Hepatitis C virus genotypes in a cohort of Middle Eastern patients.

Background: The epidemiology of hepatitis C virus infection has been well characterized in Western Europe, North America and Japan. Less is known about it in other regions of the world. In order to fully understand the relationship between host and virus, it is important to study the effect of virus infection in all regions of the world.

Amino acid challenge in patients with cirrhosis and control subjects: ammonia, plasma amino acid and EEG changes.

Background/aims: The pathogenesis of hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is controversial. We have therefore studied the effect of induced hyperammonaemia in man.

Patients And Methods: 108 g of an amino acid mixture was given orally to 18 cirrhotics and 11 control subjects and changes in blood ammonia, EEG and plasma amino acids were observed.

Quantitative studies of liver atrophy after portacaval shunt in the rat.

Background: It is well known that portacaval shunting ultimately leads to a decrease in liver volume and hepatic function, but the mechanism is uncertain. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of portacaval shunting (PCS) upon the morphological changes that occur in the liver in rats after port caval anastomosis.

Materials And Methods: Sixty-six male rats underwent either PCS (n = 35) or sham operations (n = 31).

Importance of Helicobacter pylori eradcation for maintenance of remission of drug associated peptic ulcer disease.

Background: The role of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) eradication in non-steroidal anti inflammatory drug (NSAID) users with peptic ulcer disease is controversial especially in countries with a high prevalence of the infection. Furthermore the value of low dose omeprazole for maintenance of remission is not yet known.

Oral tryptophan challenge studies in cirrhotic patients: no evidence of neuropsychiatric changes.

Hepatic encephalopathy is a frequent complication of cirrhosis. Abnormalities of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and its metabolites are recognized and may contribute to its pathogenesis. We therefore studied the effect of an oral tryptophan load (6-18 g) upon psychometric test scores and analyzed EEG's in alcoholic cirrhotic patients.