Research & Treatment News
February 28, 2011
Printer-friendly version
Determining if home remedies for Hepatitis C actually work depends on which remedies are being used and what the treatment goal is.
by Nicole Cutler, L.Ac.
Natural approaches to fight the Hepatitis C virus are gaining more and more attention, especially as the rising cost of healthcare collides with the significant number of non-responders to antiviral treatment. In fact, many alternative healing methods have valid scientific evidence substantiating their claims to help those with Hepatitis C. As anyone who has dabbled in complementary healthcare can attest, some do-it-yourself remedies are better than others. Regardless of what approach is considered, anyone wondering if home methods for Hepatitis C work must first understand the difference between elimination of the Hepatitis C virus and helping the liver cope with this virus.
The currently approved Hepatitis C treatment can successfully treat hepatitis; however, success is only achieved in about half of Americans with the virus. To date, no form of alternative medicine has been proven to successfully treat Hepatitis C. Despite this fact, many home remedies and natural substances have been found to offer other important benefits to those with chronic Hepatitis C.
Curing vs. Helping
The current standard treatment for Hepatitis C consists of pegylated interferon and ribavirin, a combination that yields a sustained viral response in approximately half of those who are eligible for this treatment. According to Schering Corporation, a sustained viral response is the inability to detect Hepatitis C genetic material for at least six months after Hepatitis C therapy is completed. A sustained viral response is:
· the best measure currently available for evaluating the elimination of Hepatitis C
· considered the same as a cure by many physicians, although some are wary of proclaiming someone can be cured of Hepatitis C
Doubtfulness exists, because there is no way to be sure that a sustained viral response is permanent. Hepatitis C tests examine the blood for viral particles, but they are not yet sophisticated enough to test for this virus in other organs, the lymphatic system or other parts of the body where the virus is believed to hide. Thus, it is difficult to know if Hepatitis C is truly eradicated or if a microscopic virion has found a good hiding place.
The pharmaceutical industry is heavily invested in its attempts to completely eliminate the Hepatitis C virus from someone's body. However, therapeutic actions falling outside of Western medicine function differently. In general, these alternative methods are aimed at helping people manage chronic Hepatitis C, not viral elimination. Most home remedies for Hepatitis C attempt to:
· strengthen the liver's ability to battle Hepatitis C
· reduce the damage this virus can do to the liver
· assist the liver with its functions
· ease symptoms of liver inflammation or damage
Top Helpful Home Remedies
While remedies that don't require a doctor's prescription may not deliver a sustained viral response, they can be extremely helpful to anyone living with chronic Hepatitis C. Based on safety profiles, clinical studies and empirical data, the following three home remedies are widely regarded as some of the best for Hepatitis C:
1. Castor Oil Packs - Despite their potential for making a mess, applying a castor oil pack over the liver area can help reduce inflammation, activate immune cells, ease pain and facilitate detoxification.
2. Supplement With Milk Thistle - The most highly regarded herb for supporting the liver, milk thistle offers benefits to someone with Hepatitis C, such as strengthening liver cell walls - which prevents liver cell damage and inflammation while also promoting new, healthy liver cell growth.
3. Take N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC) - An amino acid that metabolizes to glutathione, the body's most potent antioxidant, NAC helps neutralize toxins. This function supports the liver's role of detoxification, reducing toxin-induced liver damage. In addition, NAC appears to improve the likelihood of achieving sustained viral response during Hepatitis C antiviral treatment.
Assessing whether or not home remedies work for Hepatitis C depends on your goal. If the desire is to eradicate the Hepatitis C virus then, no, home remedies do not work. However, if the desire is to help minimize the damage Hepatitis C can cause then, yes, certain home remedies - such as castor oil packs, milk thistle and NAC - are worth the extra effort.
References:
http://altmedicine.about.com/od/healthconditionsdisease/a/hepatitis_c.htm, Is There a Natural Hepatitis C Cure?, Cathy Wong, Retrieved November 23, 2010, About.com, 2010.
http://www.healingwell.com/library/hepatitis/info4.asp, Alternative Treatment for Hepatitis C, Retrieved November 23, 2010, HealingWell.com, LLC, 2010.
http://www.hepatitis-central.com/mt/archives/2009/11/hepatitis_c_cur.html, Hepatitis C: Curable or Incurable Disease?, Nicole Cutler, L.Ac., Retrieved November 26, 2010, Natural Wellness, 2010.
http://www.hepatitis-central.com/mt/archives/2010/06/the_top_three_a.html, The Top Three Alternative Treatments for Hepatitis C, Nicole Cutler, L.Ac., Retrieved November 27, 2010, Natural Wellness, 2010.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hepatitis-c/DS00097/DSECTION=lifestyle-and-home-remedies, Lifestyle and home remedies, Retrieved November 23, 2010, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 2010.
http://www.webmd.com/hepatitis/features/hepatitis-c-alternative-treatments, Hepatitis C Alternative Treatments, Stephanie Watson, Retrieved November 23, 2010, WebMD, LLC, 2010.
