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Abstract NONALCOHOLIC FATTY LIVER DISEASE is emerging as the most common chronic liver condition in the Western world. It is associated with insulin resistance and frequently occurs with features of [...]

Background: Homocysteine metabolism may be impaired in chronic liver disease, possibly contributing to fibrogenesis and disease complications. Objective: The goal was to investigate the prevalence and determinants of basal and postprandial hyperhomocysteinemia in patients with chronic liver disease and after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). Design: This was a cross-sectional study of 323 patients with chronic liver disease (93 with hepatitis, 8 with fatty liver, 168 with cirrhosis, and 54 after OLT) and 25 healthy control subjects. Portohepatovenous gradients of total homocysteine (tHcy) and methionine and postload methionine and tHcy kinetics before and after 10 d of supplementation with folate plus vitamin B-6 were investigated in subgroups. Results: Basal hyperhomocysteinemia was observed in all patient groups (34% of patients with hepatitis, 50% with fatty liver, 54% with cirrhosis, and 52% after OLT). It was more frequently seen in patients with elevated plasma creatinine concentrations and at advanced stages of liver disease. Mean plasma folate was normal in patients with liver disease, but vitamin B-12 was elevated in cirrhosis and vitamin B-6 was low after OLT. There were significant negative associations between tHcy and folic acid or vitamin B-12 concentrations in control subjects and in patients with hepatitis and after OLT. No systematic association between portohepatovenous differences in tHcy and methionine concentrations was round. Cirrhosis was accompanied by impaired methionine clearance. After vitamin supplementation, the area under the tHcy curve improved in cirrhosis at nearly unchanged basal tHcy concentrations. Conclusions: Basal hyperhomocysteinemia is seen in [approximately equal to] 50% of patients with cirrhosis and after OLT. Basal tHcy concentrations do not change significantly after supplementation with folate and vitamin B-6, but postprandial Hcy metabolism improves. Am J Clin Nutr 2003;77:1269-77. KEY WORDS Homocysteine, methionine load, hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, liver transplantation, folic acid, vitamin B-12, vitamin B-6

A case-study approach is employed to explain the causes, symptoms and treatment of community-acquired Klebsiella pneumoniae liver abscesses, an infection spreading fast in Australia.

Scottish Medicines Consortium members have recommended fesoterodene (Toviaz) for the management of overactive bladder and tenofovir for treating patients with compensated liver disease due to hepatitis B infection. It has [...]

Liver damage due to the common over the counter drug paracetamol when consumed in excess was studied and suggestions for effective and early management of the condition are suggested.

Vanessa Sherwood reviews some common liver problems that community pharmacists may encounter Objectives * To revise liver and gall bladder function * To be aware of different types of jaundice [...]

Situated in the forward area of the abdominal cavity and extending back to the rear of the rib cage, your cat's liver is by far the largest gland and almost […]