BACKGROUND/AIMS: There has been debate on whether a sodium-restricted diet (SRD) should be used in cirrhotic patients with ascites in China in recent years. The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of sodium-restricted and unrestricted diets on plasma renin activity (PRA), renal blood flow (RBF) and ascites in patients with liver cirrhosis. METHODS: Two hundred cirrhotic patients with ascites were randomly divided into two groups (98 cases in the sodium-unrestricted diet [SUD] group and 102 cases in the SRD group); 95 patients (96.94%) in the SUD group and 97 patients (95.1%) in the SRD group had post-hepatitis B cirrhosis. RESULTS: Blood sodium and RBF were higher in SUD group than in SRD group (p<0.001), while PRA were significantly lower in SUD group than the SRD group 10 days after treatment (p<0.001). Renal impairment caused by low blood sodium was higher in SRD group than in SUD group (p<0.01). Ascites disappeared in higher proportion of patients in SUD group than in SRD group (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: SUD can increase the level of blood sodium and RBF, and be beneficial to diuresis and ascite reduction and disappearance.
Ascites ; China ; Diet ; Diet, Sodium-Restricted ; Diuresis ; Humans ; Liver ; Liver Cirrhosis ; Plasma ; Renal Circulation ; Renin ; Sodium

OBJECTIVETo explore relationship between HBV DNA level and peripheral blood follicular helper T lymphocyte (Tfh) in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and its significance.

METHODSHBV DNA levels of 179 cases of CHB patients with positive HBV DNA, positive HBeAg and positive human leukocyte antigen(HLA)-A2 were tested with real time fluorescent quantitative PCR. Tfh and HBV specific CTL were tested with flow cytometry. IL-21 was also tested. 179 cases of CHB patients were divided into group A and group B based on HBV DNA levels, 86 cases in group A, HBV DNA levels were 10(4)-10(5) copies/ml, 93 cases in group B, HBV DNA levels were 10(6)-10(7) copies/ml. Above testing indexes of the two groups were compared.

RESULTSHBV DNA levels of group A were (4.85 +/- 0.37) log10 copies/ml, HBV DNA levels of group B were (6.83 +/- 0.31 ) log10 copies/ml, t = 27.31, P < 0. 001; Tfh of group A was (5.96 +/- 1.59)%, higher than that of group B (3.71 +/- 2.15)%, t = 4.92, P < 0.01; IL-21 of group A was (42.61 +/- 15.11)ng/L, higher than that of group B (14.91 +/- 3.15) ng/L, t = 8.62, P < 0.01; HBV specific CTL of group A was (0.36 +/- 0.08)%, higher than that of group B (0.18 +/- 0.06)%, t = 19.99, P < 0.001.

CONCLUSIONSerum HBV DNA level of CHB patients is related to the level of peripheral blood Tfh level: patients with low HBV DNA level have high Tfh level, high IL-21 level and high HBV specific CTL level. Patients with high HBV DNA level have low Tfh level, low IL-21 level and low HBV specific CTL level. The mechanism of baseline HBV DNA level affecting anti-viral therapy may be related to Tfh level.

Adult ; CD4 Lymphocyte Count ; DNA, Viral ; blood ; genetics ; Female ; HLA-A2 Antigen ; immunology ; Hepatitis B virus ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; blood ; immunology ; virology ; Humans ; Interleukins ; immunology ; Male ; T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer ; cytology

OBJECTIVETo explore influence of sodium restricted diet and non-sodium restricted diet on plasma rennin (PRA), angiotensin II (All), ALD, renal blood flow (RBF) and subside of ascites in patients with cirrhotic ascites.

METHODSEighty cases of hepatitis B with cirrhotic ascites were randomly divided into sodium restricted diet group and non-sodium restricted diet group. 39 cases were in non-sodium restricted diet group, taking sodium chloride 6500-8000 mg daily; 41 cases were in sodium restricted diet group, taking sodium chloride 5000 mg daily. Both groups received diuretics furosemide and spironolactone. Blood sodium, urine sodium, PRA, AII, ALD, RBF ascites subsiding were compared after treatment.

RESULTSIn non-sodium restricted diet group, blood sodium and urine sodium increased 10 days after treatment compared with those before treatment, and compared with those of sodium restricted diet group 10 days after treatment, P <0. 01. RBF increased compared with that before treatment, and compared with that of sodium restricted diet group 10 days after treatment, P < 0. 01. Renal damage induced by low blood sodium after treatment was less in non-sodium restricted diet group than that in sodium restricted diet group, P <0. 05. Ascites disappearance upon discharge was more in sodium restricted diet group than that in non-sodium restricted diet group, P <0. 01. Time of ascites disappearance was shorter in non-sodium restricted diet group than that in sodium restricted diet group, P < 0. 01.

