AIM: To clarify differences in antiviral effect of the drug in patients with different ALT levels, we examined the changes in HBV markers in patients with high or low ALT levels with or without lamivudine treatment. M...AIM: To clarify differences in antiviral effect of the drug in patients with different ALT levels, we examined the changes in HBV markers in patients with high or low ALT levels with or without lamivudine treatment. METHODS: Thirty-seven HBeAg-positive patients were studied. Ten patients with ALT levels higher than 200 IU/L (group 1) and 8 patients with ALT below 200 IU/L (group 2) were treated orally with 100 mg/d of lamivudine. As untreated control, 9 patients with ALT above 200 IU/L (group 3) and 10 patients with ALT below 200 IU/L (group 4) were examined. ALT level, HBeAg/HBeAb status, and HBV DNA level were examined monthly for 11.9±0.4 mo.RESULTS: The ALT level normalized in all 10 patients of group 1, 7/8 of group 2, 4/9 of group 3, and 1/10 of group 4 within 6 mo (groups 1 vs 2, P = NS; groups 1 vs 3, P = 0.002; groups 1vs 4, P＜0.0001). HBV DNA fell below the detection limit in all 10 patients of group 1, 7/8 of group 2, 0/9 of group 3, and 0/10 of group 4 within 6 mo (groups 1 vs 2, P = NS). HBeAg became seronegative in 7/10 patients of group 1, 1/8 of group 2, 3/9 of group 3, and 0/10 of group 4 within 12 mo (groups 1 vs2, P= 0.02;groups 1 vs 3, P = NS).CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that HBeAg-positive patients with higher ALT levels can be considered good candidates for lamivudine therapy, probably because lamivudine accelerates the natural seroconversion of HBeAg, accompanied by HBV DNA loss, in these patients.展开更多
The levels of plasma nitric oxide (NO), endothelin 1 (ET 1) and ALT in the patients with chronic hepatitis B and active cirrhosis and the correlation among them were observed and analyzed. NO 3 ˉ was restored by ...The levels of plasma nitric oxide (NO), endothelin 1 (ET 1) and ALT in the patients with chronic hepatitis B and active cirrhosis and the correlation among them were observed and analyzed. NO 3 ˉ was restored by using cadmium column assay and NO 2 ˉ measured by heavy nitrogen assay. The primitive NO 3 ˉ and total restored NO 2 ˉ(NO 3 ˉ/ NO 2 ˉ) in plasma of the patients with chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis. Plasma ET 1 and ALT levels were determined by using radioimmunological assay and Lai's assay, respectively. Compared with normal control group, the plasma levels of NO 2 ˉ/NO 3 ˉ and ET 1 in the patients with chronic active hepatitis and active cirrhosis were significantly increased ( P <0.05-0.01). There was a positive correlation between NO and ALT, and ET 1 and ALT in the patients with chronic active hepatitis and active cirrhosis respectively. It was suggested that elevation of both NO and ET 1 levels were closely related with injury severity of liver function.展开更多
Objective The clinical significance of differential distribution of hepatitis B virus(HBV)nucleocapsid antigen in hepatocytes remains unknown.The goal of this study is to determine the relationship between distinct HB...Objective The clinical significance of differential distribution of hepatitis B virus(HBV)nucleocapsid antigen in hepatocytes remains unknown.The goal of this study is to determine the relationship between distinct HBV core antigen distribution pattern and alanine transaminase(ALT),liver histological inflammatory activity grades,serum HBeAg status and HBV DNA level.Methods Total of 958 cases with chronic hepatitis B were recruited into this study.Liver function tests,serum HBV DNA level,serological HBV markers and liver immunohistochemistry were examined according to the conventional instructions.Chi Square tests were performed to analyze the differences among these groups.Results It was found that 552(58%)cases were tested positive for HBV core antigen by immunohistochemical staining.Cytoplasmic hepatitis B core antigen(HBcAg)expression correlated with ALT level and serum HBV DNA and liver inflammatory activity scores,however,nuclear HBcAg expression in hepatocytes was associated with normal ALT level,lower liver inflammatory activity score and higher serum HBV DNA level and rate of HBeAg positivity.Both nuclear and cytoplasmic HBcAg expression in hepatocytes associated with a middle ALT level and liver inflammatory activity score,higher rate of serum detectable HBeAg and a higher HBV DNA level.However,undetectable core antigen was related to a lower ALT level and histological inflammatory activity grade,lower positive HBeAg rate and HBV DNA level.Conclusions Undetectable liver HBcAg is associated with HBV clearance,ALT normalization and hepatitis B e antigen(HBeAg)seroconversion,and cytoplasmic HBcAg expression associated with higher hepatic inflammatory activity.However,nuclear HBcAg expression correlates with immune tolerance characterized with normal ALT and lower liver inflammatory activity,higher HBV replication level and higher rate of HBeAg positivity.展开更多
