Lamivudine monotherapy and lamivudine plus interferon alpha combination therapy in HBeAg negative chronic hepatitis B not responding to previous interferon alpha monotherapy.

Background And Study Aims: To investigate the efficacy of the combined therapy of lamivudine (LAM) plus alpha interferon (IFN) and LAM monotherapy in HBeAg negative chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients who were unresponsive to previous IFN monotherapy, and the incidence of YMDD mutations.

Patients-methods: Forty-five HBeAg negative patients were enrolled in this study. 24 of these were treated with LAM (100 mg/day, PO, for 24 months) alone (group 1) and 21 with combined therapy (IFN-alpha-2b, 10 MU, tiw, SC, for 6 months plus LAM 100 mg/day, PO, for 24 months) (group 2).

The role of thrombopoietin and spleen volume in thrombocytopenia of patients with noncirrhotic and cirrhotic portal hypertension.

Background/aims: To determine the role of thrombopoietin and spleen volume in thrombocytopenia diagnosed in cirrhotic and noncirrhotic portal hypertensive patients.

Methods: Seventy- four portal hypertensive patients (group 1: 28 noncirrhotic; group 2: 46 cirrhotic) were enrolled into this study. Spleen volume was measured by magnetic resonance imaging.

What is the reason of elevated alanine aminotransferase level in HBeAg negative patients with low viremia: NAFLD or chronic hepatitis?

Background And Study Aims: Increased alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels with negative hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA by hybridization is a common problem in Turkey where is a mild endemic region. We aimed to evaluate the causes of elevated ALT levels in patients who are negative for hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) and HBV DNA (by hybridization) for at least 6 months.

Patients-methods: Forty-nine patients were enrolled in this study.

The effects of rosiglitazone, metformin, and diet with exercise in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

Our aim was to evaluate effects of metformin, rosiglitazone, and diet with exercise in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Forty-seven patients (mean age, 44+/-10 years; 17 female) whose ALT levels had been high for at least 6 months and with hepatosteatosis detected by liver biopsy and/or USG were enrolled in this study. Of these, 12 were treated with 850 mg/day metformin (group 1), 11 with 4 mg/day rosiglitazone (group 2), and 24 with diet and exercise (group 3) for 1 year.

Intrahepatic and peripheral T-cell responses in genotype 1b hepatitis C virus-infected patients with persistently normal and elevated aminotransferase levels.

Aim: To evaluate whether the cytokine responses in liver and serum differ in chronic hepatitis C patients with normal and high alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels.

Methods: Thirty-three (16 with normal ALT level as group 1 and 17 with elevated ALT level as group 2) patients infected with genotype 1b hepatitis C virus (HCV) were examined. Liver infiltrating lymphomononuclear cells (LILMCs) were isolated from liver biopsy by collagenase type 1 and stimulated with phytohemagglutinin and interleukin 2 (IL-2).

Is there any medical therapeutic option in hepatopulmonary syndrome? A case report.

Hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS) is a well-known complication characterized by abnormalities of arterial oxygenation in patients with chronic liver disease, with or without portal hypertension. There is no definitive treatment for HPS except liver transplantation. We report on a patient with HBV-related liver cirrhosis and HPS who received garlic and lamivudine for 3 years.

Terlipressin and albumin combination treatment in hepatorenal syndrome.

Objectives: Hepatorenal syndrome (HRS) is a severe complication of cirrhosis, leading to death in nearly all of cases in the absence of liver transplantation. Several treatments have been attempted as a bridge to liver transplantation. Promising results have been shown with terlipressin and albumin treatment.

The effect of pneumatic balloon dilatation on gastric emptying in patients with achalasia.

Achalasia is a disease that characterized by relaxation hazard of lower esophageal sphincter. In patients with achalasia, it's known that gastric emptying time is delayed. In this study we aimed to evaluate the difference between the gastric emptying time before and after pneumatic balloon dilatation.