Hepatitis: Gasbarrini A

Papa A, Mocci G, Bonizzi M, Felice C, Andrisani G, De Vitis I, Guidi L, Gasbarrini A. · Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, Catholic University of Rome, Largo A. Gemelli 8, Rome, Italy. · Am J Gastroenterol. · Pubmed #19491875 No free full text.

Abstract: With the increasingly widespread use of the anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha agent infliximab for the treatment of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, there have been some concerns raised about the potential consequences of such therapy in particular clinical settings. In this review, we report the current strategies for optimizing treatment outcomes and minimizing the risks of some of the most serious events attributable to infliximab therapy. In particular, an up-to-date overview is provided on how to treat patients with inflammatory bowel disease using infliximab therapy, with regard to the diagnosis and management of latent tuberculosis infection and the risk of reactivation of hepatitis B and C infections. Furthermore, based on the available evidence, we evaluate the possibility of using infliximab during pregnancy. Finally, we evaluate whether patients with malignancies or pre-neoplastic lesions could be candidates for infliximab therapy. Overall, this review will provide physicians who use infliximab for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease with several practical recommendations for the management of some complex situations that may occur in daily clinical practice.

Abenavoli L, Addolorato G, Riccardi L, Gasbarrini A, Gasbarrini G, Rapaccini GL. · Istituto di Medicina Interna, Università Cattolica del S. Cuore, Roma, Italy. · Int J Clin Pract. · Pubmed #18194277 No free full text.

Abstract: INTRODUCTION: Liver fibrosis (LB) assessment plays an important role in hepatology. A common characteristic of all chronic liver diseases is the occurrence and progression of fibrosis towards cirrhosis. Besides its plain interest for prognosis purposes, determining the fibrosis reveals the natural history of the disease and the risk factors associated with its progression to guide the antifibrotic action of different treatments. DISCUSSION: Today, in clinical practice there are three available methods for the evaluation of LB. Biopsy, which is still considered as the 'gold standard' method. Serological markers and their mathematical combination are suggested in the last years in alternative to LB. More recently, transient elastography (TE) was proposed. TE is a simple and noninvasive method for measuring liver stiffness. This technique is based on the progression speed of an elastic shear wave within the liver. CONCLUSIONS: Currently, there are just a few studies capable of evaluating the TE effectiveness in chronic liver diseases, mainly in patients infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV). Its application must also be studied in the monitoring of patients suffering from chronic HCV infection and subjected to a treatment that can modify their degree of liver fibrosis. The results of TE must be interpreted according to the clinical background of the specialist.

Grieco A, Forgione A, Miele L, Vero V, Greco AV, Gasbarrini A, Gasbarrini G. · Department of Internal Medicine, Catholic University of the Sacred Hear, Rome, Italy. · Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. · Pubmed #16237810 No free full text.

Abstract: Drug-induced liver diseases (DILD) are clinico-pathologic patterns of liver injury caused by drugs or other foreign compounds. Steatohepatitis is a rare form of DILD, and drugs account for fewer than 2% of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Drugs known to be capable of inducing steatosis and steatohepatitis can be divided into three broad groups: those that cause steatosis and steatohepatitis independently (e.g., amiodarone, perhexiline maleate); drugs which can precipitate latent NASH (e.g., tamoxifen); drugs whic duce sporadic events of steatosis/steatohepatitis (e.g., carbamazepine). Clinical DILD syndromes include acute viral hepatitis-like injury, acute liver failure, cholestatic hepatitis,liver disease with signs of hypersensitivity, autoimmune hepatitis-like injury, acute venous-Outflow obstruction, chronic cholestasis, ciirrhosis, steatosis and steatohepatitis. The clinical picture is by no means dependent on the mechanism of injury (direct hepatotoxicity, idiosyncratic reactions, hypersensitivity reactions). Reliable diagnosis of drug-induced liver disease requires demonstration of close correlation between the patient history and clinical, laboratory, and histological data.

Miele L, Forgione A, Hernandez AP, Gabrieli ML, Vero V, Di Rocco P, Greco AV, Gasbarrini G, Gasbarrini A, Grieco A. · Department of Internal Medicine, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy. · Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. · Pubmed #16231589 No free full text.

