Research & Treatment News
August 27, 2010
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Learn the facts about how acupuncture can help chronic Hepatitis C - and what feats are beyond its reach.
by Nicole Cutler, L.Ac.
Acupuncture treatments are often considered to help those with Hepatitis C, the most common chronic blood borne pathogen in the United States. Affecting over four million Americans, chronic Hepatitis C can progress to advanced liver disease - a severe, potentially fatal condition. Although recent pharmaceutical developments look promising, the current treatment for Hepatitis C is effective in only about half of those infected. Without a guaranteed cure, many people look for help outside of the pharmaceutical industry.
Benefiting people with liver diseases for at least 2,000 years, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has many approaches for combating Hepatitis C; the most well known of which is acupuncture. Despite the success many have had with acupuncture, fears and misconceptions still keep others from experiencing its benefits. Several of the myths that perpetuate acupuncture's misunderstanding, include:
- Myth - Hepatitis C is easily spread through acupuncture.
- Truth - While sharing contaminated needles can transmit this blood borne virus, today's acupuncturists only use sterile, single-use, disposable needles. When used appropriately by a licensed acupuncturist, there is no risk of Hepatitis C transmission.
- Myth - Acupuncture is painful.
- Truth - Most acupuncture recipients experience gentle sensations from acupuncture needles that range from warmth to tingling to heaviness. For those who are particularly sensitive to acupuncture, TCM practitioners can use pediatric needles to prevent any painful sensations.
- Myth - Acupuncture can cure Hepatitis C.
- Truth - Acupuncture treatments can help many aspects of chronic Hepatitis C infection (ease symptoms, strengthen immunity and improve liver function), but claims that it can cure this virus are not valid.
One of the tenets of TCM is that each person is treated as an individual, based on his or her specific presentation. Thus, acupuncture treatments for Hepatitis C are custom-tailored to the recipient. When it comes to scientifically proving its effectiveness, this customized approach is acupuncture's predominant weakness. This is because respectable clinical trials rely on treatment uniformity to arrive at a reproducible conclusion. Regardless of this challenge, anecdotal evidence and several studies favor acupuncture's use for Hepatitis C.
Devised for several of the most common ways Hepatitis C is presented, acupuncture protocols have successfully helped people infected with the virus decrease symptoms, normalize or lower liver enzymes and slow the progression of liver disease:
- A 1995 pilot study conducted among people co-infected with HIV and viral Hepatitis (B and C) at San Francisco's Quan Yin Healing Arts Center indicated acupuncture alone may have an effect in lowering and/or normalizing liver enzyme levels.
- Published in a June 2010 issue of Acupuncture in Medicine, Turkish researchers found that depressive symptoms and myalgia (muscle pain) that are commonly seen in patients with chronic Hepatitis B and C can be relieved significantly with acupuncture.
- Published in an August 2010 edition of Neuroscience Letters, a Brazilian study found that acupuncture increased T-cell proliferation, an effect known to strengthen the immune system.
- Published in a June 2010 issue of Medical Acupuncture, researchers from Oregon investigated acupuncture's effectiveness at reducing adverse side effects from interferon therapy for Hepatitis C. They found that acupuncture offered significant benefits to patients treated with interferon for Hepatitis C in decreasing muscle aches, fatigue, irritability and nausea.
Acupuncture is typically painless and does not carry a risk of disease transmission; however, it is not a reliable means to eliminate Hepatitis C. Instead, acupuncture should be utilized as a powerful adjunct to traditional medical therapies. Until the pharmaceutical industry creates a more effective treatment regimen for Hepatitis C, acupuncture appears to be a drug-free method capable of reducing symptoms, fortifying the immune system and improving liver function.
