The Degree of TGF-beta1 and alpha-SMA Expression in Liver Tissues with its Prognostic Value for the Therapeutic Efficacy of Interferon in Chronic Hepatitis B / 대한간학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of alpha-interferon (IFN) on liver histology as well as on activation of hepatic stellate cell ( HSC) and trans for ming growth fact or beta-1 (TGF beta-1) expression. We had also investigated the clinical usefulness of TGFbeta-1 and alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) expression in liver tissue for predicting a response to alpha-IFN therapy in chronic hepat it is B. METHODS: We studied the expression of TGFbeta-1 and alpha-SMA in liver biopsys pecimens from 51 chronic hepatitis B pat ients. Using immunohistochemical staining and a semiquant it ative scoring met hod, we also evaluated TGF-beta1 and alpha-SMA expression in liver stellate cells before and after alpha-IFN therapy in liver tissue from rebiopsys pecimen of the 12 chronic hepatitis B pat ients. Recombinant IFN alpha-2b (Intron A) in doses of 6 MU/ d was given to patients intramus cularly three times per week for 6 months (total doses , 432 MU). The patients were divided into two groups according to serum alanine aminotransferase levels as well as HBV- DNA and HBeAg s eroconversion stat e. Histological grading and staging scores were according to modified Histological Activity Index (HAI) grading systems of Ishak (1995). RESULTS: The index of portal inflammation and total scores of HAI grading significantly decreased in biopsies after alpha-IFN treatment, but the scores of fibrosis staging showed no significant change in biopsies after IFN treatment. A significant decrease in alpha-SMA expression, especially in periportal area, was found, but the change of TGFbeta-1 expression was not significant. The immunoreactivity of alpha-SMA was significantly lower in responders than in non-responders, whereas the diffference of immunoreactivity of TGF-beta1 between these two groups was not found. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that alpha-IFN therapy may reduce the necroinflammatory activity in liver tissues of chronic B viral hepatitis and that the degree of alpha-SMA expression before treatment may be employed as a pottent predicting indicator for the therapeutic efficacy of IFN-alpha.

Neuropsychiatric Complications Associated with Interferon Alfa Therapy for Chronic Viral Hepatitis / 대한내과학회지

Alfa-interferon(IFN) has become the major therapeutic modality for chronic viral hepatitis. The spectrum of side effects is one of the main drawbacks of this treatment. Alfa-INF is known to lead to neuropsychiatric sym ptoms. Neuropsychiatric toxicity, including cognitive dys function, irritability, personality changes and emotional instability cause interpersonal problems, discontinuation of work and domestic discord. Other more serious IFN- induced signs of neurotoxicity include delirium, depres sion and seizures. The psychiatric side effects fell into three categories: an organic personality syndrome charac terized by irritability, and short temper; an organic affective syndrome marked by extreme emotional lability, depression and tearfulness; and a delirium marked by clouding of consciousness, agitation, paranoia, and suicial potential. These complications are thought to be revers ible with dose reduction or cessation of therapy. There fore it is important that physicians, patients and their families are informed about the potential risk of the emotional and psychiatric disturbances that can occur during alfa-INF therapy. We report three patients who had neuropsychiatric complications during long-term interferon alfa therapy.

A Case of Hemochromatosis / 대한내과학회지

Idiopathic hemochromatosis is hereditary hemochromatosis without secondary cause. Hereditary hemochromatosis is a common disorder of iron metabolism with a prevalence of 1 case per 250-300 persons. Affected individuals absorb excessive amounts of dietary iron for a long time and tissue iron deposition results in skin discoloration, arthropathy, hepatic cirrhosis, heart cirrhosis, heart failure, diabetes mellitus and impotence. Early diagnosis and institution of phlebotomy treatment will prevent these manifestations and normalize life expectancy. We report a case of hemochromatosis in 65-year-old male of no transfusion and iron ingestion history who was anti-HCV(+), chronic alcoholic, hepatic iron index>2.24.

A Case of Lymphatic Metastasis to Ampulla of Vater from Gastric Adenocarcinoma / 대한내과학회지

Cancer of the stomach is responsible for approximately 650,000 deaths globally each year and is probably second only to lung cancer worldwide as an overall cause of cancer-related mortality. Similar to the situation with most adenocarcinomas of the gastointestinal tract, carcinomas of the stomach can spread by local extension to adjacent normal structures and can develop lymphatic, peritoneal, and distant metastases. The tumor cells, can also permeate diffusely into the lymphatic plexus of the bowel, more often at the level of the upper duodenum hut sometimes down into the distal ileum and the large bowel. We report a case of lymphatic metastasis of gastric adenocarcinoma to the ampulla of Vater with review of the literature.

A Case of Brunner's Gland Adenoma Treated by Endoscopic Polypectomy / 대한소화기내시경학회지

The Brunner's gland adenoma is characterized by a nodular proliferation of histologically normal Brunner's gland, accompanied by ducts and scattered stromal elements. First descrived by Salvioli in 1876, the tumor is relatively rare, with 119 cases reported by 1977, The most common benign tumor of the small bowel is the adenoma, 25% of which occur in the duodenum. They make up 30% to 50% of all hyperplastic polyps of the duodenum. Most frequently these tumors are discovered in patients in the fourth to sixed decades of life, though the age in reported caes ranges from l 1 days to 80 years. The benign tumors of the duodenum 30% to 50% contain elements of Brunner's gland and 10.6% of them are adenomas of Brunner's gland. We report a case of Brunner's gland adenoma treated by endoscopic polypectomy in 63 year-old woman, and reviewed the literatues of adenoma of the Brunne'r gland.

Time trends in acute pancreatitis / 대한내과학회지

No abstract available.

Long Term Efficacy of Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Since the introduction of Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy(PEG) into clinical practice by Ponsky in 1980, the endoscopic procedure for the placement of a gastrostomy feeding tube has been markedly developed in the world. In l986, PEG was first described in Korea, thereafter it is widely used in many Korean institutions. But until recently the clinical studies of the long term efficacy of PEG has almost not been reported. (continue...)