Discovering individuals with a thyroid disorder to be chronically infected with the Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is becoming an increasingly common occurrence. Although new diagnoses of HCV are confirmed each day, an estimated four million Americans are currently known to be living with this virus. Because approximately 20 million Americans are currently living with a thyroid disorder and those with HCV are at a significantly higher risk of thyroid disorders, awareness of symptoms for both ailments can be helpful in recognizing this kind of dual affliction. While a majority of people with HCV are asymptomatic, signs of a thyroid condition may be substantial enough to investigate the possibility of Hepatitis C infection. Likewise, living with a thyroid disorder may mask any symptoms prompting someone to be evaluated for Hepatitis C.

Thyroid abnormalities in HCV-infected patients have been previously reported in respected medical journals, but little is known about the prevalence and nature of thyroid disorders in such patients. Dr. Alessandro Antonelli and colleagues from the University of Pisa School of Medicine, Italy examined the prevalence and nature of thyroid disorders in those with Hepatitis C in a 630-patient study. The authors reported that of those testing positive for anti-thyroid antibodies, significantly more people had Hepatitis C than those with Hepatitis B or with no infection at all.

The association between thyroid abnormalities and HCV implies that people with Hepatitis C should be screened for thyroid function on a regular basis. According to lead author Antonelli, “A substantial proportion [of people with HCV] — 13 percent in our series — have hypothyroidism, and thus might benefit from treatment.”

In lieu of everyone getting tested for both HCV and thyroid disorders, recognizing a symptom of either condition may be the first indication that such examination is necessary.

Hepatitis C Symptoms

Nearly 80 percent of people with Hepatitis C do not experience any symptoms until they have advanced liver disease. Even when recognized as problematic, Hepatitis C’s symptoms usually come and go, and are mild and vague. Although some of these discomforts coincide with a thyroid disorder, symptoms of HCV may include:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Loss of appetite
• Fatigue or weakness
• Liver area pain
• Jaundice
• Dark colored urine
• Pale or grey colored stool
• Confusion or difficulty concentrating
• Headache
• Irritability
• Low grade fever
• Fluid retention in the belly, legs or entire body
• Insomnia
• Skin itching
• Vomiting blood

The Thyroid Gland

Resting in the middle of the lower neck, the thyroid is a small butterfly-shaped gland. In order to perform its primary function of controlling the body’s metabolism, the thyroid produces hormones, T4 and T3, which tell the body’s cells how much energy to use. A properly functioning thyroid will maintain the right amount of hormones needed to keep the body’s metabolism functioning at a satisfactory rate.

Thyroid Abnormalities

Diseases of the thyroid gland are very common, the most common diseases of which are an over- or under-active gland. Producing too much hormone, an overactive gland is known as hyperthyroidism. Known as hypothyroidism, a thyroid that produces too little hormone is an underactive gland. Due to either hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism, an enlarged thyroid gland is often referred to as a goiter. Additionally, people may develop masses or lumps in their thyroid glands. Appearing gradually or very rapidly, all thyroid lumps should be evaluated by a physician. People of all ages and races can get thyroid disease. However, women are five to eight times more likely than men to have thyroid problems.

Anti-Thyroid Antibodies

While many people with HCV have an additional diagnosis of hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism, Antonelli points out that many with Hepatitis C unknowingly have anti-thyroid antibodies. Produced by the immune system to help fight infection, antibodies are usually produced in response to the introduction of foreign substances in the body. Unfortunately, the immune system can produce antibodies acting against the body itself, causing unwanted inflammation and damage. Known as autoimmunity, some people generate antibodies that act against the tissue in their own thyroid gland. This autoimmune problem may result in inflammation and subsequent thyroid gland injury that can cause hypothyroidism.

Thyroid Disorder Symptoms

The following are symptoms for hypothyroidism:

• Fatigue
• Frequent, heavy menstrual periods
• Forgetfulness
• Weight gain
• Dry, coarse skin and hair
• Hoarse voice
• Intolerance to cold

The following are symptoms for hyperthyroidism:

• Irritability/nervousness
• Muscle weakness/tremors
• Infrequent, scant menstrual periods
• Weight loss
• Sleep disturbances
• Enlarged thyroid gland
• Vision problems or eye irritation
• Heat sensitivity

Although the physiological mechanics between thyroid disorders and Hepatitis C remains elusive, an association between the two is irrefutable. Since western medicine offers people many solutions to correct an abnormal thyroid, uncovering this imbalance can significantly improve a person’s quality of life. Although there is some crossover between HCV and thyroid disorder symptoms, being aware of their possible co-existence can help a person discover a previously unknown ailment. As such, a person increases their odds of getting the help they need for Hepatitis C or an abnormal thyroid.

