GGT in PBC and cholestasis DILI was associated with cholestasis; in ALD, it was associated with oxidative stress and cholestasis, and in NAFLD, it was associated with oxidative stress. GGT levels had different characteristics in different liver diseases, which were closely related to the pathogenesis of liver diseases.     

Incomplete response to ursodeoxycholic acid in primary biliary cirrhosis: is a double dosage worthwhile?

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the safety and efficacy of high-dose ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA, 28-32 mg/kg/day) in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) who had shown an incomplete response to the standard dose (13-15 mg/kg/day). METHODS: A total of 25 patients with PBC who had been on UDCA (13-15 mg/kg/day) therapy for 24-141 months and had shown persistent elevation of ALP activity at least two times the upper limit of normal were enrolled. The dose of UDCA was increased to 30 (28-32) mg/kg/day and given for 1 yr. RESULTS: A significant but marginal improvement in serum ALP activity (707+/-52 vs 571+/-32, p = 0.001) was noted at 1 yr of treatment with high-dose UDCA. However, levels of total bilirubin (1.1+/-0.2 vs 1.0+/-0.2, p = 0.1), AST (58+/-9 vs 54+/-1, p = 0.1), albumin (4.1+/-0.7 vs 4.0+/-0.08, p = 0.1), or Mayo risk score (4.13+/-0.3 vs 4.12+/-0.3, p = 0.2) remained essentially unchanged. Normalization of liver tests did not occur in any patient, and adverse events were not recorded in any case. CONCLUSIONS: Although UDCA at a dose of 28-32 mg/kg/day is well tolerated, this dosage does not seem to benefit most patients with PBC responding incompletely to a dose of 13-15 mg/kg/day. The results of this pilot study would seem to discourage further controlled trials of high-dose UDCA in suboptimal responders to the standard dose of UDCA.     

熊去氧胆酸及其联合激素和免疫抑制剂治疗原发性胆汁性肝硬化的临床观察

目的 观察熊去氧胆酸(UDCA)、UDCA联合泼尼松龙、UDCA联合硫唑嘌呤3种方案治疗对原发性胆汁性肝硬化(PBC)的疗效,并评价影响疗效的危险因素.方法 82例初诊PBC患者随机分为单用UDCA(U组,28例)、UDCA联合泼尼松龙(UP组,27例)、UDCA联合硫唑嘌呤(UA组,27例)3个治疗组,在治疗第0、3、6、12个月采集临床、实验室资料及药物不良反应.主要采用重复测量的方差分析和COX回归进行统计学处理.结果 UP组患者较U组及UA组在乏力和瘙痒程度上有明显改善(P=0.015和P=0.037),U组、UA组无改善.3组患者治疗后丙氨酸转氨酶(ALT)、天冬氨酸转氨酶(AST)、碱性磷酸酶(ALP)、谷氨酰转肽酶(GGT)、总胆红素、直接胆红素(DBIL)和IgM均下降,组内比较差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05),3组间比较差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).发生疾病进展的患者Mayo危险性评分高(P=0.018)、凝血酶原时间(PT)延长(P=0.042).UP组血糖升高2例、满月脸5例、多毛1例;UA组白细胞下降2例,胆绞痛1例,U组未出现药物不良反应.ALP、GGT、总胆固醇基线水平高是生化缓解的危险因素(P=0.015).总胆红素、DBIL、总胆汁酸增高、PT延长不利于肝生化缓解(P=0.075).结论 3种方案对PBC患者肝脏生化指标、IgM的改善作用相近,UDCA联合泼尼松龙方案可减轻乏力、瘙痒症状,单用UDCA方案不良反应发生率最低.Mayo危险性评分高、PT延长的患者疾病易进展;高水平的ALP、GGT、总胆固醇是生化缓解的危险因素;高水平的总胆红素、DBIL、总胆汁酸、PT不利于生化缓解.

