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

Despite recent advances in the chemotherapy of chronic hepatitis B (CHB), an effective viral suppression after cessation of therapy has not yet been achieved. To investigate whether hepatitis B virus (HBV)-specific T-cell responses are inducible and can contribute to the viral suppression after cessation of the therapy, we conducted a proof-of-concept study with a DNA vaccine comprising of most HBV genes plus genetically engineered interleukin-12 DNA (IL-12N222L) in 12 CHB carriers being treated with lamivudine (LAM). When the ex vivo and/or cultured IFN-gamma enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISPOT) assay was performed, the detectable HBV-specific IFN-gamma secreting T-cell responses were observed at the end of treatment and during a follow-up. These type 1T-cell responses, particularly CD4(+) memory T-cell responses could be maintained for at least 40 weeks after the therapy and correlated with virological responses, but not with alanine aminotransferase elevation. Moreover, DNA vaccination under LAM treatment appeared to be well-tolerated and showed 50% of virological response rate in CHB carriers. Thus, a combination therapy of the DNA vaccine with chemotherapy may be one of new immunotherapeutic methods for the cure of CHB.
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PMID:Correlation of antiviral T-cell responses with suppression of viral rebound in chronic hepatitis B carriers: a proof-of-concept study. 1652 82

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) has been implicated as one of the major cause of Gram-negative bacteria-induced sepsis that are life-threatening syndromes occurring in intensive care unit patients. Many natural products derived from medicinal plants may contain therapeutic values on protecting endotoxemia-induced sepsis by virtue their ability to modulate multiple pro-inflammatory cytokines. In the present study, we show that Salvia miltiorrhiza (SM) BUNGE or Danshen, used in treatment of various systemic and surgical infections in the hospitals of China, was able to block the lethal toxicity of LPS in mice via suppression of TNF-alpha release and protection on liver injury. The ability of SM to suppress LPS-induced TNF-alpha release is further confirmed by in vitro experiments conducted on human peripheral blood leukocytes (PBL) and the RAW 264.7 macrophage cell line. Immunophenotyping by flow cytometry shows improved T-helper cell (CD4) and T-suppressor cells (CD8) ratio in SM-treated PBL and splenocytes of LPS-challenged mice. The drop in plasma glutamate-pyruvate transaminase (GPT) induced by LPS provides evidence that SM can protect hepatic damage. The present study explains some known biological activities of SM, and supports the clinical application of SM in the prevention of inflammatory diseases induced by Gram-negative bacteria.
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PMID:Protection of lethal toxicity of endotoxin by Salvia miltiorrhiza BUNGE is via reduction in tumor necrosis factor alpha release and liver injury. 1654 5

Human leukocyte antigen-G (HLA-G) displays immunotolerogenic properties toward effector cells in graft rejection through inhibition of natural killer (NK) and cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL)-mediated cytolysis and CD4+ T-cell alloproliferation. CD4(+)CD25(+)high regulatory T (Treg) cells are pivotal for the maintenance of self-tolerance of pathogenic alloresponses after solid organ or bone marrow transplantation in murine model systems. The aim of this study was to investigate whether there was an association between soluble and membrane-bound HLA-G levels on Treg cells and liver graft prognosis. For this purpose, we studied 37 liver transplant patients and 13 healthy blood donors. To investigate the expression of HLA-G on the surface of peripheral mononuclear (PMNL) cells, we have used monoclonal antibodies in flow cytometry to estimate CD4, CD25, CD45, and HLA-G content. HLA-G serum levels were determined by ELISA. We observed a correlation between sHLA-G serum levels and liver function tests. After a month of HLA-G decrease in serum levels, liver function tests such as aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), direct bilirubin (DB), total bilirubin (TB), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were above normal levels, suggesting liver dysfunction or rejection. Considering these results, we concluded that the increased sHLA-G in serum and on cell surfaces may afford preliminary data on the prognosis and response to treatment in liver transplant patients.
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PMID:Human leukocyte antigen-G, a new parameter in the follow-up of liver transplantation. 1654 78