Posted by Editors at 10:04 AM --- Printer-friendly version
Printer-friendly version
To prevent having any controllable conditions that favor liver cancer development, this list of the most prevalent liver cancer risks is useful to those with chronic hepatitis.
Top 10 Liver Cancer Risk Factors
By Linda Fugate PhD
February 16, 2011
Liver cancer rates doubled in the United States between 1976 and 2002, and is one of the most deadly cancers worldwide. A recent review article reported on the risk factors:
1. Hepatitis B or C virus infection. Worldwide, viral liver infections are the most common cause of liver cancer. Rates of hepatitis C infection are on the rise in the United States, and this is one contributing factor to the rising rates of liver cancer.
2. Alcohol. Liver damage is the most familiar hazard of excessive alcohol consumption. Cirrhosis is a common step on the way to liver cancer.
3. Obesity. A study of 28,129 individuals in Sweden showed a three-fold increase in liver cancer rates in obese patients. Excess weight is also associated with a higher mortality rate from this cancer. Rising rates of obesity may contribute to the increase in liver cancer rates.
Continue reading this entire article:
http://www.empowher.com/liver-cancer/content/top-10-liver-cancer-risk-factors
Posted by Editors at 9:29 AM --- Printer-friendly version
February 21, 2011
Printer-friendly version
After encouraging pre-clinical studies, Medivir and Tibotec are beginning a Phase 1a trial of their Hepatitis C nucleoside inhibitor.
Medivir Kicks Off Phase 1a Trial of the Hepatitis C Polymerase Inhibitor TMC649128
Feb 16, 2011 (Close-Up Media via COMTEX) --
Medivir AB, a research-based specialty pharmaceutical company focused on infectious diseases, announced the start of a phase 1a clinical trial with TMC649128 intended for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus infection.
The Company said TMC649128 is a nucleoside NS5B polymerase inhibitor that has already demonstrated an attractive pre-clinical profile. It is anticipated that this profile would see TMC649128 be used in combination with HCV directly acting antiviral agents, given their high genetic barrier to resistance and antiviral activity across multiple HCV genotypes.
Continue reading this entire article:
http://www.tradingmarkets.com/news/stock-alert/mvrbf_medivir-kicks-off-phase-1a-trial-of-the-hepatitis-c-polymerase-inhibitor-tmc649128-1494826.html
Posted by Editors at 11:22 AM --- Printer-friendly version
February 17, 2011
Printer-friendly version
Medical chemists from the UK are working on an oral Hepatitis C drug that works by activating a protein in the immune system.
New hepatitis C drug
14 February 2011
Scientists in the UK have developed a compound to combat the hepatitis C virus that could be taken as a pill.
David Pryde and his team from Pfizer Global Research and Development, Sandwich, have made new compounds to activate a protein in the immune system called TLR7 - toll-like receptor 7 - which fights the infection. Toll-like receptors identify foreign DNA, such as a virus, and produce proteins that inhibit the virus' replication.
Continue reading this entire article:
http://www.rsc.org/chemistryworld/News/2011/February/14021101.asp
Posted by Editors at 9:45 AM --- Printer-friendly version
Printer-friendly version
As a result of the need for improved treatments, the FDA granted fast track development to INX-08189, a guanosine nucleotide polymerase inhibitor for treating Hepatitis C.
FDA grants fast track designation to Inhibitex HCV drug
PBR Staff Writer
Published 14 February 2011
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has designated Inhibitex's investigation of INX-08189, a potent guanosine nucleotide polymerase inhibitor for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C viral (HCV) infection, as a fast track development program.
Inhibitex is developing a series of proprietary nucleotide inhibitors that target the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (NS5b) of HCV.
INX-189 is a protide of a 2'-C-methylguanosine analogue.
Inhibitex believes the preclinical and clinical studies of INX-189 completed to-date support its potential as a potent, once-daily, low dose oral therapy amenable to combination with other antivirals for the treatment of patients with all known genotypes of HCV.