Abstract：

Objective The aims of this study were to compare the clinical and laboratory responses to ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) monotherapy with the combination therapy of UDCA plus prednisolone/azathioprine in primary biliary cirrhosis(PBC),and to investigate the risk factors affecting the therapeutic responses.Methods Eighty-two patients with untreated PBC were divided randomly into three groups.Group U (28 patients) received UDCA alone,group UP(27 patients) received UDCA and pr ednisolone,while group UA (27 patients ) received UDCA and azathioprine.The clinical and laboratory data were recorded after treated for 3,6 and 12 months.Repeated measures ANOVA and COX regression model were used for statistical analysis.Results Fatigue and pruritus were improved only in group UP(P=0.015 and P=0.037 respectively).Alanine aminotransferase(ALT),aspartate aminotransferase(AST),alkaline phosphatase(ALP),gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT),total bilirubin (TBIL),direct bilirubin (DBIL) and IgM in the 3 groups were decreased (P＜0.05),while there was no statistical significant difference between the three groups (P＞0.05).The patients with disease progression had higher Mayo risk score (MRS) (P=0.018) and prolonged prothrombin time (PT)(P=0.042).In group UP,side-effect associated with glucocorticosteroids occurred in eight patients while there was no side-effect in group U.High baseline levels of ALP、GGT and CHO were risk factors for biochemical remission(P=0.015).The increase of DBIL,TBIL,total bile acid(TBA) and PT did not contribute to the prediction of biochemical remission ( P=0.075 ).Conclusion There are no differences among the three groups in the improvement of hepatic biochemical data and IgM.The combination therapy of UDCA with prednisolone could relieve fatigue and itching.The disease of patients with higher Mayo risk score and prolonged PT tend to progress.High baseline levels of ALP,GGT and CHO are risk factors for biochemical remission.High baseline levels of TBIL,DBIL,TBA and PT could not predict biochemical remission.The incidence of adverse effect is lowest when treated with UDCA alone.     

不同方案治疗原发性胆汁性肝硬化合并干燥综合征的临床研究

 目的 观察不同方案治疗原发性胆汁性肝硬化（PBC）合并干燥综合征（SS）的疗效。方法 选PBC合并SS患者79例,分为3组:单用熊去氧胆酸组（U组,29例）、熊去氧胆酸+泼尼松龙组（UP组,37例）、熊去氧胆酸+硫唑嘌呤组（UA组,13例）,观察不同治疗方案的疗效。 结果3种方案对PBC合并SS患者的乏力、瘙痒均有明显改善,但组间比较差异无统计学意义（P值均＞0.05）;3种方案治疗后ALT、AST、碱性磷酸酶（ALP）、γ-谷氨酰转移酶、TBil、DBil、IgG、IgM均有明显下降,组内比较差异有统计学意义（P值均＜0.05）,但组间比较差异无统计学意义（P值均＞0.05）。结论 PBC合并SS以肝脏受累为主要表现时应以治疗PBC为主,熊去氧胆酸联合糖皮质激素或硫唑嘌呤治疗未发现优于单用熊去氧胆酸。     

Characterization of liver enzymes on living related liver transplantation patients with acute rejection

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To determine the biochemical data that reliably predict allograft injury from acute rejection (AR) in patients with living related liver transplantation (LRLT), liver function test and histopathological characteristics of AR were compared and analyzed retrospectively. METHODOLOGY: From Aug. 1994 to Nov. 2000, 101 cases received orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT), which included 53 patients with LRLT in our series. Completed liver functions including aspartate transferase (AST), alanine transferase (ALT), bilirubin total/direct (Bil.T/D), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) were collected with peak level when AR was diagnosed by liver biopsy. The best data of the same patients when disease free, were compared and analyzed with non-parametric Wilcoxon signed ranks test and Mann-Whitney test. All of the ARs were reversed with steroid pulse therapy, and two cases converted to FK506. No steroid-resistant rejection or chronic rejection was found in our series. RESULTS: In the patients with LRLT, 17 episodes in 13 patients with AR were found. The incidence of histological analysis proved AR was 12.9% (13/101) in OLT and 24.5% (13/53) in LRLT respectively. Among the liver function tests, AST (p<0.0001), ALT (p<0.0001), Bil.T (p=0.001), Bil.D (p=0.001), GGT (p<0.0001), and INR (p=0.034) were the significant predictors respectively in the patients with AR episode. Once liver enzymes had elevated, the AST/ALT ratio <1.0 showed a more significant difference in AR than in those of the no rejection group (p<0.0001). ALP showed significant difference in our series. The severity of histological change was not correlated to the degree of liver enzymes elevation. CONCLUSIONS: Complete liver function tests especially AST, ALT, Bil.T/D, GGT and the ratio of AST/ALT are very sensitive tests in a group of patients receiving LRLT with AR. The severity of AR is based on the histopathologic change but is not related to the degree of liver enzymes elevation itself. Meanwhile, the outcome of acute rejection in living related liver transplantation is quite good.     

