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Which Roads Lead to NASH?
Which Roads Lead to NASH? The progressive liver disease nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is mediated by an innate immune response in the liver that causes tissue damage and fibrosis. The innate...
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Are Biopsies Safe for Patients with Advanced Liver Disease?
Liver biopsies are relatively safe and well tolerated among patients with advanced chronic hepatitis C, based on data from the HALT-C trial. Liver biopsy analysis provides information for diagnosis...
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As Incidence of HCV Infection Increases, a New Mouse Model to Study
The incidence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and its complications—hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and cirrhosis—are increasing, according to Fasiha Kanwal et al. Fortunately, a new mouse model...
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Can We Treat Chronic HCV Infection Without Interferon?
A potent combination of 2 drugs that directly target the hepatitis C virus (HCV) is effective in patients with chronic infection, and doesn’t require interferon therapy, according to an article in the...
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How Do Lipids Affect Liver Disease?
Changes in lipid intake or metabolism can affect development of liver injury and fibrosis, according to two studies in mice published in the January issue of Gastroenterology. The liver is an important...
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What Factors Predict Recovery From Chronic HBV Infection?
A low and rapidly decreasing level of Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) is a good sign for patients with chronic HBV infection, according to the March issue of Clinical Gastroenterology and...
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How Common is Portal Hypertension in Patients With NAFLD?
Patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are at risk for portal hypertension and esophageal varices, according to the September issue of Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology. The...
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Differences in HCV Infection, and Effects of Treatment, Among Countries
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections have developed and spread at different rates in different countries, affecting outcomes of therapy, according to the October issue of Gastroenterology. Specific...
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Can We Prevent Portal Vein Thrombosis in Patients With Cirrhosis?
The anti-clotting agent enoxaparin prevents portal vein thrombosis (PVT) in patients with cirrhosis, according to the November issue of Gastroenterology. PVT can lead to portal hypertension and reduce...
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Are Patients Receiving the Latest Anti-HCV Drugs?
Less than 20% of patients infected with the most common Hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype receive the latest drugs approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), according to the August issue of...
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How Does a High-Fat Diet Contribute to Pancreatic Cancer?
A high-fat diet can promote development of pancreatic cancer, but cyclooxygenase-2 (COX2) inhibitors prevent this process, according to a mouse study published in the December issue of...
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What is the Best Way to Care for Patients with Alcoholic Hepatitis?
Although alcohol-related liver disease is the 8th most common cause of mortality in the US and the 2nd leading cause of mortality among all gastrointestinal diseases, there are few therapeutic options...
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How Can We Tell if Patients are Still at Risk for HCC after HCV Therapy?
For patients with chronic Hepatitis C virus infection, high levels of α-fetoprotein after therapy can identify those at risk for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), researchers report in the July issue of...
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Podcast: How Does Fatty Liver Affect Risk for Cardiovascular Disease?
Modification of risk factors for cardiovascular disease—particularly dyslipidemia—is required to reduce morbidity and mortality in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). In a...
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What are the Roles for Chemokines in Liver Disease?
Sustained hepatic inflammation contributes to the progression of chronic liver diseases such as hepatitis C and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. In the September issue of Gastroenterology, Fabio Marra...
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Can Exercise Help Patients with Cirrhosis?
Eight weeks of aerobic exercise training increased peak oxygen uptake by muscle and muscle mass, and reduced fatigue, in patients with cirrhosis, researchers report in the November issue of Clinical...
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Probiotics for Cirrhosis?
A probiotic solution significantly reduced the risk of hospitalization for hepatic encephalopathy and markers of liver disease severity in patients with cirrhosis, researchers report in the December...
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Does FibroScan Accurately Assess Liver Fibrosis?
Vibration-controlled transient elastography (VCTE) with FibroScan can provide an accurate assessment of liver fibrosis in patients with chronic viral hepatitis, but operator-related and patient-related...
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Video: Efficacy of Obeticholic Acid in Patients With Primary Biliary Cirrhosis
Obeticholic acid significantly reduces biochemical features of primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) in patients with an inadequate response to ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) therapy, Gideon M. Hirschfield et...
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What is the Best Treatment for Severe Alcoholic Hepatitis?
Corticosteroids, alone or in combination with pentoxifylline or N-acetylcysteine (NAC), reduce short-term mortality in patients with severe alcoholic hepatitis, a meta-analysis shows in the October...
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