IFN-γ治疗20例慢性乙型肝炎肝纤维化患者肝组织学变化

目的采用重组人IFN-γ治疗20例慢性乙型肝炎肝纤维化患者,通过治疗前后肝组织活检,观察其组织病理学的变化。方法20例慢性乙型肝炎患者,肝纤维化分期在2～4期。采用重组人IFN-γ肌注,开始3月每日一次,其后6月隔日1次,每次100万U,疗程为9个月。组织病理学观察包括HE染色和天狼红染色。使用肝纤维化半定量计分方案评价治疗前后肝纤维化程度变化。另测治疗前后血清肝纤维化指标,包括血清透明质酸、Ⅳ型胶原、Ⅲ型前胶原、层粘蛋白等四项指标。结果20例患者经IFN-γ治疗9月后,其肝纤维化计分由治疗前的11.24±5.34下降为治疗后的8.67±4.16（P＜0.01）;治疗后的炎症计分由治疗前的12.78±5.19下降为治疗后的6.57±2.95（P＜0.01）。结论IFN-γ能较好改善慢性乙型肝炎肝纤维化患者的肝纤维化程度,证明其有良好的抗肝纤维化治疗效果。     

Cytokine gene polymorphisms in patients infected with hepatitis B virus

OBJECTIVE: Cytokines play a key role in the regulation of the immune response. The maximal capacity of cytokine production varies among individuals and correlates with the polymorphism in the cytokine gene promoters. The aim of this study was to characterize gene polymorphism in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and to determine the different patterns in patient subgroups. METHODS: The study population consisted of 77 patients with chronic HBV infection (23 low-level HBV replicative carriers, 23 compensated high-level HBV replicative carriers, 21 decompensated liver transplant candidates, and 10 patients with documented hepatocellular carcinoma). The genetic profile of five cytokines was analyzed by polymerase chain reaction-sequence-specific primer (SSP), and subjects were genotyped as high or low producers of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin (IL)-6, and as high, intermediate, or low producers of transforming growth factor-beta(1), interferon (IFN)-gamma, and IL-10 based on single nucleotide substitutions. The control group included 10 healthy individuals who recovered from HBV infection and 48 healthy controls. RESULTS: A highly statistically significant difference in the distribution of the IFN-gamma gene polymorphism (at position +879) was observed between patients with chronic HBV infection and controls. The majority of the patients (65.2%) exhibited the potential to produce low levels of IFN-gamma (A/A genotype) compared with 37.5% of the control group (p = 0.003). Healthy individuals who recovered from HBV infection had a similar distribution of IFN-gamma gene polymorphism as the healthy controls. No statistically significant difference in IFN-gamma production was found between patients with low- and high-level HBV replication and between compensated and decompensated patients. There was also no statistically significant difference in the genetic ability to produce tumor necrosis factor-alpha (at position -308), IL-6 (at position -174), IL-10 (at position -1082, -819, and -592), and transforming growth factor-beta(1) (at position +10 and +25). CONCLUSION: These findings suggest an association between the genetic ability to produce low levels of IFN-gamma and the susceptibility to develop chronic HBV infection.     

Animal experiment and clinical study of effect of gamma-interferon on hepatic fibrosis

