Scientists have found that an enzyme associated with the storage of fat in the liver is required for the infectious activity of the hepatitis C virus. More than 160 million people are infected throughout the world, and current treatments are not effective against the most common strains in the US and Europe. The study shows… [Continue Reading]
Tattoos Associated With Higher Risk of Hepatitis C
August 6, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Youth, prison inmates and individuals with multiple tattoos that cover large parts of their bodies are at higher risk of contracting hepatitis C and other blood-borne diseases, according to a study. The researchers reviewed and analyzed 124 studies from 30 countries, including Canada, Iran, Italy, Brazil and the United States, and found the incidence of… [Continue Reading]
Hepatitis Virus Can Be Transmitted During Administration of Anesthesia
July 22, 2010 By Leave a Comment
According to a new study, hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus can be transmitted during intravenous (IV) administration of anesthesia. In this study, doctors found that anesthesia contamination – not endoscopy contamination – was the cause of infection. Efforts are needed to better educate the health-care community on the importance of strict adherence to… [Continue Reading]
Nutritional Supplement Improves Oxidative Stress in Hepatitis C
June 17, 2010 By Leave a Comment
The pathogenesis of chronic hepatitis C is associated with severe oxidative stress and non-selective immunological disturbance that lead to necroinflammation and the progression of fibrosis. Several trials have suggested that antioxidant and immunostimulant therapies may have a beneficial effect. Two previous clinical studies have reported that the Viusid related effect on histologic features, especially fibrosis,… [Continue Reading]
Study Finds Kidney Cancer Risk Doubled With Hepatitis C Infection
April 7, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Physicians at Henry Ford Hospital have found that infection with the hepatitis C virus increases the risk for developing kidney cancer. Using administrative data from more than 67,000 Henry Ford Health System patients, physicians found that over the period 1997-2008, 0.6% (17/3057) patients with hepatitis C infection developed kidney cancer whereas only 0.3% (17/64006) patients… [Continue Reading]
Researchers Discover Hepatitis C Causes Insulin Resistance in Muscle
March 9, 2010 By Leave a Comment
We have known for several years that Hepatitis C, a common cause of liver cirrhosis and cancer, also makes people three to four times more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes. In studying the insulin resistance of 29 people with Hepatitis C, Australian researchers have confirmed that they have high insulin resistance, a precursor to… [Continue Reading]
Researchers Grow Hepatitis C Virus in Order to Study the Disease
January 31, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Researchers have successfully grown hepatitis C virus in otherwise healthy liver cells in the laboratory, an advance that could allow scientists to develop and test new treatments for the disease. About 200 million people worldwide are infected with hepatitis C, which can lead to liver failure or cancer, and existing drugs are not always effective…. [Continue Reading]
What is Hepatitis C?
January 25, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Hepatitis C is an infectious disease of the liver caused by the hepatitis C virus also known as HCV. Hepatitis means inflammation of the liver. Hepatitis C is unrelated to any of the other known hepatitis viruses (A, B, D, and E). Worldwide, health experts estimate that 180 million people have chronic hepatitis C, with… [Continue Reading]
Discovery May Help Explain Why Hepatitis B Hits Men Harder Than Women
January 10, 2010 By Leave a Comment