自身免疫性肝炎和原发性胆汁性肝硬化重叠综合征的临床特征及疗效观察

目的观察自身免疫性肝炎和原发性胆汁性肝硬化(AIH-PBC)重叠综合征的临床特征及治疗效果。方法研究1:回顾分析124例PBC、57例AIH、39例AIH-PBC重叠综合征患者的临床特征;研究2:根据不同治疗方案对39例AIH-PBC重叠综合征患者进行分组疗效分析。结果在220例自身免疫性肝病患者中,AIH-PBC重叠综合征占17.73%。3组患者的性别组成差异无统计学意义,但发病年龄AIH组相似文献   

熊去氧胆酸治疗老年原发性胆汁性肝硬化的临床研究

目的探讨老年原发性胆汁肝硬化（PBC）的临床特征、诊断和治疗效果。方法将66例诊断为PBC的病人分为老年组40例,中年组26例,比较两组的临床表现、生化免疫指标（碱性磷酸酶：ALP、谷氨酰转肽酶：GGT、抗线粒体抗体：AMA）。两组病例均给予口服熊去氧胆酸（UDCA：优思弗）治疗,服药8W后比较疗效。结果90％病人因体检发现ALP、GGT升高就诊,治疗前两组患者的ALP、GGT升高程度差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。非特异性皮肤瘙痒是老年PBC患者的主要表现,中年组患者中88．5％无症状,明显高于老年组的37．5％;口服优思弗8W后,两组ALP、GGT均较治疗前明显程度降低（P〈0．05）。老年组中3例肝硬化患者服用优思弗后,其症状、体征及ALP、GGT均无改善,2例死亡。服药后两组患者乏力、皮肤瘙痒症状均无改善,影像学也无变化。结论：（1）PBC早期缺乏特异症状;（2）AMA对PBC诊断有重要意义,ALP、GGT的升高早于黄疸、肝肿大出现。（3）应重视体检中无法解释的ALP、GGT异常升高。（4）UDCA对早期原发性胆汁肝硬化疗效满意。（5）老龄可能是影响PBC患者预后的因素之一。     

国内20年原发性胆汁性肝硬化临床研究回顾与相关因素Meta分析

目的 综合分析国内对原发性胆汁性肝硬化(PBC)的临床研究情况,了解我国PBC患者的临床特点.方法 计算机检索已发表的国内PBC患者相关临床文献,汇总临床及预后资料,采用RevMan 4.2软件对相关病例对照研究进行Meta分析.结果 ①纳入91篇文献,观察2315例PBC患者.②临床症状以乏力多见(54.54%);抗线粒体抗体(AMA)阳性率范围74.1%～100%,其中AMA-M2阳性率范围45%～83%;抗核抗体(ANA)阳性率范围20%～83.78%,核膜型多见38.65%;免疫球蛋白以IgM[(2.8±0.7)～(7.3±5.1)g/L]、IgG[(16.5±4.9)～(20.5±5.9)g/L]升高为主;病理分期以Ⅱ期常见(149例,占36.61%);干燥综合征(SS)为最常见合并症(范同1.96%～34.61%);至随访期(5～96个月)结束,3.80%(52/1370)患者死亡.③Meta分析结果显示:AMA阳性与阴性组患者碱性磷酸酶(ALP)、丙氨酸转移酶(ALT)、天冬氨酸转氨酶(AST)、总胆红素(TBil)、谷氨酰转肽酶(GGT)、IgG指标及性别比较差异无统计学意义,IgM值在阴性组更低;熊去氧胆酸治疗后患者ALP水平下降;老年患者ALP、TBil水平偏低,但病死率高.结论 国内PBC患者大部分临床特点与国外报道相似,病例对照研究样本量较少、缺乏高质量的双盲、随机、对照研究是国内临床研究的缺陷.     