AIM To evaluate the antifibrotic effect ofdifferent doses of recombinant human Gamma-Interferon (IFN-γ) in two rat models of hepaticfibrosis, and to observe its effect on moderatechronic hepatitis B virus fibrosis.METHODS Hepatic fibrosis was successfullyinduced in 150 and 196 rats by subcutaneousinjection of carbon tetrachloride (CCl_4) andintraperitoneal injection of dimethylnitrosamine(DMN), respectively. Each of the two modelgroups was divided into: ① fibrotic modelgroup; ② colchicine treatment group (0.1 mg/kg/day, gastrogavage for 8 weeks); ③ high-dose IFN-γ group (15 MU/kg per day, i.m. for 8weeks); ④ medium-dose IFN-γ group (5 MU/kgdaily, i.m. for 8 weeks); and ⑤ low-dose IFN-γgroup (1.67 MU/kg daily, i.m. for 8 weeks).Another group of 10 rats without any treatmentwas used as normal controls. At the end of theexperiment, semi-quantitative histopathologicalscores of inflammation and fibrosis, liversmooth muscle actin (α-SMA) expression level,liver hydroxyl proline content and serumhyaluronic acid levels were compared. And 47medium chronic hepatitis B viral fibrosispatients were studied. They were given IFN-γtreatment, 100MU/day i,m. for the first threemonths and 100MU qod i.m. for the next sixmonths. Semi-quantitative pathological scoresof inflammation and fibrosis and serum hepaticfibrosis indices were compared within the 9months.RESULTS In animal experiment, thepathological fibrosis scores and liver hydroxylproline content were found to be significantly lower in rats treated with different doses of IFN-γ as compared with rats in fibrotic model groupinduced by either CCl_4 or DMN, in a dose-dependent manner. For CCl_4-induced model,pathological fibrosis scores in high, medium andlow doses IFN-γ groups were 5. 10±2.88, 7.70±3.53 and 8.00±3.30, respectively, but the scorewas 14.60±7.82 in fibrotic model group.Hydroxyl proline contents were 2.83±1.18, 3.59±1.22 and 4.80±1.62, in the three IFN-γgroups, and 10.01±3.23 in fibrotic model group.The difference was statistically significant(P<0.01). Similar results were found in DMN-induced model. Pathological fibrosis scoreswere 6.30±0.48, 8.10±2.72 and 8.30±2.58, inhigh, medium and low doses IFN-γ groups, and12.60±3.57 in fibrotic model group. Hydroxylproline contents were 2.72±0.58, 3.14±0.71and 3.62±1.02, in the three IFN-γ groups, and12.79±1.54 in fibrotic model group. Thedifference was statistically significant(P<0.01). Serum hepatic fibrosis indicesdecreased significantly in the 47 patients afterIFN-γ treatment (HA: 433.38±373.00 vs 281.57±220.48; LN: 161.22±41.02 vs 146.35±44.67;PCⅢ: 192.59±89.95 vs 156.98±49.22; C-Ⅳ:156.30±44.01 vs 139.14±34.47) and thedifferences between the four indices weresignificant (P<0.05). Thirty-three patientsreceived two liver biopsies, one before and oneafter IFN-γ treatment. In thirty of 33 patientsIFN-γ had better effects according to semi-quantitative pathological scores (8.40±5.83 vs5.30±4.05, P<0.05).CONCLUSION All the three doses of IFN-γ areeffective in treating rat liver fibrosis induced byeither CCl_4 or DMN, the higher the dose, thebetter the effect. And IFN-γ is effective forpatients with moderate chronic hepatitis B viralfibrosis.     

实验性肝纤维化Bcl-2、Bax的表达及干扰素-γ对其的作用

目的 研究Bcl-2、Bax蛋白在四氯化碳(CCl4)诱导肝纤维化模型大鼠肝组织中的表达以及干扰素-γ(IFN-γ)对其的作用。 方法用CCl4诱导形成大鼠肝纤维化模型,使用IFN-γ 0.2 MU·kg-1·d-1,肌肉注射,治疗12周,设正常对照组和模型对照组。用免疫组织化学法检测各组大鼠肝组织Bcl-2、Bax的表达情况。 结果 Bcl-2在正常对照组大鼠肝细胞浆和肝窦呈低水平表达,在模型对照组大鼠肝组织分布广泛,主要表达在纤维间隔、汇管区、肝窦和肝细胞膜,中央静脉和肝细胞浆也有一定表达。正常对照组和模型对照组表达量分别为(3.87±2.37)％和(9.46±4.29)％,t=2.83,P<0.05。Bax在正常对照组大鼠肝组织的中央静脉及其周围的肝窦呈低水平表达,在模型对照组主要表达在肝细胞浆,其还表达在肝窦、纤维间隔和肝细胞膜中,胆管上皮细胞偶见表达。正常对照组和模型对照组表达量分别为(3.50±1.88)％和(9.80±3.75)％,t=3.72,P<0.01。IFN—γ组Bax的表达量为(5.85±2.35)％,模型对照组为(9.80±3.75)％,t=2.98,P<0.01,Bcl-2的表达无明显改变(t=1.49,P>0.05)。IFN-γ组对纤维间隔Bcl-2的表达量为(6.58±4.13)％,模型对照组为(9.46±4.29)％,t=2.80,P<0.05,Bax的表达差异无显著性,t=0.58,P>0.05。 结论 肝纤维化时Bcl-2和Bax表达加强,IFN     