References:
http://aim.bmj.com/content/early/2010/06/04/aim.2009.002170.abstract, Acupuncture for depression and myalgia in patients with hepatitis: an observational study, Zeliha Kocak Tufan, et al, Acupuncture in Medicine, June 2010.
http://www.acufinder.com/Acupuncture+Information/Detail/Chinese+Traditional+Medicine+for+Hepatitis+C, Chinese Traditional Medicine for Hepatitis C, Dr. Misha Cohen, OMD, L.Ac., Retrieved August 21, 2010, docmisha.com, 2010.
http://www.docmisha.com/applying/hepatitisc/hepatitisc.htm, Hepatitis C Help, Misha Cohen, OMD, L.Ac., Retrieved August 21, 2010, Misha Ruth Cohen, 2010.
http://www.liebertonline.com/doi/abs/10.1089/acu.2010.0740, Acupuncture for Adverse Effects of Interferon Therapy for Hepatitis C Infection, Diane Miller MD, et al, Retrieved August 22, 2010, Medical Acupuncture, June 2010.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20709154, Acupuncture is Effective to Attenuate Stress and Stimulate Lymphocyte Proliferation in the Elderly, Pavao TS, et al, Retrieved August 22, 2010, Neuroscience Letters, August 2010.
http://www.pacificcollege.edu/acupuncture-massage-publications/acupuncture-for-cirrhosis.html, Acupuncture for Cirrhosis, Retrieved August 22, 2010, Pacific College of Oriental Medicine, 2010.
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August 26, 2010
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New evidence implies that milk thistle interrupts the Hepatitis C virus' reproduction and proliferation cycles.
by Nicole Cutler, L.Ac.
For centuries, the extract from the milk thistle plant has been used to improve liver function. This practice is widely recognized - especially by the millions of people living with chronic Hepatitis C - a viral infection that can cause progressive damage to the liver. Hundreds of studies have provided evidence that silymarin, milk thistle's extract, is a potent liver cell protector. However, there have also been an abundance of conflicting reports regarding milk thistle's ability to directly affect the Hepatitis C virus. Providing even more reason for those with Hepatitis C to take milk thistle, a new study tips the scales of doubt by showing that silymarin exerts multiple effects against the lifecycle of the Hepatitis C virus.
Two previous studies that have indicated silymarin's usefulness against Hepatitis C include:
· The February 2008 issue of Hepatology looked at milk thistle use among 1,145 participants in the HALT-C study, sponsored by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease. Although milk thistle users in this study showed similar liver enzyme levels and Hepatitis C viral loads to non-users, those taking milk thistle showed fewer liver-related symptoms and an improved quality of life.
· The March 2010 issue of Gastroenterology published a French study where researchers evaluated a commercially available intravenous preparation of silibinin - the most active component of silymarin - in those with the Hepatitis C virus. The researchers agreed that silibinin inhibited Hepatitis C polymerase function - a result comparable to what the STAT-C (specifically targeted antiviral therapy for Hepatitis C) drugs can do - without their accompanying hazards.
The new study that further identifies milk thistle as an anti-Hepatitis C substance examined the antiviral properties and mechanisms of silymarin on cultured (grown in a lab) human liver cells infected with the virus. The study, funded in part by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), was published in the June 2010 edition of the journal, Hepatology.
After growing human liver cells and infecting them with the Hepatitis C virus, the cells were exposed to either standard Hepatitis C drug treatment or a diluted dose of silymarin. The researchers then found the following:
· Silymarin prevented the entry and fusion of the Hepatitis C virus into the target liver cells.
· Silymarin inhibited the ability of the virus to produce RNA, thus interfering with a portion of the virus' lifecycle.
· When measured against untreated cells, silymarin significantly decreased viral load (although to a lesser degree than treatment with interferon did).
· Silymarin prevented the cell-to-cell spread of the Hepatitis C virus.
Upon carefully taking all of the variables into account, the researchers concluded that silymarin's antiviral action appears to include blocking the entry and transmission of the Hepatitis C virus, possibly by targeting the host cell.
Experts agree that more well-structured trials are needed to understand, quantify and verify silymarin's effectiveness against the Hepatitis C virus. More ammunition is required to break down the wall of doubt surrounding this herb's contribution to the Hepatitis C community. In the meantime, there is sufficient evidence confirming silymarin's ability to protect liver cells and improve liver function - two properties that everyone with Hepatitis C could benefit from.