Using a multicenter, cross-sectional, observation study, the long-term safety, metabolic profile, and viral efficacy of nevirapine (NVP)-based approaches in HIV-1-infected patients treated for at least 2 years were assessed. For 4 months, all consecutive HIV-1-infected patients who had been receiving an NVP-containing regimen for at least 2 years were recruited. A total of 613 patients were included with a median follow-up period of 43 months (IQR: 31-51). At baseline, 24.5% (150 patients) were treatment naive, 41.5% (254 patients) switched for simplification purposes, and 34% (209 patients) were failing HAART. Increases by five times or more in AST/ALT values were observed in fewer than 2% of patients. Only 5.7% of all adverse events reported during the investigation were attributable to NVP. The percentage of patients with normal HDL cholesterol levels rose from 17.7% at baseline to 35.4% at the last visit. At the latest time point available for analysis, 76% of naive and 74% of those who had switched had HIV-1 RNA loads of <50 copies/ml, while 59% of salvage patients achieved this level of viral suppression. Factors associated with viral suppression at the latest visit were adequate adherence (OR: 2.58, 95% CI: 0.85-7.78, p < 0.001), first-line treatment (OR: 3.02, 95% CI: 1.52-6.00, p = 0.002), and baseline CD4 cells >400 cells/microl (OR: 2.34, 95% CI: 1.22-4.47, p = 0.010). Exposure to nevirapine for up to 4 years is safe. Liver toxicity is infrequent and generally mild. HDL cholesterol levels consistently increase over time and viral suppression is maintained.
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PMID:Long-term safety and efficacy of nevirapine-based approaches in HIV type 1-infected patients. 1662 34

There are differences in the clinical course of chronic viral hepatitis C between adults and children, but it is generally accepted that the disease has cell-mediated immune background. The aim of this study was to evaluate PBMC subsets in children with chronic hepatitis C before treatment in order to find some predictive factors, useful for patients management. Several PBMC subsets, in particular lymphoid and dendritic cell (DC) ones, were tested by flow cytometry in HCV(+) paediatric patients (n = 46) and in control children matched in terms of age and sex (n = 20). Data were subjected to extensive statistics. It was found that cells with cytotoxic potential such as CD8(+)CD28(-) T cells, NK and NKT cells as well as lineage(-)HLA-DR(+) DC were increased in per cent values, while CD4(+) T cells and CD4:CD8 ratio were decreased in hepatitis C group. In HCV(+) patients, CD4(+) T cells were inversely correlated with alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels and with viraemia. DC subset of myeloid origin (CD11c(+)) assessed both in per cent values and as mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) of HLA-DR expression was shown to be downregulated in hepatitis patients, in spite of increased numbers. To conclude, PBMC subsets, and in particular DC, are affected by HCV chronic infection in children, reflected by the correlation with clinical parameters, such as ALT and viraemia.
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PMID:Significance of alterations in PBMC immunophenotype of children with chronic viral hepatitis C-- the role of dendritic cells. 1662 32

The US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) cares for many human immunodeficiency virus/hepatitis C virus (HIV/HCV)-coinfected patients. VA treatment recommendations indicate that all HIV/HCV-coinfected patients undergo evaluation for HCV treatment and list pretreatment assessment tests. We compared clinical practice with these recommendations. We identified 377 HIV/HCV-coinfected veterans who began HCV therapy with pegylated interferon and ribavirin and 4135 HIV/HCV-coinfected veterans who did not but were in VA care at the same facilities during the same period. We compared laboratory and clinical characteristics of the two groups and estimated multivariate logistic regression models of receipt of HCV treatment. Overall, patients had high rates of receipt of tests necessary for HCV pretreatment assessment. Patients starting HCV treatment had higher alanine aminotransferase (ALT), lower creatinine, higher CD4 counts and lower HIV viral loads than patients not starting HCV treatment. In the multivariate model, positive predictors of starting HCV treatment included being non-Hispanic whites, having higher ALTs, lower creatinines, higher HCV viral loads, higher CD4 counts, undetectable HIV viral loads and receiving HIV antiretrovirals. A history of chronic mental illness and a history of hard drug use were negative predictors. Most HIV/HCV-coinfected patients received the necessary HCV pretreatment assessments, although rates of screening for hepatitis A and B immunity can be improved. Having well-controlled HIV disease is by far the most important modifiable factor affecting the receipt of HCV treatment. More research is needed to determine if the observed racial differences in starting HCV treatment reflect biological differences, provider behaviour or patient preference.
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PMID:Pretreatment assessment and predictors of hepatitis C virus treatment in US veterans coinfected with HIV and hepatitis C virus. 1710 79