Abstract: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a condition of increasing incidence in western Countries seldom associated to other diseases of high prevalence in general population (i.e. diabetes and obesity). NAFLD ranges from simple fatty liver to steatohepatitis (NASH), which may lead to cryptogenic cirrhosis and in some cases hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Natural history of NAFLD in humans is poorly understood and progression of liver disease seems to be due to interaction between hosting (i.e. genetic, gut flora, insulin resistance) and environmental factors (social and eating behaviours) that should be responsible of increased oxidative stress within hepatocytes. Even if we need non-invasive markers able to describe the progression of liver disease, only meaning of liver biopsy is useful to characterize the stigmata of worsening such as inflammation and fibrosis.

Annicchiarico BE, Siciliano M, Avolio AW, Caracciolo G, Gasbarrini A, Agnes S, Castagneto M. · Department of Internal Medicine, Catholic University, A. Gemelli Hospital, Rome, Italy. · Transplant Proc. · Pubmed #18675089 No free full text.

Abstract: Successful treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection can prevent reinfection after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). Pegylated interferon (PEG-IFN) may ameliorate virological response (VR), making the risk-to-benefit ratio of therapy favorable in waiting list patients. From January 2001 to April 2006, we treated 15 HCV cirrhotics with PEG-IFN alpha-2b (1.5 microg/kg/week) and ribavirin (RIBA; >or=10.6 mg/kg/d). Their mean age was 51.5 years. There were 9 men. In 6 cases the genotype was 1b. With Child-Pugh scores >or=9 (range 9-12) and Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) scores >or=14 (range, 14-22). Adverse events occurred in all subjects: thrombocytopenia (<40,000/microL) in 8; neutropenia (<700/microL) in 10; anemia (Hb <8.5 g/dL) in 1; grade III hepatic encephalopathy in 2; pelvic infection in 1; variceal hemorrhage in 1; and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) recurrence in 1. Adverse events caused treatment withdrawal in 6 (40.0%) and RIBA and/or PEG-IFN dose reduction in 10 (66.6%). Early VR (EVR) was obtained in 9 subjects (60.0%), end-of-treatment (EOT) VR in 7 (46.6%), and sustained VR (SVR) in 3 (20.0%). Three subjects--2 nonresponder and 1 breakthrough--were transplanted at 25, 23, and 16 months after the EOT, respectively. Three subjects died at 6, 8, and 15 months after the EOT due to HCC, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, and liver failure. Nine patients are awaiting OLT. The risk-to-benefit ratio is against PEG-INF and RIBA treatment of severely decompensated cirrhotics infected with genotype 1 awaiting OLT, but therapy is probably beneficial in genotype 2 subjects, due to an expected SVR rate of more than 40%. However, one must carefully consider the high risk for severe adverse events.

Gasbarrini A, Rapaccini GL, Rutella S, Zocco MA, Tittoto P, Leone G, Pola P, Gasbarrini G, Di Campli C. · Department of Medical Pathology, Catholic University of Rome, Largo Gemelli 1, 00168 Rome, Italy. · Dig Liver Dis. · Pubmed #16875890 No free full text.

Abstract: Recent efforts have been directed toward new therapeutic options to approach drug-induced hepatitis. We report a case of acute liver failure associated with Nimesulide in a 67-year-old man, with a medical history of chronic alcohol abuse. The biopsy was compatible with chronic alcoholic liver disease and acute drug-induced injury. The patient was enrolled to receive G-CSF followed by apheresis and selection of peripheral-blood stem cells. After ultrasound-guided injection of CD34+cells in the portal vein, we observed a rapid improvement of synthetic liver function, with particular reference to coagulation parameters. Liver biopsy performed 20 days after, showed wide areas of regeneration. In the next 30 days the laboratory signs of acute decompensation progressively improved. Unfortunately he died of multiple-organ failure related to bacterial infection. Intrahepatic injection of peripheral-blood stem cells seemed safe and produced good periprocedural results with improvement of synthetic profile, suggesting a possible role of stem cells in the regeneration process.

Gaspari R, Pennisi MA, Mignani V, Gasbarrini A, Mercurio G, Di Campli C, Conti G, Gentiloni Silveri N, Proietti R. · Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Catholic University of Rome, Largo Francesco Vito, 1-00168 Rome, Italy. · Z Gastroenterol. · Pubmed #16215887 No free full text.

