Hepatectomy During the Pandemic, a Curative Treatment in High-Grade and/or Hemodynamically Unstable Blunt Liver Trauma.

The liver is among the most affected organs in the case of abdominal trauma. In the last decades there have been significant changes in therapeutic protocols, non-operative management is now the first intention in most cases due to good results offered previously. In high-grade or hemodynamically unstable injuries, hepatectomy is the best approach, even though this was viewed with skepticism in the past, technical advances in medicine have proven otherwise. This article presents a case report of a 29-year-old man with blunt abdominal trauma, who initially underwent conservative atypical right hepatectomy without a favourable outcome, later he was transferred to a liver transplant center where he underwent a controlled right hepatectomy, all this in a new epidemiological context, the COVID-19 Pandemic. We want to present the hypothesis that in making a therapeutic decision, the hemodynamic status of the patient must be considered equally along with the injury degree. This case represents an opportunity to review the role of liver resection in the management of complex liver injuries.

Effect of the COVID­19 pandemic on the management and outcomes of patients with traumatic injuries (Review).

During the COVID-19 pandemic, ~10% of the global population was officially affected, resulting in diverse changes, ranging from shopping habits to stringent hospital protocols. This article sought to provide a concise summary of relevant data concerning the interplay between COVID-19 and trauma, encompassing the entire trajectory from presentation to hospital discharge. Throughout the pandemic, there was a noticeable reduction in trauma presentations, while the ranking of injury mechanisms remained largely unchanged. To ensure essential surgical support, protocols were adjusted accordingly. Although there were some less significant changes in injury severity score, hospital length of stay, intensive care unit stay and mortality, the overall patient outcomes appeared to improve. In conclusion, the COVID-19 pandemic led to a decline in trauma cases and an enhancement in patient outcomes. However, regrettably, certain mechanisms of injury saw an increase in frequency. To cope with the epidemiological context, management strategies were adapted, and unutilized resources were redirected to cater to the care of COVID-19 patients.

Uncovering the Impact of Lymphadenectomy in Advanced Gastric Cancer: A Comprehensive Review.

Gastric cancer is a significant health concern worldwide, and lymphadenectomy plays a crucial role in its treatment. However, there is ongoing debate regarding the optimal approach-D1 or D2 lymphadenectomy. This paper aims to synthesize the available evidence by conducting a comprehensive literature review and comparing the advantages and disadvantages of both techniques. The analysis includes studies, clinical trials, and systematic reviews that assess survival outcomes, morbidity, and quality of life. The selected studies revealed different outcomes associated with D1 and D2 lymphadenectomy, including lymph node harvest, disease control, recurrence rates, and overall survival. Postoperative complications also varied between the two techniques. These findings highlight the complex considerations involved in selecting the most suitable lymphadenectomy approach for individual patients. Therefore, the decision requires an individualized assessment that considers the potential benefits and risks of D1 and D2 techniques. A collaborative approach involving interdisciplinary teams is crucial for developing personalized treatment plans that optimize both oncological outcomes and postoperative quality of life.

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Outcomes in Acute Pancreatitis: A Propensity Score Matched Study Comparing before and during the Pandemic.

We aimed to evaluate the outcomes and survival of patients with acute pancreatitis who shared the same clinical form, age, and sex before the pandemic, during the pandemic, and among those with confirmed COVID-19 infection upon hospital admission. This consideration used the sparse data in the existing literature on the influence of the pandemic and COVID-19 infection on patients with acute pancreatitis. To accomplish this, we conducted a multicentric, retrospective case-control study using propensity score matching with a 2:1 match of 28 patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection and acute pancreatitis, with 56 patients with acute pancreatitis pre-pandemic, and 56 patients with acute pancreatitis during the pandemic. The study outcome demonstrated a six-fold relative risk of death in patients with acute pancreatitis and SARS-CoV-2 infection compared to those with acute pancreatitis before the pandemic. Furthermore, restrictive measures implemented during the pandemic period led to a partial delay in the care of patients with acute pancreatitis, which likely resulted in an impairment of their immune state. This, in certain circumstances, resulted in a restriction of surgical treatment indications, leading to a three-fold relative risk of death in patients with acute pancreatitis during the pandemic compared to those with acute pancreatitis before the pandemic.

