A comparison of three interferon alfa-2b regimens for the long-term treatment of chronic non-A, non-B hepatitis

Article Abstract:

High doses of long-term therapy with interferon alpha-2b may produce good results among chronic non-A, non-B hepatitis patients. Liver disease is often diagnosed by biopsy or alanine aminotransferase levels in the blood. High alanine aminotransferase concentrations are indicative of damaged liver cells. Researchers compared the effectiveness of three different doses of interferon alfa-2b administered over 18 months. A total of 303 patients received 3 million units of interferon alfa-2b injections three times a week for six months. Afterwards, 103 patients continued this drug regimen for one year (group 1), 101 patients received a lower dose of 1 million units three times a week for one year (group 2), and treatment ceased for 99 patients (group 3). Alanine aminotransferase concentrations in the blood remained normal in 23 patients from group 1 compared to 10 patients from group 2 and 8 patients from group 3. Patients in group 1 had the least amount of liver damage.

Dosage and administration, Interferon alpha, Hepatitis

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A randomized trial of prednisolone in patients with severe alcoholic hepatitis

Article Abstract:

The corticosteroid drug prednisolone may improve the short-term survival of patients who have severe alcoholic hepatitis. Of 61 patients with severe alcoholic hepatitis, 32 were given 40 milligrams of prednisolone every day for 28 days and 29 were given a placebo (an inactive substance). After 66 days, only four of the 32 patients given prednisone died, compared to 16 of the 29 placebo patients. The four patients on prednisone died within the first 11 days after starting treatment, but patients in the placebo group died throughout the 66-day follow-up period. Both patients with and patients without encephalopathy, a neurological complication of severe liver disease, lived longer on prednisone. Prednisone may prolong the life of patients with alcoholic hepatitis by increasing their appetite and affecting their immune response. Patients in the placebo group had more infections and gastrointestinal bleeding than those in the prednisolone group.

Prednisolone, Hepatitis, Alcoholic, Alcoholic hepatitis

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Corticosteroid therapy in severe illness

Article Abstract:

Corticosteroids may be beneficial in patients with severe illness or stress from surgical procedures. Severe illness or stress activates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal system, leading to elevated levels of cortisol. This can be treated with corticosteroids, which suppress this response. Corticosteroids can also lower the risk of an inflammatory response to bacterial infections. Patients who already take corticosteroids for autoimmune diseases or dysfunction of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal system can continue taking them during severe illness.

Physiological aspects, Chronic diseases, Stress (Physiology), Endocrine system

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