替比夫定对HBV携带者病毒血清学和肝脏病理学的影响

目的观察HBV携带者经替比夫定治疗后病毒血清学和肝脏病理学的改变情况。方法将42例HBV携带者分成两组,观察组单用替比夫定100 mg/d口服,疗程一年以上,对照组单用苦参素胶囊口服,疗程6个月。观察两组治疗前及治疗后6个月肝脏病理组织学及HBVM、HBVDNA、肝纤维化指标的改变情况。结果治疗6个月后,观察组肝组织改善程度明显优于对照组（P〈0.05）,观察组肝组织炎症活动指数由治疗前的（7.8±3.8）分下降至治疗后的（4.5±4.2）分（t=7.358,P〈0.01）,HBVM、HBVDNA、血清纤维化指标与对照组比较也显著改善（P〈0.01或〈0.05）。结论替比夫定对HBV携带者近期疗效显著,临床上肝功能正常的HBV携带者可进行规范的抗病毒治疗。     

Aspartate aminotransferase : alanine aminotransferase ratio in chronic hepatitis C infection: Is it a useful predictor of cirrhosis?

BACKGROUND: The clinical usefulness of the ratio of serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) to alanine aminotransferase (ALT) has been explored in several liver disorders. It has been suggested that in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection an AST:ALT > or = 1 has 100% specificity and positive predictive value in distinguishing cirrhotic from non-cirrhotic patients. Such statistical certainty attached to a simple biochemical test merits further evaluation. The present study, therefore, assessed the AST:ALT in patients with chronic HCV infection to determine the validity of the ratio in predicting cirrhosis and to correlate the ratio with the histological grade of necroinflammatory activity and fibrosis. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 153 patients with chronic HCV infection was conducted. Serum biochemistry had been obtained within a mean of 4 weeks of liver biopsy. The histology was scored in terms of activity and fibrosis as described by Scheuer and correlated with AST:ALT. RESULTS: In 30 patients with cirrhosis, the mean AST:ALT (0.99 +/- 0.06) was higher than in 123 patients without cirrhosis (0.60 +/- 0.02; P < 0.001). A ratio > or = 1 had 95.9% specificity and 73.7% positive predictive value in distinguishing cirrhotic from non-cirrhotic patients, with a 46.7% sensitivity and 88.1% negative predictive value. The ratio also parallelled the Scheuer score with respect to fibrosis but not with respect to inflammation. CONCLUSION: Although relatively insensitive, an AST:ALT > or = 1 is highly specific but not diagnostic for the presence of cirrhosis in patients with chronic HCV infection. The ratio reflects the grade of fibrosis in these patients.     

肝活检对HBV携带者的诊断意义

目的探讨肝活检对HBV携带者的诊断意义。方法回顾性分析134例HBV携带者,在B超引导下行1秒钟快速肝穿刺活检术,行肝组织病理学检查。结果在134例患者中,仅2例（1.49%）肝组织病理学检查完全正常（G0S0）;在105例HBV DNA≥10^5copies/ml（或HBeAg阴性者HBV DNA≥10^4copies/ml）的HBV携带者中,肝组织炎症活动度≥G2者80例（76.19%）,即可实施抗病毒治疗;在100例HBeAg（＋）与34例HBeAg（-）感染者,肝组织炎症活动度和纤维化程度比较无明显统计学差异（P=0.308）;在不同肝组织炎症活动度和纤维化程度感染者,HBV DNA载量无明显的统计学差异（P=0.557）,HBV DNA≥10^7copies/ml与HBV DNA〈10^7copies/ml感染者比,肝组织炎症活动度和纤维化程度存在统计学差异（P=0.007,P=0.001）。结论对于慢性HBV携带者,应及时进行肝组织活检。     