中药联合熊去氧胆酸胶囊治疗原发性胆汁性肝硬化疗效系统评价*

目的 系统评价中药联合熊去氧胆酸胶囊治疗原发性胆汁性肝硬化的有效性及安全性。方法 采用Cochrane 系统评价方法,计算机系统检索中国知识资源总库（CNKI）、万方学术期刊全文数据库、维普期刊全文（VIP）数据库、MEDLINE、PUBMED,检索2009年11月～2014年11月正式发表的文献。根据纳入和排除标准选择文献,按照相关质量评价标准进行评价,提取相关性研究指标,应用Revman5.3软件对数据进行Meta分析。结果 共纳入10项中西医结合治疗原发性胆汁性肝硬化的随机对照试验（RCT）,Jadad量表评分均为1～3分;纳入研究中提及治疗疗效的共有8个RCT文献,包括368例PBC患者,其中中药联合熊去氧胆酸（UDCA）治疗组187例,单用UDCA治疗的对照组181例。Meta分析显示中药联合UDCA治疗的有效率明显高于单用UDCA组,差异有统计学意义[OR=3.83,95%CI （2.09,7.02）,P<0.0001];联合组患者血清ALP、GGT、TBIL、ALT、AST、TBA水平下降较对照组更明显。结论 中药联合熊去氧胆酸胶囊治疗原发性胆汁性肝硬化的疗效显著优于单用熊去氧胆酸胶囊治疗,但该类研究的论文质量不高,可信度较低。     

熊去氧胆酸治疗不同临床分期原发性胆汁性肝硬化的2年随访观察

目的 观察熊去氧胆酸(UDCA)对不同临床分期原发性胆汁性肝硬化(PBC)患者的长期疗效.方法 91例PBC患者通过自身对照的方法随访观察2年,观察应用UDCA治疗的2年内不同阶段症状、生化学指标及肝组织学病理变化.计数资料以例数或百分比描述,用配对计数资料的x2检验及重复测量数据的方差分析等方法进行统计学分析.结果 Ⅱ期患者完成治疗后6个月,碱性磷酸酶(ALP)及γ-谷氨酰转肽酶(GGT)水平下降51.9%和67.3%;治疗1年,其生化学应答率为81.25%(巴黎标准)和93.75%(巴塞罗那标准);治疗2年,ALP及GGT下降65.33%和86.75%,IgM水平于治疗1年后由62.5%降至正常;Ⅲ期患者治疗后6个月,ALP及GGT水平下降48.8%和46.6%,治疗1年生化学应答率为36.84%(巴黎标准)和57.89%(巴塞罗那标准),治疗2年ALP及GGT下降76.16%和78.63%,IgM水平于治疗1年后由28.9%降至正常,乏力、黄疸及瘙痒症状有所好转;Ⅳ期患者治疗后6个月,ALP及GGT下降43.65%和33.39%,治疗1年,生化学应答率为30.43%(巴黎标准)和56.52%(巴塞罗那标准),治疗2年,ALP及GGT下降56.84%和53.06%;IgM水平于治疗1年后,17.4%降至正常,黄疸及瘙痒症状也有所好转.11例不同分期PBC患者于治疗前后行肝活组织检查,其中Ⅰ期和Ⅱ期PBC肝脏组织学基本恢复,Ⅲ期及Ⅳ期PBC可见病理学进展,但炎症细胞浸润减轻.结论 UDCA治疗临床Ⅱ期～Ⅳ期的PBC均出现良好的生化学应答,以Ⅱ期应答率最高,并且可改善PBC患者临床症状.对于Ⅰ～Ⅱ期的患者,UDCA治疗可使肝脏组织学恢复,Ⅲ～Ⅳ期患者治疗后虽可见病理学进展,但其炎症细胞浸润明显减轻.提示早期诊断、早期治疗,应用UDCA长期治疗是治疗该病的关键.     

