Chronic hepatitis B virus(HBV)infection is the key driving force of liver disease progression,resulting in the development of hepatic dysfunction,cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).The primary aim of therapy ...Chronic hepatitis B virus(HBV)infection is the key driving force of liver disease progression,resulting in the development of hepatic dysfunction,cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).The primary aim of therapy is to suppress or eliminate HBV replication to reduce the activity of hepatitis,thus reducing the risk of,or slowing the progression of,liver disease.Nucleos(t)ide analogues(Nucs)may result in rapid suppression of HBV replication with normalization of serum transaminases and restore liver function,thus increasing survival in patients with hepatic decompensation.Long-term Nuc therapy may result in histological improvement or reversal of advanced fibrosis and reduction in disease progression,including the development of HCC.The long-term benefits of a finite course of interferon(IFN)-αtherapy also include a sustained and cumulative response,as well as hepatitis B surface antigen seroclearance and reduction in the development of cirrhosis and/or HCC.Pegylated IFN and newer Nucs may achieve better long-term outcomes because of improved efficacy and a low risk of drug resistance.However,treatment outcomes are still far from satisfactory.Understanding the effects of anti-HBV treatment against HCC incidence and recurrence after hepatectomy or liver transplantation is required for further improvement of outcome.展开更多
<strong>Background:</strong> SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) is a viral pandemic with no current vaccine or effective treatment. Hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin are not without cardiovascular risk or complicatio...<strong>Background:</strong> SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) is a viral pandemic with no current vaccine or effective treatment. Hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin are not without cardiovascular risk or complications, and these treatments can fail to aid in full recovery from COVID-19. As new treatments become approved for the pandemic, an inexpensive, non-toxic, and safe adjunctive therapy is needed. <strong>Case Presentation:</strong> A 59-year-old male presented with respiratory symptoms. Chest X-ray revealed classic indications of COVID-19 pneumonia. A PCR nasopharyngeal swab test confirmed a COVID-19 infection and hospital doctors prescribed Rocephin, azithromycin, and hydroxychloroquine. The patient was then prescribed Quercinex, a nebulized formula of quercetin-(cyclodextrin) (20 mg/mL) and N-acetylcysteine (100 mg/mL) three times daily for 14 days by physicians at Envita Medical Center for continued COVID-19 respiratory symptoms. Following 30 minutes after each nebulization treatment, the patient experienced immediate deep breathing relief that lasted for multiple hours. Within the following 48 hours after the first treatment, respiratory symptoms continued to diminish and resolve quickly. Finally, post-treatment follow-up chest X-rays revealed no pulmonary fibrosis (scarring) and clear lung fields. <strong>Conclusion: </strong>The Quercinex formula appeared to greatly alleviate the unresolved respiratory symptoms rapidly. Several mechanisms of the formula, namely antiviral and anti-inflammatory action, with direct administration via nebulizer to the deep lung tissue, could potentially explain the fast and complete recovery. We recommend that the Quercinex formula be considered for further clinical study as an adjuvant or on its own for COVID-19 and possibly other viral pulmonary conditions.展开更多
AIM: To investigate the effect of N-acetyl cysteine (NAC)on acute viral hepatitis (AVH).METHODS: We administered 200 mg oral NAC three times daily (600 mg/day) to the study group and placebo capsules to the control gr...AIM: To investigate the effect of N-acetyl cysteine (NAC)on acute viral hepatitis (AVH).METHODS: We administered 200 mg oral NAC three times daily (600 mg/day) to the study group and placebo capsules to the control group. All patients were hospitalized and diagnosed as AVH. Blood total and direct bilirubin, ALT, AST,alkaline phosphatese, albumin and globulin levels of each patient were measured twice weekly until total bilirubin level dropped under 2 mg/dl, ALT level under 100 U/L, follow up was continued and then the patients were discharged.RESULTS: A total of 41(13 female and 28 male) AVH patients were included in our study. The period for normalization of ALT and total bilirubin in the study group was 19.7±6.9 days and 13.7±8.5 days respectively. In the control group it was 20.4±6.5 days and 16.9±7.8 days respectively (P＞0.05).CONCLUSION: NAC administration effected neither the time necessary for normalization of ALT and total bilirubin values nor duration of hospitalization, so we could not suggest NAC for the treatment of icteric AVH cases. However, our results have shown that this drug is not harmful to patients with AVH.展开更多