Increased intrahepatic and circulating levels of endoglin, a TGF-beta1 co-receptor, in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection: relationship to histological and serum markers of hepatic fibrosis

Endoglin, a transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1 co-receptor, has been associated with renal and cutaneous fibrosis, as overexpression of this protein has been observed in biopsies from patients with glomerulosclerosis and scleroderma, respectively. Our aim was to evaluate whether endoglin may be associated with hepatic fibrosis featuring chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Fifty-two anti-HCV+ patients, five anti-HCV- patients and 27 healthy subjects were studied. Western blot and immunohistochemistry were used to quantify the expression levels of endoglin and TGF-beta1 in liver biopsy samples, and serum concentrations of endoglin and hyaluronic acid were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). In patients with advanced fibrosis, intrahepatic expression levels of endoglin and TGF-beta1 were significantly higher than those in patients with early fibrosis (mean: 3- and 5.8-fold, respectively) and normal liver (mean: 3.9- and 12-fold, respectively). Interestingly, activated hepatic stellate cells as well as portal and septal myofibroblasts expressed endoglin. Serum levels of endoglin were also significantly higher in patients with advanced fibrosis than in those with early fibrosis (55.5 +/- 1.6 vs 47.5 +/- 0.9 ng/mL, P < 0.001), showing a positive correlation with serum hyaluronic acid concentrations (r = 0.57, P = 0.01). In conclusion, increased intrahepatic endoglin and TGF-beta1 expression is significantly associated with progressive hepatic fibrosis in chronic HCV infection. Circulating endoglin levels are elevated in HCV patients showing a significant correlation with histological and serum markers of hepatic fibrosis. These data suggest an active role for endoglin in the fibrotic process featuring chronic HCV infection.     

慢性乙型肝炎患者重叠戊型肝炎病毒感染的临床与病理学研究

目的：观察重叠戊型肝炎病毒（HEV）感染对慢性乙型肝炎（CHB）肝脏损害及HBV复制的影响。方法：应用ELISA法对122例CHB患者血清进行了抗－HEV IgkM,IgG检测,同时应用肝穿刺活检、荧光定量PCR及免疫组化等技术对重叠与未重叠HEV感染者分别进行了ALT、总胆红素（TBil)、凝血酶原活动度（PTA）、白蛋白／球蛋白（A／G）、电泳γ球蛋白（γ－EP）水平、肝脏病理学、血清HBeAg及肝组织HBcAg阳性率、血清及肝组织中HBV DNA含量对比。具有可比性的重叠（7例）与未重叠HEV感染者（14例）1年后做第2次肝穿活检并做病理学比较;HBeAg阴性重叠HEV感染者8例做HEV感染急性期、恢复期血清HBeAg定性、HBV DNA含量对比。结果：重叠HEV感染者21例（17．2％）。重叠HEV感染者较未重叠感染者ALT、TBil增高,PTA降低（P＜0．05）,但A／G、γ－EP水平未见显著差别（P＞0．05）;血清HBeAg及肝组织HBcAg阳性率、血清及肝组织HBV DNA含量低（P＜0．05）;肝组织炎症活动度重（P＜0．05）,但纤维化程度未见明显差别（P＞0．05）。两组患者1年前肝组织炎症活动度及纤维化程度无显著差别,1年后仍无显著差别（P＞0．05）。HEV感染恢复期血清HBeAg阳性率、HBV DNA含量高于急性期（P＜0．05）。结论：重叠HEV感染可加重CHB肝组织炎症活动度;对HBV复制具有短暂抑制作用。     