References:

Galossi A, et al., Extrahepatic Manifestations of Chronic HCV Infection, Journal of Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases, March 2007.

http://health.yahoo.com, Antithyroid antibodies and test for hypothyroidism, Christine Wendt, RD, LD, Colleen Cronin, Yahoo! Inc., 2007.

http://thyroid.about.com, Thyroid Disorders Common with Hepatitis C, About, Inc., 2007.

Testa A., et al, Prevalence of HCV antibodies in autoimmune thyroid disease, European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences, July-August 2006.

www.clevelandclinic.org, Thyroid Disease, The Cleveland Clinic, 2007.

www.emedicineheath.com, Hepatitis C Symptoms, WebMD, 2007.

www.entnet.com, Thyroid Gland, American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, 2007.

www.paktribune.com, Thyroid Disorders Common with Hepatitis C, PakTribune, 2007.

www.thyroid-cancer.net, What are Antithyroid Antibodies?, Johns Hopkins Thyroid Tumor Center, 2007.

Testing for prevalent, infectious diseases has become routine in populations most likely to be affected with high infection rates. Despite this noble public health practice, routine testing can be an unnecessary expense, inconvenience and source of worry if not performed sparingly. Thus, mass education campaigns and testing regimens are usually put in place only if proven to be crucial for aiding the treatment and prevention of an infectious disease. Hepatitis C has demonstrated a prevalence and prognosis that points towards the need for routine testing, but this practice has not yet been implemented for this infectious virus. Further supporting an increase in Hepatitis C testing, a report indicates the prevalence of this infectious virus in the U.S. has been grossly underestimated.

About Hepatitis C

A viral infection of the liver, Hepatitis C is the most common cause of chronic liver disease in the U.S. – with its primary route of infection being blood-to-blood contact. This virus is usually acquired from blood transfusions prior to 1992 (before the blood supply was tested for Hepatitis C) and the sharing of intravenous needles; however, the source of infection is unknown in a third of all Hepatitis C cases. Because many with Hepatitis C don’t know they are infected, the disease is often unknowingly passed on to others. Thus, Hepatitis C screening is the only way to know who is infected so steps to prevent passing it on can be taken.

Some individuals are lucky enough to clear the virus from their system in a short period of time without medical intervention. Unfortunately, about 85 percent of those infected with Hepatitis C go on to develop the chronic form of this illness. Like any kind of chronic liver disease, chronic Hepatitis C progressively damages the liver. Hepatitis C has been referred to as a silent killer because many don’t have any symptoms for years after becoming infected. When vague symptoms like fatigue and abdominal pain finally do appear, the disease is often quite advanced. There is not yet a preventable vaccine for Hepatitis C, but the combination of drugs used to treat Hepatitis C has recently improved – dramatically increasing the likelihood of curing people of this virus when detected before severe liver damage has occurred.

Hepatitis C Prevalence

The lack of symptoms is probably the biggest obstacle to Hepatitis C diagnosis, a fact in and of itself suggesting greater testing efforts. Based on data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) which periodically collects information about health and well-being from a sample of more than 15,000 people living in American households, an estimated 4 million Americans, 1.6 percent of the population, are currently infected with Hepatitis C. This makes the estimated 1 million Americans infected with HIV – the virus that causes AIDS – pale in comparison. Even though the NHANES data indicates that a sizeable percentage of our population has Hepatitis C, research indicates that way more than 4 million Americans have this infectious liver virus.

According to an analysis published in the September 2011 edition of the journal Liver International, the number of people living with Hepatitis C virus in the U.S. is likely greater than the usual estimate due to undercounting of high risk populations in household surveys. Eric Chak from the University of California at Los Angeles and colleagues searched MEDLINE and databases from the Bureau of Justice Statistics, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid, and individual state departments of corrections looking for epidemiological studies regarding Hepatitis C in high prevalence populations.

