Active clinical trials for "Liver Cirrhosis"

Liver cirrhosis (LC) represents a late stage of progressive hepatic fibrosis characterized by distortion of the hepatic architecture and formation of regenerative nodules. The liver transplantation is one of the only effective therapies available to such patients. However, lack of donors, surgical complications, rejection, and high cost are it's serious problems. The potential for stem cells to differentiate into hepatocytes cells was recently confirmed. Particularly, autologous bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell (BM-MSC) has been demonstrated to decrease MELD score and increase serum albumin in the patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis. Therefore, the investigators propose a hypothesis that umbilical cord-derived MSCs (UC-MSC) can also improve the disease conditions of LC patients, particularly reducing the decompensated conditions in these patients.

The primary objective is to determine the optimal dose or range of doses of SR121463B for the treatment of ascites and the correction of hyponatraemia when used concomitantly with a standard dose regimen of spironolactone. The secondary objective is to determine the tolerability of different fixed doses of SR121463B over a 14 day treatment period in cirrhotic ascites. This Hypo~CAT study is followed by a single-blind, placebo-controlled, one-year long-term safety extension (Expo~CAT). The first extension is followed by another long-term study (PASCCAL-1).

The standard treatment for decompensated cirrhosis is liver transplantation, however, it has several limitations. Recent animal studies suggest that bone marrow stem cell transplantation can lead to regression of liver fibrosis. The investigators have already completed the phase 1 study of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) transplantation in 4 patients with cirrhosis. The procedure was safe, and feasible, and led to somewhat promising results (Mohamadnejad M, et al. 2006; Submitted for publication). The aim of this study is to find efficacy of this new treatment strategy in the setting of a multicenter, randomized placebo-controlled trial in 50 patients with decompensated cirrhosis.

The objective of the study was evaluate the effect of administration of midodrine and albumin on renal function in patients with cirrhosis and creatinine greater than 1,2mg/dl.

Patients with advanced cirrhosis have abnormal translocation of Gram-negative bacteria across the intestinal barrier and subsequent systemic inflammatory response. We hypothesized that this translocation may worsen the underlying liver disease. Thus, the aim of this trial was to assess the effects of the oral administration of norfloxacin (an antibiotic that suppresses intestinal Gram-negative bacteria) on the development of complications of cirrhosis.

Background: Alcohol is one of principal causes of hepatic fibrosis. Although the most effective treatment for alcoholic hepatic fibrosis is abstinence of alcohol consumption, additive treatment to reduce the accumulation of scar tissue can accelerate the improvement of hepatic fibrosis in alcoholic liver disease. The renin-angiotensin system can be an attractive antifibrotic target in liver. Several lines of evidence indicate that overproduction of angiotensin II(ANG II) in chronic liver injury stimulates the activation of hepatic stellate cells(HSCs) attributed to fibrogenesis. Additionally, the antifibrotic effect of ANG II blocking agent has been shown in various animal models and hepatitis C patients. Hence, drugs that inhibit the renin-angiotensin system have promise in ameliorating hepatic fibrosis in chronic liver injury. However, no study has been conducted in patients with alcoholic liver disease to evaluate the effect ANG II type I receptor blocking agent on hepatic fibrosis. Aim: This study aimed to investigate the safety and the efficacy of chronic administration of candesartan to hepatic fibrosis patients with alcoholic liver disease. Methods 1) Patients with liver fibrosis(F2) were randomized to receive either the angiotensin receptor blocker(ARB), candesartan(8 mg/day) with ursodeoxycholic acid(UDCA)(600 mg/day)(n = 42), or UDCA alone(n = 43) as control for 6 months. 2)All enrolled patients underwent liver biopsies twice for measurement of fibrosis score, area of fibrosis and alpha-smooth muscle actin(SMA) positive and hydroxyproline. 3) Transforming growth factor-beta1(TGF-beta1), collagen-1, angiotensin II type I receptor(AT1-R), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1(TIMP-1), Rac1 and p22phox which represent oxidant stress were also measured by real-time RT-PCR before and after 6 months of therapy.

To evaluate the safety of IV conivaptan in stable euvolemic or hypervolemic cirrhotic patients, and to characterize the effects of IV conivaptan on the hepatic hemodynamic response in patients with cirrhosis.

The blockade of angiotensin II synthesis attenuates hepatic fibrosis in different experimental models of chronic liver injury. We aimed to determine the safety and efficacy of moexipril, an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, on liver biochemistries, Mayo risk score, and health-related quality of life in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) who have had a suboptimal response to ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA).

The objective is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of combination therapy with peginterferon alfa-2b 1.0 µg/kg/week subcutaneous (SC) + ribavirin administered for 48 weeks in participants with chronic hepatitis C and type C compensated liver cirrhosis. Participants who are hepatitis C virus ribonucleic acid (HCV-RNA) positive after 24 weeks of treatment will be discontinued from therapy.

Endothelial Progenitor Cells (EPC) represent a small cellular population of bone marrow and peripheral blood cells. EPCs are recruited into injured tissues and play an important role in regeneration and reparation. Experimental and clinical data suggest that EPCs have hepatoprotective activity and could improve liver regeneration during acute and chronic liver injury. The aim of this project is to evaluate the safety and therapeutic effects of autologous bone marrow-derived EPCs, when administered through the hepatic artery of patients with advanced liver cirrhosis.