Journal of hepatology
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Journal of hepatology · Jun 2015
Pharmacological activation of aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 by Alda-1 reverses alcohol-induced hepatic steatosis and cell death in mice.
Effective therapies for alcoholic liver disease are currently unavailable. The present study tested the efficacy of Alda-1, a specific aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) activator, in treating alcoholic liver disease. ⋯ Pharmacological activation of ALDH2 by Alda-1 reversed alcoholic steatosis and apoptosis through accelerating aldehyde clearance. This study indicates that ALDH2 is a promising molecular target and Alda-1 has therapeutic potential for treating alcoholic liver disease.
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Journal of hepatology · May 2015
Letter Observational StudyHyperammonemia in ICU patients: a frequent finding associated with high mortality.
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Journal of hepatology · May 2015
Alcohol drinking pattern and risk of alcoholic liver cirrhosis: a prospective cohort study.
Alcohol is the main contributing factor of alcoholic cirrhosis, but less is known about the significance of drinking pattern. ⋯ In men, daily drinking was associated with an increased risk of alcoholic cirrhosis. Recent alcohol consumption rather than earlier in life was associated with risk of alcoholic cirrhosis. Compared to beer and liquor, wine might be associated with a lower risk of alcoholic cirrhosis.
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Journal of hepatology · Apr 2015
ReviewAcute-on-chronic liver failure: A new syndrome that will re-classify cirrhosis.
Acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) is a recently recognized syndrome characterized by acute decompensation (AD) of cirrhosis and organ/system failure(s) (organ failure: liver, kidney, brain, coagulation, circulation and/or respiration) and extremely poor survival (28-day mortality rate 30-40%). ACLF occurs in relatively young patients. It is especially frequent in alcoholic- and untreated hepatitis B associated-cirrhosis, in addition it is related to bacterial infections and active alcoholism, although in 40% of cases no precipitating event can be identified. ⋯ A scoring system composed of three scores (CLIF-C OFs, CLIF-C AD, and CLIF-C ACLFs) specifically designed for patients with AD, with and without ACLF, allows a step-wise algorithm for a rational indication of therapy. The management of ACLF should be carried out in enhanced or intensive care units. Current therapeutic measures comprise the treatment for associated complications, organ failures support and liver transplantation.