We investigated the effect of pyruvate administration on energy metabolism and regeneration of the liver in hepatectomized rat with liver fibrosis. In first experiment, rats with normal liver were orally administrated pyruvate, glucose or saline and 70% hepatectomy was performed 3 days after. The residual liver weight 1 and 3 days after hepatectomy in the pyruvate group was significantly higher than that in the other groups. In second experiment, liver fibrosis was induced to rats by dimethylnitrosamine. They were orally administrated pyruvate or saline and 70% hepatectomy was performed 5 days after. On the 5th day after hepatectomy, the residual liver weight in the pyruvate group was significantly higher than that in the saline group. The plasma total protein and albumin were also higher than those of the saline group. Our results suggest that the administration of pyruvate in hepatectomized rats with liver fibrosis improves energy metabolism of the liver and promotes regeneration of the liver.
We evaluated the efficacy of interferon therapy in 10 patients with acute hepatitis C. Their age ranged from 22 to 56 years. Two were male and 8 were female. Five of 10 patients were contaminated by needle stick injury, and 5 had no known parenteral exposure. Liver biopsy specimens showed the feature of acute hepatitis when they were diagnosed. Biochemical and virological parameters were monitored for 6-months after therapy. Complete response was achieved in 8 of 10 patients (80%) by a single regimen of interferon therapy (IFNα 180∼522MU, IFNβ 168∼336MU). 2 patients treated with a comparatively lower dose of interferon (nIFNα 180MU, IFNβ 168MU) became non responder. However, retreatment of these 2 patients with interferon at total dose of 768MU induced complete response. We recommend that the total dose (more than 250MU) should be equal to those using of interferon in patients with chronic hepatitis C for acute hepatitis.