Continue reading this entire article:
http://regulatoryaffairs.pharmaceutical-business-review.com/news/fda-grants-fast-track-designation-to-inhibitex-hcv-drug-140211
Posted by Editors at 9:42 AM --- Printer-friendly version
February 16, 2011
Printer-friendly version
If chronic Hepatitis B or C has rendered you incapable of performing any work, Social Security disability benefits may provide a safety net. Understanding the guidelines for disability will help those truly in need to better work their way through an intensive application process.
by Nicole Cutler, L.Ac.
While many with chronic Hepatitis B or C are able to prevent their liver disease from progressing to a severe condition, some are not as fortunate. When the symptoms of liver disease are severe enough to prevent Americans from working, they may be eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) from the U.S. government.
At the end of 2010, over eight million Americans were receiving compensation from Social Security for their inability to earn an income. If the idea of getting a monthly check from the Social Security Administration sounds like a reprieve from your monetary pressures, make certain of your eligibility before applying. Nearly each year for the past 10 years, the percentage of people being approved for SSDI has diminished. In 2010 alone, only 35 percent of the nearly 2.2 million applications for this reward were approved. Just like any other nationally sponsored program involving funds, being approved for Social Security benefits requires a lot of effort, paperwork and proof of your problem.
SSDI benefits are paid to totally disabled individuals who have worked and paid into the Social Security system for at least five of the previous 10 years. If approved for SSDI, the Social Security Administration issues a monthly check based upon how much was earned and paid into their system. Benefits are also paid to dependent children who are under 16 years old, or who are under 18 years old and still in high school.
Before proceeding with a claim for SSDI, or even before reading this article in its entirety - understand that all of the negative parts of your illness must emerge and take center stage. It can be challenging to remain positive about your outlook for the future when undertaking the task of highlighting the severity of your disease. With that said, the basics of Social Security disability eligibility for someone with chronic hepatitis are outlined below.
By SSDI's definition, a person is considered disabled if the following two conditions are proven:
1. Due to a medical condition, the individual is unable to perform the tasks of a job for which he or she is suited.
2. That medical condition either has or will last for at least 12 months or is expected to result in death.
Although these conditions appear to be straightforward, the key to being approved for benefits is supplying irrefutable evidence of your disability. By learning how to best assemble your case for disability, your chances of being approved increase.
Known as the Blue Book, Social Security publishes a list of impairments that qualify for disability benefits. In section 5.00 - Digestive Diseases of the Blue Book, paragraph D, number 4 broaches chronic viral hepatitis infections. Although Hepatitis B and C are mentioned here, these illnesses alone are not sufficient to qualify for disability. Because the presentation of viral hepatitis can vary greatly, Social Security has specific guidelines on how severe the condition must be.
Further along in section 5.00.D.4, it is stated that all types of chronic viral hepatitis infections are evaluated under section 5.05 or any listing in an affected body system(s). Moreover, if the person's health issues are not specifically described in 5.05, Social Security will consider the effects of hepatitis upon their assessment of "residual functional capacity." Below are some details in section 5.05 that describe how severe the disabling condition must be:
· Esophageal Varices - This must be demonstrated by medical imaging with documentation of a massive hemorrhage attributable to these varices or implementation of an esophageal varices shunt.
· Bilirubin - This value must be 2.5 mg per deciliter or greater persisting repeatedly for at least five months.
· Ascites - Due to liver disease, ascites must recur or persist for at least five months as proven by abdominal paracentesis or persistent hypoalbuminemia of 3.0 gm per deciliter or less.
· Hepatic Encephalopathy - Physician documentation of how this problem prohibits daily functioning is necessary.
If none of these liver disease complications are applicable, there are some additional SSDI qualifications that may accurately describe your condition. Along with a liver biopsy confirming chronic liver disease (obtained independent of social security disability evaluation), one of these three must be met for SSDI consideration:
1. Ascites - Proven by abdominal paracentesis or persistent hypoalbuminemia of 3.0 gm per deciliter or less, recurrent or persisting for at least three months and not attributable to other causes.
2. Bilirubin - This value must be 2.5 mg per deciliter or greater persisting repeatedly for at least three months.
3. Liver Cell Necrosis or Inflammation - As documented by repeated abnormalities of prothrombin time and enzymes indicative of hepatic dysfunction, this must persist for at least three months.
Recognizing that you may qualify for SSDI is only the first step in an intensive process to receive compensation. Experts who evaluate these claims agree that regardless of the guidelines or illness being appraised, the most important component of any accepted application is medical proof documenting an inability to earn income. This could include documents such as a disability diary, doctor's notes, records from an alternative healthcare practitioner, medical procedure results, physician letters explaining why you are unable to work and declining performance reviews from your former employer.
