فهرست مطالب

Hepatitis Monthly
Volume:14 Issue: 8, Aug 2014

  • تاریخ انتشار: 1393/06/23
  • تعداد عناوین: 11
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  • Zixiang Zhu, Xiangle Zhang, Guoqing Wang, Haixue Zheng * Page 1
    Context: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, noncoding RNAs that play an important role in posttranscriptional gene regulation and function as negative gene regulators. They are an abundant class of RNA, each of which can control hundreds of gene targets and regulate diverse biological processes such as hematopoiesis, organogenesis, apoptosis and cell proliferation. Aberrant miRNA expression contributes to tumorigenesis and cancer progression..Evidence Acquisition: In this study we provided a summarized review of the most important new data available on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)-associated miRNAs. The data were collected through searching the related keywords and were categorized and summarized in different sections..
    Results
    Researchers have reported that miRNAs can repress the expression of important cancer-related genes and might be helpful in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. During the past two decades, numerous studies have shown that miRNAs play an essential role in inhibiting HCC via several different pathways. Deregulated miRNAs may contribute to carcinogenesis, indicating that miRNAs can act as tumor suppressors and oncogenes..
    Conclusions
    In this mini review, we highlight current findings and discuss recent work to determine the contribution of miRNA expression to the maintenance and growth of HCC, thereby providing a significant source of hope that miRNAs could serve as therapeutic targets..
    Keywords: Hepatocellular Carcinoma, MicroRNAs, Regulation, Therapeutic Targets
  • Lucia Brescini, Elena Orsetti, Rosaria Gesuita, Francesca Piraccini, Elisa Marchionni, Silvia Staffolani, Pamela Castelli, Davide Drenaggi, Francesco Barchiesi * Page 3
    Background
    Due to the high efficacy of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART), the number of patients living with HIV is increasing. Chronic HCV infection has become a leading cause of non-AIDS related morbidity and mortality in patients with HIV infection..
    Objectives
    The aim of this cross-sectional study was to identify factors associated with liver fibrosis (LF) in patients with HIV monoinfection and HIV-HCV coinfection..Patients and
    Methods
    We analyzed LF by transient elastometry ([TE], Fibroscan) in three groups of patients (HIV, HIV-HCV and HCV) followed at the Infectious Diseases Department of University of Ancona, Italy, between October 2009 and November 2012..
    Results
    In total, 354 adults including 98 HIV, 70 HIV-HCV and 186 HCV patients were studied. HIV-HCV patients had a longer duration of HIV (P < 0.006) and HCV (P < 0.001) infections. Additionally, they were receiving cART therapy for a longer period (P < 0.001); they had higher prevalence of lipodystrophy (P < 0.001) and higher HCV load (P = 0.004). LF was significantly more pronounced in HCV and HIV-HCV compared to HIV patients (P < 0.001). A total of 13.3%, 39.2% and 51.4% of HIV, HCV and HIV-HCV, respectively, showed a LF ≥ F2. Additionally, a severe LF (F = 4) was significantly more frequent among HIV-HCV compared to other groups. A longer exposure to didanosine, stavudine, lopinavir/ritonavir and fosamprenavir resulted in increased LF by univariate analysis (P ranging from < 0.001 to 0.007). By logistic regression analysis, the only variables significantly associated with increased LF were HCV coinfection, older age, and high AST values (P ranging from < 0.001 to 0.036)..
    Conclusions
    HCV coinfection, older age and AST were associated with LF in patients with HIV infection..
    Keywords: Coinfection, Liver Fibrosis, Transient Elastometry
  • Yin Mi, Ying Tang Gao, Xiao Lei Jiao, Hua Guo, Tong Liu, Li Jing, Wen Xia Shi, Zhi Du * Page 4
    Background
    Interleukin-28B (IL28B) single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs8099917 has been described to be associated with response to treatment with pegylated interferon and ribavirin (PEG-IFN/RBV) in patients with chronic hepatitis C from the North America, Europe, Asia countries like Japan and Taiwan. Whether this holds true for Chinese patients remains unknown..
    Objectives
    We aimed to study the effects of IL28B rs8099917 on antiviral therapy responses in Chinese patients with hepatitis C..Patients and
    Methods
    IL28B rs8099917 was genotyped in 263 patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and 244 healthy controls in Tianjin, China using TaqMan SNP genotyping method. The roles of rs8099917 and clinical characteristics in antiviral treatment were analyzed by logistic regression..
