Recent Advances in Cholestatic Liver Disease. An Issue of Clinics in Liver Disease, F

Recent Advances in Cholestatic Liver Disease. An Issue of Clinics in Liver Disease, February 2008


This issue of Clinics in Liver Disease, devoted to the topic of cholestasis,
reviews a broad range of topics that certainly will prove enlightening and
perhaps a little provocative. We have assembled an international cast of
experts to present their views on some of the most important and topical
issues in cholestasis.
Zollner and Trauner review the mechanisms of cholestasis and the insights
gained from several new studies. This important information serves
as a background for understanding current concepts of cholestasis.
The role of mitochondria in cellular energy metabolism and cell necrosis
is well known. It is perhaps less appreciated than the role mitochondria have
in cholestatic reactions to toxic drug effects. Kass and Price elegantly review
the role that mitochondria play in these cholestatic drug reactions.
Paumgartner and Pusl present an overview of the medical treatment of
cholestasis. Progress in the understanding of the causes and consequences
of cholestasis has provided new concepts for the medical treatment of cholestatic
disorders.
Does methotrexate have a role as therapy for chronic cholestatic liver diseases?
Novak and Swain review the evidence and evaluates subpopulations
within each of the published trials. Their findings may surprise you.
Total parenteral nutrition (TPN)-induced cholestasis is a particularly
troubling clinical condition, made all the more serious by the importance
of the TPN to those receiving it. This article, reviewed by Guglielmi and
colleagues, describes the pathophysiology and approach to treatment for
this condition.
Cholestasis occurring in the post-liver transplant setting has multiple
potential causes with important therapeutic implications. Burroughs and
Corbani present a practical and thorough review of this topic; they have
divided causes of cholestasis into those that occur in the early posttransplant
period and those that occur later.
Blechacz and Gores present a timely update on cholangiocarcinoma, including
recent developments in the radiologic and molecular diagnostic
methods that have helped in the diagnosis of this disease.
Fuchs and Sanyal review the clinical, pathophysiological, and therapeutic
consequences of sepsis-induced cholestasis. This article gives a comprehensive
overview of the underlying molecular mechanisms of sepsis-associated
cholestasis and jaundice, as well as their clinical presentation and diagnostic
and therapeutic management.
Are cases of anti-mitochondrial antibody (AMA)-negative primary biliary
cirrhosis the same as AMA-positive ones? Selmi, Zuin, Bowlus, and
Gershwin review this topic and a recent description of an improved AMA
bead assay thoroughly.
Although originally recognized in children, there is now mounting
evidence that some cases of autoimmune hepatitis may contain bile duct
abnormalities closely resembling primary sclerosing cholangitis. Vergani
and Mieli-Vergani review the association of these two conditions.
Although rare, vanishing bile duct syndrome may complicate the course
of many different chronic cholestatic disorders. The identification and treatment
approach to this syndrome is revealed in the article by Reau and
Jensen.
The mechanism and treatment options for pruritus of cholestasis is described
by Bergasa. This popular topic returns with information on some
new therapeutic options.

http://www.book4doc.com/76103