Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: EC:2.3.1.109 (AST)
 6,066 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

A novel, simple, clinically useful quantitative liver function test, called the galactose single point (GSP) method, was developed by measurement of galactose blood concentration 1 h after galactose was administered (0.5 g/kg). It was quickly infused intravenously in 55 normal healthy volunteers, 73 patients with chronic hepatitis (CH), 36 with cirrhosis and 41 with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Patients with CH diagnosis were assessed by liver biopsy. Cirrhosis was diagnosed by histological examination or a chronic hepatitis history with esophageal varices or ascites, whereas HCC was diagnosed either histologically, or cytologically proved, or as implied in the 'one imagine study' being positive with AFP > 300 ng/dl. Highly significant galactose blood levels were observed between normal healthy volunteers and patients 50, 60 and 70 min after galactose was administered. Galactose elimination capacity (GEC), modified GEC (MGEC) and consecutive GSP tests were performed in 6 healthy volunteers for 2 days. 0.64-16.87% variation was observed for each subject. The significant differences (p < 0.001) in average GSP values were 247 +/- 18.1, 422 +/- 27.3, 629 +/- 42.8 and 579 +/- 43.6 micrograms/ml for normal healthy volunteers, CH, cirrhosis and HCC patients, respectively. Highly significant correlations (p < 0.001) were obtained among GSP, GEC and MGEC for all patients. Positive correlations were observed between GSP, GEC, MGEC and AST (serum aspartate aminotransferase), ALT (serum alanine aminotransferase), serum bilirubin, albumin, prothrombin time and r-globulin. According to results obtained from 202 normal healthy volunteers and patients, the GSP method may be a simple, clinically useful quantitative measurement of liver function for the determination of a patient's residual liver function, the prognosis of liver function for patients with cirrhosis, postoperational follow-up and, finally, the timing of a liver transplant.
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PMID:Assessment of liver function using a novel galactose single point method. 133 11

Increased AFP levels in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma are mainly related to tumor size and in a lesser degree, to AST levels. Abnormal and/or diagnostic AFP levels will be observed in a reduced proportion of patients with small HCC (less than 5 cm). Therefore, AFP measurement is of little value in the early detection of HCC.
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PMID:Alpha-fetoprotein in the early diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma. 248 Apr 20

All cases of liver tumor referred to the King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre in Saudi Arabia during 2.5 years were reviewed. Hepatocellular carcinoma, 104 cases, was considerably more common than metastatic carcinoma with unknown primary, 15 cases. Lymphoma presenting as liver tumor occurred in three cases and there were no cases of cholangiocarcinoma. There were only two cases of benign tumor, both hemangioma. Hepatocellular carcinoma was characterized by a male predominance of 6:1, positive hepatitis B surface antigen in 60%, presentation with an enlarged, hard liver in over 90%, a systolic-diastolic bruit over the mass in 45%, a single highly echogenic lesion in the right lobe on ultrasound in 80%, and rapid progression. The serum AST (aspartate aminotransferase, serumglutamic oxalacetic transaminase [SGOT]) was abnormal in 97% and was higher than the alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in 93% of cases compared with 17% in 100 consecutive cases of chronic active hepatitis. Sixty-six percent of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma had serum AFP greater than 200 ng/ml. Excluding five cases of germ cell tumor (none involving the liver), and pregnant patients, serum AFP was less than 200 ng/ml in all other patients in whom it was measured between 1979 and 1981. A practical approach to the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma is outlined. Biopsy does not appear to be indicated in many cases of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma.
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PMID:Hepatic tumors in Saudi Arabia. A practical approach to diagnosis. 257 17

Serum AFP levels were estimated by radioimmunoassay (RIA) at the first and the last but one day of hospitalization of 25 patients with acute viral hepatitis of type A. The observed group consisted of 11 women and 9 men. A significant increase in the serum AFP levels was found in the group of patients on the first day of hospitalization. Besides, a rise in the aminotransferases (ALT and AST) activity and in the serum total bilirubin level were observed. On the last but one day of hospitalization the mean value of serum AFP level and the activity of the investigated enzymes were diminished. Mean value of serum AFP level the and activity of aminotransferases were higher in patients than those in the control group. Only serum total bilirubin level was similar to the mean value of control group.
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PMID:[Alpha-fetoprotein in acute viral hepatitis type A]. 768 2

