Hepatitis Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Hepatitis, including details on hepatitis a, b, c, causes, symptoms. | ||||||||
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Biochemical and histological effects of 26 weeks of glycyrrhizin treatment in chronic hepatitis C: a randomized phase II trial.Orlent H, Hansen BE, Willems M, Brouwer JT, Huber R, Kullak-Ublick GA, Gerken G, Zeuzem S, Nevens F, Tielemans WC, Zondervan PE, Lagging M, Westin J, Schalm SW Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. BACKGROUND/AIMS: Phase I/II studies of 4 weeks duration have confirmed the ALT lowering effect of glycyrrhizin in Western chronic hepatitis C patients. Our aim was to determine the dose frequency of glycyrrhizin required to maintain the ALT response beyond 4 weeks and evaluate its effect on liver histology and quality of life. METHODS: HCV-RNA-positive patients with elevated ALT and marked fibrosis or necro-inflammation who were not eligible for interferon therapy were treated for 4 weeks with six infusions weekly of glycyrrhizin. Patients with an ALT response at week 4 were randomized to continue treatment for 22 weeks in three dose frequency groups: 6x, 3x or once weekly. RESULTS: 72/121 (60%) patients were randomized. At the end of treatment the ALT response was maintained in 60%, 24% and 9% of patients in the 6x, 3x, and once weekly groups, respectively (p<0.001). In ALT responders the necro-inflammation score improved non-significantly compared to ALT non-responders. Quality of life assessed by SF-36 increased in patients treated with the study drug, albeit unrelated to the occurrence of ALT response. CONCLUSIONS: ALT responses induced by 4 weeks glycyrrhizin therapy can be maintained in a subset of chronic hepatitis C patients receiving at least three injections weekly. The observed ALT response did not translate in a significant histological improvement after 6 months treatment. Published 5 September 2006 in J Hepatol, 45(4): 539-46.
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