References:
http://nccam.nih.gov/research/results/spotlight/061610.htm, Effects of Milk Thistle Extract on the Hepatitis C Virus Lifecycle, Retrieved August 13, 2010, National Institutes of Health National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2010.
http://www.hcvadvocate.org/news/newsLetter/2010/advocate0210.html#2, Healthwise: Milk Thistle, Lucinda K. Porter, RN, Retrieved August 13, 2010, Hepatitis C Support Project, 2010.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19962982, Silibinin and related compounds are direct inhibitors of hepatitis C virus RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, Ahmed-Belkacem A, et al, Retrieved August 14, 2010, Gastroenterology, March 2010.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20512985, Multiple effects of silymarin on the hepatitis C virus lifecycle, Wagoner J, et al, Retrieved August 13, 2010, Hepatology, June 2010.
http://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/tc/milk-thistle-topic-overview?ecd=wnl_hep_071510, Milk Thistle - Topic Overview, Retrieved August 14, 2010, WebMD, LLC, 2010.
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August 24, 2010
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Combining antiviral activity with a barrier to resistance, Pharmasset Inc.'s Hepatitis C drug, PSI-7977, has received fast track status by the FDA.
Pharmasset, Inc. (VRUS)'s PSI-7977 Receives Fast Track Designation from the FDA for the Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis C Infection
8/12/2010
PRINCETON, N.J., Aug. 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Pharmasset, Inc. (Nasdaq:VRUS - News) has received fast track designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for PSI-7977 for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. PSI-7977 is an oral uridine nucleotide analog polymerase inhibitor of HCV. Pharmasset recently completed dosing in a 28 day Phase 2a trial to evaluate PSI-7977 in combination with Pegasys (pegylated interferon) plus Copegus (ribavirin) in treatment-naive patients chronically infected with HCV genotype 1. Pharmasset expects to initiate a 12-week Phase 2b study of PSI-7977 in the fourth quarter of 2010.
Continue reading this entire article:
http://www.biospace.com/news_story.aspx?NewsEntityId=190768&Source=TopBreaking
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August 18, 2010
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In general, the children of women infected with Hepatitis C have a low risk of being born with the virus. In addition to what was previously known about this type of Hepatitis C transmission, new research finds a genetic link that can aid - or prevent - this from occurring.
by Nicole Cutler, L.Ac.
Many women with a chronic viral infection are wary of procreating, because of the chance they may pass their illness on during pregnancy or birth. For those infected with Hepatitis C, this fear is especially pronounced.
There are a handful of reasonable causes supporting a fear of carrying a baby and giving birth with Hepatitis C. They include:
· Hepatitis C is rampant in our society - affecting approximately four million Americans.
· Hepatitis C often leads to chronic liver disease.
· There is currently no guaranteed cure for Hepatitis C.
· Nearly half of those with Hepatitis C are unsure as to how they originally became infected.
Known as vertical transmission, the risk of infants acquiring Hepatitis C from their mother during pregnancy or childbirth is surprisingly low. There have been quite a few studies examining what the likelihood is of vertical transmission and what increases or decreases the risk of infecting a newborn with Hepatitis C.
Although the statistics determining the rate of vertical transmission is not uniform among these studies, experts believe the most accurate estimate of vertical transmission from mothers with Hepatitis C is five percent. Based upon a comprehensive review of trials investigating Hepatitis C vertical transmission, the following appear to represent the two largest risks for bearing a child with Hepatitis C:
1. The mother is co-infected with Hepatitis C and HIV.
2. The mother has a high Hepatitis C viral load during birth.
In addition, physicians typically relay the following information to pregnant women with Hepatitis C:
· The presence of Hepatitis C infection does not appear to result in a higher risk pregnancy or a higher incidence of poor obstetric outcome.
· Testing for the presence of Hepatitis C in infants born to infected mothers should not begin until at least one year following delivery. The natural history of Hepatitis C infected infants is poorly understood at this time.