Despite substantial benefits of HAART treatment of HIV-infected patients, cumulative long-term toxicity, including drug-induced hepatotoxicity, has emerged as an important complication. Thus, to examine the prevalence and risk of developing severe hepatic injury during HAART, we conducted a retrospective study in a cohort of 364 HIV-infected patients treated with HAART between January 1998 and May 2006, for whom data on alanine aminotransferase activity were available both before and during HAART. HCV co-infection was recorded in 35.4% of the series, but was found not to influence either the efficacy of HAART or survival (P>0.05). Severe hepatotoxicity occurred in a total of 24 patients (6.6%). Multivariate logistic regression defined HCV co-infection (OR 16.6, 95% CI 3.8-46.0, P<0.0001), and the use of SQV/RTV and d4T (OR 3.1, 95% CI 1.2-8.16, P=0.02, and OR 7.1, 95% CI 1.0-54.5, P=0.05, respectively) as independent risk factors for aggravation of hepatitis. In addition, there was a significant increase in the probability of developing liver damage over years of treatment (Log rank, P<0.01). Conversely, the probability of developing hepatotoxicity was not associated with an increase in the CD4 cell count to values greater than 350/microL (Log rank, P=0.59). In conclusion, in the setting of chronic viral hepatitis, hepatotoxicity during HAART may be attributed to the cumulative toxicity of drugs that induce mitochondrial toxicity, along with particular PIs and/or NNRTIs. Furthermore, our data suggest prudent use of D-drugs, still common in resource-limited countries, in HCV co-infected patients.
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PMID:The prevalence and risk of hepatitis flares in a Serbian cohort of HIV and HCV co-infected patients treated with HAART. 1722 7

Host immunity is important in determining the natural history of HCV infection. Patients with ineffective polyclonal HCV specific CD4+ response are persistently infected and loss of HCV-specific CD4+ T cells is associated with relapse of viraemia. Weak HCV-specific CD4+ response early in the course of chronic hepatitis C correlates with higher rates of fibrosis during subsequent course of the disease. In HIV co-infected patients, the HCV load is higher by an average of 0.5-1 log than the mono-infected patients. Based on the evidence from randomized control trials, the therapy for chronic hepatitis C in HIV co-infected patients is pegylated interferon and ribavirin for 48 weeks irrespective of genotype. In patients with CD4 counts < 200 cells/l and/or plasma HIV RNA above 100,000 copies/ml, it is recommended to administer HAART before HCV therapy. The sustained viral response rate achieved in the HCV/HIV co-infected patients is lower than that for mono-infected patients. Pre-treatment HCV RNA level and the genotype are the best predictors of sustained viral response. Treatment may be discontinued at 12 weeks if there is no early viral response as the likelihood of sustained viral response in this sub-group is only 2%. Biochemical response may not be relevant in HIV/HCV co-infected patients as a third of them have normal pretreatment ALT and normalization of ALT does not correlate with virological clearance. Histological response may not also correlate with virological response as up to 43% of subjects without sustained viral response may show histological improvement at the end of 48 weeks treatment. Liver disease due to HCV in patients with end stage renal disease on maintenance dialysis, is a significant cause of morbidity. The value of aminotransferases in patients on haemodialysis is lower than in the non-uraemic population and the level may not rise above the 'normal' range despite active liver disease. HCV RNA may be required to diagnose HCV infection, as anti-HCV may not be detectable, in such patients. Weekly pegylated interferon may be effective in them. In renal allograft recipients, paired biopsies may show rapid progression of liver disease in the absence of fibrosing cholestatic hepatitis. Interferon is contraindicated in this population due to increased risk of graft rejection. Following liver transplantation, recurrence of HCV is universal and histological evidence of recurrent infection may occur as early as 1 to 8 weeks after transplantation. Combination therapy with pegylated interferon and ribavirin may be effective in them.
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PMID:Management of hepatitis C in HIV infected and other immunocompromised individuals. 1731 May 53