An N-(2-hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide (HPMA) copolymer carrier containing doxorubicin and human immunoglobulin as an actively/passively targeting moiety was used in four patients with generalized breast cancer resistant to standard cytotoxic chemotherapy. The dose and time schedule were deduced from a Phase I clinical trial in which doxorubicin bound to HPMA copolymer carrier (PK1) was tested. It was confirmed that the Dox-HPMA-HuIg conjugate is stable and doxorubicin remains in the peripheral blood with a small amount also in the urine, mostly in its polymer-bound form. More than 116 biochemical, immunological and hematological parameters were determined for blood samples taken from patients 24 h, 48 h, 72 h and 1 to 11 weeks after treatment. Depending on the patient, some parameters decreased permanently or temporarily to the normal level (CRP, C3, CA 72-4, beta(2)-microglobulin, ferritin, CEA, CA 125, CD4, CD8, CE19, CD16(+)56(+), leu, ery) and some moved markedly towards physiological values (AST, ALT, ALP, GMT, CA 15-3, NSE, AFP). While the number of peripheral blood reticulocytes was significantly decreased after treatment with the classical free drug, their number was not affected or was even elevated after treatment with Dox-HPMA-HuIg. Increased absolute numbers of CD16(+)56(+) and CD4(+) cells in the peripheral blood and activation of NK and LAK cells in all patients support data obtained in experimental animals, pointing to a dual, i.e. cytostatic and immunomobilizing character of Dox-HPMA conjugates containing a targeting immunoglobulin moiety.
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PMID:Cytostatic and immunomobilizing activities of polymer-bound drugs: experimental and first clinical data. 1293 33

Since there has been no report on histologic subtypes of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and its significance in the Thai population, the present study was conducted to elucidate the situation through appraisal of histologic and laboratory records. A total of 180 archived microscopic slides of HCC in Sonklanagarind Hospital from 1991 to 1998 were of good enough quality with sufficient tissue to be reviewed. The reclassified histologic subtypes were correlated with microscopic features and laboratory data. Of the 180 cases, 147 were males and hepatitis B was the main etiologic factor. The histologic subtypes of HCC were trabecular 63.3%, compact 15.6%, scirrhous 7.8%, pseudoglandular 5%, and fibrolamellar 0.6%. There was no correlation between histologic subtypes and morphological findings, as well as HBV, HCV, and cirrhotic status. A correlation between AFP levels and the AST/ALT ratio was evident.
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PMID:Histologic subtypes of hepatocellular carcinoma in the southern Thai population. 1472 87

Hepatitis C is a major public health problem. General screening is not advisable and should be limited to risk groups. The gold standard for the assessment of disease severity is liver biopsy. AST and ALT do not correlate with histology. Serum HCV RNA by qualitative assay and HCV genotype should be determined prior to therapy. Response to antiviral therapy should be assessed by testing AST, ALT and qualitative HCV RNA. Repeat liver biopsy is not necessary. The incidence of HCC related to HCV infection is rising. Early detection by a cost effective screening program is essential. In patients with liver cirrhosis caused by hepatitis C, alpha fetoprotein and liver sonography should be done every 6 months. Upper GI endoscopy is recommended every 1-4 years in cirrhotic patients. Over 350 000 000 people are infected with HBV worldwide, and chronic HBV infection is the leading cause of liver cancer and tenth leading cause of death. HBs Ag, HBeAg and HBV DNA positive patients should be monitored for 6 months before treatment. Patients treated with antiviral therapy should be tested for HBAg, HBeAg and HBV DNA at the end of treatment and every 6 months thereafter to assess virologic response. Monitoring of serum HBV DNA is done by PCR. Patients treated with lamivudine should be tested for YMDD mutation. Ultrasound and AFP monitoring are recommended for detection of HCC, but results are not always reliable. Approximately 40% -70% of HIV infected patients have coinfection with HCV, HBV and HDV. HIV/HCV coinfected patients have an increased risk of progressive liver disease and should be treated accordingly.
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PMID:[Monitoring patients with chronic hepatitis during and after therapy]. 1638 Dec 36

Percutaneous approaches, such as percutaneous ethanol injection and radiofrequency ablation, have been most widely used for hepatocellular carcinoma patients who were not eligible for surgery. New technologies to improve the efficacy are currently needed. (166)Holmium is a neutron activated radionuclide, and has several beneficial radiophysical characteristics for internal radiation therapy. (166)Holmium-Chitosan complex, in which chitosan is chelated with (166)Holmium, was developed as a radiopharmaceutical for cancer therapy. We have conducted a pilot study to evaluate the clinical efficacy of transarterial administration of (166)Holmium-Chitosan complex in patients with a single and small (< 3 cm) hepatocellular carcinoma. (166)Holmium-Chitosan complex, at a dose of 20 mCi per cm of tumor mass-diameter, was administered through the artery that directly fed the tumor. Twelve patients were treated with a median follow-up duration of 26 (range: 12-61) months. The tumor diameter ranged between 1.5 and 2.5 cm. Ten patients (83%) had complete response and two (17%) had partial response. The median complete response duration was not reached. The median AFP level declined from 83.8 to 8.3 ng/mL within 2 months after treatment. No grade III/IV toxicity was observed. Grade I and II toxicities were observed in four patients (2 abdominal pain, 1 fever, and 1 AST/ALT elevation). No toxic death occurred. This preliminary study shows a promising and durable complete response rate with an acceptable safety profile. Further studies with greater accrual of patients are warranted.
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PMID:A pilot study of trans-arterial injection of 166Holmium-Chitosan complex for treatment of small hepatocellular carcinoma. 1638 56

