Association of NK Cells with the Severity of Fibrosis in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C.

Some NK cell subpopulations may be involved in the modulation of fibrogenesis in the liver. The aim of the study was to evaluate the relationship between the number and phenotype of NK cell subsets in peripheral blood (PB) and total NK cell percentage, population density and the degree of liver fibrosis of patients infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV+). The study group consisted of 56 HCV+ patients, divided into two subgroups: patients with mild or moderate fibrosis and patients with advanced liver fibrosis or cirrhosis (F ≥ 3 in METAVIR classification).

Multiple gingival recession coverage with an allogeneic biostatic fascia lata graft using the tunnel technique--A histological assessment.

Background: Autogenous connective tissue graft (CTG) that can be safely harvested from the palatal mucosa is limited. Often a multi-stage surgical procedure is needed to cover multiple gingival recessions (MGR). To address this problem, efforts are being made to explore substitutes suitable in size to ensure surgical treatment in a single visit.

Association between hepatic angiogenesis and serum adipokine profile in non-obese chronic hepatitis C patients.

It is unclear whether angiogenesis merely represents a homeostatic mechanism aimed at ensuring an adequate oxygen supply or one that exerts an additional pathogenic role leading to liver damage in chronic hepatitis. Chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients present a proangiogenic profile of angiogenic markers. Adipokines not only regulate adipose tissue and glucose metabolism, but also influence inflammation, fibrogenic process and production of proangiogenic factors.

Hepatocyte steatosis in HCV patients promotes fibrosis by enhancing TGF-beta liver expression.

Aim: The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between TGF-beta expression in steatotic liver and the stage and yearly progression rate of fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients.

Methods: We examined 44 CHC fatty liver patients, using 76 non-steatotic CHC patients as controls. The stage of hepatic fibrosis was assessed on a score scale.