    Results
    Among 263 patients with chronic HCV infection, 223 had a TT genotype (84.8%). Frequencies of TG/GG genotypes in patients with hepatitis C were significantly different from those of healthy controls (15.2% vs. 9.0%; P = 0.033). Patients with HCV infection had a higher G allele frequency than healthy controls (7.8% vs. 4.7%; P = 0.044). Univariate analysis revealed no significant association between rs8099917 and sustained virological response (SVR) (P = 0.612). However, it was found that HCV genotypes 2a/3a, age, prothrombin time (PT), albumin (ALB) and cholesterol (CHO) were associated with SVR. In multivariate analysis, only ALB was significantly an independent predictor of SVR (OR = 1.223; 95%CI: 1.046−1.430; P = 0.011)..
    Conclusions
    In contrast with T, rs8099917 G is a susceptible allele to HCV in China. ALB can independently predict SVR. Rs8099917 may play a quiet role to predict treatment response of patients with hepatitis C who received PEG−IFN/RBV therapy in China..
    Keywords: China, Polymorphism, Hepatitis C, Interleukin, 28B, Therapy
  • Muhammad Sohail Afzal *, Najam Us Sahar Sadaf Zaidi, Jean Dubuisson, Yves Rouille Page 5
    Background
    Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) is a major causative agent for chronic liver disease worldwide. Hepatic steatosis is a frequent histological feature in patients with chronic HCV. Both host and viral factors are involved in steatosis development. It results from uncontrolled growth of cytoplasmic lipid droplets (LDs) in hepatocytes. LDs are intracellular organelles playing key role in the HCV life cycle. HCV core protein localizes at the LD surface and this localization is crucial for virion production..
    Objectives
    We explored in vitro interplay of core and LDs to investigate the role of core in steatosis..
    Materials And Methods
    Core expression vectors were transfected in Huh-7 cells. The effect of core protein on LDs content and distribution in the cells was monitored by confocal microscopy. Cells were treated with oleic acid to analyze the effect of increased intracellular LDs on core expression. Core protein expression was monitored by western blot analysis..
    Results
    Core expression altered the intracellular lipid metabolism, which resulted in a change in LDs morphology. Core LDs interaction was required for this effect since the mutation of two prolines (P138A, P143A), which impair LDs localization, had no impact on LDs morphology. Conversely, oleic acid induced intracellular LD content resulted in increased core expression..
    Conclusions
    Core-LDs interaction may be an underlying molecular mechanism to induce liver steatosis in patients with HCV infection. This interaction is also crucial for efficient viral replication and persistence in infected cells. Steatosis can also interfere with efficient standard interferon therapy treatment. Management of steatosis should be considered along with standard care for achieving higher sustained virological response (SVR) in patients receiving interferon regimen..
    Keywords: Hepatitis C Virus_Fatty Liver_Intracellular Lipids_Steatosis
  • Mohammad Saeid Rezaee Zavareh, Seyed Moayed Alavian *, Hamidreza Karimisari, Mostafa Shafiei, Seyd Yasser Saiedi Hosseini Page 6
    Background
    Occult hepatitis C virus infection (OCI) is recognized by finding hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA in hepatocytes without detectable anti-HCV antibodies and viral RNA in plasma. Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a chronic and generally progressive disease without exactly-identified etiology..
    Objectives
    This study aimed to determine the prevalence of OCI among patients with AIH and to evaluate the tests used to rule out HCV infection in diagnosing AIH..Patients and
    Methods
    Between July 2012 to February 2013, 35 Iranian patients with AIH who attended Tehran Hepatitis Center were investigated. For identifying OCI, detection of HCV RNA in both ultracentrifuged serum samples and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was used. Data analysis was performed using SPSS..
    Results
    Six males and 29 females with mean disease duration of 77.1 ± 39.5 month and mean age of 43.62 ± 12.67 years were investigated. All cases were negative for anti-HCV antibody and we could not find any HCV RNA in ultracentrifuged serum samples and PBMCs..
    Conclusions
    With our laboratory diagnostic method, it seems that there are no cases of OCI in patients with AIH. However, we recommend further studies with more samples and more precise laboratory method..
    Keywords: Prevalence_Hepatitis C virus_Autoimmune Hepatitis_Infection_Diagnosis_Clinical Laboratory Technique
  • Ozlem Altuntas Aydin *, Mucahit Yemisen, Hayat Kumbasar Karaosmanoglu, Fatma Sargin, Alper Gunduz, Bahadir Ceylan, Bilgul Mete, Nail Ozgunes, Dilek Yildiz Sevgi, Resat Ozaras, Fehmi Tabak Page 7
    Background
    Rate of coinfection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) varies in different countries. This may be attributable to common transmission routes as well as social, economic, and cultural factors..