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Piscaglia AC, Zocco MA, Di Campli C, Sparano L, Rutella S, Monego G, Bonanno G, Michetti F, Mancuso S, Pola P, Leone G, Gasbarrini G, Gasbarrini A. · Department of Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology, Catholic University of Rome, Italy. · Dig Liver Dis. · Pubmed #16214431 No free full text.

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Tissue homeostasis is guaranteed by stem proliferating reserve, depending on dynamic changes in gene expression. A high plasticity is shown by the haematopoietic stem cells, potential source for liver regeneration. AIM: We aimed to evaluate the gene expression modifications induced by human haematopoietic stem cell therapy after liver injury in rats. SUBJECTS: Rats were sorted as follows: (A) human-haematopoietic stem cell injection after allyl alcohol liver damage; (B) only haematopoietic stem cell injection; (C) only allyl alcohol injection; and (D) sacrifice without any treatment. METHODS: Livers, spleens and bone marrows were analysed with flow-cytometry. Livers were also studied by reverse-transcription PCR, histology, immunohistochemistry and microarray analysis; selected genes were confirmed by real-time PCR. RESULTS: In subset A, haematopoietic stem cells were selectively recruited by liver, with respect to the group B, and they improved the liver regeneration process compared to group C. As regards microarrays, haematopoietic stem cell infusion upregulates 265 genes and downregulates 149 genes. Differentially regulated genes belong to a broad range of functional pathways, including proliferation, differentiation, adhesion/migration and transcripts related to oval-cell activation. Real-time PCR validated array results. CONCLUSIONS: Our study confirmed the capacity of haematopoietic stem cells to contribute to liver regeneration. Moreover, microarray analysis led to the identification of genes whose regulation strongly correlates with a more efficient process of liver repair after haematopoietic stem cell injection.

Zocco MA, Di Campli C, Gaspari R, Candelli M, Nista EC, Zileri Dal Verme L, Di Gioacchino G, Santoliquido A, Flore R, Tondi P, Proietti R, Pola P, Gasbarrini G, Gasbarrini A. · Department of Medical Pathology, Catholic University of Rome, Rome, Italy. · Transplant Proc. · Pubmed #16182741 No free full text.

Abstract: BACKGROUND AND AIM: Oxidative injury occurs as a direct result of hepatitis C virus (HCV) core protein expression both in vitro and in vivo, and may be due to a direct effect on mitochondria. The ketoisocaproic acid (KICA) breath test is a simple, reliable, and noninvasive test to evaluate hepatic mitochondrial function. Albumin dialysis (MARS) is an effective bridge treatment for patients with acute failure superimposed on chronic liver disease. The aim of our study was to evaluate the improvement of mitochondrial function measured by KICA in patients undergoing MARS for acute-on-chronic HCV liver failure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Five patients with HCV chronic infection undergoing MARS treatment for acute decompensation were enrolled. Before and after each MARS treatment, patients underwent blood testing for the main hematochemical parameters as well as for mitochondrial function by the KICA breath test and the arterial ketone bodies ratio (AKBR). RESULTS: MARS treatment effectively decreased the serum level of total bilirubin, bile acids, urea, and ammonium. Moreover, MARS treatment produced an increase in AKBR and in the cumulative percentage of (13)CO(2) recovered in exhaled air 2 hours after KICA ingestion. CONCLUSION: Liver mitochondrial function appears to be beneficially affected by MARS treatment.

Di Campli C, Piscaglia AC, Pierelli L, Rutella S, Bonanno G, Alison MR, Mariotti A, Vecchio FM, Nestola M, Monego G, Michetti F, Mancuso S, Pola P, Leone G, Gasbarrini G, Gasbarrini A. · Department of Internal Medicine, Catholic University of Rome, Rome, Italy. · Dig Liver Dis. · Pubmed #15460845 No free full text.

