Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UNIPROT:P17174 (aspartate aminotransferase)
 14,872 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

The early detection and prompt treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) may prolong life and improve the quality of life of affected patients. In order to compare sensitivity and specificity of various screening biomarkers, identify subjects with a high risk of developing HCC, and estimate prevalence and incidence of HCC among subjects, a community-based HCC screening program was implemented in Sanchi, Chutung, Potzu, and Kaohsu, Taiwan Island as well as Makung, Huhsi and Paihsa in Penghu Islets. First stage screening of HCC was based on serological markers including hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), antibody against hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV), alpha-fetoprotein (AFP > or = 20 ng/mL), alanine transaminase (> or = 40 IU/L), and aspartate transaminase (> or = 45 IU/L); as well as history of liver cirrhosis or HCC among first-degree relatives. Subjects who were positive for at least one of above six first-stage criteria were referred for second-stage screening by abdominal ultrasonography. Confirmatory diagnosis of HCC was made in suspicious cases according to aspiration cytology surgical pathology, digital substracted angiogram and/or computed tomography. A total of 12,026 men in seven study townships and 1,800 women in two townships in Penghu were recruited for first-stage screening (response rate: men, 25.5%; women, 46.8%). The positive rates for first-stage screening were 30.9% men and 34.6% women. The response rates for second-stage screening were 91% men and 90.5% women. Age-standardized prevalence of HCC per 1,000 subjects was 5.2 for men and 0.8 for women in Penghu Islets and 1.2 for men on Taiwan island. Among five serological biomarkers, HBsAg carrier status had the highest sensitivity (88.2%) and AFP had the second highest sensitivity (43.1%). The specificity of these markers was highest for AFP (99.0%) and lowest for HBsAg carrier status (80.3%). There were 16 new HCC cases identified after an intensive follow-up of 137 cases affected with liver cirrhos is giving an annual HCC incidence rate of 5.3%, while the rate for non-cirrhotic subjects who were positive on first-stage screening was only 0.15%. The combination of HBsAg and AFP for the first-stage screening and abdominal ultrasonography for the second-state screening seems valid for the early detection of HCC, but its cost-effectiveness remains to be elucidated by a longer follow-up study.
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PMID:[Community-based hepatocellular carcinoma screening in seven townships in Taiwan]. 867 50

Coke oven and by-product workers are potentially exposed to coke oven emissions (COE), which contain hundreds of chemicals and are primarily composed of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and volatile organic compounds. Some of these compounds are hepatotoxins. The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between work in coke oven and by-product plants and serum activities of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), the most commonly performed liver-function tests. The exposed group was composed of current workers who had been employed at least 3 months in the two coke-operation work areas, including one coke oven plant and one by-product plant (Area I: n = 117; Area II: n = 96) of a large steel company in Taiwan. Control subjects (Area III: n = 131), not visiting either coke-operation area in the last 3 months, were collected from the administrative and nonproduction areas in the same company. PAH exposure, as a surrogate of COE, was measured monthly by PM-10 size-selective high-volume-area air samplers in or around these three areas between June and December 1990, as well as between November 1992 and June 1993. The mean total respiratory particulate PAH exposure levels (< 10 microns) between November 1992 and June 1993 in Area I, II, and III were 6.8 x 10(3), 2.1 x 10(3), and 6.5 x 10(1) ng/m3, respectively. AST, ALT, and hepatitis B surface antigen tests were performed in 1994. Workers who showed either AST or ALT levels greater than reference levels (abnormal > 25 IU/L) were regarded as showing "elevated liver enzyme levels." Workers in Area I had AST levels that were 17% higher (95% confidence interval [CI], 3% to 32%]) and ALT levels that were 35% higher (95% CI, 10% to 65%)] than those in Area III after controlling for appropriate confounders. The adjusted odds ratio (Area I vs Area III) for elevated liver enzymes was 4.4 (95% CI, 1.5 to 13.4). In addition, coke oven (n = 91) and by-product workers (n = 26) from Area I had ALT levels 37% and 45% higher, respectively, compared with control subjects from Area III, after adjusting for appropriate confounders. Similar effects are also seen for AST. Workers in Area II had slightly, but not significantly, elevated AST and ALT levels. These results indicate that workers most heavily exposed to COE exhibit elevated aminotransferase levels.
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PMID:Elevated serum liver enzymes in coke oven and by-product workers. 921 Dec 10