· Prophylactic caesarian section is not recommended in Hepatitis C infected mothers. The role of cesarean delivery in mothers co-infected with Hepatitis C and HIV remains controversial.
· Breastfeeding presents a negligible risk of Hepatitis C transmission. Given the well-documented benefits of breastfeeding, it is highly recommended.
It has been a while since there were any additional factors recognized to affect the likelihood of vertical transmission. However, researchers from Italy have recently identified a genetic component that reliably foretells this possibility.
As published in the July 2009 edition of the journal Virology, a mismatch between genes carried by a mother and her infant appear to confer protection against Hepatitis C transmission. Elena Bevilacqua and colleagues from Italy investigated the role of several genes known to play a role in Hepatitis C infection. These researchers found that a specific gene, HLA-DRB1, could predict whether or not the infant acquires Hepatitis C infection from its mother. Based on this research:
1. When a mother and child have the same genetic variant of HLA-DRB1, there is no guarantee that vertical transmission will occur; it just increases the likelihood.
2. When a mother and child have different variations of HLA-DRB1, there appears to be guaranteed protection from vertical transmission.
Unfortunately, a mother cannot control the similarity or dissimilarity of her infant's genetic construction. However, whenever a trial reveals a definitive link for Hepatitis C transmission, we gain some ground in understanding this virus. Undoubtedly, the more information gathered on how Hepatitis C is transmitted, infects people, replicates and dies, the closer we are - as a whole - to putting an end to this source of chronic liver disease.
References:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HLA-DR, HLA-DR, Retrieved September 17, 2009, Wikimedia Foundation Inc., 2009.
http://www.hcvadvocate.org/hcsp/articles/HERRINE.html, Mother-to-Child Transmission of HCV, Steven K. Herrine, MD, Retrieved September 15, 2009, Hepatitis C Support Project, 2009.
http://www.hivandhepatitis.com/hep_c/news/2009/090109_a.html, Genetic Factors Influence Risk of Mother-to-child Hepatitis C Virus Transmission, Retrieved September 15, 2009, hivandhepatitis.com, 2009.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15239255, Diagnostic and prognostic value of virologic tests in vertical transmission of hepatitis C virus infection: results of a large prospective study in pregnant women, Saez, A, et al, Retrieved September 16, 2009, Hepato-Gastroenterology, July-August 2004.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19481774, Genetic factors in mother-to-child transmission of HCV infection, Bevilacqua E, et al, Retrieved September 16, 2009, Virology, July 2009.
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August 11, 2010
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Due to recently released Phase III trial results, telaprevir has a better chance of gaining FDA approval by 2011. Researchers found that adding telaprevir to pegylated interferon and ribavirin takes half the time to achieve superior results than does standard Hepatitis C therapy.
Vertex's Telaprevir Clears Hurdle, Could Halve Treatment Times for Hepatitis C
Ryan McBride 8/10/10
[Updated. 8:55 am Eastern time. See editor's note.] Vertex Pharmaceuticals's (NASDAQ:VRTX) lead drug candidate for hepatitis C infection has passed another test. The Cambridge, MA-based company, which has West Coast operations in San Diego, says today that it now has proof that its drug in combination with standard therapies can wipe out the chronic liver damaging disease about as well in 24 weeks as in 48 weeks.
Continue reading this entire article:
http://www.xconomy.com/boston/2010/08/10/vertexs-telaprevir-clears-hurdle-could-halve-treatment-times-for-hepatitis-c/
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Ghrelin is mostly known as a naturally occurring hormone that stimulates the appetite. However, new research demonstrates that this hormone might have therapeutic value to those with Hepatitis C.
by Nicole Cutler, L.Ac.
A hormone normally found in the stomach is proving to be of great interest to the Hepatitis C community. Known as an appetite-stimulating hormone, ghrelin is regarded with disdain by dieters and overweight individuals. Interestingly, ghrelin has demonstrated the ability to minimize one of the greatest hazards of the Hepatitis C virus - liver fibrosis.