Focusing on groups not sampled by NHANES, like incarcerated individuals, homeless people, nursing home residents, hospitalized patients and active duty military personnel, the researchers found that approximately 1.9 million Americans with Hepatitis C were  not accounted for in the latest NHANES survey. They found:

• Rates of Hepatitis C in prisoners ranged from 23 to 41 percent.
• Rates of Hepatitis C in homeless people ranged from 22 to 52 percent.
• Rates of Hepatitis C in homeless veterans ranged from 41 to 44 percent.
• Rates of Hepatitis C among injection drug users ranged from 27 to 93 percent.
• Rates of Hepatitis C in veterans ranged from 5 to 10 percent.

The investigators concluded that their most conservative estimate suggests at least 5.2 million Americans living with Hepatitis C – more than a million more that were accounted for in the NHANES survey.

With so many more Americans living with this liver virus than previously thought, action to perform routine Hepatitis C screenings takes on a new urgency. Identifying Hepatitis C infection can lead to better transmission prevention practices, enable infected persons to care for their liver to stop progressive liver damage and facilitate earlier (and thus have a better chance of success) treatment. Obviously a prevalent and problematic illness, the evidence favoring routine Hepatitis C screenings just keeps mounting.

Editor’s Note: May 19 has been designated as a national “Hepatitis Testing Day” in the United States. The CDC will use this annual Hepatitis Testing Day on May 19, 2013 as an opportunity to remind health care providers and the public who should be tested for chronic viral hepatitis.

References:

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1478-3231.2011.02494.x/abstract, Hepatitis C virus infection in USA: an estimate of true prevalence, Eric Chak, et al, Retrieved October 9, 2011, Liver International, September 2011.

http://www.hivandhepatitis.com/hcv-epidemiology/3248-undercounted-populations-raise-estimate-of-true-us-hepatitis-c-prevalence, Undercounted Populations Raise Estimate of True US Hepatitis C Infections, Liz Highleyman, Retrieved October 9, 2011, hivandhepatitis.com, 2011.

http://www.natap.org/2011/HCV/j13652893.pdf, Hepatitis C testing practices and prevalence in a high-risk urban ambulatory care setting, W. N. Southern, et al, Retrieved October 9, 2011, Journal of Viral Hepatitis, March 2010.

Sharing your Hepatitis C status with employers or coworkers can be riddled with complexity. Whether interviewing for a new job, changing health insurance plans, being recently diagnosed or about to begin antiviral therapy, there are many factors to consider before disclosing that you have chronic Hepatitis C. There are no hard and fast rules for how to handle this topic, especially since each individual’s health and employment situation are unique. Knowing where the law lies and reviewing some of the issues involved are helpful when navigating the challenge of Hepatitis C disclosure at work.

Drug Stigma

The stigma associated with Hepatitis C infection represents the biggest barrier to disclosing having this viral illness. More specifically, the hardest stigma to confront relates to the assumption that this infection is due to injection drug use. This could – or could not – be the source of your infection, as there are countless ways Hepatitis C is spread. Regardless of how you acquired Hepatitis C, our society lacks compassion and understanding about injection drug use:

• Those who never used injection drugs do not want to be associated with it.
• Former injection drug users may feel haunted by their past and want to forget it.
•  Active injection drug users carry the burden of having two stigmatized diseases – addiction and Hepatitis C.

Two Common Fears

Besides the stigma surrounding injection drug use, there are a handful of fears that others may have of working with someone infected with Hepatitis C. While most of these are unfounded, others may have merit. The two most likely fears coworkers or employers have are:

1. Fear of Contagion – There is a great deal of misinformation about how you contract the Hepatitis C virus. For example, those who work in the food service industry may incorrectly believe that Hepatitis C can be passed through food, or those sharing an office cubicle may incorrectly believe that Hepatitis C can be shared by casual contact. For the record, Hepatitis C is only transmissible via blood-to-blood contact.
2. Fear of Reduced Performance – Depending on the person’s health and if they are in treatment, this fear may or may not be justified. Fatigue, memory problems, nausea and cloudy thinking are common in those with advanced infection and/or those receiving Hepatitis C therapy. However, many people with Hepatitis C are asymptomatic and their job performance is not impacted by their illness.

Disclosure

When questioned about disclosure in the workplace, most people report only doing so when necessary. In general, you are not legally required to tell anyone that you have Hepatitis C. You have the right to choose whom you tell – if anyone at all. However, there are certain circumstances in which it pays to be honest. For example:

• If you are aware of having Hepatitis C and want life or medical insurance, you must disclose this when asked.
•  If you are preparing to undergo Hepatitis C therapy, disclosure might be helpful if you need to request extra time for doctor visits and/or being sick.
• Being directly asked about Hepatitis C status in an interview is rare, but possible. Although this may not seem fair, some employers ask questions like this during the interview process. It is legal for them to ask as long as they ask this of every potential employee. It pays to be honest here, because lying can legitimize firing.