With the improved efficacy and accessibility of antiviral agents as well as the concerns about disease progression,there is a hot discussion on whether HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B(CHB)patients with normal alani...With the improved efficacy and accessibility of antiviral agents as well as the concerns about disease progression,there is a hot discussion on whether HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B(CHB)patients with normal alanine aminotransferase(ALT)and positive HBV DNA should be treated.According to the international guidelines on the stages of the natural history of HBV infection,HBeAgnegative CHB patients with normal ALT and positive HBV DNA can be divided into two groups:one is the well-known“inactive carrier phase”,which is defined as serum HBV DNA<2000 IU/ml and no significant liver inflammation;and the other is the“indeterminate phase”,which is defined as serum HBV DNA≥2000 IU/mL regardless of the pathological changes in liver tissue,or HBV DNA<2000 IU/mL but accompanied by significant pathological changes in the liver.In this minireview,we will expound the disease characteristics,disease progression,and clinical management status of these two groups.Based on the analysis,we propose that HBeAg-negative patients with normal ALT but detectable serum HBV DNA should be treated,regardless of their age,family history of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)or the severity of liver necroinflammation.Expanding the indications of antiviral therapy will help improve the survival and quality of life of patients by preventing disease progression,and consequently reduce the risk of HCC development.展开更多
AIM: To elucidate the relationship between the frequency of core mutations and the clinical activity of hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related liver disease and to characterize the amino acid changes in the core region of HB...AIM: To elucidate the relationship between the frequency of core mutations and the clinical activity of hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related liver disease and to characterize the amino acid changes in the core region of HBV.METHODS: We studied 17 Chinese patients with chronic hepatitis B according to their clinical courses and patterns of the entire core region of HBV.RESULTS: Amino acid changes often appeared in the HBV core region of the HBV gene in patients with high values of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) or with the seroconversion from HbeAg to anti-HBe. The HBV core region with amino acid changes had high frequency sites that corresponded to HLA Ⅰ/Ⅱ restricted recognition epitopes reported by some investigators.CONCLUSION: The core amino acid changes of this study occur due to influence of host immune system. The presence of mutations in the HBV core region seems to be important for predicting the clinical activity of hepatitis B in Chinese patients.展开更多
Chronic hepatitis B is one of the most common epidemic diseases in China and has become a majorhealth issue. To help standardize the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of chronic hepatitis B, the Guideline on preven...Chronic hepatitis B is one of the most common epidemic diseases in China and has become a majorhealth issue. To help standardize the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of chronic hepatitis B, the Guideline on prevention and treatment of chronic hepatitis B （abbr. Guideline） was created by a group of appropriate experts belonging to the Society of Hepatology and the Society of Infectious Disease, the Chinese Medical Association according to the principles of evidence-based medicine using the latest clinical research data. The evidence used to formulate the recommendation has been classified into 3 classes and 5 grades, which are indicated by Roman numerals in brackets.展开更多
文摘AIM: To clarify differences in antiviral effect of the drug in patients with different ALT levels, we examined the changes in HBV markers in patients with high or low ALT levels with or without lamivudine treatment. METHODS: Thirty-seven HBeAg-positive patients were studied. Ten patients with ALT levels higher than 200 IU/L (group 1) and 8 patients with ALT below 200 IU/L (group 2) were treated orally with 100 mg/d of lamivudine. As untreated control, 9 patients with ALT above 200 IU/L (group 3) and 10 patients with ALT below 200 IU/L (group 4) were examined. ALT level, HBeAg/HBeAb status, and HBV DNA level were examined monthly for 11.9±0.4 mo.RESULTS: The ALT level normalized in all 10 patients of group 1, 7/8 of group 2, 4/9 of group 3, and 1/10 of group 4 within 6 mo (groups 1 vs 2, P = NS; groups 1 vs 3, P = 0.002; groups 1vs 4, P＜0.0001). HBV DNA fell below the detection limit in all 10 patients of group 1, 7/8 of group 2, 0/9 of group 3, and 0/10 of group 4 within 6 mo (groups 1 vs 2, P = NS). HBeAg became seronegative in 7/10 patients of group 1, 1/8 of group 2, 3/9 of group 3, and 0/10 of group 4 within 12 mo (groups 1 vs2, P= 0.02;groups 1 vs 3, P = NS).CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that HBeAg-positive patients with higher ALT levels can be considered good candidates for lamivudine therapy, probably because lamivudine accelerates the natural seroconversion of HBeAg, accompanied by HBV DNA loss, in these patients.
