Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: EC:2.6.1.2 (alanine aminotransferase)
 26,722 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

We studied the histological and ultrastructural changes in the liver and alterations in the liver test results before, during, and after treatment with human interferon-beta from five patients with hepatitis B e antigen-positive chronic active hepatitis. A daily dose of 3 x 10(6) to 6 x 10(6) units of interferon-beta was given intravenously for four weeks. The total index of periportal and portal inflammation, intralobular degeneration, and focal necrosis before treatment was decreased significantly six months after treatment (P less than 0.05). Ultrastructurally, the structure of endoplasmic reticulum was irregularly shaped or fragmentally decreased during treatment, but these disappeared six or 12 months after treatment. Glycogen particles diminished greatly during treatment. The alanine aminotransferase concentrations in these patients increased during treatment. Serum albumin and cholinesterase levels decreased significantly at the fourth week of treatment (P less than 0.01) and at the third day (P less than 0.01) to the second week (P less than 0.05) of treatment, respectively. These results suggest that interferon-beta injures endoplasmic reticulum and glycogen areas and damages the cholinesterase activity in the early stage of treatment and protein synthesis in patients with hepatitis B e antigen-positive chronic active hepatitis.
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PMID:Changes in ultrastructure of hepatocytes and liver test results before, during, and after treatment with interferon-beta in patients with HB(e)Ag-positive chronic active hepatitis. 149 52

Twelve patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC), stages I to III, received long-term therapy with a combination of 600 mg ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) and 1 mg colchicine given daily for more than 2 years. Drug toxicity was mild; one patient experienced diarrhoea that was probably due to colchicine. Serum levels of bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase (ALPase), gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase and alanine aminotransferase decreased by more than 50% of the initial values. Serum albumin and cholesterol levels also improved, but immunoglobulins and anti-mitochondrial antibody titre did not change. Histologic features in the eight patients who received serial liver biopsies before and 2 years after the beginning of treatment were evaluated. Piecemeal necrosis and portal inflammation were improved, but there was no change in portal fibrosis. Patients were divided into two groups; the first received both drugs from the outset, and the second group were started on UDCA for 3 months followed by the addition of colchicine. After 3 months, the improvement in serum bilirubin and ALPase in the first group was greater than in the second. However, in the second group, the ALPase levels had decreased significantly when measured at 6 and 9 months after the treatment compared with the levels at 3 months. These findings suggest that UDCA and colchicine may have a synergistic effect. This combination therapy appears to be safe and effective, both clinically and histologically, for treating PBC.
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PMID:Combination therapy with ursodeoxycholic acid and colchicine for primary biliary cirrhosis. 161 Oct 15

Nine women with symptomatic precirrhotic primary biliary cirrhosis have been treated with oral pulse methotrexate, 15 mg/wk, for 12-34 months. Three women had pruritus, two fatigue, and four pruritus and fatigue. Itching disappeared and fatigue lessened or disappeared in all within 4-11 months after starting methotrexate. All who itched were able to discontinue cholestyramine (five) or antihistamines (two). Biochemical tests of liver function improved in all patients and then worsened in three when methotrexate was discontinued or the dose lowered. Mean serum alkaline phosphatase decreased from 471 to 171 U/L (P less than 0.01), serum bilirubin from 0.99 to 0.59 mg/dL (P less than 0.05), and serum alanine aminotransferase from 132 to 61 U/L (P = 0.02), and serum cholesterol fell from 265 to 213 mg/dL (NS). The decrease in serum cholesterol was significant, P = 0.05, if data were used just from the six women whose baseline serum cholesterol levels were elevated. Serum albumin remained normal in all. The serum bilirubin levels became normal in three of four patients with elevated levels. The serum alkaline phosphatase levels became normal in four patients and the alanine aminotransferase levels in three. Liver histology improved in five patients and was stable in the remaining four based on a quantitative evaluation of coded liver biopsy specimens. The improvement in histology was primarily due to decreased portal inflammation and bile duct injury. The titer of antimitochondrial antibody decreased in seven patients. The data suggest that methotrexate may be effective treatment for precirrhotic primary biliary cirrhosis. Controlled trials are needed to evaluate long-term efficacy and toxicity.
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PMID:Treatment of primary biliary cirrhosis with low-dose weekly methotrexate. 193 16