The aetiology, biochemistry, clinical features and complications of histologically confirmed hepatic cirrhosis in 45 patients (26 females, 19 males) seen at the University Hospital of the West Indies, Jamaica, between 1984 and 1994 are presented. The age range was 1 to 72 years (mean 48 years). Abdominal swelling and weight loss were the commonest symptoms, occurring in 51% and 47% of patients, respectively. Jaundice was a presenting feature in 44%. Hepatomegaly was present in 71% of patients and splenomegaly in 33%. The aetiological factors were: alcohol (36%), bush tea (18%), chronic active hepatitis (11%), drugs (7%), and haemochromatosis (2%). Hepatitis B surface antigen was detected in 2 of 20 patients tested. 24% of the patients also had diabetes mellitus., 29% were anaemic, 29% were thrombocytopenic, 4% were leukopenic, and the prothrombin time was prolonged in 22%. The albumin/globulin ratio was reversed in 71% of the patients. The alkaline phosphatase was elevated in 56%, the aspartate aminotransferase was increased in 58% and the gamma glutamyl transpeptidase in 56%. 56% of the patients had macronodular cirrhosis; the liver showed a micronodular pattern in 18%; 7% had biliary cirrhosis; 7% chronic active hepatitis with cirrhosis; and 13% showed a mixed macro-micronodular pattern. Ascites and fluid overload developed in 44% of the patients. Hepatic encephalopathy occurred in 18% and upper gastrointestinal bleeding in 18%.
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PMID:Hepatic cirrhosis in Jamaica. 926 May 37

This study identifies the risk factors for hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) and measures the prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and antibody to hepatitis C (anti-HCV) in the general population of Jakarta. A population-based sample of 985 people aged 15 and above was surveyed. Risk factors were identified through questionnaires and home visits. Serum was analysed for HBsAg, antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs), anti-HCV, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT). The seroprevalence was: 4.0% (39/985) for HBsAg, 17.2% (170/985) for anti-HBs, and 3.9% (38/985) for anti-HCV. The risk factors for hepatitis B and hepatitis C infection had little in common. Low socioeconomic status was a strong risk factor for HBsAg (adjusted odds ratio (OR) 18.09; 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.35-139.50). In addition, the Chinese group has 2.97 higher risk of having HBV infection compared with the Malayan ethnic group (adjusted OR 2.97; 95% CI 1.22-7.83). There was moderate positive trend between family size and risk of HBsAg positivity (P = 0.130). Age over 50 (adjusted OR 14.72; 95% CI 4.35-49.89) and history of transfusion were significant risk factors for hepatitis C (adjusted OR 3.03; 95% CI 1.25-7.33). Hepatitis B and hepatitis C infections have different risk factors in Jakarta, a high risk in population for both diseases. Hepatitis B transmission is associated with low socioeconomic status, Chinese ethnic group and large family size, while hepatitis C is associated with an older age and a history of transfusions.
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PMID:Ethnicity, socioeconomic status, transfusions and risk of hepatitis B and hepatitis C infection. 943 42

Severe hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related fibrosing cholestatic hepatitis leading to early liver failure has been reported only exceptionally. Of 259 HCV-infected renal transplant (RT) patients in one hospital unit, four (1.5%) are described, representing the first series of this particular post-RT disease. Patient mean age was 55.7 yr. Three were men. All had pretransplant, hepatitis B surface antigen-negative and were anti-HCV antibodies positive. Three of them showed pretransplant mild liver enzyme abnormalities, and all received kidneys from HCV-negative donors. All were on steroids, cyclosporine, and azathioprine (AZA). The clinical pattern appeared early after RT (mean, 11.5 mo). In three patients, hyperbilirubinemia (6.5 to 20 mg/dl) and high alkaline phosphatase levels (428 to 859 IU/L) were observed. Also, in all subjects, high gamma glutamyl transpeptidase levels (639 to 4270 IU/L), mild aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase abnormalities, and serum HCV RNA were observed. Liver biopsy revealed diffuse fibrosis, leukocyte infiltrates, and different degrees of cholestasis, with typical signs of HCV hepatitis in only one patient. Two patients developed subfulminant liver failure and died 2 and 3 mo after biopsy, respectively. One patient also suffered hepatic failure, receiving a liver transplant. The fourth is alive on dialysis awaiting a combined kidney and liver transplant. It is concluded that fibrosing cholestatic hepatitis is a new, early, and severe complication after RT in HCV(+) patients, which appears in patients with ongoing HCV infection under AZA therapy, despite a nonaggressive immunosuppressive protocol. Both HCV and AZA could play a concurrent role in the pathogenesis of this severe complication after RT.
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PMID:Fibrosing cholestatic hepatitis in hepatitis C virus-infected renal transplant recipients. 962 Dec 97

The aim of this work was to evaluate transplacental transmission of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in HIV-negative pregnant women who were HCV-PCR-positive, and also to determine the serotypes of the virus in these cases. Therefore, 767 pregnant women were screened for anti-HCV antibodies, hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and anti-HIV antibodies. HCV PCR was performed for HCV-positive women. Those who were PCR-positive were tested for anti-HCV IgM. Neonates of PCR-positive mothers were tested for virus transmission by the PCR test. Virus serotyping was done for mothers and neonates. Anti-HCV antibodies were detected in 105 out of 767 (13.7%) pregnant women. PCR was positive in 18 out of 67 HCV-positive women (26.9%). Transplacental transmission occurred in 11.1% of HIV-negative pregnant women. HCV type 4 predominates in Egypt (83.3%). Mothers who are PCR-positive and have high aspartate aminotransferase and positive anti-HCV IgM are most likely to transmit HCV to their babies.
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PMID:Transplacental transmission of hepatitis C virus in HIV-negative mothers. 978 38

