Asymmetrical Dimethylarginine Levels in Hepatitis B Virus-Positive Patients

BACKGROUND: High asymmetrical dimethylarginine (ADMA) levels have been associated with endothelial dysfunction and contribute to the development of several diseases. However, data on the relationship between hepatitis B virus (HBV) and ADMA are limited. The aim of our study was to explore the relationship between ADMA and HBV by comparing the ADMA levels in patients with chronic active hepatitis B (CHB), inactive HBV carriers (carriers), and healthy volunteers (controls). METHODS: The participants were divided into three groups: 90 patients with CHB, 90 HBV carriers, and 90 controls. Serum ADMA levels were quantified using an ELISA kit (Cusabio, Wuhan, China). The data were analyzed using an ANOVA or the Kruskal-Wallis test as appropriate, with P<0.05 considered significant. RESULTS: Serum ADMA levels were significantly higher in patients with CHB (228.35±91.10 ng/mL) than in HBV carriers (207.80±75.80 ng/mL) and controls (207.61±89.10 ng/mL) (P=0.049). The clinical scores of the patients were positively correlated with ADMA levels. CONCLUSIONS: The elevated serum ADMA levels in patients with CHB confirm that HBV plays a role in vasculitis. Further investigation of the mechanisms contributing to the high levels of ADMA in CHB may contribute toward development of new treatment modalities.

The Comparison of Adverse Effect and Short-term Effect of Different Dosage of Recombinant Interferon Alpha-2b Treatment in Patients with Chronic Active Hepatitis Type B / 대한간학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The efficacy and adverse effects of two different dosages of recombinant a2b interferon were studied in 45 patients with chronic active hepatitis B from March 1991 to December 1996. METHODS: The 19 patients received in a dose of 3MU thrice weekly for 16 weeks, the 14 patients received in a dose of 5MU thrice weeldy for 16 weeks and the 12 patients received conservative management. We evaluated serologic examination and adverse effects. Results 1) The rate of improvement in aminotransferase was significantly higher in interferon treated group (75.0%) compared to control group (16.7%) and it tended to be higher in 5MU group (85.6%) than 3MU group (68.4%) but, the latter had no statistical signifcance (P=0.27). 2) The disappearance rate of HBV-DNA was significantly higher in interferon treated group (72.7%) compared to control group (0%) and it tend to be higher in 3MU group (78.5%) than 5MU group (62.5%) but, the latter had no stastical significance (P=037). 3) The loss rate of HBeAg was significantly higher in interferon treated group (50.0%) compared to control group (O%) and it tend to be higher in 5MU group (66.7%) than 3MU group (37.5%) but, the latter had no stastical significance(P=0.13). 4) Fever (75.8%), leukopenia (41.2%), headache (30.3%), myalgia (18.2%), thrombocytopenia (17.6%), anorexia (11.8%) were noted and fever was significantly higher in 5MU group compared to 3MU group (P=0.02). Conclusion The effective improvement of liver function test and disappearance rate of HBeAg tended to be higher in 5MU group than 3MU group, but it was not stastistically significant. Fever was significantly higher in 5MU group compared to 3MU group.

Effect of polyadenylic.polyuridylic acid on cellular responses of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with chronic active hepatitis B

We have investigated in vitro proliferative responses of peripheral blood mononuclear cells and productions of interferon-gamma and soluble interleukin-2 receptors by these cells from 6 patients with chronic active hepatitis B immediately before and 24 hours after a single intravenous injection of 100 mg of polyadenylic.polyuridylic acid. Cell proliferations were assessed by the technique of tritiated-thymidine incorporation and productions of interferon-gamma and soluble interleukin-2 receptors were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The administration of polyadenylic.polyuridylic acid to the patients has resulted in significant increases of in vitro proliferations of their peripheral blood mononuclear cells as well as productions of interferon-gamma by these cells. However, in vitro productions of soluble interleukin-2 receptors were not changed significantly. These results suggest that the enhanced cellular responses by polyadenylic.polyuridylic acid might be due to the increased sensitivity rather than the increased expression of cellular interleukin-2 receptor.

The effects of prolonged treatment in children with chronic hepatitis B with combination of alpha-interferon and acyclovir

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of prolonged treatment in children with chronic hepatitis B with combination of alpha-interferon and acyclovir. The study population consisted of 7 patients with chronic hepatitis B who showed histological findings compatible with chronic active hepatitis (4 cases) or chronic persistent hepatitis (3 cases) on liver biopsy and had elevated AST and ALT with positive HBsAg, HBeAg and HBV-DNA for more than 6 months. Recombinant interferon-alpha-2 was given in a dose of 3 million IU/m2 daily for 3 months with acyclovir in a dose of 15mg/Kg of body weight every 12 hours for 7 days of each month for 3 months. Then, the same dose of interferon was given thrice a week for 9 more months. One patient who had vertically transmitted hepatitis B from her mother had received only 6 months of treatment in total as she did not show any effect after 6 months of treatment. Among 6 patients who had positive HBV-DNA on entry to the study, 4 patients (66.7%) showed conversion of HBV-DNA to negative. HBeAg was converted to negative in 3 patients (42.9%). AST and ALT became normal in 6 cases but HBsAg remained positive in all cases. prolonged treatment in children with chronic hepatitis B with combination of alpha interferon and acyclovir seems to be beneficial but the proper dosage and duration of therapy need to be determined with further and controlled study.