Insulin resistance and steatosis in HBV-HCV co-infected patients: Role of PNPLA3 polymorphisms and impact on liver fibrosis progression

AIM:To evaluate steatosis,insulin resistance(IR)and patatin-like phospholipase domain-containing 3(PNPLA3) and their relation to disease progression in hepatitis B and C viruses(HCV-HBV) coinfected patients.METHODS:Three hundred and thirty patients with biopsy proven chronic hepatitis were enrolled:66 had HBV-HCV,66 HBV and 198 HCV infection.Prevalence of steatosis,IR and PNPLA3 polymorphisms and their relation to anthropometric,biochemical,virological and histological parameters were evaluated.RESULTS:Prevalence of steatosis in group HBV-HCV was similar to that in HCV(47.0% vs 49.5%,respec-tively);group HBV showed the lowest steatosis(33.3%).Group HBV-HCV had a lesser degree of steatosis than HCV(P = 0.016),lower HCV RNA levels(P = 0.025) and lower prevalence and degree of IR(P = 0.01).PNPLA3 polymorphisms were associated with steatosis.Group HBV-HCV showed higher levels of liver fibrosis than group HCV(P = 0.001),but similar to that ob-served in HBV group.In HBV-HCV group,liver fibrosis was not associated with steatosis,IR or PNPLA3.HBV infection was the independent predictor of advanced liver fibrosis.CONCLUSION:HBV-HCV co-infected patients have lower degree of hepatic steatosis,IR and HCV RNA than HCV mono-infected;co-infected patients showed a more rapid liver fibrosis progression that seems to be due to the double infection and/or HBV dominance.     

肝活检对转氨酶正常的慢性乙型肝炎感染的临床意义

目的探讨肝活检组织学对转氨酶持续正常6个月以上的慢性乙型肝炎(CHB)感染的临床意义.方法共452例乙型肝炎病毒(HBV)慢性感染患者接受快速经皮肝穿刺,全部病例血清HB-sAg均为阳性,病程超过6个月.肝组织切片由病理科医生盲法进行阅片.结果所有患者肝组织学显示肝内均有炎症、坏死存在.血清转氨酶异常组的炎症分级(G)和纤维化分期(C)均较转氨酶正常组严重(P＜0.05),但在后一组中,HBeAg阳性和阴性组中仍分别有10例(5.5%)和13例(9.1%)为G3,分别有7例(3.8%)和16例(11.1%)为S3,分别有3例(1.6%)和7例(4.9%)为S4.在转氨酶正常病例中,HBeAg阴性组纤维化程度较HBeAg阳性组严重(P＜0.05).如将HBeAg阳性组和阴性组合并统计,则在转氨酶正常者中,有14.6%的患者肝炎症坏死分级为G3,有21.4%为S3和S4.结论虽然严重肝病理改变多见于转氨酶异常的HBV慢性感染,但也有不少转氨酶正常病例肝呈现明显组织学异常.肝活检可作为判断肝病活动性、纤维化程度和抗病毒治疗的根据.在转氨酶正常的病例,如果肝炎症坏死-纤维化较严重,进行适当的处理看来是必要的.     

Pro-fibrotic polymorphisms predictive of advanced liver fibrosis in the severely obese

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Insulin resistance and systemic hypertension are predictors of advanced fibrosis in obese patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Genetic factors may also be important. We hypothesize that high angiotensinogen (AT) and transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) producing genotypes increase the risk of liver fibrosis in obese subjects with NAFLD. METHODS: One hundred and five of 130 consecutive severely obese patients having a liver biopsy at the time of laparoscopic obesity surgery agreed to have genotype analysis. Influence of specific genotype or combination of genotypes on the stage of hepatic fibrosis was assessed after controlling for known risk factors. RESULTS: There was no fibrosis in 70 (67%), stages 1-2 in 21 (20%) and stages 3-4 fibrosis in 14 (13%) of subjects. There was no relationship between either high AT or TGF-beta1 producing genotypes alone and hepatic fibrosis after controlling for confounding factors. However, advanced hepatic fibrosis occurred in five of 13 subjects (odds ratio 5.7, 95% confidence interval 1.5-21.2, P=0.005) who inherited both high AT and TGF-beta1 producing polymorphisms. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of high AT and TGF-beta1 producing polymorphisms is associated with advanced hepatic fibrosis in obese patients with NAFLD. These findings support the hypothesis that angiotensin II stimulated TGF-beta1 production may promote hepatic fibrosis.     