About Ghrelin
Made in the stomach, ghrelin levels rise when people are hungry and they wane after a meal. People who get injections of this hormone gorge themselves, and those suffering from a rare disease that keeps ghrelin levels unusually high tend to be obese overeaters. Not surprisingly, researchers seeking to help people shed excessive weight have been actively trying to block ghrelin since its recognition in the late '90s. Of course, blocking an essential hormone carries unknown risks to our health. For people with chronic liver disease, researchers from Spain have uncovered a valid reason to treasure ghrelin - and be weary of blocking this curious hormone.
Fibrosis
One of the few organs that can regenerate, the liver has the remarkable ability to recover from minor injuries by healing itself. Unfortunately, this regenerative capacity can't keep up with diseases that cause significant liver damage. For those individuals living with chronic Hepatitis C (or any other kind of chronic liver disease), progressive scarring of liver tissue is a major concern.
Otherwise known as fibrosis, continual liver scarring can lead to cirrhosis - which ultimately renders the liver unable to function. Over 27,000 Americans die from cirrhosis annually, making it the country's third leading cause of death for people between the ages of 25 and 59, and the seventh leading cause of death overall. Needless to say, strategies to prevent fibrosis from worsening to cirrhosis are in high demand. Despite this need, there are currently no approved anti-fibrotic therapies on the market.
Ghrelin Fights Fibrosis
Published in the March 2010 edition of Hepatology, researchers from Spain's Hospital Clinic of Barcelona discovered that ghrelin has the potential of being a novel, anti-fibrotic therapy. According to Dr. Ramón Bataller, part of the team involved in the Barcelona study, "Our aim was to determine if recombinant ghrelin could regulate the formation of fibrous tissue associated with chronic liver damage."
The research team found the following:
· In animal models, ghrelin reduced the amount of fibrogenic cells by 25 percent.
· Participants with chronic Hepatitis C and alcoholic hepatitis had significantly lower ghrelin levels than did healthy individuals.
The researchers concluded that ghrelin inhibits the development of liver fibrosis in both animals and humans.
Insulin Resistance
The link connecting this appetite-stimulating hormone to its protection against liver fibrosis remains unclear. However, research from 2003 may be on the right track. According to an Italian study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, insulin resistance may be the bridge between ghrelin levels and liver damage. In individuals with NAFLD (non-alcoholic fatty liver disease), insulin resistance is believed to be relatively independent of obesity. After evaluating subjects with NAFLD, the Italian researchers found that insulin resistance plays a primary role in controlling ghrelin levels.
Insulin resistance is a decreased ability to respond to the effects of insulin, a hormone that helps transport glucose into the body's cells for making energy. Since cells need glucose to survive, the body compensates for insulin resistance by producing additional amounts of this hormone. Although not a disease or specific diagnosis, insulin resistance has a ripple effect on the body and is associated with heart disease, polycystic ovarian syndrome, Type 2 diabetes, obesity and NAFLD.
Thanks to Bataller's team, the connection between ghrelin and fibrosis could help prevent liver scarring in people who are most prone. Future studies are likely going to take insulin resistance into consideration while determining the safety and efficacy of ghrelin in people with chronic liver disease. If this hormone continues to prove its value to the liver, efforts to block ghrelin for weight loss purposes will likely lose steam. On the other hand, those with Hepatitis C could benefit by finally having a therapeutic option to prevent the progression of liver scarring.
References:
http://cordis.europa.eu/fetch?CALLER=EN_NEWS&ACTION=D&SESSION=&RCN=31823, Body's own hormone may be liver disease's worst foe, Retrieved March 15, 2010, CORDIS Services, 2010.
http://jcem.endojournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/88/12/5674, Low Ghrelin Concentrations in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Are Related to Insulin Resistance, G.Marchesini, et al, Retrieved March 19, 2010, Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, August 2003.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/03/11/60II/main543614.shtml, The Hunger Hormone, Carol Kopp, Retrieved March 15, 2010, CBS Interactive Inc., 2010.