Has COVID-19 Modified the Weight of Known Systemic Inflammation Indexes and the New Ones (MCVL and IIC) in the Assessment as Predictive Factors of Complications and Mortality in Acute Pancreatitis?

We aimed at evaluating the prognostic capacity of the inflammatory indices derived from routine complete blood cell counts in two groups of patients with acute pancreatitis from two different time periods, before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, when a high incidence of complications with surgical risk and mortality was found. Two new markers were introduced: the mean corpuscular volume to lymphocyte ratio (MCVL) and the cumulative inflammatory index (IIC), which were calculated at a baseline in the two groups of patients. Of the already established markers, none of them managed to effectively predict the complications with surgical risk and mortality, with a decrease of less than 50% in specificity in the peri-COVID group. The MCVL had the best prediction of complications with surgical risk in both the pre-COVID and peri-COVID groups, validated it as an independent factor by multivariate analysis. The IIC had the best prediction of mortality in both periods and was proven to be an independent factor by multivariate analysis. As the IIC predicted death best, we tested the occurrence of death and found that patients with PA who had an IIC > 12.12 presented a risk of death 4.08 times higher in the pre-COVID group and 3.33 times higher in the peri-COVID group. The new MCVL and IIC independent markers had a superior sensitivity and specificity in predicting surgical risk complications and, respectively, mortality in the group of patients with acute pancreatitis during the COVID-19 pandemic, which makes them widely applicable in populations with modified immune and inflammatory status. Conclusions: In patients with acute pancreatitis, MCVL has a significant predictive value regarding complications with surgical risk (abscess, necrosis, and pseudocyst), and the IIC has a significant predictive value for mortality.

Human Anthrax in Dolj County, Romania-A Series of Three Cases.

Bacillus anthracis is the causative agent of anthrax, primarily a disease of herbivorous animals, which can be accidentally transmitted to humans. Three cases of cutaneous human anthrax were recorded in August 2020 in Dolj county, Romania. These cases included livestock farmers (husband and wife, as well as a man from their entourage). The women presented malignant edema, which required surgery for compartment syndrome; and the men presented the common form of cutaneous anthrax. According to the laboratory investigation, two cases complied with the criteria in the case definition. All cases were successfully treated with antibiotics and the women received reconstructive plastic surgery of the skin defects, restoring normal hand function. The contact with sick animals was ruled out by the health authorities concluding that it was the contamination of pre-existing skin lesions with B. anthracis spores from the soil, the anthracogenic area.

Diagnostic difficulties in giant benign phyllodes tumor.

Phyllodes tumors (PTs) are rare tumors of the breast, which encompass both stromal and epithelial components. The maximum incidence is in the fourth decade of life. Most of these tumors are benign, but about one third can be malignant acting as sarcomas. Due to their rarity and atypical clinical behavior (especially for the giant ones), the management of these tumors is usually difficult. We report a case of a 24-year-old woman who presented in the Department of Oncology for rapid increase in volume of the left breast. She had no personal pathological or family history. Initial clinical exam showed a large irregular mass in the left breast of approximately 30 cm and palpable lymph nodes in the ipsilateral axilla. A core needle biopsy for the tumor was performed with histopathological (HP) result that revealed an aspect suggesting fibroadenoma/PT. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) scan identified lymph node enlargement in the left axilla and a peripheral nodule in the lung about 5.5/3.4 mm with no specific features. The patient was then transferred to the Department of Surgery, where left mastectomy and axillary lymph node sampling were performed. HP result of the surgical specimens confirmed the presence of both fibroadenoma and PT, with clear margins above 1 cm, but recommended immunohistochemistry (IHC) to clearly specify benign versus borderline type. Five lymph nodes out of six resected presented microscopic reactive changes. We performed a search of literature using the keywords "giant", "benign" and "phyllodes". The results were used to summarize and discuss some of the main features of this type of tumors as well as diagnostic and therapeutic difficulties.