Alpha-SMA expression in hepatic stellate cells and quantitative analysis of hepatic fibrosis in cirrhosis and in recurrent chronic hepatitis after liver transplantation

BACKGROUND: The alpha isotype of actin expressed by hepatic stellate cells reflects their activation to myofibroblast-like cell and has been directly related to experimental liver fibrogenesis, and indirectly to human fibrosis in chronic liver disease. AIMS: To evaluate the changes in distribution and percentage of alpha-smooth muscle actin-positive hepatic stellate cells and the correlation with the degree of the fibrosis in cirrhotic livers, as well as in patients with recurrent HCV chronic hepatitis after liver transplantation. METHODS: Human liver biopsies were divided in four groups: (1) normal livers obtained from cadaveric liver donors (n=35), (2) cirrhosis post-HBV hepatitis (n=11), (3) cirrhosis post-HCV hepatitis (n=10), and (4) post-transplant recurrent HCV chronic hepatitis (n=13). Samples were stained with anti-alpha-smooth muscle actin antibody by immunoperoxidase method and semi-quantitatively evaluated. Liver fibrosis was assessed from specimens stained with Masson's trichrome and quantified by computer image analysis. RESULTS: The percentage of alpha-smooth muscle actin-positive hepatic stellate cells was significantly higher in the HBV cirrhosis, HCV cirrhosis and post-transplant HCV recurrent hepatitis groups (36.1+/-15.2, 23.8+/-19.7 and 27.8+/-16.4%, respectively) compared to the liver donor group (2.9+/-4.0%). The alpha-smooth muscle actin-positive hepatic stellate cells to fibrous tissue ratio were significantly higher in the post-transplant recurrent HCV hepatitis group (2.36+/-1.12) compared to both the donor livers and the HCV cirrhosis groups (0.74+/-1.09 and 1.03+/-0.91, respectively). The alpha-smooth muscle actin-positive hepatic stellate cell percentage and fibrosis correlated positively in the post-transplant recurrent HCV hepatitis group and negatively in the HCV cirrhosis group. No difference in the immunohistochemical and morphometrical variables was found between the HCV cirrhosis and HBV cirrhosis groups. CONCLUSIONS: These results indirectly confirm that, in vivo, alpha-smooth muscle actin expression is a reliable marker of hepatic stellate cells activation which precedes fibrous tissue deposition even in the setting of recurrent HCV chronic hepatitis after liver transplantation, and it could be useful to identify the earliest stages of hepatic fibrosis and monitoring the efficacy of the therapy. In the presence of advanced cirrhosis other factors, rather than alpha-smooth muscle actin-positive hepatic stellate cells, may sustain fibrosis deposition.     

Serum Levels of Annexin A2 as a Candidate Biomarker for Hepatic Fibrosis in Patients With Chronic Hepatitis B

Background:

Hepatologists have studied serologic markers of liver injury for decades. Annexins are a prominent group of such markers and annexin A2 (AnxA2) is one of the best characterized annexins. AnxA2 inhibits HBV polymerase among other functions. Its expression is up-regulated in regenerative hepatocytes.

Objectives:

To determine if serum AnxA2 level has a role in estimating liver damage in chronic HBV infection and investigate whether AnxA2 levels correlate with hepatic fibrosis.

Patients and Methods:

This study included 173 patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and 51 healthy controls. Liver fibrosis was graded histologically on liver biopsy samples. Blood samples were taken from patients during biopsy and serum AnxA2 levels were measured with ELISA.