Since the Social Security disability program is designed to pay benefits to those suffering from medical problems so severe that they cannot function at any type of work, claimants who are not completely disabled are denied. Thus, the process of applying for and receiving benefits can be harsh and lengthy. However, if you are in the unfortunate position of being completely unable to earn an income due to symptoms from chronic hepatitis, SSDI may be able to offer you some much needed monetary relief.
Editor's Note: For more information on disability, visit the Social Security Administration's website at www.ssa.gov. Or, to read about an explanation of Social Security's five-step process to determine if a Hepatitis C patient qualifies for SSDI, visit: http://www.allsup.com/about-ssdi/ssdi-guidelines-by-disability/hepatitis-c.aspx.
References:
http://www.cpmc.org/advanced/liver/patients/topics/ssbenefits.html, Obtaining Social Security Benefits for Patients with Liver Disease, Jeffrey A. Rabin, Esq., Retrieved July 11, 2008, California Pacific Medical Center, 2008.
http://www.hcvadvocate.org/hepatitis/hepc/gettingdb.html, Getting Disability Benefits Under Social Security with HCV, Jacques Chambers, CLU, Retrieved July 11, 2008, Hepatitis C Support Project, 2008.
http://www.socialsecurity.gov/disability/professionals/bluebook/5.00-Digestive-Adult.htm#5_05, Medical/Professional Relations, Retrieved July 12, 2008, Social Security Administration, 2008.
http://www.ssa.gov/OACT/STATS/dibStat.html, Selected Data from Social Security's Disability Program, Retrieved February 24, 2011, Social Security Administration, 2011.
Posted by Editors at 11:57 AM --- Printer-friendly version
February 15, 2011
Printer-friendly version
A recent, popular television show educated viewers on the importance of raising glutathione levels. Although the practical suggestions given were accurate, there is much more to know about this topic. Especially important for Hepatitis C patients, two supplements demonstrate unparalleled glutathione-boosting power.
by Nicole Cutler, L.Ac.
Similar to many serious illnesses where disease progression is a concern, Hepatitis C is filled with challenges. One of those challenges includes finding ways to protect liver cells from harm. Because they interfere with cellular damage and prevent cells from being injured by free radicals, antioxidants represent one of the most effective ways to approach chronic Hepatitis C infection.
On a recent television segment of the Dr. Oz show, he and Dr. David Katz discussed how glutathione is the superhero of antioxidants. As the substance your body relies on to defend against toxins, glutathione is every free radical's enemy. Building on Dr. Oz's advice, two specific supplements provide the best of the best for raising glutathione levels. Since liver cell protection and antioxidant regeneration ease the struggle on a chronically inflamed liver, these optimal glutathione production supplements are highly regarded in the Hepatitis C community.
About Glutathione
An enzyme found inside cells to protect against potential damage from waste and toxins, glutathione is a well-known chemical that helps anyone with a chronic disease. Due to its constant battle to defend itself against Hepatitis C, a liver with this virus can use all the harm deflection help it can get. As the main substance that enables cells to resist injury from toxic compounds - that help is delivered from glutathione.
Antioxidants neutralize free radicals, which can build up in cells and cause damage. Because glutathione resides within the cells, it is in the best position to neutralize free radicals. A person who does not have enough glutathione has trouble eliminating toxic substances from his or her body. Unfortunately, most of the studies on people with Hepatitis C have found that they have significantly low levels of glutathione. Experts now know that for anyone with chronic Hepatitis C, glutathione deficiency is an important factor contributing to further liver damage.
Boosting Glutathione
Especially for people with chronic liver disease, no one is questioning if glutathione levels need to be raised. Rather, the more important question is how this can best be done. In Dr. Oz's television segment on glutathione, several suggestions for raising glutathione levels were given. By supplying the building blocks needed to make glutathione, Dr. Oz suggests:
· eating more sulfur-rich vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, garlic and onions.
· eating more selenium-rich foods like oats, brazil nuts, tuna and black beans.
Because glutathione is produced in the liver, Dr. Oz also suggested the following for boosting glutathione production:
· Supplement with milk thistle. This herb protects liver cells from free radicals, further enabling glutathione production.
· Exercise regularly. Frequent physical activity ensures steady blood flow to the liver, further enabling glutathione production.
More Glutathione Boosting Details
Those in the know about glutathione's importance in fighting chronic liver disease are familiar with two supplements omitted from Dr. Oz's glutathione-boosting list. The first is an improved version of what was advised by Dr. Oz, and the second must have been cut due to time restraints:
1. Silybin Phytosome - While milk thistle has demonstrated the ability to protect liver cells from damage, it is notoriously hard for the body to absorb. Thankfully, preparing milk thistle in a phytosome form solves its absorption problem. In addition, studies have shown that silybin, the most abundant and potent constituent of milk thistle, is responsible for milk thistle's liver protectiveness. Silybin phytosome delivers the most therapeutic portion of the milk thistle plant in a form that is up to 10 times more absorbable than a standard milk thistle extract. This kind of super-charged milk thistle supplement is ideal for those concerned with increasing glutathione production.