CONCLUSIONCompared with sodium restricted diet, while using diuretics of both groups, non-sodium restricted diet can increase level of blood sodium, thus increasing excretion of urine sodium and diuretic effect. It can also decrease levels of PRA, AII and ALD, increase renal blood flow and prevent renal damage induced by low blood sodium and facilitate subsiding of ascites.

Ascites ; blood ; diet therapy ; physiopathology ; urine ; Chymosin ; blood ; Diet, Sodium-Restricted ; methods ; Diuretics ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Furosemide ; administration & dosage ; Hepatitis B ; blood ; diet therapy ; physiopathology ; urine ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis ; blood ; diet therapy ; physiopathology ; urine ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Renal Circulation ; drug effects ; Sodium ; blood ; urine ; Sodium, Dietary ; administration & dosage ; Spironolactone ; administration & dosage

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of compound qizhu granule (CQG) on cellular immunity of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients.

METHODSTotally 103 CHB patients treated with lamivudin (LAM) for 6 months, who had partial virological response (HBeAg positive) were randomly assigned to two groups, 50 in the treatment group and 53 in the control group. All patients took LAM 100 mg (once a day) plus ADV 10 mg (once a day). Patients in the treatment group additionally took CQG, one dose per day. After one-year treatment hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA negative rates, HBeAg seroconversion, levels of HBV specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL), non-specific CTL and natural killing (NK) cells were compared between the two groups.

RESULTSAfter 1-year treatment, HBV DNA negative rate of the treatment group was 88: 0% in 44 cases, slightly higher than that of the control group (41 cases, 77.4%), but with no statistical difference (P >0.05). HBeAg seroconversion of the treatment group was 32.0% in 16 cases, higher than that of the control group (8 cases, 15.1%), with statistical difference (P <0.05). Levels of HBV specific CTL (0.79%±0. 07%), non-specific CTL (19.4%±1.8%) and NK cells (14. 1%± 1.5%) of the treatment group were higher than those of the control group (0.58% ± 0.08%, 17.5% ± 1.7%, and 11.1%±1.5%, respectively; allP <0.01).

CONCLUSIONTreating CHB patients with partial virological response by ADV plus CQG could improve specific and non-specific cellular immunity, thereby elevating HBeAg seroconversion rate.

Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Hepatitis B e Antigens ; immunology ; Hepatitis B virus ; genetics ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; drug therapy ; immunology ; Humans ; Immunity, Cellular ; immunology ; T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic ; drug effects

Adult ; Aldosterone ; blood ; Angiotensin II ; blood ; Diet, Sodium-Restricted ; Female ; Humans ; Kidney ; physiopathology ; Kidney Function Tests ; Liver Cirrhosis ; blood ; physiopathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Renin ; blood ; Sodium ; administration & dosage

OBJECTIVETo compare the difference of HBV DNA levels and HBV genotypes between the patients with primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and liver cirrhosis who infected with hepatitis B virus.

METHODSTotal 430 patients with hepatitis B were enrolled and further divided into the HCC group (210 cases) and liver cirrhosis group (HBV LC, 220 cases). The levels of HBV DNA and HBV genotypes were detected in all of the serum samples from the two groups, and the differences in the genotypes and virological markers between HCC patients and HBV LC patients were further analyzed.

RESULTSThe positive rates of HBV DNA of HCC patients and HBV LC patients were 84.3% (177/210) and 94. 5% (208/220), respectively. The mean values of serum HBV DNA in HCC patients and HBV-LC patients were (5.06 +/- 1.01) log10 cps/ml and (5.36 +/- 1.13) log10 cps/ml, respectively. The positive rates of HBV DNA and the mean values of serum HBV DNA were higher in HBV-LC patients than those in HCC patients (P < 0.01). Furthermore, the main genotype was C in both groups and the distribution of genotype C and genotype B had no statistical difference.

CONCLUSIONSMainly presented as a C genotype in both groups, the total levels of serum HBV DNA in HCC patients were lower than those in HBV-LC patients.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; blood ; virology ; DNA, Viral ; blood ; genetics ; Female ; Genotype ; Hepatitis B ; blood ; virology ; Hepatitis B virus ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis ; virology ; Liver Neoplasms ; blood ; virology ; Male ; Middle Aged

BACKGROUNDMedical ozone therapy system was reported to have certain effects on the treatment of severe hepatitis, but its mechanism is not very clear. One of the causes of death of severe hepatitis is complication of renal damage or hepatorenal syndrome. The present study aimed to observe effects of medical ozone therapy system on plasma renin activity (PRA), angiotensin II (AII), aldosterone (ALD), renal blood flow and renal function of patients with chronic severe hepatitis and explore mechanisms of medical ozone therapy in the treatment of severe hepatitis.