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Several studies have demonstrated that bone marrow contains a subpopulation of stem cells capable of participating in the hepatic regenerative process, even if some reports indicate quite a low level of liver repopulation by human stem cells in the normal and transiently injured liver. AIMS: In order to overcome the low engraftment levels seen in previous models, we tried the direct intraperitoneal administration of human cord blood stem cells, using a model of hepatic damage induced by allyl alcohol in NOD/SCID mice. METHODS: We designed a protocol based on stem cell infusion following liver damage in the absence of irradiation. Flow cytometry, histology, immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR for human hepatic markers were performed to monitor human cell engraftment. RESULTS: Human stem cells were able to transdifferentiate into hepatocytes, to improve liver regeneration after damage and to reduce the mortality rate both in both protocols, even if with qualitative and quantitative differences in the transdifferentiation process. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated for the first time that the intraperitoneal administration of stem cells can guarantee a rapid liver engraftment. Moreover, the new protocol based on stem cell infusion following liver damage in the absence of irradiation may represent a step forward for the clinical application of stem cell transplantation.

Fagiuali S, Mirante VG, Pompili M, Gianni S, Leandro G, Rapaccini GL, Gasbarrini A, Naccarato R, Pagliaro L, Rizzetto M, Gasbarrini G, Anonymous00225. · Surgical and Gastroenterological Sciences Department, University Hospital of Padua, Italy. · Dig Liver Dis. · Pubmed #12405251 No free full text.

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Liver transplantation is the standard treatment for patients with end-stage liver disease no longer responsive to conventional medical treatment AIMS: To report the long-term experience of liver transplantation in Italy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Data were obtained retrospectively by means of a multiple-item form collected from 15 Italian liver transplant centres. The filing centre was centralized. RESULTS: A total of 3323 liver transplants were performed on 3026 patients, with a cumulative proportional survival of 72.4%. Three, 5 and 10 years' patient survival rates were 72.3%, 68.8% and 61.3%, respectively. The most common indication for liver transplantation were hepatitis B virus (+/- hepatitis D virus)- and hepatitis C virus-related cirrhosis (59.4%). Excellent survival rates were observed particularly in controversial indications, such as alcoholic cirrhosis, hepatitis B virus-related cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Retransplantation was required in 8.9% of the cases. The overall prevalence of acute cellular rejection episodes was 43.5%. In our study population, primary non-function and disease recurrence were the most common causes of graft failure (28.7% and 25.4%, respectively). Infections and/or sepsis were the most common causes of death after transplantation (42%). CONCLUSION: This study confirms that patients with controversial indications to liver transplantation such as alcoholic cirrhosis, HBV-related cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma can achieve excellent survival when properly selected.

Bugli F, Mancini N, Kang CY, Di Campli C, Grieco A, Manzin A, Gabrielli A, Gasbarrini A, Fadda G, Varaldo PE, Clementi M, Burioni R. · Istituti di Microbiologia, Facoltà di Medicina e Chirurgia, Università Cattolica del S. Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy. · J Virol. · Pubmed #11559832 links to  free full text

Abstract: Clinical and experimental evidence indicates that the hepatitis C virus (HCV) E2 glycoprotein (HCV/E2) is the most promising candidate for the development of an effective anti-HCV vaccine. Identification of the human epitopes that are conserved among isolates and are able to elicit protective antibodies would constitute a significant step forward. This work describes the mapping of the B-cell epitopes present on the surface of HCV/E2, as recognized by the immune system during infection, by the analysis of the reciprocal interactions of a panel of human recombinant Fabs derived from an HCV-infected patient. Three unrelated epitopes recognized by antibodies with no neutralization-of-binding (NOB) activity were identified; a fourth, major epitope was defined as a clustering of minor epitopes recognized by Fabs endowed with strong NOB activity.

Gabrielli M, Santarelli L, Serricchio M, Leo D, Pola P, Gasbarrini A. · No affiliation provided · Am J Gastroenterol. · Pubmed #12738487 No free full text.

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Ojetti V, Gasbarrini A, Migneco A, Flore R, Santoliquido A, De Martini D, Agnes S, Gentiloni Silveri N, Pola P. · No affiliation provided · Dig Liver Dis. · Pubmed #12118960 No free full text.

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Danese S, De Vitis I, Gasbarrini A. · No affiliation provided · Ann Intern Med. · Pubmed #11712893 links to  free full text

This publication has no abstract.