Platelets, the chief effectors of vascular homeostasis, have been identified as important players in the pathogenesis of both acute and chronic liver disease in preclinical models of hepatitis B viral infection. Platelets are thought to promote the accumulation of virus-specific T-cells into the liver parenchyma. Importantly, the inhibition of platelet activation by clinically relevant doses of...

In the practice guideline “Diagnosis, Management, and Treatment of Hepatitis C: An Update ” (HEPATOLOGY 2009:49 (4): 1335-1374; DOI: 10.1002/hep.22759), two errors have been corrected in the online version. 1. The Treatment Objectives and Outcomes section contained an error which has been corrected to read: “Short-term outcomes can be measured biochemically (normalization of serum ALT levels), ...

In the practice guideline “Diagnosis, Management, and Treatment of Hepatitis C: An Update ” (HEPATOLOGY 2009:49 (4): 1335-1374; DOI: 10.1002/hep.22759), two errors have been corrected in the online version. 1. The Treatment Objectives and Outcomes section contained an error which has been corrected to read: “Short-term outcomes can be measured biochemically (normalization of serum ALT levels), ...

Background: Hepatic steatosis is commonly observed in patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC). Many studies indicate a relationship between steatosis and fibrosis progression. The aim of this study was to analyze the prevalence of hepatic steatosis and related factors in Iranian CHC patients.   Methods: One hundred and fifteen consecutive patients with CHC were enrolled which were treat...

Background: Hepatic steatosis is commonly observed in patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC). Many studies indicate a relationship between steatosis and fibrosis progression. The aim of this study was to analyze the prevalence of hepatic steatosis and related factors in Iranian CHC patients.   Methods: One hundred and fifteen consecutive patients with CHC were enrolled which were treat...

Hepatic fatty acid (FA) composition may influence steatosis development in patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC). In a cross-sectional study, we compared the hepatic FA profile in hepatitis C patients with (n = 9) and without (n = 33) steatosis (> or =5% of hepatocytes involved). FA composition of hepatic and RBC total lipids was measured by gas chromatography. Lipid peroxidation and antioxid...

Liver biopsy (LB) remains a major tool in chronic liver disease evaluation. Main current indications of LB in chronic liver disease are reviewed in this manuscript. Major development of non-invasive tools for evaluation of liver fibrosis led to decrease of LB indications in patients with chronic hepatitis C. LB is the only tool for exploration of necroinflammatory and fibrosis lesions in chroni...

With a markedly increased prevalence of obesity, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) now becomes the most common cause of chronic liver disease in both adults and children. The etiology and pathogenesis of NAFLD are multifactorial and remain incompletely understood. According to the “two-hit” theory, inflammatory cytokines and adipokines are activated by oxidative stress and they are invo...