Neutrophil/Lymphocyte Ratio as Predictor of Anastomotic Leak after Gastric Cancer Surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is known as a prognostic for the outcome of the patients with gastric cancer. As no definite risk marker for anastomotic leakage after gastric resection was identified, we investigated the possible role of NLR. METHODS: Peripheral blood count for neutrophils and lymphocytes was done at the patient's admission. We retrospectively evaluated 204 gastric cancer patients, who underwent gastric resection, comparing the values of NLR between the group of patients with anastomotic leakage and those without complications. RESULTS: Using the ROC curve, we found the cutoff value of NLR, which permitted the comparison of the group with low NLR, presenting increased NLR. The cutoff value for NLR was 3.54. Between the two groups, we could observe statistically significant differences in developing fistula (p < 0.01) and complications leading to death (p < 0.025). The odds ratio for patients with NLR greater than 3.54 to develop anastomotic leak was 17.62, compared to those with lower NLR. CONCLUSION: Peripheral blood NLR proved to be a predictor for anastomotic leakage.

New insights in the molecular pathways linking obesity, type 2 diabetes and cancer.

Steadily, cancer is becoming the first cause of mortality, with over 9 million deaths estimated in 2018. Increasing evidence supports a direct association between obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and cancer, with a higher risk of cancer mortality especially for some of the most common malignancies, such as breast, colon, and rectal cancers. So far, several mechanisms underlying the cancer-diabetes relationship have been investigated revealing dysregulations of the insulin-insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system as the most important paradigm. Other molecular mechanisms that seem to play a role in the association cancer-T2DM consist of alteration of the signaling pathways activated by inflammatory cytokines, adipocytokines or adhesion molecules. The overall aim of this review is to provide an overview of the molecular mechanisms linking obesity, T2DM and cancer, as related to the receptors and signaling pathways involved in these associations.

Severe upper gastrointestinal bleeding from gastrointestinal stromal tumor of the stomach.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) is a mesenchymal tumor originating from the Cajal interstitial cells, immunologically characterized by the c-kit gene. The evolution may be asymptomatic, discovered by chance during a necropsy, upper gastrointestinal endoscopy or due to complications of type-algic, occlusive or hemorrhage. We present the case of a voluminous gastric GIST complicated with serious upper gastrointestinal bleeding in a patient with multiple hard associated diseases, undergoing an emergency surgery in hemorrhagic shock. The surgery consisted in the resection of the upper polar esogastric, the pathological and immunohistochemistry tests confirming the diagnosis of GIST. The evolution was unfavorable at discharge after 45 days after surgery by an anastomotic fistula.

The assessment of matrix metalloproteinase-9 expression and angiogenesis in colorectal cancer.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most frequent types of cancer in the world. Between tumor cells and the stroma mutual interconnections are established that favors the tumor development and metastasis. In this respect, the extracellular matrix is remodeled so that it may become totally different from a morphologic perspective than the stroma of the organ in which the tumor develops. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) have an essential role in the remodeling of the tumor stroma. We assessed the expression of MMP-9 on a number of 31 stage III colorectal adenocarcinomas. Generally, MMP-9 had a high but inconstant expression in tumor cells. The highest expression was found in poorly and moderately differentiated carcinomas, with a lower expression in well-differentiated colorectal cancers. Occasionally, MMP-9 expression was identified also in peritumoral macrophages and in stromal cells. Metastasis-free lymph nodes had an intense positive reaction in both macrophages and lymphocytes. The intensely positive reaction was observed for the macrophages and lymphocytes in the tumor necrosis regions. The process of angiogenesis was generally correlated with the intensity of MMP-9 reaction.

Pitfalls in diagnosing a pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor: a case report.

Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors are a rare subset of pancreatic neoplasms. We report the case of a 33-year-old female patient who was admitted to the Diabetes Clinic of Craiova, Romania, due to a two-year history of episodic neuroglycopenic hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemic symptoms, suggestive for insulinoma associated with facial and upper trunk flushing characteristic to carcinoid syndrome. During these episodes, the laboratory investigations showed hypoglycemia (38 mg/dL), hyperinsulinemia (54.72 µU/mL) and normal values of beta-hydroxybutyrate, chromogranin A, serotonin, anti-insulin antibodies and urinary levels of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid. Endoscopic ultrasound with SonoVue and 3T MRI revealed an 18.3/16.3 mm hypervascular tissular mass situated in the uncinate process of the pancreatic head in close contact with the superior mesenteric vein without invasion and no other detectable secondary lesions in the pancreas or any other abdominal viscera. Patient underwent enucleation of pancreatic tumor. The histological and immunohistochemical findings indicated a functional well-differentiated pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor, G1 category according to the World Health Organization (WHO) criteria, with uncertain behavior (Ki67 index was 3%), confined to the pancreas, but with tumoral invasion of the delimiting conjunctive capsule. No evidence of tumoral CK19 staining, mitoses and necrosis, angioinvasion or extra-pancreatic invasion was observed. A post-operative nine-month follow-up showed resolution of hypoglycemic symptoms, normalized blood glucose and insulin levels and no evidence of recurrence. Our case report highlights the pitfalls in diagnosing a functional pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor due to atypical symptoms, the difficulty of identification and precise location of the small-size tumor and uncertain histopathological and immunohistochemical behavior.