METHODSEighty-five cases with chronic severe hepatitis were randomly divided into ozone therapy group (43 cases) and control group (42 cases). The patients in the ozone therapy group were treated with basic treatments plus ozone therapy system. Basic autohemotherapy was used. One hundred milliliter venous blood was drawn from each patient, and was mixed with 100 ml (35 µg/ml) medical ozone and then was returned the blood to the patient intravenously, once every other day for 20 days. Only the basic treatments were given to the control group. PRA, AII, ALD, renal blood flow and damage to renal function of the two groups before treatment and 20 days after treatment were compared. Survival rates were also compared.

RESULTSTwenty days after the treatment, in ozone therapy group, PRA was (1.31 ± 0.12) ng·ml⁻¹·h⁻¹, AII (111.25 ± 17.35) pg/ml, ALD (251.31 ± 22.60) pg/ml, which decreased significantly compared with those before treatment (PRA (2.23 ± 0.13) ng·ml⁻¹·h⁻¹, AII (155.18 ± 19.13) pg/ml, ALD (405.31 ± 29.88) pg/ml, t = 4.67 - 14.23, P < 0.01), also lower than those of control group 20 days after the treatment (PRA (2.02 ± 0.11) ng·ml⁻¹·h⁻¹, AII (162.21 ± 15.32) pg/ml, ALD (401.20 ± 35.02) pg/ml, t = 4.97 - 15.61, P < 0.01); renal blood flow was (175.15 ± 28.20) ml/min, which increased compared with that before the treatment ((125.68 ± 21.25) ml/min) and was higher than that of control group 20 days after the treatment ((128.59 ± 23.15) ml/min, t = 4.78, 4.61, P < 0.01). Renal damage occurred in 2 cases (5%) in ozone therapy group, less than that in control group (9 cases, 21%) (χ² = 5.295, P < 0.05). Thirty-three cases (77%) in ozone therapy group vs. 16 cases (38%) in control group survived (χ² = 12.993, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSBasic treatment plus medical ozone therapy for patients with chronic severe hepatitis could decrease PRA, AII and ALD levels significantly increase renal blood flow, prevent renal damage to certain extent and improve survival rate of the patients.

Adult ; Female ; Hepatitis, Chronic ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Kidney ; blood supply ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Ozone ; therapeutic use ; Renal Circulation ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo explore the association of serum HBV DNA level with HBV-specific and nonspecific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) in patients with HBV-induced hepatic cirrhosis.

METHODS120 patients with HBV-induced hepatic cirrhosis who were positive for HBV DNA, HBeAg and human leucocyte antigen (HLA)-A2 were enrolled in this study. The level of HBV DNA was determined by real time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR). HBV-specific and nonspecific CTL were detected by flow cytometry. Liver function tests were done in the 120 patients. The 120 patients were divided into group A and B based on their HBV DNA levels. In group A, there were 68 patients with HBV DNA level of 3-4 log10 copy/ml, and in group B, 52 with 5-6 log10 copy/ml. HBV-specific and nonspecific CTL and liver function were compared between the two groups.

RESULTSHBV DNA levels were (3.68 +/- 0.19) and (5.97 +/- 0.32) log10 copy/ml in Group A and B respectively with P < 0.001. HBV-specific CTL was higher in group A (0.33% +/- 0.04%) than in group B (0.11% +/- 0.01%) with P < 0.001. HBV-nonspecific CTL were (11.99% +/- 1.51% ) and (11.91% +/- 1.61%) in group A and B respectively with P > 0. 05.

CONCLUSIONThe level of serum HBV DNA is related to the levels of HBV-specific CTL in patients with HBV-induced hepatic cirrhosis. Patients with higher HBV DNA had lower levels of HBV-specific CTL, and the damage to liver function was severe because of higher levels of HBV DNA. Patients with lower HBV DNA had higher levels of HBV-specific CTL which predict good anti-viral effect.

Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; DNA, Viral ; blood ; Female ; HLA-A2 Antigen ; genetics ; Hepatitis B e Antigens ; blood ; Hepatitis B virus ; genetics ; immunology ; physiology ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis ; blood ; immunology ; virology ; Liver Function Tests ; Male ; Middle Aged ; T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic ; immunology ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo explore targets of Chinese herbal medicine at cellular and molecular leve1s through an experimental study on Yinxingye Capsule (YC) intervening vascular endothelial cell apoptoeis of hyperhornocysteinemia (HHcy) rats.

METHODSThe HHcy model was prepared in male Wistar rats. Totally 42 rats were randomly divided into 4 groups, i.e., the control group (n =10), the model group (n = 11), the YC group (n =11), the folic acid group (n =10). Carboxy methyl cellulose (CMC) solution (1%) was administered to rats in the control group by gastrogavage.3% methionine suspension at 1. 5 g/kg was administered to rats in the model group by gastrogavage. 3% methionine suspension at 1. 5 g/kg and folic acid suspension at 0. 06 g/kg was administered to rats in the folic acid group by gastrogavage. 3% methionine suspension at 1. 5 g/kg and YC at 0. 02 g/kg was administered to rats in the YC group by gastrogavage. Morphological changes of aortic tissue were observed by hematoxylin eosin (HE) staining. The plasma homocysteine (Hcy) level was detected in each group. The endothelium-dependent diastolic functions of the thoracic aorta on different concentrations of sodium nitroprusside (SNP) and acetylcholine (Ach) were detected. Gene expressions of Bcl-2-associated X protein (BAX), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), c-Fos, cellular inhibitor of apoptosis protein 2 (c-IAP2) were detected by real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

RESULTSPathological results showed that thickening aortic endothelium, swollen and desquamated endothelial cells. Few foam cells could be seen in the model group. Myoma-like proliferation of smooth muscle cells in tunica media could also be seen. These pathological changes were milder in the YC group and the folic acid group. Compared with the control group, plasma Hcy levels increased in the model group (P <0. 05). The endothelium-dependent diastolic rates at 10(-6) and 10(-4)mol/L Ach and 10(-7) -10(-3)mol/L SNP all decreased in the model group (P <0. 01, P <0. 05). Gene expressions of Bax, c-Fos, and iNOS increased, but c-IAP2 gene expressions decreased in the model group (all P <0. 05). Compared with the model group, plasma Hcy levels decreased in the YC group and the folic acid group (P <0. 05). The endothelium-dependent diastolic rates increased in the YC group and the folic acid group at various SNP concentrations except 10(-6) mol/L SNP in the folic acid group. The endothelium-dependent diastolic rates increased in the YC group and the folic acid group at 10(-6) and 10(-4)mol/L Ach (all P <0. 05). Gene expressions of Bax, c-Fos, and iNOS decreased in the YC group and the folic acid group, but c-IAP2 gene expression increased in the folic acid group (all P <0. 05).

CONCLUSIONYC could reduce plasma Hcy levels, down-regulate gene expressions of Bax, c-Fos, and iNOS, thereby reducing apoptosis of vascular endothelial cells, improving vascular endothelial function, and delaying atherosclerotic process.

Acetylcholine ; Animals ; Aorta ; Aorta, Thoracic ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Endothelial Cells ; Endothelium, Vascular ; Hyperhomocysteinemia ; drug therapy ; Male ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II ; Nitroprusside ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein

OBJECTIVETo evaluate contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) in detecting testicular perfusion in acute testis contusion.

METHODSWe established the model of testis contusion in 11 healthy male New Zealand rabbits by randomly hitting one side of the scrotum under general anesthesia. We examined the bilateral scrotums of all the animals before, immediately after and at 2, 4 and 6 hours after modeling by color Doppler flow imaging (CDFI) and CEUS, and analyzed the time-intensity curve (TIC), arriving time (AT), time to peak intensity (TTP), peak intensity (PI), half time of descending peak intensity (HT) and area under the curve (AUC) in the healthy and injured testis, respectively.

RESULTSCEUS exhibited a higher sensitivity in detecting tissue perfusion than CDFI. The mode of contrast agent perfusion in testicular contusion was fast in and slow out. There were no evident differences between the contused and the healthy testis in AT, TTP and PI before modeling. The contused testis showed significantly earlier AT and TTP, higher PI and larger AUC (P < 0.05) than the healthy one at different time points after modeling, but no statistically significant difference was found in HT (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONAccurate parameters of testicular perfusion in acute testis contusion can be quantitatively obtained by CEUS, which are of important value for the diagnosis of testis contusion.

Animals ; Contrast Media ; Contusions ; diagnostic imaging ; Male ; Rabbits ; Testis ; blood supply ; diagnostic imaging ; injuries ; Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color