A liposomal steroid nano-drug for treating systemic lupus erythematosus.

Background: Glucocorticoids have been known for years to be the most effective therapy in systemic lupus erythematosus. Their use, however, is limited by the need for high doses due to their unfavorable pharmacokinetics and biodistribution. We have previously developed a novel liposome-based steroidal (methylprednisolone hemisuccinate (MPS)) nano-drug and demonstrated its specific accumulation in inflamed tissues, as well as its superior therapeutic efficacy over that of free glucocorticoids (non-liposomal) in the autoimmune diseases, including the adjuvant arthritis rat model and the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis mouse model.

Increased intracranial pressure related to systemic lupus erythematosus: a 26-year experience.

Objective: To assess whether increased intracranial pressure (IIP) is associated or coincidental with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and to characterize the patients with this condition, its commonly used treatment, and outcome.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted at the Hadassah Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel. Files were retrieved from the hospital archives by screening records from 1980 to 2006 using the terms "SLE" and "pseudotumor cerebri" or "benign intracranial pressure.

Familial Budd-Chiari syndrome due to membranous obstruction of the right hepatic vein treated with transluminal angioplasty.

We report on a 30-yr-old man with Budd-Chiari syndrome due to right hepatic vein membranous obstruction. The patient's older brother also suffered from Budd-Chiari syndrome, and died after emergent portocaval shunt operation. To the best of our knowledge, familial occurrence of this syndrome has not been described before.