Prenatal diagnosis and perinatal outcome in congenital diaphragmatic hernia. Single tertiary center report.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the perinatal results for fetuses and neonates with left-sided congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) and the role of the prenatal diagnosis in the pregnancy outcome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed data from fetuses and neonates with left-sided CDH, managed from January 2009 and December 2013 in the University Clinic Hospital, Craiova, Romania. The following data were analyzed: the gestational age at the time of diagnosis, fetal karyotyping, presence of associated structural malformations, ultrasound (US) data (circumference and area of right lung, lung-to-head ratio - LHR, observed/expected LHR, hepatic herniation), the type of antenatal care, the pregnancy outcome, the place of birth and the conventional autopsy data, if performed. Perinatal outcomes were obtained by reviewing hospital documents. RESULTS: Twenty-one cases were identified. No fetal surgery was performed in our series. Mean gestational age at time of diagnosis was 29 weeks of amenorrhea (WA) (range, 16-37 WA). Associated structural malformations were noticed in nine (42.8%) cases, in which three fetuses had a normal karyotype and two had chromosomal abnormalities, and four fetuses were not investigated. Isolated congenital diaphragmatic hernia was confirmed in 12 (57.1%) cases. All early second trimester diagnosed cases were terminated. The overall mortality rate was 61.9%. Rates of fetal deaths, early neonatal deaths, late neonatal deaths, and survival were 28.5%, 19%, 14.2%, and 38%, respectively. The perinatal mortality rate was 19% in cases with isolated congenital diaphragmatic hernia. CONCLUSIONS: The overall and perinatal mortality rate in congenital diaphragmatic hernia was still high in our series. Early perinatal deaths are associated with early diagnosis and with the presence of other structural defects. The prevalence of chromosomal abnormalities in perinatal death could not be determined from these data. In isolated congenital diaphragmatic hernia, mortality is related to the presence of herniated liver and severe pulmonary hypoplasia, this being well correlated with antenatal ultrasound parameters used for the estimation of fetal lung volumes. The antenatal diagnosis allowed better counseling of the parents, description of associations and improving the neonatal care.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors - a clinical-morphological study on 15 cases.

AIM: The authors present their experience in addressing the gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST). MATERIALS AND METHODS: 15 GISTs operated in the last five years (2008-2013) were analyzed. RESULTS: The preoperative diagnosis was difficult: established by clinical examination and CT in two cases; imagistic accidental discovery in four cases and revealed by evolving complications in nine cases (gastrointestinal bleeding in four cases and bowel obstruction in five cases). CT may be useful in the preliminary estimation of the tumor extent. Tumor location was: stomach four, duodenum one, small bowel seven, and colon three. Pathological examination set the main criteria for assessing the risk of recurrence and indication for adjuvant therapy: the tumor size, the histological type (spindle cell nine, epithelioid four, and mixed two) and the mitosis rate, while the immunohistochemistry examination established the correct diagnosis (positivity for CD117 and CD34) and criteria of aggressiveness (positivity for Ki67). All cases were operated, the surgical procedure being chosen according to the tumor location and stage. Adjuvant therapy with Imatinib 400 mg/day was performed in the 12 cases with high risk of recurrence. The therapeutic outcome was: a postoperative morbidity rate of 13.3%, four patients cured, one local recurrence under Imatinib therapy, a mortality rate of 6.6% and 10 patients in different phases of adjuvant therapy. CONCLUSIONS: GIST has been imposed over the last decade as the main type of non-epithelial tumor of the digestive tract. The preoperative imagistic investigations can be very useful for setting the surgical strategy. The improvement of the mitotic index and/or Ki67 labeling index (LI) determination could render more accurate the scales for prognostic assessment. The two steps algorithm - surgery + adjuvant therapy - still remains the only option to make this dangerous condition a curable one.