2. Alpha R-Lipoic Acid - Antioxidants are typically depleted as they attack free radicals, but there is evidence that alpha lipoic acid may help to recycle glutathione back into its active, fighting form. Such a capability is highly desired when constant liver inflammation from Hepatitis C threatens to form new free radicals. Of the two forms of alpha lipoic acid (R and S), only alpha R-lipoic acid is naturally occurring. In addition, the R form has demonstrated a greater ability to recycle glutathione.
Dr. Oz did an amazing job of educating people about the importance of keeping glutathione levels up. However, those with chronic Hepatitis C would benefit from taking this knowledge to the next level. Besides eating foods that boost its production and exercising to ensure circulation within the liver, supplementing with silybin phytosome and alpha R-lipoic acid are two more powerful and proven routes to raise glutathione levels - the undisputed superhero of antioxidants.
References:
http://keyboard-culture-health-and-wellness.com/2009/02/how_to_raise_glutathione_gsh_levels_part_5_more_supplements_touted_to_raise_glutathione_gsh_alpha_li.html, How to Raise Glutathione (GSH) Levels - Part 5: More Supplements Touted to Raise Glutathione (GSH): Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA) and Milk Thistle (Silymarin)!, Retrieved February 12, 2011, Dr. Steven Dell, 2011.
http://www.drozfans.com/dr-ozs-advice/dr-oz-glutathione-antioxidants-milk-thistle-antioxidant-superhero/, Dr. Oz: Glutathione Antioxidants & Milk Thistle: Antioxidant Superhero, Retrieved February 12, 2011, Dr. Oz Fans, 2011.
http://www.hepatitis-central.com/mt/archives/2007/07/hcv_and_the_bod.html, HCV and the Body's Most Important Antioxidant, Nicole Cutler, L.Ac., Retrieved February 13, 2011, Natural Wellness, 2011.
http://www.liversupport.com/wordpress/2009/07/helping-your-liver-with-alpha-r-lipoic-acid/, Helping Your Liver with Alpha R-Lipoic Acid, Nicole Cutler, L.Ac., Retrieved February 13, 2011, Natural Wellness, 2011.
http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/alpha-lipoic-000285.htm, Alpha-Lipoic Acid, Retrieved February 12, 2011, University of Maryland Medical Center, 2011.
Posted by Editors at 9:40 AM --- Printer-friendly version
February 9, 2011
Printer-friendly version
The changes in a woman's immune system during pregnancy can increase susceptibility to many pathogens, including a resurgence of latent ones. Research shows that even if a woman is just a carrier of Hepatitis B, liver issues can flare after she gives birth to a child.
by Nicole Cutler, L.Ac.
A condition necessary to perpetuate our species, pregnancy is a normal and healthy state. Even though the nine months of pregnancy cause many pregnant women to seem at their healthiest and most robust, some compromises to the expectant mother's immunity can surface. In addition to being more prone to certain infections during a pregnancy, some women are extremely vulnerable to problems after delivering the baby. In those who are carriers of the Hepatitis B virus (HBV), researchers from the Netherlands have demonstrated a vulnerability to relapse.
HBV Prevalence
Estimated by experts to be 100 times more infectious than the virus that causes AIDS, HBV has infected approximately two billion people worldwide; or one out of every three individuals. Luckily, the majority of healthy adults who are infected with HBV will recover and develop protective antibodies against future Hepatitis B infections. Only about 10 percent of those with HBV will be unable to get rid of the virus and go on to develop a chronic liver infection.
While routine HBV vaccination at birth has slowed the rate of new infections, statistics still compute that between 10 and 30 million new infections occur globally each year. However, when introducing the likelihood that a common event like pregnancy can potentially reactivate those who have previously recovered from HBV infection, a more cautionary approach to latent infection is warranted.
Immunity and Pregnancy
During pregnancy and just after birth, women are more susceptible to infections, whether it is a new infection or worsening of a dormant one. One of the most intriguing puzzles in modern immunology involves the paradox of pregnancy. This irony is defined by an immunologic tolerance to antigens from the father, despite an apparently adequate maternal defense against infection.
