Active clinical trials for "Fibrosis"

The purpose of this study is to determine the efficacy and safety of chronic treatment with inhaled dry powder mannitol in subjects with cystic fibrosis. Previous studies have demonstrated an improvement in lung function related to small airways obstruction and a significant improvement in respiratory symptoms and quality of life after a 2 week treatment with mannitol. This current study seeks to support these early findings and to extend the evidence to support its use as a mucoactive therapy in cystic fibrosis. In particular, the hypothesis that enhanced mucus clearance will improve the lung function and clinical presentation in this population, will be investigated. We also hypothesize that enhanced mucociliary clearance will result in a sustained reduction in mucus load, thus providing less opportunity for bacteria to proliferate, affording a reduction in antibiotic use and hospitalizations. The initial 6 month blinded phase will be followed with an additional 6 months of open label treatment.

The primary objective of the trial is to assess the safety and tolerability of inhaled nitric oxide (NO) when administered by nasal cannula over a 44 hour period to clinically stable Cystic Fibrosis (CF) subjects. Toxicity is to be defined as a drop in oxygen saturations, a decline in forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), or an increase in methemoglobin.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the response to pioglitazone on the hepatic venous pressure gradient and peripheral vascular responsiveness to vasoconstrictors in patients with advanced (Child´s Grade B or C) cirrhosis.

Patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) need to frequently undergo courses of IV antibiotic therapy. To avoid a high number of venipunctures peripheral venous catheters (SPVC) or cannulas are used. Because of the irritant action of the drugs used, SPVC's often do not last for the whole antibiotic course (usually of two weeks) and the patient has to be punctured again for the insertion of a new IV line. With the passing of time the veins are more difficult to be found. An alternative to the use of a cannulas is the surgical insertion of a central venous catheter. This intervention may have contraindications or, specially in adolescents, cause unacceptable alterations of the body image. The aim of this study is to find a way to prolong the duration of the SPVC used by CF patients during antibiotic courses avoiding the irritation of the vein or a phlebitis. Design of the study: randomized controlled trial. The study will see a collaboration of nurses, physicians and technicians of the Tuscan CF Centre. The patients that will participate at the study will be randomly assigned to one of the two groups: one group will receive the antibiotics prescribed according to the maximal dilution suggested by the pharmaceutical company, the other will receive a much higher dilution (i.e. a higher volume of Normal Saline), but the time of administration will be the same. The assessment will regard: the level of inflammation of the vein (with a special visual scale) and the duration of the SPVC. The hypothesis that is to be proved is that diluting the antibiotic in a higher volume of Normal Saline it is possible to delay or prevent the irritation of the vein and the onset of a phlebitis. In case that the hypothesis will be confirmed by this study an easy, secure, low cost and immediately available system will be available to reduce the number of venipunctures necessary to complete a course of IV antibiotics.

The methods for separation of mesenchymal stem cell were established in 2001. These cells can differentiate to osteocytes, hepatocytes, chondrocytes, myocytes and etc,. In this study the investigators try to separate mesenchymal stem cell from end stage liver disease, then these cells will be differentiated to progenitor of hepatocytes, finally , the investigators injected these cells into portal vein under ultrasound guide. The investigators determine the effects of injected cells in reestablishment of liver function.

Chronic sinusitis is a frequent complication in cystic fibrosis. The aim of this study is to determine whether Pulmozyme(dornase alfa) would maintain sinus health (compared to placebo) in patients with cystic fibrosis who have recently undergone sinus surgery.

Glargine treatment can improve the clinical features in Cystic Fibrosis patients affected by glucose derangements

The disposition of a number of drugs has been reported to be altered in patients with Cystic Fibrosis (CF). Changes in pharmacokinetic parameters observed included increased volumes of distribution and increased clearance of renally eliminated drugs. The purpose of this this study is to characterize the pharmacokinetics of IV lansoprazole and its metabolites in normal healthy children and children with Cystic Fibrosis (CF) ages 2 to < 10 years. It is suspected that children with CF will have a more rapid clearance as compared to healthy children.

The study is aimed to assess safety of Depelestat treatment, as well as efficacy on prevention and treatment of alveolar inflammation in early pulmonary fibrosis in patients suffering from persistent Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome.

Coated stents with different diameters are presently commercially available, but clinical studies on the assessment of the best stent diameter for a better clinical efficacy, a reduced number of complications, and an effective portal pressure reduction (essential in the treatment of those pathologies in which TIPS is indicated) still do not exist. Aim of the study The purpose of our study is to compare the clinical efficacy and the incidence of complications of TIPS created with 8- and 10-mm covered stents in patients with hepatic cirrhosis.