Propranolol reduces systemic oxidative stress and endotoxemia in cirrhotic patients with esophageal varices.

Background: The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of propranolol on systemic oxidative stress and endotoxemia in patients with liver cirrhosis and clinically significant portal hypertension evidenced by the presence of esophageal varices.

Methods: Fourteen patients with liver cirrhosis and esophageal varices, not previously been treated with non-selective beta-blockers (NSBB), were prospectively started on propranolol and followed up for three months. Serum early and late lipid peroxidation products (lipid hydroperoxides [LOOH] and malondialdehyde [MDA], respectively), and endotoxin concentrations in peripheral blood were measured.

Male hepatitis C patients' sexual functioning and its determinants.

Objective: The aim of the study was to detect sexual impairment in male hepatitis C virus patients and determine its associations.

Patients And Methods: A total of 61 male hepatitis C virus patients were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Sexual functioning was assessed using the International Index of Erectile Function.

Lactate serum concentrations during treatment with nucleos(t)ide analogues in hepatitis B with or without cirrhosis.

Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical implications of lactate concentrations in patients with hepatitis B with or without cirrhosis during treatment with nucleos(t)ide analogues.

Patients And Methods: One hundred and seven consecutive patients with chronic hepatitis B and median age 57 (24-85) years were prospectively included. Lactate concentrations were measured at baseline and at 12, 24, 36, 48, and 60 months following the baseline measurements.

Multidetector computed tomography versus platelet/spleen diameter ratio as methods for the detection of gastroesophageal varices.

Background: All patients with liver cirrhosis should undergo screening endoscopy, but there are limitations and this approach places a heavy burden upon endoscopy units. The aim of this study was to compare multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) and the platelet/spleen diameter ratio as non-invasive methods for the detection of gastroesophageal varices.

Methods: The study included 38 cirrhotics who underwent upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy and MDCT within one month.

Higher free serum cortisol is associated with worse survival in acute variceal bleeding because of cirrhosis: a prospective study.

Background And Aims: Critical illness-related corticosteroid insufficiency has been reported in acute variceal bleeding (AVB). In cirrhosis, free serum cortisol (FC) is considered optimal to assess adrenal function. Salivary cortisol (SC) is considered a surrogate for FC.

Acceptance of hepatitis B vaccination among health care workers in Western Greece.

Health care personnel are at high risk for hepatitis B virus (HBV) transmission. The aim of the present study was to investigate hepatitis B (HB) knowledge and vaccination acceptance among health care personnel in southwestern Greece, using the Hepatitis B Vaccine Knowledge and Acceptance Questionnaire. One hundred eighty-three employees participated (71 males).

Granulomas Formation in Lymph Nodes, Liver and Spleen in Adult-Onset Still's Disease: A Case Report.

Tissue granulomas formation in adult-onset Still's disease (AOSD) is extremely rare. We describe a case of AOSD associated with formation of granulomatous lesions in lymph nodes, liver and presumably spleen. The high dose steroid-dependent nature of our patient's illness, characterized by disease relapses when methylprednisolone dose was reduced below 10 mg/d, was overwhelmed with institution of anakinra (100 mg/d).

Hepatitis C in patients with β-thalassemia major. A single-centre experience.

Chronic hepatitis C (CHC) and iron overload are the main causes of liver disease in β-thalassemia major (βTM). There is limited data regarding the course of CHC in this population. All patients (n=144) from the thalassemia centre of the University Hospital of Patras were evaluated (January 1981 to June 2012).

Suppurative necrotizing granulomatous lymphadenitis in adult-onset Still's disease: a case report.

Introduction: Lymphadenopathy is found in about 65% of patients with adult-onset Still's disease and is histologically characterized by an intense, paracortical immunoblastic hyperplasia. Adult-onset Still's disease has not been previously described as an etiology of suppurative necrotizing granulomatous lymphadenitis.

Case Presentation: We describe a 27-year-old Greek man who manifested prolonged fever, abdominal pain, increased inflammatory markers, episodic skin rash and mesenteric lymphadenopathy histologically characterized by necrotizing granulomatous adenitis with central suppuration.

Abnormal liver function tests in a patient with myotonic dystrophy type 1.

Myotonic dystrophy type 1, also known as Steinert's disease, is a multisystemic disorder with significant genetic and clinical heterogeneity. Apart from skeletal muscles' myotonia and wasting, a variety of system organs can be affected. We report on a 49 years old female patient with unremarkable medical and family history, who presented with elevated liver enzymes without signs or symptoms of chronic liver disease neither neurological features.

Could antioxidants be the "magic pill" for cirrhosis-related complications? A pathophysiological appraisal.

Patients with liver cirrhosis are prone to serious complications by almost all systems, leading to high morbidity rates and even death. Although the functional and structural derangement of diverse vital organs developed in the course of advanced liver disease is the result of one entity (cirrhosis) there are various treatment modalities for each system's complications, which are often ineffective. Identification of the link which connects the complications of cirrhosis from diverse systems might lead to a global, simple and more effective treatment approach for patients with cirrhosis.