With 50 percent of its genetic material derived from the father, a fetus's susceptibility to rejection by the maternal immune system is similar to the susceptibility of a transplanted organ. Though, nature lessens this risk by altering the mother's immunity. Evidence indicates that the maternal immune system may tolerate fetal antigens by suppressing her own immune system. Some of the specific changes in a woman's immune system during pregnancy, include:
· Increased production of macrophages (cells that destroy bacteria). This improves antibody response and helps to protect against bacteria.
· Decreased activity of NK cells (natural killer cells destroys cells that have been infected with a virus or that are part of a tumor).
· Decreased activity of T cells, which help to control infections caused by viruses.
· Decreased production of cytokines (which are released from immune cells to recruit other cells to help fight infection).
Although pregnant women are not immuno-suppressed in the classic sense, immunologic changes of pregnancy may explain their increased susceptibility to certain pathogens, including viruses, bacteria and parasites.
Immunity Postpartum
Most mothers would agree that giving birth is the single most major event the female body could possibly endure. Sometimes traumatic - but always reminiscent of a miracle - a woman who has just given birth requires a recovery period. During the time it takes for a woman's body to adjust and heal from delivery, an increase in vulnerability to infection occurs.
The scientific community agrees that little is known about the immunological recovery in postpartum women. However, physicians do know that many physiological changes occur, such as uterine involution and recovery of non-pregnant immune status. These changes are likely to affect susceptibility to disease.
Hepatitis B Postpartum Study
Researchers from the Netherlands have investigated the evolution of liver disease in women with HBV during and after pregnancy. As published in the January 2008 edition of the Journal of Viral Hepatitis, the researchers concluded that, "A significant increase in liver inflammation occurs often after pregnancy. This may be due to a reactivation of the immune system after delivery."
Some participants in this study had chronic HBV and some were considered to be carriers of the virus. The results showed a significant increase in liver disease activity within six months after the mothers gave birth. Based on characteristics such as the mother's status as having chronic liver disease or being an HBV carrier, the authors stated that it was not possible to predict during pregnancy which women would experience liver disease exacerbations. This means that regardless of the status of HBV infection, pregnant women who have been infected with HBV are susceptible to its resurgence following delivery.
Likely due to the immunologic changes that accompany a woman as she gestates and produces a new human being, the Hepatitis B virus can flourish in a pregnant woman's body. Because so many people have antigens to HBV, this possibility must be known to expectant mothers and their caregivers.
References:
Groer, Maureen Wimberly, et al., Immunity, Inflammation and Infection in Postpartum Breast and Formula Feeders, American Journal of Reproductive Immunology, October 2005.
www.babycenter.com, Postpartum Infections, BabyCenter LLC, 2008.
www.cdc.gov, Emerging Infections and Pregnancy, Denise J. Jamieson, et al, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, November 2006.
www.healthline.com, Infections in Pregnancy, Healthline Networks, Inc., 2008.
www.hepb.org, Hepatitis B Statistics, Hepatitis B Foundation, 2008.
www.hivandhepatitis.com, Hepatitis B Exacerbation May Occur in Women after Giving Birth, hivandhepatitis.com, 2008.
Posted by Editors at 9:39 AM --- Printer-friendly version
Printer-friendly version
Find out why a common indicator of cardiovascular disease is inaccurate for those with chronic Hepatitis C infection. February is American Heart Month.
by Nicole Cutler, L.Ac.
People with chronic Hepatitis C infection are known to have an elevated risk for cardiovascular disease. Despite this understanding, the usual markers of cardiovascular disease may not necessarily apply to those with Hepatitis C. This is because the circulatory systems of people with Hepatitis C appear to contain less fat than the general population; however, there is sufficient evidence associating this chronic liver virus with atherosclerosis.
As if the Hepatitis C virus taking up residence in the liver isn't enough to contend with, it also raises the risk for cardiovascular disease - the number one killer in America. Cardiovascular diseases are conditions that affect the heart and blood vessels, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, deep vein thrombosis and stroke. Knowing the risks for cardiovascular disease can help people maintain their heart and blood vessel health, detect an emerging problem and successfully manage existing conditions.
The Usual Suspects
The primary cause of cardiovascular disease is atherosclerosis, otherwise known as hardening of the arteries. Atherosclerosis is a process in which deposits of fatty substances, cholesterol, cellular waste products, calcium and other substances build up in the inner lining of an artery. Called plaque, this buildup can grow large enough to significantly reduce the blood's flow through an artery.
There is a long list of risks for developing atherosclerosis, including genetics, blood health markers, high blood pressure, other co-existing diseases, smoking, activity level, obesity and diet. However, hyperlipidemia is traditionally one of the most important risk factors for atherosclerosis. Hyperlipidemia is an elevation of lipids (fats) in the bloodstream. These lipids include cholesterol, cholesterol esters (compounds), phospholipids and triglycerides. Individuals who are considered to be at the highest risk for cardiovascular disease have atherosclerosis and hyperlipidemia.