Results of long-term ursodiol treatment for patients with primary biliary cirrhosis

OBJECTIVE: When ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) is used for the treatment of primary biliary cirrhosis, it has been associated with biochemical improvement, histological stability, reduced risk of esophageal varices, and increased survival free of transplantation. There is limited information available about the long-term outcome of these patients with primary biliary cirrhosis on UDCA treatment. To address this, we reviewed the long-term results from patients enrolled in our original randomized study with up to 12 yr of follow-up. METHODS: From April 1988 to March 1992, a total of 180 patients were enrolled into a randomized, controlled trial evaluating UDCA (n = 89) versus placebo (n = 91). When the randomized portion of the study concluded in May 1992, patients were switched to active medication and followed for up to an additional 8 yr. RESULTS: Twenty-eight patients originally assigned to UDCA and 42 patients originally assigned to placebo have died or undergone transplantation. The patients who died or were transplanted were more histologically advanced at entry (p < 0.001). Seventy-six of the remaining 110 patients return for regular follow-up; mailed questionnaires were returned by an additional 25 patients, and nine patients have been lost to follow-up. Twenty-two of the 76 patients we follow have normal liver tests (ALP, bilirubin, and AST). Patients with normal liver tests had significantly lower levels of ALP and AST at baseline (p < 0.05), but did not differ in histological stage or total bilirubin from those with persistently abnormal tests. CONCLUSIONS: UDCA appears to be of most benefit when instituted in early stage disease. Although a substantial percentage of patients will achieve biochemical normalization on UDCA alone, there is a continued need for therapeutic options for others who have less complete biochemical responses.     

The AST/ALT ratio as an indicator of cirrhosis in patients with PBC.

OBJECTIVES: A non-invasive, simple and non-expensive test to predict cirrhosis would be highly desirable. The aspartate aminotransferase/alanine aminotransferase (AST/ALT) ratio has been proven to be such an indicator of cirrhosis in alcoholic liver disease, hepatitis C. AIM: To test whether the AST/ALT ratio is a marker of cirrhosis also in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). METHODS: The study consisted of 160 patients. In 126 patients, we had clinical and laboratory data at the time of diagnosis and follow-up with outcome: liver-related death, liver transplantation and survival. In 121 patients, we had laboratory data and liver histology. RESULTS: We found that the AST/ALT ratio was significantly higher in cirrhotic patients than in non-cirrhotic patients. A high AST/ALT ratio was significantly associated with esophageal varices and ascites. In a multivariate analysis, bilirubin and ALP were predictors of poor prognosis. CONCLUSION: The AST/ALT ratio seems to be of clinical value as a hint to the diagnosis of cirrhosis in patients with PBC but not as a prognostic factor.     

Efficacy of colchicine in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis poorly responsive to ursodiol and methotrexate

OBJECTIVE: Approximately 20-30% of patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) respond fully to treatment with ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA). The rest have progressive disease and eventually develop cirrhosis and liver failure. More effective treatment is needed. Methotrexate improved biochemical tests of liver function and liver histology in patients with PBC who had failed to respond to UDCA in one report and induced sustained biochemical and histological remission in another. The role of colchicine in PBC is unclear. We describe three patients with symptomatic PBC who responded very well to the addition of colchicine after they had failed to respond to UDCA alone and in combination with methotrexate. We suggest that colchicine should be tried in PBC patients who clearly fail to respond to UDCA. METHODS: Three patients with symptomatic biopsy-proven, antimitochondrial antibody-positive PBC failed to respond to UDCA and then to the addition of methotrexate. Colchicine was eventually added to the regimen. Symptoms, biochemical tests of liver function, and percutaneous liver biopsies were done at baseline, after treatment with UDCA, UDCA plus methotrexate, and UDCA plus methotrexate plus colchicine. RESULTS: All three patients responded after colchicine was added to UDCA and methotrexate. Symptoms, biochemical tests of liver function, and liver histology improved in all, and blood tests normalized in two. CONCLUSIONS: Colchicine may be effective treatment in some symptomatic patients with PBC who respond incompletely to UDCA alone or in combination with methotrexate. Colchicine may be tried in such patients.     