Lapatinib-induced hepatitis: a case report.

Lapatinib is an inhibitor of the tyrosine kinases of human epidermal growth factor receptor type 2 (HER2) and epidermal growth factor receptor type 1, with clinical activity in HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer. We present here a 60 year-old patient with metastatic breast cancer who presented with jaundice and increased serum aminotransferase levels and who had been treated with lapatinib for the previous 14 days. Laboratory tests excluded other causes of acute liver injury.

Fatigue and depressive symptoms associated with chronic viral hepatitis patients. health-related quality of life (HRQOL).

Background And Rationale: It is well established that chronic viral hepatitis (CVH) negatively affects patients . health-related quality of life (HRQOL). The aim of the present study was to assess the extent to which fatigue and depressive symptoms are associated with CVH patients.

Pentoxifylline: a first line treatment option for severe alcoholic hepatitis and hepatorenal syndrome?

Although favourable results of pentoxifylline (PTX) used in treatment of severe alcoholic hepatitis patients with a Maddrey discriminant function score > or = 32 have been previously reported, it is not currently recommended as a first line treatment for alcoholic hepatitis owing to lack of evidence for its efficacy as compared to the standard treatment with corticosteroids. In a very recent issue of World Journal of Gastroenterology, Dr. De BK and colleagues compared for the first time the two treatment modalities head to head in a randomized controlled study, demonstrating the advantage of PTX over corticosteroids in terms of patients' survival and risk-benefit profile.

Serum adiponectin levels in different types of non alcoholic liver disease. Correlation with steatosis, necroinflammation and fibrosis.

Background And Study Aims: In recent studies adiponectin has been implicated in the pathogenesis of non alcoholic liver disease (NAFLD), a common chronic liver disease with a broad spectrum of histopathologic findings. The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between serum adiponectin levels and steatosis, necroinflammation and fibrosis in different types of NAFLD patients.

Patients And Methods: Forty three patients with elevated liver enzymes and biopsy proven non alcoholic fatty liver disease and 38 patients with clinically diagnosed NAFLD and permanently normal liver enzymes were prospectively enrolled in the study.

Pituitary hormone circadian rhythm alterations in cirrhosis patients with subclinical hepatic encephalopathy.

Aim: To analyze pituitary hormone and melatonin circadian rhythms, and to correlate hormonal alterations with clinical performance, hepatic disease severity and diagnostic tests used for the detection of hepatic encephalopathy in cirrhosis.

Methods: Twenty-six patients with cirrhosis were enrolled in the study. Thirteen patients hospitalized for systemic diseases not affecting the liver were included as controls.

Prevalence of anti-HAV antibodies in multitransfused patients with beta-thalassemia.

Aim: To detect the prevalence of anti-HAV IgG antibodies in adult multitransfused beta-thalassemic patients.

Methods: We studied 182 adult beta-thalassemic patients and 209 controls matched for age and sex from the same geographic area, at the same time. Anti-HAV IgG antibodies, viral markers of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection were evaluated.

Serum adiponectin in chronic hepatitis C and B.

Adiponectin possesses anti-inflammatory, insulin-sensitizing and anti-atherosclerotic properties. The aim of this study was to assess the levels of serum adiponectin in patients with chronic viral hepatitis C and B and correlate them with parameters exploring insulin resistance and indices of chronic liver disease. Seventy-two patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and 73 patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, matched for age and sex, were studied.

Neuropsychological function in Greek patients with chronic hepatitis C.

Background: Research has shown that hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is associated with subclinical neuropsychological deficits in the absence of hepatic encephalopathy.

Methods: The current study assessed 32 Greek HCV patients without hepatic encephalopathy using standardized neuropsychological measures and compared them with 20 healthy controls and 29 hepatitis B virus (HBV)-infected patients. Patients and controls did not differ on age, educational level, depression or fatigue severity.

Occult hepatitis B virus infection in hemodialysis patients with chronic HCV infection.

Background: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of occult hepatitis B infection in hemodialysis patients with chronic HCV infection and to compare it with that of HCV-infected patients with normal renal function.

Methods: Forty-nine patients on maintenance hemodialysis and 48 HCV-infected but otherwise normal patients, both groups HCV RNA-positive and HBsAg-negative and matched for age and sex, were evaluated for the presence of HBV DNA in serum by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). A proportion of patients (11/49 and 39/48, respectively) were also examined for HBV antigens in hepatocytes by immunohistochemistry.

Prevalence of liver steatosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B: a study of associated factors and of relationship with fibrosis.

Objectives: The clinical significance of hepatic steatosis in chronic hepatitis B virus patients is poorly understood. The purpose of this study was to determine risk factors for liver steatosis in chronic hepatitis B patients and its relationship with fibrosis.

Methods: We retrospectively evaluated liver biopsies from patients with chronic hepatitis B treated in our department.