The Effects of Vitamin E, Silymarin and Carnitine on the Metabolic Abnormalities Associated with Nonalcoholic Liver Disease.

The obesity epidemic has resulted in an increase in the incidence of metabolic syndrome, and liver disease. Studies indicate that antioxidant supplementation may improve abnormal liver chemistries, glucose control, and hyperlipidemia, in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The primary objective of the study was to determine the normalization of abnormalities in hepatic function testing in patients with NAFLD when treated with vitamin E 200 IU, Silymarin 750 mg, and l-carnitine 1 gram (VSC) for 18 weeks in comparison to a placebo-controlled group.

Combination Therapies Including Cilofexor and Firsocostat for Bridging Fibrosis and Cirrhosis Attributable to NASH.

Background And Aims: Advanced fibrosis attributable to NASH is a leading cause of end-stage liver disease.

Approach And Results: In this phase 2b trial, 392 patients with bridging fibrosis or compensated cirrhosis (F3-F4) were randomized to receive placebo, selonsertib 18 mg, cilofexor 30 mg, or firsocostat 20 mg, alone or in two-drug combinations, once-daily for 48 weeks. The primary endpoint was a ≥1-stage improvement in fibrosis without worsening of NASH between baseline and 48 weeks based on central pathologist review.

Efficacy of Sofosbuvir, Velpatasvir, and GS-9857 in Patients With Hepatitis C Virus Genotype 2, 3, 4, or 6 Infections in an Open-Label, Phase 2 Trial.

Background & Aims: Studies are needed to determine the optimal regimen for patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 2, 3, 4, or 6 infections whose prior course of antiviral therapy has failed, and the feasibility of shortening treatment duration. We performed a phase 2 study to determine the efficacy and safety of the combination of the nucleotide polymerase inhibitor sofosbuvir, the NS5A inhibitor velpatasvir, and the NS3/4A protease inhibitor GS-9857 in these patients.

Methods: We performed a multicenter, open-label trial at 32 sites in the United States and 2 sites in New Zealand from March 3, 2015 to April 27, 2015.

Safety and efficacy of ledipasvir-sofosbuvir in black patients with hepatitis C virus infection: A retrospective analysis of phase 3 data.

Unlabelled: Black patients chronically infected with genotype 1 hepatitis C virus (HCV) have historically had lower rates of response to interferon-based treatment than patients of other races. In the phase 3 ION program, the single-tablet regimen of the NS5A inhibitor ledipasvir and NS5B nucleotide polymerase inhibitor sofosbuvir was shown to be safe and highly effective in the general population. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of ledipasvir/sofosbuvir in black patients using data from the three open-label ION clinical trials, which evaluated the safety and efficacy of 8, 12, and 24 weeks of ledipasvir/sofosbuvir with or without ribavirin for the treatment of treatment-naïve and treatment-experienced patients with genotype 1 HCV, including those with compensated cirrhosis.

Propofol compared with combination propofol or midazolam/fentanyl for endoscopy in a community setting.

This retrospective cohort study evaluated procedural efficiency and patient satisfaction in patients who had received propofol, midazolam/fentanyl/propofol (MFP), or midazolam/fentanyl, as sedation for either esophagogastroduodenoscopy or colonoscopy. Questionnaires about procedural times and patient satisfaction were administered. Use of propofol for colonoscopy resulted in shorter time (minutes) from induction to start of procedure (mean +/- standard deviation: propofol, 1.

Duodenal carcinoma at the ligament of Treitz. A molecular and clinical perspective.

Background: There is very small occurrence of adenocarcinoma in the small bowel. We present a case of primary duodenal adenocarcinoma and discuss the findings of the case diagnostic modalities, current knowledge on the molecular biology behind small bowel neoplasms and treatment options.

Case: The patient had a history of iron deficiency anemia and occult bleeding with extensive workup consisting of upper endoscopy, colonoscopy, capsule endoscopy, upper gastrointestinal series with small bowel follow through and push enteroscopy.

Open-label, dose-ranging pilot study of 4 weeks of low-dose therapy with sodium phosphate tablets in chronically constipated adults.

Background: The tablet formulation of sodium phosphate (NaP) is a prescription osmotic purgative that has been marketed since 2001. The use of NaP tablets in patients with constipation has not been studied previously.

Objective: This study assessed the tolerability and efficacy of 28 days of therapy with NaP tablets (1.

The ethanol metabolite, linolenic acid ethyl ester, stimulates mitogen-activated protein kinase and cyclin signaling in hepatic stellate cells.

Chronic ethanol consumption can result in hepatic fibrosis and cirrhosis. In addition to oxidative metabolism, ethanol can be metabolized by esterification with fatty acids to form fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEE) such as linolenic acid ethyl ester (LAEE). We have previously demonstrated that LAEE has promitogeinc and activating effects on hepatic stellate cells (HSC), but the mechanisms of these actions are not known.