While honesty usually ends up working to people’s advantage, discrimination might accompany a Hepatitis C disclosure. If you do decide to disclose this illness at work, make sure you are prepared. Know your facts so you can properly educate employers and/or coworkers. While a pamphlet on Hepatitis C can come in handy, be prepared to answer questions about prevalence, how the illness is transmitted, treatment and side effects, symptoms and prognosis. Above all else, make sure you have a support system in place so that you have access to resources if needed.

The ADA

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) may offer someone with Hepatitis C some degree of legal protection against discrimination in the workplace. Some states offer greater protection than the ADA.

• Employers in the United States with 15 or more employees are required to comply with the ADA.
• The ADA protects “qualified individuals with disabilities.”
• The ADA describes disability as a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of the major life activities of an individual.
•  A disability cannot be measured solely on the ability to do certain tasks at work, but must also be permanent or long lasting.
• A person with a disability designation is entitled to protection from any practices in the workplace that could affect wages, benefits, application procedures, job assignments, promotions, etc.
• Having Hepatitis C does not automatically entitle someone to these benefits.
• You cannot be terminated from employment solely because of Hepatitis C status.
• The ADA does not provide protections for those who cannot work due to a disability.
• ADA assists people who can work, but may need some extra consideration in performing their duties so that they may continue to work. Some reasonable accommodations that might be appropriate are time off for doctors’ appointments, providing additional unpaid leave or job restructuring, and granting a flexible work schedule.
• There is nothing in the ADA law that prohibits an employer from terminating your employment if you do not perform your job, even if it is a disability that prevents you from doing so.
• Other laws, such as the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and COBRA/OBRA provide help for those who are permanently disabled.

Before disclosing you have Hepatitis C at work, carefully consider all of your options and the potential implications. Be aware of the stigma associated with Hepatitis C and people’s most common fears so that you can fully educate your employer or coworkers. Decide if it is in your best interest to disclose this personal, medical manner by being aware of what legal rights you may or may not be entitled to. With the right preparation, knowledge and support, those with Hepatitis C can make the best possible decision about disclosing their illness at work.

References:

http://www.hcvadvocate.org/hepatitis/factsheets_pdf/ADA_FS_10.pdf, Americans with Disabilities Act: What it does and doesn’t do, Jacques Chambers, CLU, Retrieved March 19, 2013, Hepatitis C Support Project, 2013.

http://hcvadvocate.org/hepatitis/factsheets_pdf/Disclosure%20Guide.pdf, HCV and Work-Related Issues, Lucinda K. Porter, RN, Alan Franciscus, Retrieved March 19, 2013, Hepatitis C Support Project, 2013.

http://www.hepcfocus.com/content/Library_ADA.aspx, Americans with Disabilities Act, Retrieved March 19, 2013, The Department of Health and Human Services, 2013.

http://www.thelaw.com/guide/employment/can-you-be-fired-from-work-for-having-hepatitis-c/, Can You Be Fired from Work for Having Hepatitis C?, Michael M. Wechsler, Esq, Retrieved March 19, 2013, The Law Network, LLC, 2013.

With stunning results in Phase III clinical trials, the hepatitis C drug is now on a fast track for FDA approval.

By Jonathan Weiss | May 13, 2013

Following previous hepatitis C treatments that were given expedited U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval processes and breakthrough status designations, Janssen and Medivir’s jointly developed simeprevir has been given priority review status by the FDA, Medivir announced today. Priority reviews have historically reduced the approval process time by half and are given to drugs that have evidence of increased effectiveness, prevention, or diagnoses of a disease.

Continue reading this entire article:
http://www.medicaldaily.com/articles/15454/20130513/simeprevir-fda-hepatitis-c-hepatitis-c-drug.htm

May 1, 2013

Simeprevir improves rates of sustained virologic response and may allow for a 24-week treatment duration when added to interferon-based therapy for chronic hepatitis C, according to data presented at the International Liver Congress in Amsterdam.