Ten patients with well-documented primary sclerosing cholangitis who had no signs of portal hypertension or liver failure were treated with oral pulse methotrexate for at least 1 yr. The methotrexate dose averaged 15 mg/wk (0.2 mg/kg/wk). All six patients who were symptomatic became asymptomatic within 1-5 months of starting methotrexate. Biochemical tests of liver function improved in all patients. The alkaline phosphatase value decreased from a mean (+/-SD) of 373 +/- 210 IU to 140 +/- 77 IU (p = 0.0008), the mean alanine aminotransferase (ALT) from 115 +/- 74 to 76 +/- 79 U/L (p = 0.005), and the mean aspartate aminotransferase (AST) value from 88 +/- 37 to 57 +/- 40 U/L (p = 0.007). The improvement in mean bilirubin (1.19 +/- 1.41 to 0.67 +/- 0.25 mg/dl) was not statistically significant. Serum albumin remained normal (3.97 +/- 0.46 to 4.22 +/- 0.36 g/dl). Nine patients had a repeat liver biopsy after 1 yr of methotrexate therapy. Six of the nine showed histologic improvement with a reduction in inflammation. The other three liver biopsies were unchanged. Repeat cholangiograms were done in six patients. Two showed improvement. In one of the two, who had early disease, the cholangiogram became normal, and the liver biopsy was markedly improved. The other four cholangiograms showed no progression of disease. No toxicity was detected in these 10 patients. These results suggest that low-dose oral methotrexate therapy is effective in primary sclerosing cholangitis if treatment is begun before signs of portal hypertension or liver failure occur.
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PMID:Treatment of primary sclerosing cholangitis with oral methotrexate. 202 43

Liver and biliary abnormalities are well-known complications of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It has been suggested that using total parenteral nutrition (TPN) may further impair liver function in these patients; this seems not to be so with total enteral nutrition (TEN). However, prospective trials comparing the incidence of liver function test (LFT) abnormalities with either TPN or TEN have not been carried out. Twenty-nine IBD inpatients with normal LFT, randomized to receive either TEN with a polymeric diet or isocaloric, isonitrogenous "all-in-one" TPN because of protein-energy malnutrition and/or severe disease, were included in the study. Sixteen patients (five with ulcerative colitis and 11 with Crohn's disease) received TEN, and 13 patients (eight ulcerative colitis and five Crohn's disease) were on TPN. All patients were on systemic steroids, and nine of them were on oral metronidazole. Both groups were homogeneous regarding age, sex, diagnosis, disease activity, nutritional status, daily nutrient supply, and days on artificial nutrition. Serum albumin levels significantly increased with TEN (32 +/- 1 to 38.2 +/- 1.6 g/liter, p less than 0.01), but not with TPN (32.1 +/- 2.2 to 33.9 +/- 1.4 g/liter, NS). Clinical improvement occurred in both groups of patients as shown by the change in the disease activity indexes. In all cases, measurements of serum alkaline phosphatase, serum bilirubin, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and gamma-glutamyltransferase were performed weekly. There were no significant differences in the initial LFT between both groups.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
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PMID:Liver function tests abnormalities in patients with inflammatory bowel disease receiving artificial nutrition: a prospective randomized study of total enteral nutrition vs total parenteral nutrition. 212 46

Serological tests may be of value in differentiating acute and chronic bile duct obstruction because the rate of alteration of hepatic cellular integrity and function will affect the rate of cellular product release. In a canine model the common bile duct was obstructed either suddenly (N = 7) or gradually (N = 5). A control group (N = 5) had the common bile duct dissected free from the surrounding tissues. Blood was taken before and 1, 2, 4, 7, 11, 14, 17, 21, and 28 days after initiating obstruction. Serum alkaline phosphatase, bilirubin, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, ornithine carbamyl transferase, and gamma-glutamyl transferase levels were significantly greater with sudden compared to gradual occlusion, and the values were larger than those in the control. The range of values of alkaline phosphatase, bilirubin, and aspartate aminotransferase did not overlap in the acute and chronic groups at specific times. Serum albumin and total protein were normal in all groups. The magnitude of alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, and bilirubin elevation may help in the differentiation of acute and chronic biliary obstruction.
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PMID:Diagnostic value of liver function tests in bile duct obstruction. 256 54

