Transmission of hepatitis C virus: Self-limiting hepatitis or chronic hepatitis?

It has been suggested that hepatitis C virus(HCV)is selectively transmitted to a new host as an infectious clone from multiple HCV variants(quasispecies)in the donor.Most individuals with HCV infection develop chronic hepatitis,but approximately 15%-40%of them clear the virus spontaneously and the hepatitis is resolved in a self-limiting manner in the acute phase of infection.This difference in the outcome of acute hepatitis C is attributable to both viral characteristics and genetic regulation of infection.In particular,the evolutionary dynamics of the infecting virus and host genetic polymorphisms pertaining mainly to the immune system,including polymorphisms in the region of the Interleukin 28B gene encoding interferon-λ-3,are associated with susceptibility to HCV infection.

Pancreatic hyperechogenicity associated with hypoadiponectinemia and insulin resistance: A Japanese population study

AIMTo examine the relationship between pancreatic hyperechogenicity and risk factors for metabolic syndrome. METHODSA general population-based survey of lifestyle-related diseases was conducted from 2005 to 2006 in Japan. The study involved 551 participants older than 40 year of age. Data for 472 non-diabetic adults were included in the analysis. The measures included the demographic factors, blood parameters, results of a 75 g oral glucose tolerance test, and abdominal ultrasonography. The echogenicity of the pancreas and liver was compared, and then the subjects were separated into two groups: cases with pancreatic hyperechogenicity (n = 208) and cases without (controls, n = 264). The differences between both groups were compared using an unpaired t-test or Fisher’s exact test. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to determine the relationship between the pancreatic hyperechogenicity and clinical and biochemical parameters. RESULTSSubjects with pancreatic hyperechogenicity had decreased serum adiponectin concentration compared to control subjects [8.9 (6.5, 12.8) vs 11.1 (7.8, 15.9), P P CONCLUSIONPancreatic hyperechogenicity is independently associated with increased BMI, insulin resistance, and hypoadiponectinemia in the general population.

Bone marrow cell-based regenerative therapy for liver cirrhosis

Bone marrow cells are capable of differentiation into liver cells.Therefore,transplantation of bone marrow cells has considerable potential as a future therapy for regeneration of damaged liver tissue.Autologous bone marrow infusion therapy has been applied to patients with liver cirrhosis,and improvement of liver function parameters has been demonstrated.In this review,we summarize clinical trials of regenerative therapy using bone marrow cells for advanced liver diseases including cirrhosis,as well as topics pertaining to basic in vitro or in vivo approaches in order to outline the essentials of this novel treatment modality.

Serum metabolome profiles characterized by patients with hepatocellular carcinoma associated with hepatitis B and C

AIM: To clarify the characteristics of metabolite profiles in virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients using serum metabolome analysis.METHODS: The serum levels of low-molecular-weight metabolites in 68 patients with HCC were quantified using capillary electrophoresis chromatography and mass spectrometry. Thirty and 38 of the patients suffered from hepatitis B virus-related HCC (HCC-B) and hepatitis C virus-related HCC (HCC-C), respectively.RESULTS: The main metabolites characteristic of HCC were those associated with glutathione metabolism, notably 13 γ-glutamyl peptides, which are by-products of glutathione induction. Two major profiles, i.e., concentration patterns, of metabolites were identified in HCC patients, and these were classified into two groups: an HCC-B group and an HCC-C group including some of the HCC-B cases. The receiver operating characteristic curve for the multiple logistic regression model discriminating HCC-B from HCC-C incorporating the concentrations of glutamic acid, methionine and γ-glutamyl-glycine-glycine showed a highly significant area under the curve value of 0.94 (95%CI: 0.89-1.0, P < 0.0001).CONCLUSION: The serum levels of γ-glutamyl peptides, as well as their concentration patterns, contribute to the development of potential biomarkers for virus-related HCC. The difference in metabolite profiles between HCC-B and HCC-C may reflect the respective metabolic reactions that underlie the different pathogeneses of these two types of HCC.