The Confusion
The connection between hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis is fairly straightforward and well understood by the healthcare community. However, their relationship is not linear in people with Hepatitis C. This is because research has found the following:
· Hyperlipidemia - Published in the July 15, 2009 issue of Clinical Infectious Diseases, researchers from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania conducted a large-scale study to evaluate the relationship between Hepatitis C and coronary artery disease. They found that those without Hepatitis C were dramatically more likely to have hyperlipidemia than those with Hepatitis C.
· Atherosclerosis - On the other hand, a study described in a June 2010 advance online issue of Gut found that, despite the relative absence of hyperlipidemia, those with Hepatitis C had greater carotid intima-media thickness, an indicator of the early stages of atherosclerosis.
Because plaques in the arteries often consist of lipids, it is easy to see why hyperlipidemia is one of the leading causes of atherosclerosis. Based on the studies briefly described above (and several other confirming trials), Hepatitis C as a risk for cardiovascular disease does not follow this trend. Instead, the Hepatitis C virus demonstrates a lipid lowering action, while simultaneously causing a narrowing of the blood vessels. Experts assume that the virus likely initiates an inflammatory process that leads to atherosclerosis.
The reason those with Hepatitis C are more susceptible to cardiovascular disease is not because of hyperlipidemia. Thus, having healthy cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the presence of chronic Hepatitis C infection is not a permission slip to engage in activities that could further increase cardiovascular disease risk. As evidenced by atherosclerosis, Hepatitis C infection in and of itself - independent of blood lipids - automatically puts those infected in jeopardy. Therefore, individuals with Hepatitis C must make the effort to learn about their own cardiovascular health and take steps to protect their heart and blood vessels.
References:
http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4440, Atherosclerosis, Retrieved August 12, 2010, American Heart Association, 2010.
http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4600, Hyperlipidemia, Retrieved August 12, 2010, American Heart Association, 2010.
http://www.everydayhealth.com/heart-health/index.aspx, Cardiovascular Health Center, Retrieved August 13, 2010, Everyday Health, Inc., 2010.
http://www.hepatitis-central.com/mt/archives/2010/02/hepatitis_c_is.html, Hepatitis C Is a Risk Factor for Heart Disease, Nicole Cutler, L.Ac., Retrieved August 10, 2010, Natural Wellness, 2010.
http://www.hivandhepatitis.com/hep_c/news/2010/011510_a.html, HCV Found in Carotid Atherosclerosis Plaques of Chronic Hepatitis C Patients, Liz Highleyman, Retrieved August 12, 2010, hivandhepatitis.com, 2010.
http://www.hivandhepatitis.com/hep_c/news/2010/0730_2010_a.html, Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infection Is Associated with Early Atherosclerosis, Liz Highleyman, Retrieved August 10, 2010, hivandhepatitis.com, 2010.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15899668, Understanding hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis: lessons from genetically modified apoe and ldlr mice, Wouters K, et al, Retrieved August 12, 2010, Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, 2005.
Posted by Editors at 9:11 AM --- Printer-friendly version
February 7, 2011
Printer-friendly version
A United Kingdom charity is spearheading the development of a large network of patients and research to better understand, treat and prevent the Hepatitis C virus.
10,000 Hepatitis C patients could hold the key to better treatment
02/02/2011
The Medical Research Foundation, an independent registered charity established by the Medical Research Council (MRC), has donated nearly £2 million to establish a clinical database of 10,000 patients infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV).
This will enable a UK-wide network of researchers to find new ways to tackle the deadly infection.
While there has been considerable progress in the scientific understanding of the disease in recent years, it is currently extremely difficult to track effectively the spread of HCV and to understand the biological roots of the illness.
Dr John McLauchlan will lead the project at the newly-established Medical Research Council - University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research in partnership with Professor Will Irving at Nottingham University. Patients will be recruited from clinical centres across the UK currently providing care to HCV patients. The initiative will create HCV Research UK, a consortium of clinicians, academics and healthcare professionals, which aims to promote collaborative research into HCV infection across the UK.
Continue reading this entire article:
http://www.healthcanal.com/immune-system/14223-10000-Hepatitis-patients-could-hold-the-key-better-treatment.html
Posted by Editors at 11:02 AM --- Printer-friendly version
February 3, 2011
Printer-friendly version
Most of us know that alcohol is not good for someone with the Hepatitis C virus. In addition to alcohol's ability to speed up the progress of liver disease, there is now proof that drinking during antiviral therapy nullifies the effectiveness of Hepatitis C treatment.
by Nicole Cutler, L.Ac.