Neonatal intrahepatic cholestasis caused by citrin deficiency (NICCD) is a kind of inborn errors of metabolism, with the main clinic manifestations of jaundice, hepatomegaly, and abnormal liver function indices. As a mitochondrial solute carrier protein, citrin plays important roles in aerobic glycolysis, gluconeogenesis, urea cycle, and protein and nucleotide syntheses. Therefore citrin deficiency causes various and complicated metabolic disturbances, such as hypoglycemia, hyperlactic acidemia, hyperammonemia, hypoproteinemia, hyperlipidemia, and galactosemia. This paper reported a case of NICCD confirmed by mutation analysis of SLC25A13, the gene encoding citrin. The baby (male, 6 months old) was referred to the First Affiliated Hospital with the complaint of jaundice of the skin and sclera, which it had suffered from for nearly 6 months. Physical examination showed obvious jaundice and a palpable liver 5 cm below the right subcostal margin. Liver function tests revealed elevated enzymatic activities, like GGT, ALP, AST, and ALT, together with increased levels of TBA, bilirubin (especially conjugated bilirubin), and decreased levels of total protein/albumin and fibrinogen. Blood levels of ammonia, lactate, cholesterol, and triglyceride were also increased, and in particular, the serum AFP level reached 319,225.70 microg/L, a extremely elevated value that has rarely been found in practice before. Tandem mass analysis of a dried blood sample revealed increased levels of free fatty acids and tyrosine, methionine, citrulline, and threonine as well. UP-GC-MS analysis of the urine sample showed elevated galactose and galactitol. The baby was thus diagnosed with suspected NICCD based on the findings. It was then treated with oral arginine and multiple vitamins (including fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K), and was fed with lactose-free and medium-chain fatty acids enriched formula instead of breast feeding. After half a month of treatment, the jaundice disappeared, and the laboratory findings, including liver function indices, blood levels of ammonia, lactate and AFP, were returned to normal level. The baby was followed up for 6 months. It developed well, and the abnormal laboratory findings, including MS-MS and UP-GC-MS analysis results, have been corrected, except a slightly elevated lactate level sometimes. SLC25A13 gene mutation analysis for the patient revealed a compound heterozygote of mutation 851del4 and 1638ins23 and therefore NICCD was definitely diagnosed.
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PMID:[A difficult and complicated case study: neonatal intrahepatic cholestasis caused by citrin deficiency]. 1661 6

Infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) is characterized by inflammatory liver damage and a long viral persistence associated with an increased risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) plays a key role during liver inflammation and also expressed in HCC. Its cellular expression is associated with the release of soluble form (sICAM-1) in the peripheral blood. The process of angiogenesis plays a critical role in liver damage-associated HCV infection and in tumor growth and metastasis. Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) is an important angiogenic factor regulating tumor angiogenesis. This study aimed at investigating the influence of HCV infection on serum profile of sICAM-1 and VEGF in patients with hepatitis C and HCC and their diagnostic value as useful markers reflecting progressive liver damage and development of HCC. Serum levels of sICAM-1 and VEGF were determined in the serum of fifteen HCV infected patients, fifteen HCV-positive patients with superimposed HCC as well as ten healthy control subjects by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. HCV RNA copy numbers were analyzed by Real-time polymerase chain reaction using TaqMan probe technology. Alpha-fetoprotein levels and serum aminotransferases activities were also measured. The group of patients with hepatitis C and superimposed HCC had significantly higher sICAM-1 and VEGF values than HCV infected patients (1178.113 +/- 631.87 vs. 313.67 +/- 82.72 & 320.88 +/- 117.99 vs. 132.45 +/- 91.56, p < 0.001 respectively). In comparison to healthy subjects, HCV infected patients showed dramatically elevated serum levels of VEGF (132.45 +/- 91.56 vs. 7.76 +/- 7.41, p < 0.001). On the other hand, sICAM-1 levels were elevated in patients with HCV as compared with healthy controls, but this did not reach statistical significance (313.67 +/- 82.72 vs. 230.3 +/- 47.4, p > 0.05). A highly significant correlation was found between VEGF and sICAM-1 levels in all patients (r = 0.731, p < 0.001) also between VEGF, sICAM-1 and AFP (r = 0.473, p < 0.001, r = 0.690, p < 0.001, respectively) as well as between sICAM-1 and AST activities (r = 0.367, p < 0.05). A weak correlation was found between the level of viremia and VEGF, sICAM-1 levels, yet this did not reach statistical significance (r = 0.312, p = 0.09 & r = 0.228, p > 0.05 respectively). The sensitivity of HCC detection using AFP alone was 93.3%. It yielded 100% detection sensitivity when combined with sICAM-1 and/or VEGF with diagnostic accuracy reaching 96.67%. In conclusion, HCV infection and the development of HCC on top greatly affect the serum profile of VEGF and sICAM-1. VEGF as it stimulates endothelial cell growth, it could modulate the expression of sICAM-1 and both could be considered as convenient markers of progressive liver damage, endothelial activation and therefore could improve detection and management of HCC.
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PMID:Influence of hepatitis C virus infection on circulating levels of sICAM-1 and VEGF in patients with hepatitis C and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and their role in enhancing detection of HCC. 1797 48


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