Changes in serum LDL, PCSK9 and microRNA-122 in patients with chronic HCV infection receiving Daclatasvir/Asunaprevir.

The present study evaluated the changes in lipid profile, and the associations between serum protein convertase subtilisin/kexin 9 (PCSK9), microRNA (miR)122 and low-density lipoprotein variation following treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1b infection with Daclatasvir/Asunaprevir. A total of 39 patients with HCV genotype 1b infection with chronic hepatitis received a 24-week treatment regimen of Daclatasvir/Asunaprevir. Laboratory data were obtained for each subject every 4 weeks during treatment and every 12 weeks after treatment.

Hepatitis C virus-related symptoms, but not quality of life, were improved by treatment with direct-acting antivirals.

Aim: Direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) for the treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection have a significantly high sustained virologic response rate after a short treatment course and do not have any severe adverse effects. Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) have become increasingly important to assess the total impact of a chronic disease. We aimed to evaluate the changes in symptoms of patients with HCV infection treated with DAAs by using PROs.

Differences in prognostic factors according to viral status in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

The number and ratio of both HBsAg- and HCV Ab-negative hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC-nonBC) cases have been steadily increasing in Japan. The aim of this study was to examine the frequency of detection of HCC-nonBC by screening methods and to elucidate the clinical characteristics of HCC-nonBC compared with those of hepatitis C and/or B virus-associated HCC (HCC-virus). We recruited 624 patients with HCC who were diagnosed between 1982 and 2007 at the Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Nagasaki University Hospital.