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2010-03/w-gml022510.php, Ghrelin mitigates liver fibrosis in animal models; regulates human fibrosis, Retrieved March 15, 2010, EurekAlert, 2010.
http://www.healthsquare.com/fgpd/fg4ch20.htm, Dealing with Liver Disease, Retrieved March 19, 2010, The HealthCentral Network, Inc., 2010.
http://www.labtestsonline.org/understanding/conditions/insulin_resistance.html, Insulin Resistance, Retrieved March 19, 2010, American Association for Clinical Chemistry, 2010.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20077562, Ghrelin attenuates hepatocellular injury and liver fibrogenesis in rodents and influences fibrosis progression in humans, Moreno M, et al, Retrieved March 15, 2010, Hepatology, March 2010.
http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn13845-stomach-hormone-turns-hungry-people-into-junkies.html, Stomach hormone turns hungry people into junkies, Ewen Callaway, Retrieved March 18, 2010, Reed Business Information Ltd, 2010.
Posted by Editors at 11:49 AM --- Printer-friendly version
August 6, 2010
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By analyzing the role of the AMP kinase enzyme in Hepatitis C viral proliferation, University of Leeds researchers have discovered that certain traditional diabetes drugs prevent Hepatitis C viral replication.
New Use for Old Drugs in Treating Hepatitis C?
August 5, 2010
Research led by the University of Leeds has found drugs such as anti-diabetic drug Metformin and AICAR, used to combat obesity, can prevent the hepatitis C virus from replicating in the body. Hepatitis C virus affects an estimated three per cent of the world's population and there are four million carriers of the virus in Europe alone. The virus affects the liver and recovery rates are low: only around 40 % of hepatitis C sufferers will fully recover, with others developing cirrhosis and in many cases, liver cancer.
"We're very excited about these findings," said Professor Mark Harris from the University's Faculty of Biological Sciences. "These drugs are already on the market, and whilst substantial clinical trials still need to take place before they can be used to treat hepatitis C infection, we think it could be an enormous step forward in the battle against the virus."
Continue reading this entire article:
http://www.labmate-online.com/news/news-and-views/5/news/new_use_for_old_drugs_in_treating_hepatitis_c/11108/
Posted by Editors at 2:34 PM --- Printer-friendly version
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Late-stage studies show that boceprevir remains a Hepatitis C drug contender.
Merck says hepatitis C drug meets study goals
NEW YORK
Drug developer Merck & Co. said Wednesday its potential hepatitis C drug boceprevir met key goals in late-stage studies.
The company said the drug prompted immune system responses to fighting the disease in studies involving newly treated patients and patients taking additional treatments.
Continue reading this entire article:
http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D9HCM6100.htm
Posted by Editors at 2:31 PM --- Printer-friendly version
August 4, 2010
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Being enclosed in a pressurized chamber filled with oxygen can help a variety of health problems - however this treatment's benefit to those with Hepatitis C has not been determined.
by Nicole Cutler, L.Ac.
The medical use of oxygen at a level higher than atmospheric pressure, hyperbaric oxygen therapy is creating a buzz in the Hepatitis C community. This interest is not surprising, considering the purported benefits this noninvasive treatment has on human health. As the positive impact oxygen has on the body's systems becomes better realized, the list of conditions helped by this fascinating treatment continues to grow.
What Is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy?
While hyperbaric oxygen therapy delivers 100 percent oxygen to the recipient, the air we normally breathe contains far less oxygen. In our atmosphere, air generally contains:
· 21 percent oxygen
· 78 percent nitrogen
· 1 percent is a combination of the noble gases and carbon dioxide
In air, the exact concentration of these gases is determined by atmospheric pressure, a measurement that is affected by weather and altitude. To deliver 100 percent oxygen, a hyperbaric chamber is needed to allow the pressure around the body to be increased. This technology is well-established, as all commercial aircraft are hyperbaric chambers equipped with oxygen breathing systems.