There is little doubt that alcohol harms the liver. Accordingly, anyone newly diagnosed with chronic liver disease will receive instruction from his or her physician to completely eliminate the consumption of alcoholic beverages. Because the advice to change one's drinking habits seems to accompany most health issues, its importance is easily lost on those for whom it is most important. Nowhere is the disregard for an alcohol abstinence order more troublesome than for those with the most common cause for chronic liver disease in the U.S., Hepatitis C. Alcohol is well-known to accelerate liver damage. Compounding alcohol's danger, new research indicates that drinking alcoholic beverages during Hepatitis C therapy is likely to ruin any chance of a successful treatment.
Evidence indicating that drinking alcohol worsens Hepatitis C is abundant. Two examples, include:
1. Based on a New York study published in the September 2007 edition of the Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology, alcoholics with Hepatitis C infection have more severe liver disease compared with non-drinkers who have Hepatitis C.
2. As described in a 2009 edition of Digestive and Liver Disease - the official journal of the Italian Society of Gastroenterology and the Italian Association for the Study of the Liver - there is evidence that alcohol abuse accelerates the progression of liver fibrosis and affects the survival of patients with chronic Hepatitis C. This appears to be due to a combination of the following four mechanisms:
· Alcohol enhances viral replication
· Alcohol increases oxidative stress
· Alcohol induces cytotoxicity (cell death)
· Alcohol impairs the immune response
The authors of this study concluded that abstinence from alcohol could prevent chronic Hepatitis C infection from progressing to advanced liver disease - when the chance of cirrhosis, liver cancer or liver failure is much higher.
It is easy for people with Hepatitis C to view alcohol as the least of their problems, and dismiss their doctor's suggestions to completely cease drinking. As published in a June 2010 edition of the journal Drug and Alcohol Dependence, researchers from Philadelphia found that undergoing interferon-based treatment to eliminate Hepatitis C is definitely not a reason to be lax with alcohol abstinence. Currently, the standard treatment for Hepatitis C is combination therapy with pegylated interferon and ribavirin.
Their study investigated whether alcohol impaired the immune function of human liver cells, which would promote Hepatitis C infection and replication. The researchers found the following:
· Alcohol suppressed natural interferon action in the liver. (Our immune system contains natural interferons to protect us against disease.)
· Alcohol encouraged suppressors of cytokine signaling, which are negative regulators of interferon expression, thus impeding interferon action.
Based on their findings, the authors concluded that drinking alcohol contributes to the chronicity of Hepatitis C and the poor efficacy of interferon-based therapy.
Some people assume that as long as they are not an alcoholic, an occasional drink with Hepatitis C is OK. The evidence clearly indicates this assumption to be incorrect. Any bit of alcohol can worsen Hepatitis C infection and, for those who hope to clear the virus with interferon-based therapy, they shouldn't even bother with the treatment if they plan on drinking any alcohol.
References:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17700425, Mechanisms of synergy between alcohol and hepatitis C virus, Singal AK, et al, Retrieved July 24, 2010, Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology, September 2007.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18602355, Alcohol and viral hepatitis: a mini-review, Gitto S, et al, Retrieved July 24, 2010, Digestive and Liver Disease, January 2009.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20646875, Alcohol impairs interferon signaling and enhances full cycle hepatitis C virus JFH-1 infection of human hepatocytes, Ye L, et al, Drug and Alcohol Dependence, June 2010.
http://www.substanceabusepolicy.com/content/2/1/4, Interferon alpha therapy for hepatitis C: treatment completion and response rates among patients with substance use disorders, Marilyn S. Huckans, et al, Retrieved July 24, 2010, Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention and Policy, January 2007.
Posted by Editors at 9:46 AM --- Printer-friendly version
Printer-friendly version
A genetic variant appears to protect against anemia brought on by Hepatitis C antiviral treatment.
New find may offer protection against hepatitis C treatment-related anemia
2011-01-26
Scientists have discovered two functional variants in the inosine triphosphatase (ITPA) gene that protect patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) against anemia brought on by antiviral treatment.
The ability to identify those patients protected against treatment-induced anemia will ensure completion of antiviral therapy and successful elimination of the virus.
Continue reading this entire article:
http://www.sify.com/news/new-find-may-offer-protection-against-hepatitis-c-treatment-related-anemia-news-international-lb0q4kajjjb.html
Posted by Editors at 8:56 AM --- Printer-friendly version
