Hepatitis B virus-related liver cirrhosis complicated with dermatomyositis: A case report

Comparative expression of pro-inflammatory and apoptotic biosignatures in chronic HBV-infected patients with and without liver cirrhosis

The interplay of immune mediators is paramount to optimal host anti-viral immune responses, especially against chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Here, we investigated the dynamic changes in host immune responses in chronic HBV-infected individuals with and without liver cirrhosis by examining the signatures of apoptosis and plasma levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, and cytotoxic proteins. A total of 40 chronic HBV patients with and without liver cirrhosis were studied for plasma levels of immune mediators, and signatures of apoptosis in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). The intracellular concentrations of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in patients with chronic HBV with liver cirrhosis was relatively higher as compared to chronic HBV patients. The onset of apoptosis was sustained due to ongoing liver inflammation in concert with plasma TNF-α and IL-6 levels. Plasma VEGF was upregulated among chronic HBV patients with liver cirrhosis, whereas CCL2, CCL5 and granzyme B levels were down-regulated. High levels of ROS, IL-6 and TNF-α correlated with ongoing inflammation among chronic HBV patients with liver cirrhosis, which likely attributed to the expression of biosignatures of apoptosis and activation in immune cells.

Silver, copper and copper oxide nanoparticles in the fight against human viruses: progress and perspectives

The rapid development of nanomedicine has created a high demand for silver, copper and copper oxide nanoparticles. Due to their high reactivity and potent antimicrobial activity, silver and copper-based nanomaterials have been playing an important role in the search for new alternatives for the treatment of several issues of concern, such as pathologies caused by bacteria and viruses. Viral diseases are a significant and constant threat to public health. The most recent example is the pandemic caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). In this context, the object of the present review is to highlight recent progress in the biomedical uses of these metal nanoparticles for the treatment and prevention of human viral infections. We discuss the antiviral activity of AgNPs and Cu-based NPs, including their actions against SARS-CoV-2. We also discuss the toxicity, biodistribution and excretion of AgNPs and CuNPs, along with their uses in medical devices or on inert surfaces to avoid viral dissemination by fomites. The challenges and limitations of the biomedical use of these nanoparticles are presented.

Comparative Pharmacokinetic Study of Taxifolin after Oral Administration of Fructus Polygoni Orientalis Extract in Normal and Fibrotic Rats by UPLC-MS/MS

Fructus polygoni orientalis (FPO) is widely used in clinical practice in China, especially in treatment of liver diseases including viral hepatitis, liver fibrosis, and liver cirrhosis. However, its pharmacokinetic (PK) alterations in liver fibrotic rats have rarely been reported. To study whether taxifolin, one of the main flavonoids in FPO can be absorbed into blood after oral administration of FPO extract and to compare the differences in pharmacokinetic parameters of taxifolin to normal and liver fibrotic rats induced by porcine serum (PS), a UPLC-MS/MS method was developed and validated for determination of taxifolin in rat plasma using puerarin as the internal standard (IS). All validation parameters met the acceptance criteria according to regulatory guidelines. The results indicated that after treatment of rats with PS alone for 12 weeks, the liver fibrotic model group was built successfully. The taxifolin can be absorbed into the blood after oral administration of the FPO extract. The C _max of taxifolin was 1940 ± 502.2 ng/mL and 2648 ± 208.5 ng/mL (p < 0.05), the AUC_0∼t of taxifolin was 4949.7 ± 764.89 h·ng/mL and 6679.9 ± 734.26 h·ng/mL (p < 0.05), the AUC_0∼∞ of taxifolin was 5049.4 ± 760.7 and 7095.2 ± 962.3 h·ng/mL (p < 0.05), and the mean residence time (MRT) of taxifolin was 2.46 ± 0.412 h and 3.17 ± 0.039 h (p < 0.05) in the normal and fibrotic model groups, respectively. These results confirmed that the pharmacokinetic parameters of taxifolin are altered in liver fibrosis, manifested as C _max, AUC_0∼t , AUC_0∼∞, and the mean residence time (MRT). It suggested that it is essential to consider the characteristics of pharmacokinetics after oral administration of FPO in liver disease patients.

Present and Future Therapies for Chronic Hepatitis B

Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) remains the leading cause of liver-related morbidity and mortality across the world. If left untreated, approximately one-third of these patients will progress to severe end-stage liver diseases including liver failure, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). High level of serum HBV DNA is strongly associated with the development of liver failure, cirrhosis, and HCC. Therefore, antiviral therapy is crucial for the clinical management of CHB. Current antiviral drugs including nucleoside/nucleotide analogues (NAs) and interferon-α (IFN-α) can suppress HBV replication and reduce the progression of liver disease, thus improving the long-term outcomes of CHB patients. This chapter will discuss the standard and optimization antiviral therapies in treatment-naïve and treatment-experienced patients, as well as in the special populations. The up-to-date advances in the development of new anti-HBV agents will be also discussed. With the combination of the current antiviral drugs and the newly developed antiviral agents targeting the different steps of the viral life cycle or the newly developed agents modulating the host immune responses, the ultimate eradication of HBV will be achieved in the future.