Gastroenterology News & Articles

1 Drug-induced liver injury in the Australian setting Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics, February 6, 2013
Sistanizad M et al. - The causes of drug-induced liver injury vary worldwide, with limited data regarding drug-induced hepatotoxicity in Australia. This study sought to provide information about the incidence, causes and clinical manifestations of drug-induced hepatotoxicity. Nearly 10% of cases of abnormal liver function could be associated with adverse effects of drugs. The possibility of drug-induced liver injury should always be considered when there is an ...

2 Adverse events associated with nevirapine and efavirenz-based first-line antiretroviral therapy: a systematic review and meta-analysis AIDS, May 14, 2013
Shubber Z et al. - Since 2002, the WHO has recommended either nevirapine (NVP) or efavirenz (EFV) as part of first-line antiretroviral therapy. These two drugs are known to have differing toxicity profiles, but the risk of these toxicities overall is not well established. Compared to NVP, EFV is associated with a lower frequency of severe adverse events, in particular treatment discontinuations. This finding supports a move toward EFV-based therapy as the preferred ...

3 Safety of fluconazole in paediatrics: a systematic review European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, May 14, 2013
Egunsola O et al. - To determine the safety of fluconazole in neonates and other paediatric age groups by identifying adverse events (AEs) and drug interactions associated with treatment. Fluconazole is relatively safe for paediatric patients. hepatotoxicity and gastrointestinal toxicity are the most common adverse events. It is important to be aware that drug interactions with fluconazole can result in significant toxicity.

4 Hepatotoxicity From Anabolic Androgenic Steroids Marketed As Dietary Supplements: Contribution from ATP8B1 / ABCB11 Mutations? Liver International, May 16, 2013
El Sherrif Y et al. - Though possession of androgenic anabolic steroids (AAS) is illegal, non-prescription use of AAS persists. AAS marketed as dietary supplements continue to cause hepatotoxicity in the UK; underlying mechanisms may include unmasking of genetic cholestatic syndromes.

5 Valproic Acid-Induced Acute Pancreatitis and Multiorgan Failure in a Child Pediatric Emergency Care, May 6, 2013
Yaman A et al. - Valproic acid (VPA) is still an important antiepileptic drug, with the broadest spectrum used in all types of seizures and syndromes. It has serious adverse effects such as hepatotoxicity, hyperammonemic encephalopathy, coagulation disorders, and pancreatitis. The incidence of VPA-associated pancreatitis has been estimated to be 1:40,000. The authors present a 6-year-old boy who developed acute pancreatitis (AP) and multiple-organ failure after 3 ...

6 Relation between biomarkers and clinical severity in patients with Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome European Journal of Pediatrics, May 10, 2013
Olah AV et al. - Life expectancy is fundamentally determined by the initial t-cholesterol, but dehydrocholesterol and alpha-lipoprotein have prognostic value. Accumulation of hepatotoxic DHC may inhibit the synthesis of alpha-lipoproteins, decreasing the reverse cholesterol transport. During statin therapy, they suggest monitoring of lipid parameters and liver function.

7 Chronic Acetaminophen Exposure in Pediatric Acute Liver Failure Pediatrics, March 6, 2013
Leonis MA et al. – Acetaminophen (N–acetyl–p–aminophenol [APAP]) is a widely used medication that can cause hepatotoxicity. They examined characteristics and outcomes of children with chronic exposure (CE) to APAP in the multinational Pediatric Acute Liver Failure (PALF) Study. Children in the PALF study with CE had lower bilirubin and higher alanine aminotransferase than those with NE. Outcomes with CE were worse than with SE but better than with NE. Potential reasons for this outcomes ...

8 Systematic review of ophthalmate as a novel biomarker of hepatic glutathione depletion Clinical Nutrition, May 15, 2013
Dello SAWG et al. - The study aims to provide an overview of present knowledge with respect to the usefulness of OPH as a biomarker for oxidative stress and hepatic GSH homeostasis. OPH may be a promising biomarker to indicate hepatic glutathione depletion, but the suggested biological pathways need further unraveling.