Fourteen children with biopsy-proven membranous nephropathy associated with hepatitis B virus (HBV-MN) were evaluated biochemically and serologically and compared to 45 children with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS). The mean ages of the two groups were similar (4.9 +/- 1.6 vs. 4.6 +/- 2.6 years). Serum albumin levels were similar in both groups, but serum cholesterol was significantly reduced in children with HBV-MN compared to INS. Serum C3 was also significantly depressed in children with HBV-MN compared to INS, but no differences in C4 levels were noted. Serum alanine transaminase as well as aspartate transaminase concentrations were significantly elevated in children with HBV-MN compared to those with INS, suggesting the presence of chronic hepatitis in children with HBV-MN. Hepatitis B surface and e antigens were present in serum of all children with HBV-MN, but only 54% had circulating HBV-DNA particles demonstrable in their serum. Serum C3 levels were higher in children with HBV-MN and circulating HBV-DNA, compared to those without circulating HBV-DNA. No other serological or biochemical differences occurred between these two groups. Glomerular deposition of IgG and C3 occurred in 91% of children with HBV-MN; but IgM deposition appeared to occur more frequently and with greater intensity in those children positive for circulating HBV-DNA. Antibody to delta antigen was negative in all children with HBV-MN. We conclude that biochemical and serological differences can be identified between HBV-MN and INS.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
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PMID:Biochemical and serological characteristics of children with membranous nephropathy due to hepatitis B virus infection: correlation with hepatitis B e antigen, hepatitis B DNA and hepatitis D. 304 Dec 94

Adult female mink (Mustela vison) were fed a diet that contained Fusarium moniliforme culture material that provided dietary concentrations of 89 ppm fumonisin B1, 21 ppm fumonisin B2, and 8 ppm fumonisin B3 for 87 days. During the trial, there was mild lethargy in the mink fed fumonisins, but no other clinical signs or differences in feed consumption (measured during the first two weeks), body weights, or survivability were observed between the fumonisin-treated and control mink. Several hematologic parameters (mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, plasma total solids, and lymphocyte concentration) and serum chemical concentrations (globulin, phosphorus, potassium, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, bilirubin, and cholesterol) and activities (alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase, amylase, and aspartate aminotransferase) were greater in the mink fed fumonisins than in the controls. Serum albumin/globulin and sodium/potassium ratios and chloride concentrations were lower in the fumonisin-fed mink than in the controls. The concentrations of free sphinganine and the ratio of free sphinganine to free sphingosine in the liver and kidneys of the fumonisin-treated mink were greater than in the control mink. No histopathologic alterations were associated with fumonisin treatment. These results indicate that long-term dietary exposure to F. moniliforme culture material containing 118 ppm total fumonisins is not lethal to adult mink, but can produce adverse physiological effects in the animals.
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PMID:Chronic toxicity of fumonisins from Fusarium moniliforme culture material (M-1325) to mink. 757 84

In patients with liver cirrhosis, there were many abnormalities in laboratory tests. Serum GOT, GPT and LDH were elevated due to the liver cell necrosis. The value of ICG tests reflected the decrease of effective hepatic blood flow and the increase of intrahepatic shunt flow. White blood cell counts and the number of platelet were decreased due to the hypersplenism. Serum albumin and cholineesterase levels were decreased more remarkably in patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis than in patients with viral liver cirrhosis. Raised GOT and GPT levels were lower in aged patients than in young patients. Serial laboratory tests were important for the management of patients with liver cirrhosis.
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PMID:[Blood chemistry, hematology of patients with liver cirrhosis]. 811 9

We have reported the efficacy of intraarterial-combined immunochemotherapy including interleukin-2 (IL-2) for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). To further test this therapy for prevention of intrahepatic recurrence after hepatectomy, the influence of IL-2 on liver regeneration was examined using mitotic index (MI) and the bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) labeling index (LI) in 70% hepatectomized Donryu rats. In addition, gap junction appearance, which may change during liver regeneration, was analyzed using a monoclonal antibody (HAM8). Serum albumin, alanine transaminase, and total bilirubin (TB) levels were also evaluated. IL-2 (45,000 Japanese reference units [JRU]/d) or saline was administered continuously via the portal vein immediately after hepatectomy using an infusion pump. We also examined the influence of IL-2 on liver regeneration after hepatectomy with splenectomy. No difference in the weight of the liver, serum albumin, alanine transaminase, or TB was observed in any groups at 1, 2, or 4 days after hepatectomy. Neither IL-2 nor splenectomy influenced MI and BrdU LI at all three points. Gap junctions began to disappear after hepatectomy and reached a minimum on day 2 in all groups. Four days after hepatectomy, the density of the reappearing gap junctions was markedly lower in groups treated with IL-2 than in those receiving saline with or without splenectomy. However, the density returned to close to preoperative levels 6 days after hepatectomy in all groups. Continuous portal infusion of IL-2 transiently disturbed gap junction reappearance during liver regeneration. However, no other parameters of liver regeneration or liver functions differed. These results suggest that the liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy may be suppressed by the administration of IL-2, even though the suppression may not be harmful for overall recovery of the resected liver. However, it seems that hepatic IL-2 administration can be performed without serious complications after hepatectomy.
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PMID:Influence of continuous interleukin-2 administration via the portal vein on liver regeneration following partial hepatectomy in rats. 867 80


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