Role of functional polymorphisms of NRAMP1 gene for the development of Crohn's disease.

Background: Crohn's disease (CD) is characterized by chronic activation of macrophages. Natural resistance-associated macrophage protein 1 (NRAMP1) gene exerts many pleiotropic effects on macrophage functions. Hence, NRAMP1 may be also involved in the resistance to intracellular pathogens, and this effector of the innate immunity might be involved in CD pathogenesis.

Effects of a 7-day treatment with midodrine in non-azotemic cirrhotic patients with and without ascites.

Background/aims: Splanchnic arterial vasodilatation has been causally related with hyperdynamic circulation and impaired natriuresis in advanced cirrhosis and has also been suggested to be responsible for the subtle sodium retention in pre-ascitic cirrhosis. This study evaluated the effects of a 7-day treatment with the alpha1-adrenergic agonist midodrine in non-azotemic cirrhotic patients with and without ascites.

Methods: Thirty-nine cirrhotic patients were studied at baseline and 7 days after administration of oral midodrine 10mg, t.

A single alcohol ingestion does not affect serum hepatitis C virus RNA in patients with chronic hepatitis C.

Background And Aim: The safe level of alcohol ingestion in sporadic drinkers with hepatitis C is unknown. Our aim was to evaluate the effect of a single moderate alcohol intake on serum HCV RNA concentrations and hepatic function in patients with chronic HCV infection.

Methods: Twenty-one patients with chronic hepatitis C were randomly assigned to consume 50 g alcohol (group 1) or a non-alcoholic beverage (group 2).

The effects of treatment with octreotide, diuretics, or both on portal hemodynamics in nonazotemic cirrhotic patients with ascites.

Goals: To evaluate the effects of diuretic treatment, octreotide, or both on portal hemodynamics in nonazotemic cirrhotic patients with ascites.

Background: Diuretics and octreotide have been associated with a decrease in portal pressure in cirrhotic patients, suggested to be mediated by plasma volume depletion and splanchnic vasoconstriction, respectively. However, liver cirrhosis is characterized by activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone axis, which increases hepatic vascular resistance and is augmented or suppressed by diuretics or octreotide, respectively.

Interferon-alpha plus lamivudine vs lamivudine reduces breakthroughs, but does not affect sustained response in HBeAg negative chronic hepatitis B.

Aim: The HBeAg negative form of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) predominates in the Mediterranean area and has a rising frequency in Europe and North America. At present there are three approved therapies for patients with CHB: interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha), lamivudine and adefovir dipivoxil. Unfortunately, none of these drugs are effective in achieving a sustained response in patients with HBeAg negative CHB.

Effects of nitric oxide inhibition by methylene blue in cirrhotic patients with ascites.

Increased endogenous nitric oxide production has been proposed as an important mediator of the peripheral arterial vasodilation and the hyperdynamic circulation in cirrhosis, whereas a decreased intrahepatic production of nitric oxide has been implicated in the pathogenesis of portal hypertension. The present study investigated the possible beneficial effects of methylene blue, which is a potent inhibitor of guanylate cyclase and nitric oxide synthase, on hyperdynamic circulation and renal function in cirrhotic patients with ascites together with the effects on portal hemodynamics. Twenty patients were evaluated at baseline and during 2 consecutive 4-hr periods after the administration of methylene blue at a dose of 3 mg/kg (10 patients) or placebo (10 patients).

Effects of somatostatin, terlipressin and somatostatin plus terlipressin on portal and systemic hemodynamics and renal sodium excretion in patients with cirrhosis.

Background And Aim: Terlipressin and somatostatin are the most preferable agents for the control of variceal bleeding in cirrhotic patients. The present study evaluated the hemodynamic effects of somatostatin, terlipressin and somatostatin plus terlipressin in cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension, as well as the effect of each regimen on renal sodium excretion.

Methods: Twenty-four patients with esophageal varices were randomly assigned to receive either an intravenous infusion of a placebo (n = 12) or somatostatin 250 microg/h after an initial bolus of 250 microg (n = 12) for 60 min.

Renal effects of treatment with diuretics, octreotide or both, in non-azotemic cirrhotic patients with ascites.

Background: Diuretic-induced hyperreninaemia is associated with renal dysfunction in cirrhotic patients with ascites, and in turn prevents the use of high doses of diuretics. Furthermore, ample evidence suggests that octreotide can inhibit the activation of the renin-aldosterone axis. The present study investigated the renal effects of the addition of octreotide to furosemide and spironolactone in the treatment of non-azotemic cirrhotic patients with ascites.

The effects of chronic treatment with octreotide versus octreotide plus midodrine on systemic hemodynamics and renal hemodynamics and function in nonazotemic cirrhotic patients with ascites.

Objectives: The adrenergic agonist midodrine improved circulatory and renal dysfunction when acutely administered in nonazotemic cirrhotic patients with ascites while its combination with octreotide has recently been proposed as an effective treatment of type 1 hepatorenal syndrome (HRS). However, the effects of octreotide on systemic hemodynamics and renal function in cirrhotic patients are controversial. This study evaluated the effects of chronic treatment with octreotide versus octreotide plus midodrine on systemic hemodynamics and renal hemodynamics, and function in nonazotemic cirrhotic patients with ascites.

Clinical course of lamivudine monotherapy in patients with decompensated cirrhosis due to HBeAg negative chronic HBV infection.

Objectives: We have evaluated the efficacy of long-term lamivudine monotherapy in patients with decompensated HBeAg-negative/HBV-DNA positive cirrhosis.

Methods: We analyzed the clinical course and outcome of lamivudine treatment in 30 consecutive cirrhotics and compared with 30 HBV untreated historical HBeAg-negative controls matched for age and gender.

Results: Significant clinical improvement, defined as a reduction of at least two points in Child-Pugh score was observed in 23 of the 30 treated patients (76.