Role of steroid minimization in the tacrolimus-based immunosuppressive regimen for liver transplant recipients: a systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective randomized controlled trials.

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of early steroid withdrawal or steroid avoidance in the tacrolimus (Tac)-based immunosuppressive regimen for liver transplant recipients. According to the requirements of the Cochrane systematic review, a thorough literature search was performed in the PubMed/MEDLINE and Cochrane electronic databases between 1995 and 2011 using the key words "liver transplantation," "Tac," and "steroid free" or "steroid withdrawal," restricting articles to the English language. Data were processed for a meta-analysis by Stata 12 software.

[Relationship between effect of lamivudine in the treatment of cirrhotic patients with uncompensated hepatitis B with HBV genotypes and cytotoxic T lymphocyte].

Objective: To explore relationship between effect of Lamivudine in the treatment of cirrhotic patients with uncompensated hepatitis B with hepatitis B virus (HBV)genotypes and HBV specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL).

Methods: 80 cases of uncompensated cirrhotic hepatitis B (40 cases with genotype B and 40 with genotype C), HBV DNA positive, HBeAg positive and human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-A2 positive,were treated with Lamivudine 100 mg/d, one year later, its effect and relationship with HBV genotypes and HBV specific CTL were observed.

Results: HBV DNA turned negative:40 cases with genotype B turned negative (100%).

[Influence of non-sodium restricted diet with diuretics on plasma rennin, renal blood flow and in patients with cirrhotic ascites].

Objective: To explore influence of sodium restricted diet and non-sodium restricted diet on plasma rennin (PRA), angiotensin II (All), ALD, renal blood flow (RBF) and subside of ascites in patients with cirrhotic ascites.

Methods: Eighty cases of hepatitis B with cirrhotic ascites were randomly divided into sodium restricted diet group and non-sodium restricted diet group. 39 cases were in non-sodium restricted diet group, taking sodium chloride 6500-8000 mg daily; 41 cases were in sodium restricted diet group, taking sodium chloride 5000 mg daily.

[Effect of kurarinol on peripheral blood CTL surface PD-1 expression of patients with chronic hepatitis B].

Objective: To explore the anti-viral mechanism of kurarinol through studying its influence on cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) surface program death receptor-1 (PD-1) expression of patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB).

Methods: 69 cases of CHB, HBV DNA > or = 10(4) copies/ml, HBeAg positive, human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-A2 positive, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) > 2 x upper limit of normal value(ULN).69 cases were randomly divided into two groups:34 cases in treatment group,600 mg of kurarinol glucose injection was used for intravenous dripping, once a day, one month later, 200 mg of kurarinol capsule was used orally,three times a day and 200 mg of silybin meglumine tablet was used orally, three times a day.

Relationship between HBV genotypes B, C and follicular helper T cells in patients with chronic hepatitis B and its significance.

Background: Clinical observations have shown that patients infected with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotype C versus genotype B had a higher load of the virus, more serious illness, and poorer responses to antiviral therapy and prognosis. However, the disparity between the two has not been clarified.

Objectives: To explore possible relationship between HBV genotypes B and C and peripheral blood follicular helper T cells (Tfh) and its significance in treating chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients.

PD-1 expression on CTL may be related to more severe liver damage in CHB patients with HBV genotype C than in those with genotype B infection.

Compared with Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients infected with genotype B, those infected with genotype C have higher hepatic histopathological activity and higher level of alanine aminotransferase (ALT). Our previous studies suggest that this phenomenon is related to lower level of HBV specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) of patients infected with genotype C than those infected with genotype B, but its mechanism was not clear. The aim of present study was to explain the possible mechanism of lower level of HBV specific CTL and more serious liver function damage of patients infected with genotype C than those infected with genotype B through study on relationship between expression of HBV specific CTL surface programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) and viral genotypes of CHB patients.

[Study on effects of kurarinol combined with glycyrrhizic acid on cellular immunity of patients with chronic hepatitis B].

Objective: To explore effects of kurarinol combined with Diammonium Glycyrrhizinate on specific cellular immunity of patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB).

Methods: Sixty-three CHB patients were randomly divided into two groups, 32 cases in group of kurarinol combined with Diammonium Glycyrrhizinate group (combined therapy group) were treated with 600 mg kurarinol glucose injection intravenously, once a day for one month, then 200 mg kurarinol capsule was used orally, three times a day for two months. 150 mg Diammonium Glycyrrhizinate for Injection was added to 250 ml 10% glucose injection for intravenous drip, once a day for one month, then 150 mg Diammonium Glycyrrhizinate capsule was used orally, three times a day for two months; 31 case in kurarinol group (single drug group) only used kurarinol, methods and dosage were the same as those of treatment group.

Effect of a diet with unrestricted sodium on ascites in patients with hepatic cirrhosis.

Background/aims: There has been debate on whether a sodium-restricted diet (SRD) should be used in cirrhotic patients with ascites in China in recent years. The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of sodium-restricted and unrestricted diets on plasma renin activity (PRA), renal blood flow (RBF) and ascites in patients with liver cirrhosis.

