Scientific Research
This page is in a'blog' format with the latest scientific PSC research identified by Google Scholar, Readbyqmx.com and other sources added regularly.

Mitsuro Chiba, Hidehiko Tsuda, Satoko Tsuda, Masafumi Komatsu, Yasuo Horie, Hirohide Ohnishi

Abstract

Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is commonly associated with ulcerative colitis (UC). PSC progresses independently of UC ultimately resulting in liver failure. There is no established medi- cal treatment to improve the natural course of PSC. Normalization of serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in early stage might delay the progress of PSC. A 20-year-old female, had a sudden attack of right hypochondralgia with high fever and abnormal liver function tests without elevation of bili- rubin: ALP 478 IU/L, aspartate aminotransferase 360 IU/L, alanine aminotransferase 174 IU/L. Abnormal liver function tests returned to normal after the attacks. Morphological examinations initially indicated then confirmed a diagnosis of PSC. One month after displaying PSC symptoms administration of ursodeoxycholic acid was initiated. Similar attacks of cholangitis were repeated several times over the following two years. Even in the absence of these attacks, she always suf- fered postprandial hypochondralgia ... Full article available by clicking on the title

Copyright © 2014 by authors and Scientific Research Publishing Inc
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution International License (CC BY). http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Zenouzi R, Weismüller TJ, Hübener P, Schulze K, Bubenheim M, Pannicke N, Weiler-Normann C, Lenzen H, Manns MP, Lohse AW, Schramm C, Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2014 Feb 12. pii: S1542-3565(14)00198-0. doi: 10.1016/j.cgh.2014.02.008. [Epub ahead of print]

Abstract

Background and Aims:

Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is associated with an increased risk of hepatobiliary malignancies. However, little is known about the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) among patients with PSC; current recommendations on screening these patients forHCC are conflicting. We investigated the risk of HCC in patients with PSC with cirrhosis ...  To read further please click on the title to go to the original source.

Copyright © 2014 AGA Institute. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved
KEYWORDS: Cholangiocarcinoma, Liver Cancer, Population, Screening
PMID: 24530461 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher
Sourced from Pubmed (National Library of Medicine)

Skin cells made into liver cells (SBS)

Research has shown results in transforming skin cells into liver cells, with hopes of tailoring alternative treatments for liver-transplant patients.

Scientists have transformed human skin cells into fully functioning liver cells with "extremely promising" therapeutic potential.

Transplanted into laboratory mice with liver failure, the cells matured and multiplied over a period of nine months.

In future, they could form the basis of personalised treatments for patients who might otherwise need a liver transplant . . . To read further please click on the title.

Source: AAP

Recall processes for biliary cytology in primary sclerosing cholangitis

Eaton, John E., Gossard, Andrea A., Talwalkar, Jayant A.

Abstract

Purpose of review: Patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) are at an increased risk for cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). Distinguishing benign from malignant biliary strictures with routine biliary cytology in this population is challenging. In this review, we examine the strengths and limitations of biliary cytology, review the application of other techniques to help minimize these limitations and present a pragmatic approach to address biliary cytology findings when encountered in PSC . . .  To read further please click on the title.

Medical management of primary sclerosing cholangitis

Atoosa Rabiee M.D., Cynthia Levy M.D

Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is characterized by inflammation, fibrosis, and stricturing of intrahepatic and/or extrahepatic bile ducts, eventually progressing to biliary cirrhosis and end-stage liver disease. Two-thirds of affected patients are males, with the median age at presentation of 40 years.[1] Although clinical presentation varies significantly, serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) is usually elevated at the time of diagnosis, and 60%-80% of patients have associated inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). In addition, there is a strong association with increased risk of hepatobiliary and colonic neoplasias . . .  To read further please click on the title where you will be taken to the original site with the full article available to read.

Inflammatory bowel disease of primary sclerosing cholangitis: A distinct entity?

Takahiro Nakazawa, Itaru Naitoh, Kazuki Hayashi, Hitoshi Sano, Katsuyuki Miyabe, Shuya Shimizu and Takashi Joh, World J Gastroenterol 2014 March 28; 20(12): 3245-3254

This is a review of the characteristic findings of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) associated with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) and their usefulness in the diagnosis of sclerosing cholangitis. PSC is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by idiopathic fibrous obstruction and is frequently associated with IBD. IBD-associated with PSC (PSC-IBD) shows an increased incidence of pancolitis, mild symptoms, and colorectal malignancy. Although an increased incidence of pancolitis is a characteristic finding, some cases are endoscopically diagnosed as right-sided ulcerative colitis . . . To read further please click on the title.

Donor-transmitted, donor-derived, and de novo cancer after liver transplant.

Chapman JR, Lynch SV., Exp Clin Transplant. 2014 Mar;12 Suppl 1:50-4.

Abstract

Cancer is the third most common cause of death (after cardiovascular disease and infection) for patients who have a functioning kidney allograft. Kidney and liver transplant recipients have similar cancer risks because of immunosuppression but different risks because of differences in primary diseases that cause renal and hepatic failure and the inherent behavior of cancers in the liver. 

There are 4 types of cancer that may develop in liverallograft recipients: (1) recurrent cancer, (2) donor-transmitted cancer, (3) donor-derived cancer, and (4) de novo cancer . . . To read further please click on the title.