Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0019163 (hepatitis B)
 38,309 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

As many as 160 patients with acute virus hepatitis B (AVHB) were examined over time. Spectroscopy was used to study the activity of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PDH), glutathione peroxidase-1 (GP1), glutathione peroxidase-2 (GP2), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione transferase (GT) and to measure the concentration of reduced glutathione (GSH) in the blood serum and in red blood cells. Within the first days of the icteric period, the activity of all the enzymes rose, followed by reduction of the activity of G-6-PDH, GP1, GP2, GR and the concentration of GSH at the height of the disease. The GT activity remained high throughout the entire disease period.
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PMID:[The functioning of the glutathione system in patients with acute viral hepatitis B]. 233 29

Although epidemiological studies suggest that aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a human carcinogen, at least in the presence of hepatitis B virus infection, animal studies have demonstrated large differences in species sensitivity to AFB1, and the sensitivity of humans relative to experimental animals remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to determine the profile of AFB1 metabolism and the extent of AFB1 binding to cell macromolecules in human liver slices under experimental conditions that would allow direct comparison to similar endpoints in the rat, a species sensitive to the carcinogenic actions of AFB1. Liver slices were prepared from three individual human liver samples with a Krumdieck tissue slicer and incubated with 0.5 microM [3H]AFB1 for 2 hr. Significant interindividual variations were observed in the rates of oxidative metabolite formation and in specific binding to cell macromolecules. The rates of oxidative metabolism of AFB1 to AFQ1, AFP1, and AFM1 in the three human liver samples were similar to those previously observed in rat liver slices. AFB1-GSH conjugate formation was not detected in any of the human liver samples, and yet specific binding of AFB1 to cell macromolecules was considerably lower in the human liver slices relative to that in rat liver slices. AFB1-DNA binding levels ranged from 3 to 26% of control rat and AFB1-RNA binding levels ranged from 25 to 49% of control rat. The AFB1-protein binding level in the one human sample measured was 20% of that observed for control rat. While these results suggest that humans do not form as much AFBO as the rat, they are also consistent with the hypothesis that humans do not possess GST isozyme(s) with high specific activity toward AFBO. Significant individual differences in AFB1 metabolism and binding between humans suggest the presence of genetic and/or environmental factors that may confer large variability in susceptibility to AFB1.
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PMID:Determination of aflatoxin B1 biotransformation and binding to hepatic macromolecules in human precision liver slices. 856 Apr 61

Hepatic levels of GSH and Phase II detoxication enzymes were compared to biochemical and histological indices of hepatic damage in 4- to 76-week-old nontransgenic mice and their transgenic littermates that overexpress the hepatitis B virus large envelope protein. The mice were fed a low-sucrose AIN-76A diet ad libitum. Hepatic-specific activities of quinone reductase (QR) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) were increased 2- to 10-fold beginning at 12 weeks of age in transgenic mice and correlated with increases in serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (r = 0.84 and 0.59, respectively). Quantitative histological analysis demonstrated that apoptosis was the predominant feature in 4- to 12-week-old transgenic mice, whereas necrosis and inflammation predominated at later time points. Surprisingly, 3-fold elevations in ALT were observed beginning at 52 weeks of age in nontransgenic mice, and hepatic-specific activities of QR and GST were also modestly increased in elderly nontransgenic animals. In contrast to transgenic mice, apoptosis was not a prominent feature. The strongest histological correlates to ALT in 4- to 76-week-old nontransgenic mice were necrosis and inflammation (r > 0.96), which in turn may have been evoked by hepatic fat accumulation. Profiles of specific GST isoforms were quantitated chromatographically and identified by sequencing tryptic digests. The Ya1 subunit of alpha-class GST was markedly increased from undetectable levels in transgenic mice, while more modest increases were observed in nontransgenic mice more than 1 year old. Fivefold elevations of the Yb1 subunit, a constitutively expressed mu-class GST, were found in transgenic mice older than 4 weeks of age, while 2-fold increases were observed in nontransgenic animals that were more than 1 year old. These studies demonstrate that selected increases in Phase II detoxication enzymes are a stereotyped response to chronic hepatitis that is strikingly reminiscent of the treatment of mice with anticarcinogenic enzyme inducers.
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PMID:Elevations of hepatic quinone reductase, glutathione, and alpha- and mu-class glutathione S-transferase isoforms in mice with chronic hepatitis: a compensatory response to injury. 866 Jun 89

