Fibrosis In Japanese Patients Research Articles

Anti-DNA topoisomerase II α autoantibodies in Japanese patients with systemic sclerosis

The pathogenesis and etiology of systemic sclerosis (SSc) remain unknown, but the presence of several autoantibodies is recognized as one of its prominent features. The clinical significance of anti-DNA topoisomerase II alpha antibody (anti-topo II alpha Ab) remains unknown in Japanese patients with SSc. To determine the prevalence and clinical correlation of anti-topo II alpha Ab in Japanese patients with SSc. Serum samples were obtained from 103 Japanese patients with SSc. Control serum samples were obtained from 43 healthy Japanese volunteers. Anti-topo II alpha Abs were determined by enzyme linked-immunosorbent assay.IgG anti-topo II alpha Ab levels were significantly increased in SSc patients (n=103) compared to normal controls (n=43; P<0.005). IgG or IgM anti-topo II alpha Ab was detected in 19% (20/103) of SSc patients when absorbance values higher than the mean+2SD of control serum samples were considered positive. By contrast, IgG or IgM anti-topo II alpha Ab was observed in only 7% (3/43) of healthy individuals. The presence of pulmonary fibrosis was more frequently detected in SSc patients with IgG anti-topo II alpha Ab than those without the Ab (P<0.05). Moreover, % DLco and % VC were significantly decreased in SSc patients with anti-topo II alpha Ab relative to those without the Ab (P<0.05 and P<0.01, respectively). The elevated levels of both erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein were also more frequently observed in SSc patients positive for IgG anti-topo II alpha Ab (P<0.005). The results of the present study indicate that anti-topo II alpha Ab represent one of the autoantibody specificities detected on SSc patients and may be regarded a serological marker of pulmonary fibrosis in Japanese patients with SSc.

Independent predictors of hepatic steatosis and fibrosis in Japanese patients with chronic hepatitis C

Independent predictors of hepatic steatosis and fibrosis in Japanese patients with chronic hepatitis C

Independent predictors of hepatic steatosis and fibrosis in Japanese patients with chronic hepatitis C

Independent predictors of hepatic steatosis and fibrosis in Japanese patients with chronic hepatitis C

Natural course of progression of liver fibrosis in Japanese patients with chronic liver disease type C--a study of 527 patients at one establishment.

Patients with chronic hepatitis C infection show a gradual progression of fibrosis to liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We studied whether the progression of liver fibrosis differed among Japanese subjects who were infected with different hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes. In 527 patients we examined whether there was a relationship between gender, age, history of blood transfusion, interval between date of blood transfusion and date of liver biopsy or date of diagnosis of HCC, serum alanine aminotransferase level, platelet count or HCV genotype, with the extent of liver fibrosis, classified into four stages (F1-F4). Moreover, we compared the mean rate of liver fibrosis progression per year in patients with each HCV genotype. Patients who had a higher fibrosis score tended to be older, have a lower platelet count and a longer interval since blood transfusion than those who had a lower fibrosis score. The mean rate of liver fibrosis progression was 0.12 +/- 0.15 stages per year after the blood transfusion. However, the progression rate of liver fibrosis in patients who had received a blood transfusion when they were > or = 30 years of age was 0.19 +/- 0.22, while the progression rate of liver fibrosis in the patients who had received a blood transfusion when they were < 30 years was 0.09 +/- 0.09. In conclusion, chronic hepatitis C is a progressive disease, and patients with genotype 1b, 2a and 2b have a similar rate of progression of liver fibrosis. Particular attention should be paid to patients who are infected with HCV when > or = 30 years of age, because intrahepatic fibrosis rapidly progresses in these patients.