Active clinical trials for "Fibrosis"

The purpose is to investigate the effect of strength training on muscle strength, muscle mass and nutritional status in patients with liver cirrhosis to clarify possible metabolic and inflammatory changes during this intervention. In addition the investigator examine if the intervention is associated with fewer hospital readmission and an improved quality of life.

Entacavir and tenofovir are two first line therapies for chronic hepatitis B. Both agents have been claimed equivalent in treatment, there are no head to head trials available in the literature about there effectiveness in HBV Decompensated Cirrhosis. The investigators aimed to compare safety/efficacy and virological response in patients with HBV Decompensated Cirrhosis.

Patients with cirrhosis often experience muscle cramps with varying severity. The mechanism of their occurrence is not yet understood. Muscle cramps in patients with cirrhosis are associated with significantly diminished quality of life. The aim of the study is to assess the efficacy of baclofen in the treatment of muscle cramps in patients with liver cirrhosis.

In this study, investigators aimed to transplant autologous, adipose tissue derived mesenchymal stem cells to the patients with liver cirrhosis due to HCV. We also aimed to assess liver tissue regeneration, downgrade of clinical findings and antiviral efficacy. Finally investigators aimed to establish an alternative treatment modality to liver transplantation.

In this trial, various factors that may influence the antibiotic concentrations measured in the sputum of cystic fibrosis patients are studied. A first factor is aerosol use. As cystic fibrosis patients often use aerosols, such as hypertonic saline, dilution of the antibiotics in sputum can be expected. The extent of this dilution is unknown and will be determined by comparing sputum samples collected before and after the use of an aerosol. A second factor is the homogeneity of the antibiotics within one sputum sample. Multiple aliquots of the same sputum sample will be compared. A third factor is the variability between several sputum samples collected during a drainage session. The antibiotic concentrations in 3 separate sputum samples will be compared. The final goal is to standardise the sputum sample collection and processing of the samples to ensure a accurate concentration measurements in sputum.

Primary Objective Our primary objective in this study is to evaluate satisfaction of hormonal contraception in this sample of women and to evaluate the impact that this hormonal contraceptive has on cystic fibrosis (CF) disease in women with regular menstrual cycles accompanied by cyclic exacerbations. We hypothesize: 1a) women with CF who perceive an overall benefit of hormonal contraception will be more satisfied than women with CF who do not perceive a benefit, 1b) women with CF who have cyclic exacerbations will have decreased Pseudomonas aeruginosa mucoidy conversion while using hormonal contraception, 1c) women with CF who have cyclic exacerbations will have improved patient-reported quality of life indices while on hormonal contraception, and 1d) women with CF who have cyclic exacerbations will have improvement in pulmonary function tests while on hormonal contraception. Secondary Objective We plan to secondarily evaluate the cervical mucus of women with CF at the time of ovulation and compare it to that of healthy controls. We hypothesize that women with CF have ovulatory cervical mucus similar to healthy peers.

The purpose of this study is to determine if the administration of a poorly-absorbable antibiotic (rifaximin) for the first three months after liver transplant will reduce the amount of fibrosis (or scarring of the liver) in liver transplant patients with recurrent hepatitis C virus (HCV) by lowering serum lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a protein in blood that comes from the bacteria in intestines and may cause scarring in the liver. Approximately 60 subjects will participate in this study. Subjects will be part of the study for approximately 1 year post transplant.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic, progressive form of lung disease characterized by fibrosis of the supporting framework (interstitium) of the lungs. By definition, the term is used only when the cause of the pulmonary fibrosis is unknown ("idiopathic"). Microscopically, lung tissue from patients shows a characteristic set of histologic/pathologic features known as usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP). UIP is therefore the pathologic counterpart of IPF.Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is characterized by radiographically evident interstitial infiltrates predominantly affecting the lung bases and by progressive dyspnea and worsening of pulmonary function. No therapy has been clearly shown to prolong survival. The current strict definition of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis provides a new focus for basic and clinical research that will improve insight into the pathogenesis of this disorder and stimulate the development of novel therapies. Pirfenidone has proven antifibrotic and anti-inflammatory properties in various in vitro systems and animal models of pulmonary fibrosis, although its precise mechanism of action remains unclear. It attenuates fibroblast proliferation, production of fibrosis-associated proteins and cytokines, and the increased biosynthesis and accumulation of extracellular matrix in response to cytokines such as transforming growth factor-β. It is also shown to slow tumor cell proliferation by inhibiting fibroblast growth factor, epidermal growth factor and platelet-derived growth factor. Pirfenidone has not been widely approved for clinical use in China, in this study, safety and efficacy were evaluated to see if pirfenidone has a significant advantage over placebo in terms of improving lung function and life quality etc. (see primary and secondary criteria) or slows down the deterioration of lung function in Chinese subjects diagnosed with IPF.

Liver cirrhosis and subsequent liver failure are leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Alcohol abuse and viral hepatitis are the most common causes of cirrhosis. Novel therapies are necessary to prevent or block the process of the disease. In this current prospective cohort, the investigators plan to organize four hospitals to determine the safety and efficacy of intravenous administration of umbilical mesenchymal stem cells in the treatment of patients with liver cirrhosis in next three years.

The study´s purpose is to investigate the effect of beta blockade or aldosterone antagonist therapy on oxygenation, peripheral and cardiac hemodynamics and humoral systems, in patients with liver cirrhosis.