    Objectives
    The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of HCV infection among HIV-positive patients in Istanbul, Turkey..Patients and
    Methods
    Since January 2006 to November 2013, 949 HIV-positive patients that were enrolled in this study by ACTHIV-IST (Action Against HIV in Istanbul) Study Group, which consists of five centers to follow up HIV-positive patients in Istanbul. Epidemiologic and clinical data were collected retrospectively from medical records and were transferred to an HIV database system..
    Results
    Among 949 patients, 84% were men and the mean age was 37.92 ± 11.54 years (range, 17-79). The most frequent route of transmission was heterosexual intercourse (48.8%), followed by men having sex with men (30.5%). Only nine patients (0.9%) had history of injection drug use (IDU). The prevalence of HIV/HCV coinfection was 0.9% (9:949). The IDU rate was 44.4% (4:9) in patients with HIV/HCV coinfection (three of them were not Turkish citizens), whereas this rate was only 0.6% (5:881) in patients with only HIV infection (P < 0.01). Genotypes 1b, 2a/2c, and 3 were determined in five, one, and two patients, respectively. Genotype could not be determined in one patient. History of residence in a foreign country (P < 0.01) and imprisonment (P < 0.01) were also considered as risk factors in terms of HIV/HCV coinfection..
    Conclusions
    Prevalence of HIV/HCV coinfection is considerably low in Turkey. The extremely rare prevalence of IDU might have a role in this low prevalence..
    Keywords: Human Immunodeficiency Virus_Hepatitis C Virus_Prevalence_Turkey
  • Zhili Wen *, Haiming Zhang, Meiying Zhang, Deming Tan, Qinghua Li, Hua Zhang, Ping Wu, Le Deng Page 8
    Background
    Hepatitis B is a common infectious disease in China. Many studies have shown that the genotype of hepatitis B virus (HBV) is probably associated with the efficacy of some antiviral drugs such as interferon α (IFN-α) and Lamivudine (LAM). However, the association between HBV genotype and adefovir dipivoxil (ADV) is controversial. ADV is the most popular antiviral drug in China due to its low price, good antiviral efficacy, few side effects, and convenient of administration..
    Objectives
    This study focused on the effect of HBV genotypes on antiviral efficacy of ADV in patients with chronic hepatitis B infection (CHB)..Patients and
    Methods
    A total of 526 HBeAg-positive patients with CHB were randomly allocated into two groups. One group took ADV and another group took placebo. Nested Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) with multiple pairs of genotype-specific primers (nPCR-MPP) was used to analyze genotypes of HBV in these patients. Antiviral efficacy after treatment for three, six, 12 months was compared among the patients with different HBV genotypes..
    Results
    Genotype B (73.6%) and genotype C (26.4%) were detected in these patients. After treatment for 12 months, the rate of HBV DNA seroclearance, ALT normalization, and HBeAg seroconversion were significantly higher in ADV group than in placebo group (P < 0.05). However, there were no significant differences in these three rates between patients infected with genotype B and C (P > 0.05)..
    Conclusions
    HBV genotypes B and C have no significant difference in virologic, biochemical, and immunologic response to ADV..
    Keywords: Hepatitis B virus_Genotype_Adefovir Dipivoxil
  • Hossein Keyvani, Masoudreza Sohrabi, Farhad Zamani *, Hossein Poustchi, Hossein Ashrafi, Fatemeh Saeedian, Mansooreh Mooadi, Nima Motamed, Hossein Ajdarkosh, Mahmoodreza Khonsari, Gholamreza Hemmasi, Mitra Ameli, Ali Kabir, Mahmoud Khodadost Page 9
    Background
    Viral hepatitis is a major health problem worldwide. Change in transmission patterns of hepatitis B makes it necessary to re-evaluate its prevalence and risk factors..
    Objectives
    We aimed to determine the prevalence of HBV infection and its related risk factors in Amol city, Northern Iran..Patients and
    Methods
    As a population based study, a cluster sampling approach was used and 6146 individuals from the general population of urban and rural areas of Amol, Iran, from both genders and different ages were enrolled. Inclusion criteria were willingness to participate in the study, being a lifelong resident in Amol city or its surrounding areas with Iranian nationality. Ten milliliters (10 mL) of blood was taken from each study subject and checked regarding hepatitis B markers including HbsAg, HBsAb and HBcAb using a third generation ELISA. The prevalence of HBV infections and its potential risk factors were recorded..