Ischemic colitis and large bowel infarction: a case report.

Ischemic bowel disease results from an acute or chronic drop in the blood supply to the bowel and may have various clinical presentations, such as intestinal angina, ischemic colitis or intestinal infarction. Elderly patients with systemic atherosclerosis who are symptomatic for the disease in two or more vascular beds have multiple comorbidities and are particularly at risk. The clinical evolution and outcome of this disease are difficult to predict because of its pleomorphic aspects and the general lack of statistical data. In this paper, we present the case of a patient who was monitored in our unit for six years. For this patient, we encountered iterative changes in the clinical pattern, beginning with chronic "intestinal angina" and finishing with signs of acute mesenteric ischemia after an episode of ischemic colitis. This evolution is particularly rare in clinical practice, and the case is instructive because it raises discussions about the natural history of the condition and the therapeutic decisions that should be made at every stage of the disease. An important lesson is that ischemic bowel disease should always be considered in patients who have multiple risk factors for atherosclerosis and have experienced recurrent "indistinct" abdominal symptoms. In these cases, aggressive investigation and therapeutic decisions must be taken whenever possible. Despite an absence of standardized protocols, angiographic evaluation and revascularization procedures have beneficial outcomes. Current advances in endovascular therapy, such as percutaneous transluminal angioplasty with stenting, should be increasingly used in patients with chronic mesenteric ischemia. Such therapy can avoid the risks that are associated with open repair. However, technical difficulties, especially in severe stenotic lesions, frequently occur.

Angiotensin-receptor blockers as therapy for mild-to-moderate hypertension-associated non-alcoholic steatohepatitis.

AIM: To evaluate insulin resistance, cytolysis and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) score (NAS) using the Kleiner and Brunt criteria in 54 patients with NASH and mild-to-moderate hypertension, treated with telmisartan vs valsartan for 20 mo. METHODS: All patients met the NCEP-ATP III criteria for metabolic syndrome. Histology confirmed steatohepatitis, defined as a NAS greater than five up to 3 wk prior inclusion, using the current criteria. Patients with viral hepatitis, chronic alcohol intake, drug abuse or other significant immune or metabolic hepatic pathology were excluded. Subjects were randomly assigned either to the valsartan (V) group (standard dose 80 mg o.d., n = 26), or to the telmisartan (T) group (standard dose 20 mg o.d., n = 28). Treatment had to be taken daily at the same hour with no concomitant medication or alcohol consumption allowed. Neither the patient nor the medical staff was aware of treatment group allocation. Paired liver biopsies obtained at inclusion (visit 1) and end of treatment (EOT) were assessed by a single blinded pathologist, not aware of patient or treatment group. Blood pressure, BMI, ALT, AST, HOMA-IR, plasma triglycerides (TG) and total cholesterol (TC) were evaluated at inclusion and every 4 mo until EOT (visit 6). RESULTS: At EOT we noticed a significant decrease in ALT levels vs inclusion in all patients and this decrease did not differ significantly in group T vs group V. HOMA-IR significantly decreased at EOT vs inclusion in all patients but in group T, the mean HOMA-IR decrease per month was higher than in group V. NAS significantly diminished at EOT in all patients with a higher decrease in group T vs group V. CONCLUSION: Angiotensin receptor blockers seem to be efficient in hypertension-associated NASH. Telmisartan showed a higher efficacy regarding insulin resistance and histology, perhaps because of its specific PPAR-gamma ligand effect.

Angiotensin receptor blockers in the treatment of NASH/NAFLD: could they be a first-class option?