Cytokines have been implicated in the progression of acetaminophen (APAP)-induced acute liver injury. Suppressors of cytokine signaling (SOCS) proteins are negative regulators of cytokine signaling by inhibiting the JAK-STAT pathway, but their role in APAP hepatotoxicity is unknown. In this present study, we attempted to explore the role of SOCS3 in T cells in APAP-induced liver injury. Mice with a cell-specific overexpression of SOCS3 in T cells (SOCS3Tg, in which Tg is transgenic) exhibited exaggerated hepatic injury after APAP challenge, as evidenced by increased serum alanine aminotransferase levels, augmented hepatic necrosis, and decreased survival relative to the wild-type mice. Adaptive transfer of SOCS3Tg-CD4(+) T cells into T and B cell-deficient RAG-2(-/-) mice resulted in an exacerbated liver injury relative to the control. In SOCS3Tg mice, hepatocyte apoptosis was enhanced with decreased expression of antiapoptotic protein bcl-2, whereas hepatocyte proliferation was reduced with altered cell cycle-regulatory proteins. Levels of IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha in the circulation were augmented in SOCS3Tg mice relative to the control. Studies using neutralizing Abs indicated that elevated IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha were responsible for the exacerbated hepatotoxicity in SOCS3Tg mice. Activation of STAT1 that is harmful in liver injury was augmented in SOCS3Tg hepatocytes. Alternatively, hepatoprotective STAT3 activation was decreased in SOCS3Tg hepatocytes, an event that was associated with augmented SOCS3 expression in the hepatocytes. Altogether, these results suggest that forced expression of SOCS3 in T cells is deleterious in APAP hepatotoxicity by increasing STAT1 activation while decreasing STAT3 activation in hepatocytes, possibly through elevated IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha.
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PMID:Overexpression of suppressor of cytokine signaling-3 in T cells exacerbates acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity. 1733 76

This study aims to investigate the potential role of endogenous interleukin (IL)-10 in long-term liver allograft survival induced by delayed immunosuppression (FK506 days 2-7). Liver transplantation was performed by using Dark Agouti and Lewis rats as donors and recipients, respectively. The delayed immunosuppression protocol induced indefinite allograft survival. A transient upregulation of plasma IL-10 levels was detected in the nontreatment and FK506 treatment groups. Macrophages were found to be one of the major sources of IL-10 produced from the liver allografts. Administration of IL-10-neutralizing antibody shortened the long-term isograft survival and FK506-induced indefinite allograft survival, particularly in the FK506 group. Damaged liver graft histology and increase of plasma alanine aminotransferase levels were detected in the groups with IL-10 antibody treatment. In an ex vivo setting, IL-10 recombinant protein augmented the expression of Foxp3, downregulated the expression of IL-2 and interferon gamma, and induced the generation of CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+) and CD8(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+) cells, but this effect was blocked by the administration of IL-10 antibody. Finally, administration of IL-10 recombinant protein after the decline of endogenous IL-10 levels improved allograft survival, and a 100% long-term allograft survival was achieved by the combination of IL-10 with low-dose FK506. In conclusion, the delayed immunosuppression could induce long-term liver allograft survival in the presence of endogenous IL-10 produced by the tissue macrophages. Supplementary exogenous IL-10 administration combined with low-dose immunosuppressive drug may be a useful strategy to induce long-term liver allograft survival.
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PMID:Induction of long-term liver allograft survival by delayed immunosuppression is dependent on interleukin-10. 1739 63


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