加味茵陈蒿汤联合熊去氧胆酸治疗原发性胆汁性肝硬化的临床研究

目的:观察加味茵陈蒿汤联合熊去氧胆酸治疗30例原发性胆汁性肝硬化临床分期为早中期患者的临床疗效。方法:60例患者随机分为对照组和治疗组各30例。两组均给予基础治疗,对照组患者同时口服熊去氧胆酸胶囊15～20mg.kg-1.d-1;治疗组患者在对照组基础上加服加味茵陈蒿汤,1剂/d,疗程均为24周。观察治疗前后两组患者的临床疗效、肝功能(γ-GT、ALP、ALT、AST、TBil)、免疫指标(IgM、IgG及IgA)的变化。结果:治疗结束时,治疗组26例(86.7%)患者得到完全反应,与对照组19例(63.3%)比较差异有显著性意义(P<0.05);两组患者治疗后肝功能(γ-GT、ALP、ALT、AST、TBil)均较治疗前明显下降(P<0.05),治疗组治疗后肝功能下降明显优于对照组(P<0.05或P<0.01);治疗后两组患者免疫指标IgM、IgG、IgA均较前有所下降,经比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论:加味茵陈蒿汤联合熊去氧胆酸治疗原发性胆汁性肝硬化,较单用熊去氧胆酸疗效更好,并能明显改善患者的肝功能。     

UDCA联合维生素D治疗原发性胆汁性肝硬化患者外周血T细胞亚群变化及其对疗效的影响

目的 探讨补充外源性维生素D辅助熊去氧胆酸（UDCA）治疗原发性胆汁性肝硬化（PBC）患者外周血T细胞亚群的变化及其效果。方法 2014年1月~2015年12月我院收治的PBC患者92例,采用随机数字表法均分为两组,每组46例。对照组常规应用UDCA治疗,观察组采用口服维生素D联合UDCA治疗。使用美国Roche E-602全自动免疫分析仪及其配套试剂检测外周血25-羟基维生素D[25（OH）D],使用流式细胞术检测外周血CD4⁺Treg和Th17细胞水平。结果 治疗前两组实验室检测指标水平差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）;治疗1年后,观察组外周血25（OH）D为（18.2±6.8） ng/ml,明显高于对照组【（15.1±5.0） ng/ml,P<0.05】,Th17细胞占比为（1.4±0.4）%,明显低于对照组【（2.0±0.5）%,P<0.05】,CD4⁺Treg细胞占比为（3.5±0.8）%,明显高于对照组【（3.1±0.4）%,P<0.05】,外周血丙氨酸氨基转移酶（ALT）为（41.8±31.5） U/L,明显低于对照组【（68.8±33.5） U/L,P<0.05】,天门冬氨酸氨基转移酶（AST）为（37.5±30.7） U/L,明显低于对照组【（68.2±35.3）U/L,P<0.05】,碱性磷酸酶（ALP）为（131.7±62.8） U/L,明显低于对照组【（237.7±105.8） U/L,P<0.05】,γ-谷氨酰转肽酶（GGT）为（71.8±35.8）U/L,明显低于对照组【（121.7±41.2）U/L,P<0.05】;治疗前后血清25（OH）D水平与CD4⁺Treg细胞占比呈正相关（P<0.05）,而CD4⁺Treg细胞与GGT和ALP水平呈正相关（P<0.05）。结论 补充外源性维生素D有助于改善PBC患者病情,可能与其对CD4⁺Treg细胞的激活作用有关。