Bioelectrical impedance analysis in clinical practice: implications for hepatitis C therapy BIA and hepatitis C

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Body composition analysis using phase angle (PA), determined by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), reflects tissue electrical properties and has prognostic value in liver cirrhosis. Objective of this prospective study was to investigate clinical use and prognostic value of BIA-derived phase angle and alterations in body composition for hepatitis C infection (HCV) following antiviral therapy.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>37 consecutive patients with HCV infection were enrolled, BIA was performed, and PA was calculated from each pair of measurements. 22 HCV genotype 3 patients treated for 24 weeks and 15 genotype 1 patients treated for 48 weeks, were examined before and after antiviral treatment and compared to 10 untreated HCV patients at 0, 24, and 48 weeks. Basic laboratory data were correlated to body composition alterations.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Significant reduction in body fat (BF: 24.2 ± 6.7 kg vs. 19.9 ± 6.6 kg, genotype1; 15.4 ± 10.9 kg vs. 13.2 ± 12.1 kg, genotype 3) and body cell mass (BCM: 27.3 ± 6.8 kg vs. 24.3 ± 7.2 kg, genotype1; 27.7 ± 8.8 kg vs. 24.6 ± 7.6 kg, genotype 3) was found following treatment. PA in genotype 3 patients was significantly lowered after antiviral treatment compared to initial measurements (5.9 ± 0.7° vs. 5.4 ± 0.8°). Total body water (TBW) was significantly decreased in treated patients with genotype 1 (41.4 ± 7.9 l vs. 40.8 ± 9.5 l). PA reduction was accompanied by flu-like syndromes, whereas TBW decline was more frequently associated with fatigue and cephalgia.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>BIA offers a sophisticated analysis of body composition including BF, BCM, and TBW for HCV patients following antiviral regimens. PA reduction was associated with increased adverse effects of the antiviral therapy allowing a more dynamic therapy application.</p

AAV-vectors for the expression of the gamma-2-subunit of the GABA-A-receptor

Es wurden AAV-vektoren generiert, welche nach stereotaktischer Injektion in spezifische Kerngebiete des ZNS von Versuchstieren in der Lage sein sollten eine ortsspezifische Expression der Cre-Rekombinase und eines Fusionsproteins aus der Gamma-2-Untereinheit des GABA-A-Rezeptors mit EGFP zu bewirken. Die Vektoren wurden in Zellkultur und in vivo getestet.AAV-vectors were genereated that were supposed to be able to confer a focal expression of cre-recombinase and a fusion protein of the gamma-2-subunit of the GABA-A-receptor and EGFP after stereotaxic injection into defined nuclear areas of the CNS of test animals. The vecors were tested in cultured cells and in-vivo

Dronedarone, amiodarone and other antiarrhythmic drugs, and acute liver injuries: a case-referent study

International audienceBACKGROUND: Spontaneous reports of acute liver injuries (ALI) in patients taking dronedarone triggered an EMAalert in 2011. This study aimed to assess the risk of ALI for class III antiarrhythmic drugs controlling for the useof other potential ALI-inducing drugs.METHODS: Between 2010 and 2014, consecutive ALI cases (≥50 years-old) were identified across Germany. ALIwas defined as a new increase in at least one of the transaminases≥3 times the upper limit of normal (ULN)or≥2 ULN if alkaline phosphatase, with (“definite”case) or without (“biochemical”case) suggestive signs/symp-toms of ALI, excluding other liver diseases. Recruited community controls were matched to cases on gender, ageand inclusion date. Exposure to antiarrhythmic drugs and co-medication up to 2 years before ALI onset was in-formed by patients and confirmed by physicians' prescriptions. Adjusted Odds Ratios (aOR) were obtained fromconditional multivariable logistic regressions, adjusted for a multivariate disease risk score and co-medication.RESULTS: 252 cases and 1081 matched controls were included (59.1% females; mean age: 64 years). Exposure toclass III antiarrhythmic drugs was 4.0% in cases and 1.5% in controls, aOR = 3.6 (95% CI: 1.6–8.4). Associationswith exposure to dronedarone and amiodarone were respectively 3.1 (95% CI: 0.7–14. 8) and 5.90 (1.7–20.0).Restricting the analysis to definite or severe ALI cases did not change these results.CONCLUSIONS: Class III antiarrhythmic drugs were associated with ALI, amiodarone displaying the highest risk, andresults were robust to case definitions. Continued vigilance is needed for patients taking these drug