    Results
    The prevalence of HBsAg, HBsAb and HBcAb were estimated as 0.9%, 30.7% and 10.5%, respectively. The mean age of all participants was 43.9 (95% CI: 43.4, 44.3) in females and 55.6 in (n = 3472) males. In our study, there was a significant association between family history of hepatitis, rural residency and presence of HBsAg. There was also a positive correlation between HBcAb and family history of hepatitis, history of other types of hepatic diseases, history of tattooing, traditional phlebotomy, male gender and age. In backward logistic regression, a significant association was found between history of hepatitis in first-degree family members (OR = 13.35; 95% CI: 6.26, 28.47) and place of residence (OR = 2.32; 95% CI: 1.27, 4.22) with presence of HBsAg. There was also a positive correlation between history of hepatitis among first-degree family members (OR = 2.49; 95% CI: 1.52, 4.08), history of tattooing (OR = 2.13; 95% CI: 1.33, 3.42), history of previous hepatitis (OR = 1.87; 95% CI: 1.06, 3.28), male sex (OR = 1.36; 95% CI: 1.12, 1.66) and age (OR = 1.03; 95% CI: 1.03, 1.04) with presence of HBcAb..
    Conclusions
    The prevalence of hepatitis B in Amol City and its surrounding areas was about one percent, a lower rate than other reports from Iran..
    Keywords: Hepatitis B Virus_Infection_HBsAg_Prevalence_Epidemiology
  • Jin Tong, Jinjun Guo, Jun Hu, Sihui Hou, Yu Zhang, Qingling Li * Page 10
    Background
    A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of patatin-like phospholipase domain-containing 3 (PNPLA3) genes (rs738409) is associated with the severity of fibrosis and cirrhosis in patients with fatty liver disease. However, in a small group of Italian patients, there was no significant correlation between the rs738409 SNP and hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection-associated liver cirrhosis..
    Objectives
    This study aimed to investigate whether PNPLA3 polymorphisms are a risk factor for liver cirrhosis in a Chinese Han population with chronic hepatitis B (CHB)..Patients and
    Methods
    The study population consisted of 344 Chinese Han patients with CHB, among which 203 presented with liver cirrhosis (LC group) and 141 had no sign of liver cirrhosis (CHB group). TaqMan genotyping assay was used to investigate the association of two PNPLA3 SNPs (rs738409 and rs2281135) with the risk of liver cirrhosis..
    Results
    The allele and genotype distributions of PNPLA3 rs738409 and rs2281135 were not significantly different between the CHB and LC groups. After segregation on the basis of sex, no significant correlation between PNPLA3 (rs738409 and rs2281135) genotypes/alleles and liver cirrhosis was detected. Moreover, none of the haplotypes in PNPLA3 (rs738409 and rs2281135) was found to be statistically different between the two groups..
    Conclusions
    Our results showed no association between PNPLA3 polymorphisms (rs738409 and rs2281135) and the susceptibility to HBV-related liver cirrhosis in a Chinese Han population..
    Keywords: Hepatitis B, Chronic, Liver Cirrhosis, Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms
  • Zhangyong Hu *, Jun Yang, Guolian Xiong, Han Shi, Yuan Yuan, Lin Fan, Yali Wang Page 11
    Background
    Previous studies have shown that genetic variants in HLA-DP genes affect disease progression in hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection..
    Objectives
    We aimed to evaluate possible association between HLA-DPB1 rs9277534 polymorphism and different clinical complications of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection..
    Materials And Methods
    Snapshot assay was used to investigate the association of rs9277534 polymorphism in 342 patients with persistent HBV infection and 342 age- and gender-matched HBV spontaneous clearance controls. Patients were categorized into asymptomatic HBV carriers (AsC, n = 104), chronic hepatitis B (CHB, n = 116), and liver cirrhosis (LC, n = 122) subgroups..
    Results
    There was a significantly higher proportion of the rs9277534 minor allele A in HBV spontaneous clearance control than that in HBV persistent infection group (OR = 0.58, 95%CI = 0.46-0.73, P < 0.0001). Genotypic analysis showed that GA and AA genotypes were associated with HBV spontaneous clearance (GA: OR = 0.56, 95%CI = 0.40-0.79, P = 0.019; AA: OR = 0.24, 95%CI = 0.14-0.44, P < 0.0001). A significant difference was found between AsC and LC groups in the distribution of AA genotype (OR = 9.32, 95%CI = 1.293-67.14, P = 0.027)..
    Conclusions
    Variant at rs9277534 could affect both the spontaneous clearance of HBV infection and progression from asymptomatic HBV carriers to HBV-related liver cirrhosis in Southwest Han Chinese population..
    Keywords: Hepatitis B virus_Single Nucleotide Polymorphism_Human_Leukocyte_Antigen