AIM To investigate peg-interferon (peg-IFN) and ribavirin (RBV) therapy in Myanmar and to predict sustained virologic response (SVR). METHODS This single-center, open-label, study was conducted in Myanmar between 2009 and 2014. A total of 288 patients infected with HCV genotypes 1, 2, 3 and 6 were treated with peg-IFN alpha-2a (180 μg/wk) or alpha-2b (50 to 100 μg as a weight-based dose) and ...

Several investigations have shown heterogeneity in the functional responses to angiotensin II (Ang II) in patients with essential hypertension. The present study was initiated to evaluate whether the A(1166)C polymorphism of the Ang II type 1 receptor (AT(1)R) gene contributes to this variability in Ang II responses. After 7 days of a high-sodium diet (220 mmol Na(+) per day), we measured in 42...

In contrast to other sympathetic outflow tracts, renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA) decreases in response to hypotensive hemorrhage. The functional significance of this "paradox" is not known. We tested the hypothesis that RSNA modulates renal perfusion and thus erythropoietin (EPO) release after transient hypotensive hemorrhage in anesthetized rats. Plasma EPO was measured before and afte...

Although dietary potassium deficiency (KD) results in an increase in plasma renin activity (PRA), the mechanism of this effect has not been elucidated. In the present study, isolated kidneys from normal rats or from rats made KD by diet were perfused at constant pressure (120 mm Hg) with a Krebs-Ringer-Bicarbonate medium containing albumin. KD led to an increase in PRA (3.6 vs. 1.1 ng angiotens...

AIM To investigate interferon-γ-inducible protein-10's (IP-10) potential to anticipate rapid (RVR)- and sustained virological responses (SVR) to chronic hepatitis C (CHC) treatment. METHODS We included case series examining RVR or SVR in relation to 24 or 48 wk treatment for CHC, in patients treatment free for at least six months, with genotype 1 or 4, and in relation to 24 wk treatment for g...

using daclatasvir and sofosbuvir in treatment-naive, non-cirrhotic HCV genotype 3 Pakistani population. Methodology: From January 2017 to February 2019, patients who met the inclusion criteria were included this open-label, non-randomized, uncontrolled observational trial at HBS General Hospital Islamabad. A 12-week course of oral therapy was administered each participant. Each patient got 400m...

BACKGROUND Rapid virological response (RVR) strongly predicts sustained virological response (SVR) in patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC), and abbreviates antiviral therapy in some patients. OBJECTIVES To identify factors predicting virological relapse (VR) in CHC patients who attained RVR. PATIENTS AND METHODS Medical records of 133 CHC patients with an RVR after completing 24 weeks of...

ABSTRACT. The slow pressor response to prolonged infusions of angiotensin II (AngII) entails a delayed rise in BP. This study investigated the hypothesis that the response depends on the generation of oxidative stress. The BP and renal functional response of mice to graded doses (200, 400, and 1000 ng. kg(-1). min(-1)) of subcutaneously infused AngII was studied. The SBP of conscious mice incre...

Male sex is associated with higher blood pressure and greater renal injury, perhaps related to greater sensitivity to ANG II. In anesthetized male and female C57BLK/6 mice, we assessed responses of mean arterial pressure (MAP) and renal vascular resistance (RVR; Transonic flow probe) to acute bolus injections of ANG II (0.3-3.0 microg/kg iv) and phenylephrine (PE; 30-300 microg/kg) during low-,...

BACKGROUND High baseline levels of IP-10 predict a slower first phase decline in HCV RNA and a poor outcome following interferon/ribavirin therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C. Several recent studies report that single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) adjacent to IL28B predict spontaneous resolution of HCV infection and outcome of treatment among HCV genotype 1 infected patients. METHO...