Hypozincemia is associated with human hepatocarcinogenesis in hepatitis C virus-related liver cirrhosis.

Aim: Hypozincemia is associated with the progression of chronic liver diseases, but it is unknown whether hypozincemia promotes human hepatocarcinogenesis. Our aim is to evaluate the serum zinc levels in liver cirrhosis (LC) patients and clarify the relationship between the serum zinc levels and the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods: Cirrhotic patients without HCC (n = 299) were enrolled from 14 medical institutes in Japan as a multicenter prospective study (No.

Study of pruritus in chronic hepatitis C patients.

Aim: To investigate the occurrence and severity of pruritus in chronic hepatitis C patients treated with or without interferon (IFN) therapy.

Methods: A total of 89 patients with chronic hepatitis C and 55 control (non-hepatitis) patients were asked to rate their experience of diurnal and nocturnal pruritus in the preceding week using a visual analogue scale (VAS) and a five-point scale, respectively. Blood samples were taken and serum thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC) levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Effect of zinc on liver cirrhosis with hyperammonemia: a preliminary randomized, placebo-controlled double-blind trial.

Objective: To our knowledge, no randomized study has shown whether zinc replacement therapy is effective for hyperammonemia in liver cirrhosis; therefore, we performed a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to examine efficacy and safety of the zinc replacement therapy.

Methods: Patients with liver cirrhosis and hyperammonemia (at or above the institutional reference value) and hypozincemia (≤65 μg/dL) were enrolled in the outpatient units of the participating institutions and were randomly divided to receive placebo (P group) or zinc acetate preparation at a dose of 3 capsules/d for a total zinc content of 150 mg/d (Z group) by the envelope method. Of the 18 enrolled patients, 6 dropped out; thus, the analyses included 12 patients (5 in the P group and 7 in the Z group).

Branched-chain amino acids prevent hepatocarcinogenesis and prolong survival of patients with cirrhosis.

Background & Aims: Although a low plasma level of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) is a marker of cirrhosis, it is not clear whether BCAA supplements affect disease progression. We performed a multicenter study to evaluate the effects of BCAA supplementation on hepatocarcinogenesis and survival in patients with cirrhosis.

Methods: We enrolled 299 patients from 14 medical institutions in Japan in a prospective, multicenter study in 2009; 267 patients were followed through 2011.

Guidelines on nutritional management in Japanese patients with liver cirrhosis from the perspective of preventing hepatocellular carcinoma.

Aim:   The Japanese Nutritional Study Group for Liver Cirrhosis (JNUS) was assembled in 2008 with the support of a Health Labor Sciences Research Grant from the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare of Japan. The goal of the study group was to propose new nutritional guidelines for Japanese patients with liver cirrhosis (LC), with the aim of preventing hepatocellular carcinoma.

Methods:   Between 2008 and 2010, the member investigators of JNUS conducted various clinical and experimental studies on nutrition on LC.

Effects of late evening snack on diurnal plasma glucose profile in patients with chronic viral liver disease.

Aim:   Glycemic control is important to improve the prognosis in cirrhotic patients with complications from diabetes. A late evening snack (LES) has been recommended for cirrhotic patients. We investigated the effects of LES on diurnal plasma glucose levels.

Measurement of serum branched-chain amino acids to tyrosine ratio level is useful in a prediction of a change of serum albumin level in chronic liver disease.

Aim: In patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV)-associated chronic liver diseases, especially in those with liver cirrhosis, accurate evaluation of their protein nutrition status is very important to improve their quality of life. Whereas the serum albumin level is commonly used to evaluate patients' protein nutrition status, in the present study, the serum amino acid levels were measured, as they also provide valuable information.

Methods: Serum albumin levels and branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) to tyrosine ratio (BTR) were determined in 447 patients with HCV-associated chronic liver diseases (313 with chronic hepatitis and 134 with liver cirrhosis).

Effect of symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux disease on quality of life of patients with chronic liver disease.

Aim: Reflux esophagitis is becoming increasingly more prevalent in Japan. It has been noted that symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and chronic liver disease may adversely affect patients' quality of life.

Methods: In the present study, 238 chronic liver disease patients (151 patients with chronic hepatitis and 87 patients with liver cirrhosis) were enrolled.

[Controversies in the determination of serum albumin concentration in chronic liver diseases].

Objective: It is known that there is quantitative alteration in serum albumin in the patients with chronic liver diseases. To clarity the quantitative alteration of serum albumin, serum albumin levels were measured by the Bromcresol green (BCG) method, the modified Bromcresol purple (BCP) method and immunoassay.

Methods: We enrolled 313 patients with chronic hepatitis, 74 cirrhotic patients and 36 healthy subjects.

Erectile dysfunction in patients with chronic viral liver disease: its relevance to protein malnutrition.

Background: In patients with chronic liver disease (CLD), quality of life is generally accepted as poor, especially for physical function. However, sufficient data regarding erectile function has not been shown in patients with CLD. The international index of erectile function (IIEF) is widely used to assess erectile function, and a short form of the IIEF was recently developed (IIEF-5).

Clinical significance of KL-6, a marker of interstitial pneumonia, in cases of HCV-associated chronic liver disease.

Objective: Various antiviral therapies, including interferon therapy, are being conducted to treat chronic hepatitis C and suppress the onset of hepatocellular carcinoma. However, interstitial pneumonia is beginning to be recognized as one of the adverse reactions of this therapy, and is one of the complications associated with chronic hepatitis. Therefore, we measured the level of KL-6, an interstitial pneumonia marker, in patients with HCV-associated chronic disease, and then determined the possibility of utilizing serum KL-6 as a predictive factor for interstitial pneumonia and the clinical significance of KL-6 in HCV-associated chronic disease.