文摘The levels of plasma nitric oxide (NO), endothelin 1 (ET 1) and ALT in the patients with chronic hepatitis B and active cirrhosis and the correlation among them were observed and analyzed. NO 3 ˉ was restored by using cadmium column assay and NO 2 ˉ measured by heavy nitrogen assay. The primitive NO 3 ˉ and total restored NO 2 ˉ(NO 3 ˉ/ NO 2 ˉ) in plasma of the patients with chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis. Plasma ET 1 and ALT levels were determined by using radioimmunological assay and Lai's assay, respectively. Compared with normal control group, the plasma levels of NO 2 ˉ/NO 3 ˉ and ET 1 in the patients with chronic active hepatitis and active cirrhosis were significantly increased ( P <0.05-0.01). There was a positive correlation between NO and ALT, and ET 1 and ALT in the patients with chronic active hepatitis and active cirrhosis respectively. It was suggested that elevation of both NO and ET 1 levels were closely related with injury severity of liver function.
文摘Objective The clinical significance of differential distribution of hepatitis B virus(HBV)nucleocapsid antigen in hepatocytes remains unknown.The goal of this study is to determine the relationship between distinct HBV core antigen distribution pattern and alanine transaminase(ALT),liver histological inflammatory activity grades,serum HBeAg status and HBV DNA level.Methods Total of 958 cases with chronic hepatitis B were recruited into this study.Liver function tests,serum HBV DNA level,serological HBV markers and liver immunohistochemistry were examined according to the conventional instructions.Chi Square tests were performed to analyze the differences among these groups.Results It was found that 552(58%)cases were tested positive for HBV core antigen by immunohistochemical staining.Cytoplasmic hepatitis B core antigen(HBcAg)expression correlated with ALT level and serum HBV DNA and liver inflammatory activity scores,however,nuclear HBcAg expression in hepatocytes was associated with normal ALT level,lower liver inflammatory activity score and higher serum HBV DNA level and rate of HBeAg positivity.Both nuclear and cytoplasmic HBcAg expression in hepatocytes associated with a middle ALT level and liver inflammatory activity score,higher rate of serum detectable HBeAg and a higher HBV DNA level.However,undetectable core antigen was related to a lower ALT level and histological inflammatory activity grade,lower positive HBeAg rate and HBV DNA level.Conclusions Undetectable liver HBcAg is associated with HBV clearance,ALT normalization and hepatitis B e antigen(HBeAg)seroconversion,and cytoplasmic HBcAg expression associated with higher hepatic inflammatory activity.However,nuclear HBcAg expression correlates with immune tolerance characterized with normal ALT and lower liver inflammatory activity,higher HBV replication level and higher rate of HBeAg positivity.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Fundation of China(Grant No.30972622)the Clinical Research Incubation Project of West China Hospital of Sichuan University(Grant No.2022HXFH013).
文摘With the improved efficacy and accessibility of antiviral agents as well as the concerns about disease progression,there is a hot discussion on whether HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B(CHB)patients with normal alanine aminotransferase(ALT)and positive HBV DNA should be treated.According to the international guidelines on the stages of the natural history of HBV infection,HBeAgnegative CHB patients with normal ALT and positive HBV DNA can be divided into two groups:one is the well-known“inactive carrier phase”,which is defined as serum HBV DNA<2000 IU/ml and no significant liver inflammation;and the other is the“indeterminate phase”,which is defined as serum HBV DNA≥2000 IU/mL regardless of the pathological changes in liver tissue,or HBV DNA<2000 IU/mL but accompanied by significant pathological changes in the liver.In this minireview,we will expound the disease characteristics,disease progression,and clinical management status of these two groups.Based on the analysis,we propose that HBeAg-negative patients with normal ALT but detectable serum HBV DNA should be treated,regardless of their age,family history of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)or the severity of liver necroinflammation.Expanding the indications of antiviral therapy will help improve the survival and quality of life of patients by preventing disease progression,and consequently reduce the risk of HCC development.
文摘AIM: To elucidate the relationship between the frequency of core mutations and the clinical activity of hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related liver disease and to characterize the amino acid changes in the core region of HBV.METHODS: We studied 17 Chinese patients with chronic hepatitis B according to their clinical courses and patterns of the entire core region of HBV.RESULTS: Amino acid changes often appeared in the HBV core region of the HBV gene in patients with high values of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) or with the seroconversion from HbeAg to anti-HBe. The HBV core region with amino acid changes had high frequency sites that corresponded to HLA Ⅰ/Ⅱ restricted recognition epitopes reported by some investigators.CONCLUSION: The core amino acid changes of this study occur due to influence of host immune system. The presence of mutations in the HBV core region seems to be important for predicting the clinical activity of hepatitis B in Chinese patients.
文摘Chronic hepatitis B is one of the most common epidemic diseases in China and has become a majorhealth issue. To help standardize the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of chronic hepatitis B, the Guideline on prevention and treatment of chronic hepatitis B （abbr. Guideline） was created by a group of appropriate experts belonging to the Society of Hepatology and the Society of Infectious Disease, the Chinese Medical Association according to the principles of evidence-based medicine using the latest clinical research data. The evidence used to formulate the recommendation has been classified into 3 classes and 5 grades, which are indicated by Roman numerals in brackets.