Reduced glutathione (GSH), the main intracellular mechanism that protects against oxidative stress, is the subject of considerable interest in viral hepatitis. In patients with chronic hepatitis C, results reported from different centres are controversial, demonstrating either a reduction or an elevation of GSH concentration. The aim of this study was to evaluate the glutathione concentration in erythrocytes (normal range 2.45 +/- 0.15 mmol l-1) in patients with acute and chronic viral hepatitis. In 52 patients with acute viral hepatitis (hepatitis A virus (HAV), hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection) there was marked reduction of GSH at the beginning of the disease (0.79 +/- 0.43 mmol l-1, P < 0.001) with high alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity (1549 +/- 772.9 IU l-1). In 37 patients with chronic HCV infection the mean value of GSH was below the normal range (1.92 +/- 0.62 mmol l-1, P < 0.001). In 60% of patients (n = 22), depletion of GSH was observed and 40% (n = 15) presented with a normal concentration of GSH. In 10 patients with chronic HBV infection the mean value of GSH was also below the normal range (1.93 +/- 0.32 mmol l-1, P < 0.001); in 80% of cases (n = 8) depletion of GSH was observed and 20% of patients (n = 2) had normal GSH concentrations. The ALT activity was not significantly different in patients with depleted and normal GSH concentrations (P > 0.05) in groups with chronic HBV and HCV infection.
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PMID:Reduced glutathione concentration in erythrocytes of patients with acute and chronic viral hepatitis. 909 71

The genomes of both bacteria and eukaryotic organisms are known to encode selenoproteins, using the UGA codon for seleno-cysteine (SeC), and a complex cotranslational mechanism for SeC incorporation into polypeptide chains, involving RNA stem-loop structures. These common features and similar codon usage strongly suggest that this is an ancient evolutionary development. However, the possibility that some viruses might also encode selenoproteins remained unexplored until recently. Based on an analysis of the genomic structure of the human immunodeficiency virus HIV-1, we demonstrated that several regions overlapping known HIV genes have the potential to encode selenoproteins (Taylor et al. [31], J. Med. Chem. 37, 2637-2654 [1994]). This is provocative in the light of overwhelming evidence of a role for oxidative stress in AIDS pathogenesis, and the fact that a number of viral diseases have been linked to selenium (Se) deficiency, either in humans or by in vitro and animal studies. These include HIV-AIDS, hepatitis B linked to liver disease and cancer, Coxsackie virus B3, Keshan disease, and the mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV), against which Se is a potent chemoprotective agent. There are also established biochemical mechanisms whereby extreme Se deficiency can induce a proclotting or hemorrhagic effect, suggesting that hemorrhagic fever viruses should also be examined for potential virally encoded selenoproteins. In addition to the RNA stem-loop structures required for SeC insertion at UGA codons, genomic structural features that may be required for selenoprotein synthesis can also include ribosomal frameshift sites and RNA pseudoknots if the potential selenoprotein module overlaps with another gene, which may prove to be the rule rather than the exception in viruses. One such pseudoknot that we predicted in HIV-1 has now been verified experimentally; a similar structure can be demonstrated in precisely the same location in the reverse transcriptase coding region of hepatitis B virus. Significant new findings reported here include the existence of highly distinctive glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px)-related sequences in Coxsackie B viruses, new theoretical data related to a previously proposed potential selenoprotein gene overlapping the HIV protease coding region, and further evidence in support of a novel frameshift site in the HIV nef gene associated with a well-conserved UGA codon in the 1-reading frame.
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PMID:Genomic structures of viral agents in relation to the biosynthesis of selenoproteins. 915 12

Persistent infection by hepatitis B virus (HBV) and exposure to chemical carcinogens correlates with the prevalence of hepatocellular carcinoma in endemic areas. The precise nature of the interaction between these factors is not known. Glutathione S-transferases (GST) are responsible for the cellular metabolism and detoxification of a variety of cytotoxic and carcinogenic compounds by catalysis of their conjugation with glutathione. Diminished GST activity could enhance cellular sensitivity to chemical carcinogens. We have investigated GST isozyme expression in hepatocellular HepG2 cells and in an HBV-transfected subline. Total GST activity and selenium-independent glutathione peroxidase activity are significantly decreased in HBV transfected cells. On immunoblotting, HBV transfected cells demonstrate a significant decrease in the level of GST Alpha class. Cytotoxicity assays reveal that the HBV transfected cells are more sensitive to a wide range of compounds known to be detoxified by GST Alpha conjugation. Although no significant difference in protein half-life between the two cell lines was found, semi-quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction shows a reduced amount of GST Alpha mRNA in the transfected cells. Because the HBV x protein (HBx) seems to play a role in HBV transfection, we also demonstrated that expression of the HBx gene into HepG2 cells decreased the amount of GST Alpha protein. Transient transfection experiments using both rat and human GST Alpha (rGSTA5 and hGSTA1) promoters in HepG2 cells show a decreased CAT activity upon HBx expression, supporting a transcriptional regulation of both genes by HBx. This effect is independent of HBx interaction with Sp1. Treatment with oltipraz, an inducer of GST Alpha, partially overcomes the effect of HBx on both promoters. Promoter deletion studies indicate that oltipraz works through responsive elements distinct from AP1 or NF-kappaB transcription factors. Thus, HBV infection alters phase II metabolizing enzymes via different mechanisms than those modulated by treatment with oltipraz.
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PMID:Modulation of glutathione S-transferase alpha by hepatitis B virus and the chemopreventive drug oltipraz. 1093 96