Continue reading this entire article:
http://www.healio.com/hepatology/chronic-hepatitis/news/online/%7B0BDBD39D-184B-496C-AFA9-7338569379F3%7D/Addition-of-simeprevir-to-peginterferonribavirin-improves-SVR-rate-among-HCV-patients

An estimated four to five million Americans are believed to have Hepatitis C, a potentially dangerous virus that infects the liver. As the pharmaceutical industry intently focuses on creating the ideal drug cocktail to kill the Hepatitis C virus, many look to the ability of natural supplements, like selenium, to inhibit damage done by this illness and strengthen the liver’s resilience to it.

An integrative tactic for battling Hepatitis C enlisting the “all hands on deck” approach is gaining popularity. Hepatitis C antiviral therapy has recently improved, offering an estimated 75 percent chance of success using a triple-drug regimen. Stimulating the immune system to attack the virus and targeting Hepatitis C viral particles for destruction appear to be the primary strategies of antiviral therapy. However, simultaneously supporting the very organ targeted by this virus and providing the body with ammunition to stay strong during infection are valuable additions to Hepatitis C treatment. Selenium supplementation appears to accomplish these complementary goals, and is a contender for any comprehensive plan to eliminate Hepatitis C.

About Selenium

A trace mineral considered to be essential for good health, selenium is typically required only in small amounts. Selenium is incorporated into proteins to make selenoproteins, important antioxidant enzymes. Selenoproteins help prevent cellular damage from free radicals, a major threat to the liver in those with Hepatitis C. In addition, selenium is needed for proper:

• immune system function
• thyroid function

Those who are healthy and eat a well-balanced diet are likely getting enough selenium. However, those with the following circumstances could have low levels:

• smoke cigarettes or drink alcohol
• take certain selenium-interfering medications such as birth control pills or gold salts
• have a health condition that reduces selenium levels such as ulcerative colitis or Hepatitis C

Foods that are naturally high in selenium include Brazil nuts, broccoli, fish (mackerel, tuna, halibut, flounder, herring, smelts), sunflower seeds, onions, leeks and garlic. However, some individuals are advised to supplement with selenium, as part of a vitamin-mineral supplement, a nutritional antioxidant formula or as a separate supplement.

Selenium’s minimum daily recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for adults age 19 and older is 55 mcg. However, some studies suggest side effects occur with long term use of dosages exceeding 400 mcg per day. Those with hypothyroid or a history of or at high risk for skin cancer are cautioned about selenium supplementation. In addition, supplemental selenium has the potential to interact with blood thinners, barbiturates, certain chemotherapy agents and some cholesterol medications.

Selenium and Hepatitis C

Experts explain that the Hepatitis C virus encodes selenoproteins, depleting that cell of selenium. As such, those with Hepatitis C likely need more selenium than the average person. Researchers hypothesize that when cells are drained of selenium, the Hepatitis C virus will spread from cell to cell looking for more.

• As published in a November 2011 edition of the journal Nutrition Research, Japanese researchers investigated the relationship between selenium, Hepatitis C and insulin resistance. They found that the degree of selenium deficiency correlated with the amount of liver damage in patients with chronic Hepatitis C. In addition, they concluded that selenium deficiency was likely a factor contributing to insulin resistance in affected individuals.
• As published in the March-April 2012 edition of the Saudi Journal of Gastroenterology, Pakistani researchers evaluated blood selenium concentrations in patients with Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C. Their results indicated that healthy individuals had greater blood selenium concentrations than those with Hepatitis B or C. Additionally, they found that levels of selenium were notably lower in those with more severe liver disease. Based on these findings, the researchers suggested selenium supplementation in patients with advanced liver disease from Hepatitis B or C to optimize nutritional support and get a better treatment response.

The Big Picture

The odds of beating the Hepatitis C virus are improving, and the new drugs in development promise to increase those odds. Even though the multi-billion dollar pharmaceutical industry seems to be in control of the fate of those with Hepatitis C, eating selenium-rich foods or even supplementing with selenium could help individuals gain the upper hand in battling this virus.

Because there appears to be a direct relationship between selenium deficiency and severity of Hepatitis C infection, getting more selenium to the body’s cells makes sense. Consuming foods with selenium is the safest way to proceed, but some who have had Hepatitis C for decades may want additional protection. If this is the case, be certain to discuss selenium supplementation with a knowledgeable physician to avoid any potential unwanted side effects or interactions. Assuming you are under a doctor’s supervision, providing your cells with the material to make selenoproteins could help prevent Hepatitis C from invading more territory – potentially increasing the success of antiviral therapy.