Results:

In a group of adult patients with CHB, AnxA2 values were far higher than those of the control group (P = 0.001). When we assessed AnxA2 levels based on fibrosis stages, serum AnxA2 levels of patients with early stage fibrosis (stages 1 - 3) were significantly higher than those of patients with advanced stage fibrosis (stages 4 - 5; P = 0.001).

Conclusions:

AnxA2 is a useful biomarker for early stage fibrosis in patients with CHB.     

Effect of interferon alpha and ribavirin treatment on serum levels of transforming growth factor-beta1, vascular endothelial growth factor, and basic fibroblast growth factor in patients with chronic hepatitis C

AIM: To assess the role of transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) in the pathogenesis of fibrosis associated with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) and to evaluate the influence of the antiviral therapy on above parameter levels depending on the treatment results (complete response or no response). METHODS: Study group included 100 patients with CHC, in whom fibrosis in liver specimens was assessed (Scheuer fibrosis score: 1-4 points). Control group included 30 subjects with antibodies anti-HCV present and persistently normal ALT level, without fibrosis (Scheuer fibrosis score: 0 points). Concentration of studied parameters was assayed in the serum by immunoenzymatic method before and after the therapy with interferon alpha-2b and ribavirin. RESULTS: TGF-beta1 levels were significantly higher in the study group compared to the control group (35.89 vs 32.37 ng/mL; P=0.023). Such differences were not found in VEGF and bFGF levels. In patients showing complete response (negative HCV RNA and normal ALT level), significant increase in VEGF (112.8 vs 315.03 pg/mL; P<0.05) and bFGF (2.51 vs 15.79 pg/mL; P=0.04) levels were found. Significant decrease in TGF-beta1 level was observed both in responders (37.44 vs 30.02 ng/mL; P=0.05), and in non-responders (38.22 vs 30.43 ng/mL; P=0.043). bFGF levels before the treatment were significantly lower (2.51 vs 5.94 pg/mL; P=0.04), and after the treatment significantly higher (15.79 vs 4.35 pg/mL; P=0.01) in patients with complete response than in those with no response. CONCLUSION: Among the analyzed parameters TGF-beta1 seems to play the most important role in the pathogenesis of fibrosis in CHC. Levels of this factor are significantly lower in subjects who do not have fibrosis developed in them. Good therapeutic effect in CHC patients is associated with significant changes in TGF-beta1, VEGF, and bFGF levels. bFGF seems to have the highest usefulness in the prognosis of treatment efficacy.     

Long-term impact of renal transplantation on liver fibrosis during hepatitis C virus infection

BACKGROUND & AIMS: During hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, liver fibrosis progression after renal transplantation remains controversial. The aim of this cohort study with controls was to compare liver histopathologic features during HCV infection between renal transplant recipients and matched groups of hemodialyzed patients or controls without renal disease and untreated for HCV. METHODS: Each renal transplant recipient (group 1, n = 30) was matched at first liver biopsy (LB) using the main factors known to influence progression of fibrosis with one HCV hemodialyzed patient (group 2, n = 30) and one HCV-infected patient (nonhemodialyzed, nontransplanted; group 3, n = 30). Patients from group 1 were also matched with those of group 3 on the time between 2 consecutive LBs performed 37 months apart. LBs were evaluated according to the Knodell index, METAVIR score, and rate of fibrosis progression per year (fibrosis unit). RESULTS: The rate of fibrosis progression per year between the first and second LBs was significantly lower (P = 0.03) in group 1 (0.067; 95% confidence interval: -0.05, 0.18) than group 3 (0.20; 95% confidence interval: 0.13, 0.26). At the second LB, the Knodell index and activity or fibrosis in METAVIR were lower in group 1 than group 3 (4.2 +/- 0.4 vs. 7.5 +/- 0.6, 0.5 +/- 0.1 vs. 1.3 +/- 0.2, and 1.4 +/- 0.2 vs. 2.3 +/- 0.2 respectively, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that liver fibrosis progression is low in most HCV-infected renal transplant recipients with moderate liver disease at baseline.     