While the air we breathe generally provides a sufficient quantity of oxygen for tissue damage repair, delivering 100 percent oxygen in a hyperbaric chamber increases the amount of oxygen dissolved in the bloodstream. Tissue damage is frequently accompanied by capillary damage - a combination that hinders oxygen distribution. Even if the amount of oxygen in the blood is normal, tissue and capillary damage can lead to a severe oxygen deficit. By simultaneously raising the air pressure around the body and increasing oxygen concentration, normal cellular repair mechanisms are believed to improve.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Approved Uses
Nearly all medical clinics, doctor's offices and hospitals use U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved drugs and medical devices for "off-label" use on a consistent basis. Although "off-label" use for hyperbaric oxygen therapy is common, the FDA requests that unapproved uses be supported by scientific data and administered under the supervision of a licensed physician. Currently, there are fourteen conditions that are FDA approved for treatment with hyperbaric therapy:
1. Actinomycosis
2. Air or Gas Embolism
3. Carbon Monoxide Poisoning and Smoke Inhalation
4. Clostridial Myonecrosis (Gas Gangrene)
5. Cyanide Poisoning
6. Crush Injury, Compartment Syndrome and Other Acute Traumatic Ischemias
7. Decompression Sickness (the Bends)
8. Diabetic Wounds
9. Necrotizing Soft Tissue Infections
10. Osteomyelitis (Refractory)
11. Radiation Tissue Damage (Osteoradionecrosis)
12. Severe Anemia
13. Skin Grafts and Flaps (Compromised)
14. Thermal Burns
It is obvious from the conditions above that Hepatitis C - or any other infectious liver disease - is not included on this FDA approval list.
Is There Scientific Data for Hyperbaric Oxygen and Hepatitis C?
Because of the FDA's exception for "off-label" use, there could still be reason to consider hyperbaric oxygen therapy for those with Hepatitis C if supportive scientific data exists. Unfortunately, that data is lacking.
However, a Russian team did find a potential hepatitis benefit for hyperbaric oxygen back in 2009. Upon studying animals with chronic toxic hepatitis, the researchers found that hyperbaric oxygenation during the first three days after a liver resection improved postoperative outcome. While this study is interesting, it is not comparable to hyperbaric oxygen therapy for humans with Hepatitis C.
Inspiring hope for new therapeutic options in hepatology, a study to treat alcoholic liver disease with hyperbaric oxygen therapy has been launched by Castle Craig Hospital and the Department of Hepatology at The University of Edinburgh. This Phase I study is currently in progress, and aims to determine if there is an improvement in liver function following hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
Although there is a substantial list of conditions that the FDA has approved as treatable with hyperbaric oxygen, Hepatitis C is not among them. Supporters may claim that improving liver health or defeating a hepatitis virus are ideal, "off-label" uses for hyperbaric oxygen therapy, but the evidence just isn't there yet.
References:
http://springfield.news-leader.com/lifestyle/health/20050322-Hyperbarictreat.html, Hyperbaric treatment increases blood's oxygen-carrying capacity, Wes Johnson, Retrieved August 1, 2010, News-Leader.com, 2010.
http://www.chamberofhope.org/?page_id=47, Medical Evidence, Retrieved July 31, 2010, Chamber of Hope of the Selama Grotto Cerebral Palsy Endowment, 2010.
http://www.hyperbaricoxygentherapy.org.uk/article-letter-from-the-chairman-8, Letter From the Chairman, Peter McCann, Retrieved August 1, 2010, Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment Trust, 2010.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/139712.php, University Of Edinburgh And Castle Craig Hospital Launch Pilot Study For Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy In The Treatment Of Alcoholic Liver Disease, Retrieved July 31, 2010, MediLexicon International Ltd., 2010.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20000127, [Correction of glutamine metabolism impairments in the operated liver with chronic hepatitis by hyperbaric oxygen], Savilov PN, Retrieved July 31, 2010, Biomedit͡sinskai͡a khimii͡a, July-August 2009.
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