Methods: Two hundred cirrhotic patients with ascites were randomly divided into two groups (98 cases in the sodium-unrestricted diet [SUD] group and 102 cases in the SRD group); 95 patients (96.

Effect of oxymatrine on specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte surface programmed death receptor-1 expression in patients with chronic hepatitis B.

Background: Oxymatrine has certain antiviral effects in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B (CHB), but its exact mechanism is unclear. The objective of the present study was to explore oxymatrine's antiviral mechanism by studying its effect on the hepatitis B virus (HBV) specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) surface programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) expression in CHB patients.

Methods: Sixty-five CHB patients who had HBV DNA(3)10(4) copies/ml, positive HBeAg, positive human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-A2, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) > 2 x upper limit of normal value (ULN) were randomly divided into two groups: treatment group (n = 33), treated with an intravenous infusion of 600 mg oxymatrine in glucose solution once a day for a month, then with a 200 mg oxymatrine oral capsule three times a day, and a 200 mg silibin meglumine tablet three times a day; control group (n = 32) patients were treated only with silibin meglumine tablet, method and dosage were the same as those of treatment group.

Alteration in cellular immunity after chronic hepatitis B deteriorated into severe hepatitis and its significance.

Background: It is difficult to predict what type of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) progresses to chronic severe hepatitis B.

Objectives: This study aimed to observe changes in the HBV-specific and -nonspecific cellmediated immune responses after CHB deteriorates into severe hepatic disease and explore the significance of such changes.

Patients And Methods: This study aimed to observe changes in the HBV-specific and -nonspecific cell-mediated immune responses after CHB deteriorates into severe hepatic disease and explore the significance of such changes.

[Difference of HBV DNA levels and HBV genotypes between the patients with primary hepatocellular carcinoma and liver cirrhosis with hepatitis B].

Objective: To compare the difference of HBV DNA levels and HBV genotypes between the patients with primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and liver cirrhosis who infected with hepatitis B virus.

Methods: Total 430 patients with hepatitis B were enrolled and further divided into the HCC group (210 cases) and liver cirrhosis group (HBV LC, 220 cases). The levels of HBV DNA and HBV genotypes were detected in all of the serum samples from the two groups, and the differences in the genotypes and virological markers between HCC patients and HBV LC patients were further analyzed.

[Association of serum HBV DNA level with cytotoxic T lymphocytes in patients with HBV-induced hepatic cirrhosis].

Objective: To explore the association of serum HBV DNA level with HBV-specific and nonspecific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) in patients with HBV-induced hepatic cirrhosis.

Methods: 120 patients with HBV-induced hepatic cirrhosis who were positive for HBV DNA, HBeAg and human leucocyte antigen (HLA)-A2 were enrolled in this study. The level of HBV DNA was determined by real time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Effect of medical ozone therapy on renal blood flow and renal function of patients with chronic severe hepatitis.

Background: Medical ozone therapy system was reported to have certain effects on the treatment of severe hepatitis, but its mechanism is not very clear. One of the causes of death of severe hepatitis is complication of renal damage or hepatorenal syndrome. The present study aimed to observe effects of medical ozone therapy system on plasma renin activity (PRA), angiotensin II (AII), aldosterone (ALD), renal blood flow and renal function of patients with chronic severe hepatitis and explore mechanisms of medical ozone therapy in the treatment of severe hepatitis.

[Influence of Kurarinol on specific and non-specific cell immunity in patients with chronic hepatitis B].

Objective: To explore influence of Kurarinol on specific and non-specific cell immunity in patients with chronic hepatitis B.

Methods: 74 cases of CHB were randomly divided into two groups, 36 cases in treatment group, treated with 600 mg Kurarinol glucose injection, IV, once a day. After one month, Kurarinol capsule was used orally, three times a day for 2 months, 200 mg Silybin Meglumine Tablets orally, three times a day for 3 months.

Relationship between serum HBV DNA level and HBV-specific, nonspecific cytotoxic T lymphocytes and natural killer cells in patients with chronic hepatitis B.

Background: The response of patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) to antiviral therapy against hepatitis B virus (HBV) is related to the base line level of HBV DNA, but the mechanism is not clear. The present study aimed to understand the possible relationship between the level of HBV DNA and HBV-specific, nonspecific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) and natural killer (NK) cells of CHB patients and the mechanism how the HBV DNA level influences the antiviral therapeutic effect.

Methods: Totally 100 adult patients with CHB who were positive for HBV DNA, HBeAg and (HLA)-A2 were enrolled into this study.

Comparison and significance of specific and non-specific cellular immunity in patients with chronic hepatitis B caused by infection with genotypes B or C of hepatitis B virus.

The present study was designed to investigate possible relationships between the genotypes of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and the HBV-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses. HBV genotypes, HBV specific CTL HBV DNA and other markers of HBV infection were determined in 138 patients with chronic hepatitis B. The results showed that the patients infected with genotype C (n=62) had a significantly lower HBV-specific CTL response than those who were infected with HBV genotype B (P<0.