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a condition pathogenically linked to metabolic syndrome (MS) by insulin resistance (IR), and characterized by hepatic steatosis in the absence of significant alcohol use, hepatotoxicity, and/or other known liver diseases.The principles of NAFLD therapy target IR: the key point of MS. As the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) plays a central role in IR, and subsequently in NAFLD and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), an attempt to block the deleterious effects of RAS overexpression seems a logical target. While many potential therapies tested in NASH target only the consequences of this condition, or try to "get rid" of excessive fat, angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) could act as an elegant tool for adequate correction of the various imbalances that act in harmony in NASH/NAFLD. Indeed, by inhibiting RAS we can improve the intracellular insulin signaling pathway, better control adipose tissue proliferation and adipokine production, and produce more balanced local and systemic levels of various cytokines. At the same time, by controlling the local RAS in the liver we might be able to prevent at least fibrosis and also slow down the vicious cycle that links steatosis to necroinflammation. By targeting the pancreatic effects of angiotensin we should be able to preserve an adequate insulin secretion and acquire a better metabolic balance.In our opinion there are two major advantages of ARBs that make them a possible therapeutic option for treating NASH and MS: their specific antihypertensive effect, and their impact on liver fibrosis. In light of this, and based on the current evidence (including existent human studies), we can speculate that some ARBs like telmisartan, candesartan, and losartan can be beneficial in treating NASH/NAFLD and its consequences, and further larger controlled clinical trials will bring consistent data into this field.

Intestinal pseudo-obstruction--a rare condition with heterogeneous etiology and unpredictable outcome. A case report.

Intestinal pseudo-obstruction (IPO), either acute or chronic, is a condition including features of intestinal ileus in the absence of mechanical obstruction. We present such a rare case of idiopathic IPO in a 53-year old male patient in whom recurrent episodes of pseudo-obstruction were successfully resolved by anticholinesterase agents, motilin agonists or colonic decompression. However, subsequently total colectomy was required. Huge colonic dilatation was identified intraoperatively, while histology evidenced a neuropathic variant of chronic intestinal pseudoobstruction. IPO is a condition in which conservative treatment usually fails. Total colectomy with ileoanal pouch was the solution in our patient.

Intestinal pseudo-obstruction: an uncommon condition with heterogeneous etiology and unpredictable outcome.

Intestinal pseudo-obstruction (IPO) either acute or chronic is a condition including features of intestinal ileus in absence of mechanical obstruction. Our paper presents such a rare case of idiopathic IPO in a 53-year-old male patient with recurrent episodes of pseudo-obstruction, which were successfully resolved by anticholinesterase agents, motilin agonists or colonic decompression. However, the patient finally underwent total colectomy. Huge colonic dilatation was identified intraoperatorily, while histology showed a neuropathic variant of chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction. Etiologic mechanisms and current therapeutic methods are reviewed in this paper, which concludes that IPO is a condition in which conservative treatment usually fails. Total colectomy with ileoanal pouch may be the only solution in these situations.

Therapeutic options in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Are all agents alike? Results of a preliminary study.

AIM: The evaluation of the efficacy of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), pentoxifylline, losartan, and atorvastatin in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) treatment. METHOD: 48 patients (25 males/23 females, aged 55 +/- 7.54 years) with histologically confirmed NASH were enrolled between 2001 and 2005. The batch was divided into four groups: A (10 dyslipidemic patients, receiving atorvastatin 10 mg/day), P (13 nonhypertensive/ nondyslipidemic patients receiving pentoxifylline 400 mg bid), L (12 hypertensive patients, treated with losartan, 50 mg/day) and U (13 nonhypertensive patients receiving UDCA 15 mg/kg/day). Mean duration of treatment was 37.8 +/- 5.4 weeks. Body mass index, liver biopsy and serum level of alanine-aminotransferase (ALT), gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), alkaline phosphatase (AP), total cholesterol (TC) and triglycerides (TG) were determined at inclusion and at the end of treatment. Liver biopsy samples were evaluated for necroinflammation, steatosis and fibrosis (Brunt's score). RESULTS: In group A, a significant reduction of ALT, GGT, TC and AP was noticed. Histology showed diminished steatosis, but no improvement of fibrosis and necroinflammation. In groups P and L we found a reduction of mean ALT and GGT levels and necroinflammatory score. Group U presented a significant reduction in ALT and GGT levels, without improvement in steatosis, necroinflammation or fibrosis. CONCLUSION: Atorvastatin and losartan proved to be efficient in the treatment of dyslipidemia- and hypertension-associated NASH, by improving both biochemical parameters and steatosis/ necroinflammation. Pentoxifylline showed similar efficacy in non-hypertensive/non-dyslipidemic patients, while UDCA did not improve the histological score although it improved the biochemical parameters.