An 82-year-old male patient was admitted for liver dysfunction. Laboratory test showed the following data; aspartate aminotransferase (AST) 79 IU/l, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) 28 IU/l, total bilirubin (T. Bil) 0.9 U, zinc sulfate turbidity test (ZTT) 48.9 U, gamma-globulin 4.9 g/dl, immunoglobulin G (IgG) 5,046 mg/dl, anti-nuclear antibodies x 320, anti-mitochondrial antibodies (-), hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg) (-), HBcAb (-), anti-hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV) (-), hepatitis C virus (HCV-RNA) (-), anti-hepatitis G virus (anti-HGV) (-), alpha-fetoprotein 306.8 ng/ml, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) 2.3 ng/ml, carbohydrate antigen (CA) 19-9 77.2 U/ml. Abdominal ultrasonography and computed tomography showed a large mass occupying most of the right lobe and portal thrombosis in the liver. Liver biopsy revealed cirrhosis with inactive hepatitis in the nontumorous lesion and well-differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma in the tumorous lesion. We report a rare case of an aged male patient with autoimmune hepatitis complicated by hepatocellular carcinoma.
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PMID:An aged male patient with autoimmune hepatitis complicated by hepatocellular carcinoma. 1039 80

Liver enzyme elevation (LEE) is commonly observed after combination antiretroviral therapy (ARVT) for HIV infection is begun. Potential risk factors for LEE after treatment with ritonavir and saquinavir with or without stavudine were investigated in 208 HIV-infected patients, by use of the Cox proportional hazard model. Eighteen patients (9%) developed LEE during the 48-week follow-up. Multivariate analysis, adjusted for baseline levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), showed that hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) positivity (relative risk [RR], 8.8; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.3-23.1) and the use of stavudine (RR, 4.9; 95% CI, 1.5-16.0) were the only significant risk factors for developing LEE. After LEE occurred, ALT and AST concentrations decreased by >50% in 13 of 14 patients who continued ARVT during LEE. In this study, it appeared safe to continue ARVT during LEE; however, more data from larger studies are required to confirm this finding.
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PMID:Risk factors for hepatotoxicity in HIV-1-infected patients receiving ritonavir and saquinavir with or without stavudine. Prometheus Study Group. 1107 57

Recent studies have shown that expression levels of the multidrug resistance gene MDR1, which encodes the drug transporter P-glycoprotein, correlate with prognostic outcomes of certain tumor types. These findings suggest that expression of MDR1 may affect tumor behaviors. To address this issue further, we investigated the expression of mdr1a, a human MDR1 homolog, on the development of hepatocellular carcinoma in a transgenic mouse model carrying the liver-targeted expression of human hepatitis-B virus (HBV) surface antigen. The pathogenetic program was compared in HBV mice carrying either mdr1a(+/+) or mdr1a(-/-). We found that the expressions of proliferative activity markers, Ki67 nuclear antigen, and proliferating cell nuclear antigen were elevated in mdr1a(-/-) mice younger than 10 wk in comparison with those in the same age group of wild-type animals. Replication in the hepatic population as determined by bromodeoxyuridine incorporation tended to support observation that mdr1a(-/-) mice exhibited elevated labeling indices in this age group. Moreover, histologic staining and flow-cytometric analysis showed that the mdr1a(-/-) animals exhibited a higher cell population with polyploidy than did the mdr1a(+/+) counterparts of the same age. However, no significant differences in the expression of the liver-injury markers serum alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase were observed. Although our results showed that absence of mdr1a expression is correlated with modest enhanced proliferative characteristics in the livers at stage before the development of hepatocellular carcinoma, the overall life spans between these two strains of mice were not significantly different. The implication of these findings to the role of P-glycoprotein in tumor development and cancer chemotherapy is discussed.
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PMID:Elevated expression of hepatic proliferative markers during early hepatocarcinogenesis in hepatitis-B virus transgenic mice lacking mdr1a-encoded P-glycoprotein. 1107 7

Hepatoblastoma usually occurs in children, but a few cases have also been reported in adults. We report the unusual case of hepatoblastoma in an 18-year-old adult with chronic hepatitis B. He visited a local hospital with right upper abdominal pain. Abdominal ultrasound showed a large mass in the right lobe of his liver. He was referred to our hospital and admitted for further examination. At admission, liver function tests gave slightly elevated results (aspartate aminotransferase (AST) 103 IU/l, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) 63 IU/l). A test for hepatitis virus revealed that he was a hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) carrier and had experienced seroconversion. His alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) was elevated to 1 548 000 IU/ml. Abdominal ultrasound showed a 109 x 96 x 80-mm mass with mosaic pattern in the right lobe of the liver and right portal vein thrombus. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) demonstrated a large low-density mass occupying the right lobe, with some high-density parts that showed calcification. From these results, we diagnosed hepatoblastoma in a young adult. A right lobectomy was performed. Pathological examination showed a highly differentiated hepatoblastoma. Adjuvant chemotherapy was performed with cisplatin and pirarubicin. The patient has been well and free of recurrence for 12 months, and his AFP level remains almost normal.
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PMID:Successfully resected hepatoblastoma in a young adult with chronic hepatitis B: report of a case. 1150 68


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