肝脏瞬时弹性超声评价自身免疫性肝炎肝纤维化的价值

目的 验证肝脏瞬时弹性超声在评估自身免疫性肝炎(AIH)患者肝纤维化程度中的价值.方法 用瞬时弹性超声对30例AIH患者进行肝脏瞬时弹性测定,并将测定值与按照Scheuer系统进行纤维化分级的患者肝活组织检查结果作纤维化程度的比较,用Spearman等级相关系数方法进行统计学分析.结果 30例AIH患者中S0期4例,S1期6例,S2期5例,S3期11例,S4期4例.除l例患者因肥胖导致瞬时弹性超声检测失败以外,其余均顺利受检.29例患者测定的瞬时弹性超声硬度值与其肝纤维化分期有显著相关性(r= 0.801,P＜0.01).将S0、S1、S2期合并与S3、S4期合并后对两组间瞬时弹性超声硬度值作比较,t= -3.937,P=0.001,差异有统计学意义.结论 肝脏瞬时弹性超声评估AIH患者肝纤维化程度的可靠性较好,并且由于其无创性而在此类患者的长期随访与疗效评估中有着较好的应用前景.     

复方861治疗慢性乙型肝炎肝纤维化与早期肝硬化的临床研究

目的观察复方861对慢性乙型肝炎肝纤维化、早期肝硬化患者的抗肝纤维化效果.方法采用随机、双盲、安慰剂对照的方法,以治疗前后肝穿病理组织学为评价指标,对6家医院的慢性乙型肝炎肝纤维化患者136例,按照随机编码分别服用复方861胶囊或安慰剂胶囊共24周,观察治疗前后患者症状、体征、肝功能、肝纤维化指标[IV胶原(C Ⅳ)、层黏连蛋白(L N)、Ⅲ型前胶原N端肽(P ⅢP)、透明质酸(HA)]、基质金属蛋白酶1、2、9(MMP1、2、9)及金属蛋白酶组织抑制因子(TIMP1、2)水平以及肝病理组织学的变化.结果 5 2例治疗组、5 0例安慰剂组的患者完成治疗前后肝穿刺.治疗组患者治疗前、后血清丙氨酸氨基转移酶(ALT)分别为(68.2±68.6)U/L和(45.9±26.1)U/L、天冬氨酸氨基转移酶(AST)分别为(60.4 ± 62.6)U/L和(46.7 ± 39.0)U/L,安慰剂组患者治疗前、后血清ALT分别为(65.3±48.3)U/L和(85.4±115.5)U/L,AST分别为(60.4±44.6)U/L和(77.6±89.6)U/L,两组比较差异均有显著性,t=2.315和t=2.168,P＜0.05.治疗组血清HA、PⅢP、CⅣ、LN水平均较治疗前有所下降,但与安慰剂组相比,差异无显著性.治疗组治疗前、后血清TIMP1分别为(172.0±79.6)ng/m1和(133.5 ± 66.8)ng/ml,MMP9分别为(116.1±88.2)ng/ml和(80.4±79.0)ng/ml,较治疗前均明显下降,f=2.723和t=2.433,P＜0.05.复方861治疗前、后血清TIMP1/MMP1比值分别为4 8.3±96.3和19.9 ± 28.0,较治疗前下降,而对照组则较治疗前升高,治疗前后差值相比,两组差异有显著性,t=2.248,P＜0.05.治疗组治疗前、后肝组织炎症计分分别为14.0±6.0和10.2±6.1、纤维化计分分别为11.9±6.5和8.2=4.5,病理图像分析胶原相对含量分别为18.9%±9.5%和14.9%± 8.4%,t值为3.354～2.202,P值均＜0.05;S2期逆转率为38.9%,S 3期为53.3%,S4期为78.6%,总逆转率52.0%;安慰剂组分别为14.3%、25.0%、41.7%、20.0%,两组差异有显著性,x2值为9.766～4.478,P值均＜0.05.复方861治疗组未见明显不良反应.结论复方861治疗慢性乙型肝炎肝纤维化、早期肝硬化是可以逆转的.