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of hepatitis B and C virus infections on liver glutathione status. Reduced and oxidized glutathione levels were determined in liver biopsy specimens obtained from patients with chronic liver disease including chronic active hepatitis and cirrhosis. In patients with hepatitis B virus infections, GSH and GSH/GSSG levels were significantly low compared with those in controls (P<0.01). There was a significant negative correlation between histological activity indices (HAI) and hepatic GSSG levels only in patients with chronic HCV infection (P<0.01; r=-0.895). In addition to this, we also found a positive correlation between indices (HAI) and GSH/GSSG of the same group (r=0.915; P<0.05). These observations suggest that HBV and HCV infections have different effects on liver glutathione status based on diverse mechanisms.
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PMID:The effects of chronic hepatitis C and B virus infections on liver reduced and oxidized glutathione concentrations. 1093 61

Several recent scientific articles have found a direct correlation between Glutathione levels and viral activity for hepatitis B and C. When viral load increases, Glutathione decreases. Researchers from Germany report that adding NAC (N-acetyl cysteine) to HBV producing cells lines can reduce hepatitis viral load 50 fold. Glutathione is used by the liver to help break down toxins. Patients who have chronic infection for more than 90 days should ask their physicians to check their Glutathione levels. A test kit is available from ImmunoSciences Labs; contact information is included. An amino acid, L-Glutamine, can be used with Alpha Lipoic Acid and NAC to increase Glutathione levels. Chlorophyll also offers benefits to people with hepatitis and other infections. Instructions on how to use a special retention enema containing chlorophyll, water, and apple cider vinegar are provided.
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PMID:Hepatitis viral load correlates to glutathione levels. 1136 43

Targeting drugs to specific organs, tissues, or cells is an attractive strategy for enhancing drug efficacy and reducing side effects. Drug carriers such as antibodies, natural and manmade polymers, and labeled liposomes are capable of targeting drugs to blood vessels of individual tissues but often fail to deliver drugs to extravascular sites. An alternative strategy is to use low molecular weight prodrugs that distribute throughout the body but cleave intracellularly to the active drug by an organ-specific enzyme. Here we show that a series of phosphate and phosphonate prodrugs, called HepDirect prodrugs, results in liver-targeted drug delivery following a cytochrome P450-catalyzed oxidative cleavage reaction inside hepatocytes. Liver targeting was demonstrated in rodents for MB06866 [(2R,4S)-9-[2-[4-(3-chlorophenyl)-2-oxo-1,3,2-dioxaphosphorinan-2-yl]methoxyethyl]adenine (remofovir)], a Hep-Direct prodrug of the nucleotide analog adefovir (PMEA), and MB07133 [(2R,4S)-4-amino-1-[5-O-[2-oxo-4-(4-pyridyl)-1,3,2-dioxaphosphorinan-2-yl]-beta-d-arabinofuranosyl]-2(1H)-pyrimidinone], a HepDirect prodrug of cytarabine (araC) 5'-monophosphate. Liver targeting led to higher levels of the biologically active form of PMEA and araC in the liver and to lower levels in the most toxicologically sensitive organs. Liver targeting also confined production of the prodrug byproduct, an aryl vinyl ketone, to hepatocytes. Glutathione within the hepatocytes rapidly reacted with the byproduct to form a glutathione conjugate. No byproduct-related toxicity was observed in hepatocytes or animals treated with HepDirect prodrugs. A 5-day safety study in mice demonstrated the toxicological benefits of liver targeting. These findings suggest that HepDirect prodrugs represent a potential strategy for targeting drugs to the liver and achieving more effective therapies against chronic liver diseases such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and hepatocellular carcinoma.
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PMID:Liver-targeted drug delivery using HepDirect prodrugs. 1534 17

Glutathione S-transferases constitute a superfamily of enzymes that catalyse the inactivating conjugation of endogenous and environmental substrates involved in the pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and glutathione. Genes encoding either glutathione S-transferase Mu-1 or Theta-1 (GSTM1 and GSTT1, respectively) isoforms are polymorphic. Homozygotes for the mutated inactive alleles of each gene are devoid of any specific enzymatic activity (null genotypes). Our aim was to investigate whether individuals with null GST genotypes have a higher risk of developing HCC. A total of 184 Caucasian Spanish patients with a diagnosis of HCC and 329 healthy controls of the same ethnic origin were included. Polymorphisms in GSTM1 and GSTT1 genes were identified through multiplex polymerase chain reactions, and the dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) gene was used as internal control. No differences were found between the frequencies of GSTM1 (47.8% versus 45.3%) and GSTT1 (28.8% versus 23.1%) null genotypes in cases and controls, respectively, nor in the proportion of carriers of two, one or no active genotypes. Gender, age at diagnosis, tobacco use, chronic infection with hepatitis B or C virus and alcohol abuse did not influence these results. In conclusion, polymorphisms in GSTM1 and GSTT1 genes are not related to the incidence of HCC in a high-risk Spanish population.
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PMID:Glutathione S-transferase M1 and T1 genetic polymorphisms are not related to the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma: a study in the Spanish population. 1631 88


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