文摘Chronic hepatitis B virus(HBV)infection is the key driving force of liver disease progression,resulting in the development of hepatic dysfunction,cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).The primary aim of therapy is to suppress or eliminate HBV replication to reduce the activity of hepatitis,thus reducing the risk of,or slowing the progression of,liver disease.Nucleos(t)ide analogues(Nucs)may result in rapid suppression of HBV replication with normalization of serum transaminases and restore liver function,thus increasing survival in patients with hepatic decompensation.Long-term Nuc therapy may result in histological improvement or reversal of advanced fibrosis and reduction in disease progression,including the development of HCC.The long-term benefits of a finite course of interferon(IFN)-αtherapy also include a sustained and cumulative response,as well as hepatitis B surface antigen seroclearance and reduction in the development of cirrhosis and/or HCC.Pegylated IFN and newer Nucs may achieve better long-term outcomes because of improved efficacy and a low risk of drug resistance.However,treatment outcomes are still far from satisfactory.Understanding the effects of anti-HBV treatment against HCC incidence and recurrence after hepatectomy or liver transplantation is required for further improvement of outcome.
文摘<strong>Background:</strong> SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) is a viral pandemic with no current vaccine or effective treatment. Hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin are not without cardiovascular risk or complications, and these treatments can fail to aid in full recovery from COVID-19. As new treatments become approved for the pandemic, an inexpensive, non-toxic, and safe adjunctive therapy is needed. <strong>Case Presentation:</strong> A 59-year-old male presented with respiratory symptoms. Chest X-ray revealed classic indications of COVID-19 pneumonia. A PCR nasopharyngeal swab test confirmed a COVID-19 infection and hospital doctors prescribed Rocephin, azithromycin, and hydroxychloroquine. The patient was then prescribed Quercinex, a nebulized formula of quercetin-(cyclodextrin) (20 mg/mL) and N-acetylcysteine (100 mg/mL) three times daily for 14 days by physicians at Envita Medical Center for continued COVID-19 respiratory symptoms. Following 30 minutes after each nebulization treatment, the patient experienced immediate deep breathing relief that lasted for multiple hours. Within the following 48 hours after the first treatment, respiratory symptoms continued to diminish and resolve quickly. Finally, post-treatment follow-up chest X-rays revealed no pulmonary fibrosis (scarring) and clear lung fields. <strong>Conclusion: </strong>The Quercinex formula appeared to greatly alleviate the unresolved respiratory symptoms rapidly. Several mechanisms of the formula, namely antiviral and anti-inflammatory action, with direct administration via nebulizer to the deep lung tissue, could potentially explain the fast and complete recovery. We recommend that the Quercinex formula be considered for further clinical study as an adjuvant or on its own for COVID-19 and possibly other viral pulmonary conditions.
文摘AIM: To investigate the effect of N-acetyl cysteine (NAC)on acute viral hepatitis (AVH).METHODS: We administered 200 mg oral NAC three times daily (600 mg/day) to the study group and placebo capsules to the control group. All patients were hospitalized and diagnosed as AVH. Blood total and direct bilirubin, ALT, AST,alkaline phosphatese, albumin and globulin levels of each patient were measured twice weekly until total bilirubin level dropped under 2 mg/dl, ALT level under 100 U/L, follow up was continued and then the patients were discharged.RESULTS: A total of 41(13 female and 28 male) AVH patients were included in our study. The period for normalization of ALT and total bilirubin in the study group was 19.7±6.9 days and 13.7±8.5 days respectively. In the control group it was 20.4±6.5 days and 16.9±7.8 days respectively (P＞0.05).CONCLUSION: NAC administration effected neither the time necessary for normalization of ALT and total bilirubin values nor duration of hospitalization, so we could not suggest NAC for the treatment of icteric AVH cases. However, our results have shown that this drug is not harmful to patients with AVH.
