Hydroxyurea attenuates hepatic stellate cell proliferation in vitro and liver fibrogenesis in vivo.

Liver fibrosis results from excessive proliferation of, and collagen production by hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) that is caused by chronic liver injury. No drugs are available to cure liver fibrosis. Hydroxyurea is an anti-proliferative drug that is used in benign and malignant disorders.

Gamma-Glutamyl Transferase: A Friend against Cholestatic Itch? A Retrospective Observational Data Analysis in Patients with Extrahepatic Cholestasis.

Methods: We included 235 patients with chronic extrahepatic cholestasis due to pancreatic cancer, cholangiocarcinoma, or papillary carcinoma.

Results: GGT was significantly higher in patients without pruritus (median 967, IQR 587-1571) compared to patients with pruritus (median 561 IQR 266-1084 IU/l) ( < 0.01).

Glutathione and antioxidant enzymes serve complementary roles in protecting activated hepatic stellate cells against hydrogen peroxide-induced cell death.

Background: In chronic liver disease, hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are activated, highly proliferative and produce excessive amounts of extracellular matrix, leading to liver fibrosis. Elevated levels of toxic reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced during chronic liver injury have been implicated in this activation process. Therefore, activated hepatic stellate cells need to harbor highly effective anti-oxidants to protect against the toxic effects of ROS.