References:

http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Selenium-HealthProfessional/, Selenium, Retrieved November 3, 2012, National Institutes of Health, 2012.

http://www.hepatitis-central.com/mt/archives/2009/02/expert_food_tip.html, Expert Food Tips for Chronic Hepatitis C: Part 1, Nicole Cutler, L.Ac., Retrieved October 30, 2012, Hepatitis Central, 2012.

http://www.livestrong.com/article/345266-hepatitis-c-treatment-with-milk-thistle-selenium-and-alpha-lipoic-acid/, Hepatitis C Treatment with Milk Thistle, Selenium and Alpha Lipoic Acid, Lester Parcs, Retrieved October 30, 2012, Demand Media Inc., 2012.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10554539, A conservative triple antioxidant approach to the treatment of hepatitis C. Combination of alpha lipoic acid (thioctic acid), silymarin, and selenium: three case histories, Berkson BM, Retrieved October 30, 2012, Medizinische Klinik, October 1999.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22118753, Selenium deficiency is associated with insulin resistance in patients with hepatitis C virus-related chronic liver disease, Himoto T, et al, Retrieved October 30, 2012, Nutrition Research, November 2011.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22421715, The possible role of selenium concentration in hepatitis B and C patients, Khan MS, et al, Retrieved October 30, 2012, Saudi Journal of Gastroenterology, March-April 2012.

http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/selenium-000325.htm, Selenium, Retrieved November 4, 2012, University of Maryland Medical Center, 2012.

April 30, 2013

Treatment-naive patients with chronic hepatitis C experienced high rates of sustained virologic response from a combination of three direct-acting antivirals in a study presented at the International Liver Congress in Amsterdam.

In an open-label phase 2 study, researchers randomly assigned 32 treatment-naive patients with chronic HCV genotype 1 to 60 mg NS5A inhibitor daclatasvir (DCV) once daily, 200 mg protease inhibitor asunaprevir (ASV) twice daily and 75 mg non-nucleoside NS5B inhibitor BMS-791325 twice a day for 24 or 12 weeks (n=16 each). A second cohort was later assigned DCV, ASV and 150 mg BMS-791325 (Bristol-Myers Squibb) for 24 (n=16) or 12 weeks (n=18).

Continue reading this entire article:
http://www.healio.com/hepatology/chronic-hepatitis/news/online/%7B9073D629-ADD8-412C-A8A6-EA7A3A55FC6E%7D/DaclatasvirasunaprevirNS5B-inhibitor-effective-in-treatment-naive-HCV-patients

Mark Hoffman

3D bioprinted human liver tissue was successfully created by the company Organovo, revealed at the annual Experimental Biology conference this week in Boston. The in-vitro mini-livers are just half a millimetre deep and 4 millimetres across but can perform most functions of the real thing. To create them, a printer builds up about 20 layers of hepatocytes and stellate cells – two major types of liver cell. Crucially, it also adds cells from the lining of blood vessels. These form a delicate mesh of channels that supply the liver cells with nutrients and oxygen, allowing the tissue to live for five days or longer. The cells come from spare tissue removed in operations and biopsies.

Continue reading this entire article:
http://www.scienceworldreport.com/articles/6477/20130425/3d-bioprinted-human-liver-tissue-functional-replacement-organs-goal.htm

25 April 2013 11:01 in Pharmaceutical Company Product News

Boehringer Ingelheim has reported positive results from STARTVerso 1, a phase III trial evaluating the benefits of the new hepatitis C treatment faldaprevir.

Data from the study showed that the new once-daily protease inhibitor was able to deliver high viral cure rates and early therapy success among treatment-naive patients with genotype 1 hepatitis C infections.

Continue reading this entire article:
http://www.zenopa.com/news/801576832/boehringer-ingelheim-reports-positive-data-from-hepatitis-drug-trial

As clinical trials continue to show positive results, sofosbuvir seems to be poised to gain FDA approval.

By Jonathan Weiss | Apr 24, 2013

Coming on the heels of a recent report indicating that the Hepatitis C drug sofosbuvir surpassed expectations, a Phase III clinical trial out of Weil Cornell Medical Center in New York City has shown that the result of using the drug cures most patients with two subtypes of the virus.

Continue reading this entire article:
http://www.medicaldaily.com/articles/14872/20130424/new-hepatitis-c-drug-continues-cure-clinical-sofosbuvir.htm