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Effects of reduced glutathione therapy on chronic hepatitis B

Li Qian1, Wenjun Wang1, Yan Zhou1

  • 1Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Second People's Hospital of Lianyungang, Haizhou, China.

Central-European Journal of Immunology
|July 7, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Glutathione treatment shows promise for chronic hepatitis B (CHB). This natural compound improved liver function and reduced inflammation and fibrosis in CHB patients, offering a potential new therapeutic avenue.

Area of Science:

  • Hepatology
  • Pharmacology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is a significant global health issue, causing substantial mortality.
  • There is a critical need for effective and safe treatments for CHB, particularly natural compounds.
  • Investigating novel therapeutic agents is essential for managing CHB progression and improving patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of glutathione in patients with chronic hepatitis B.
  • To determine the impact of glutathione on liver function markers, inflammation, and hepatic fibrosis in CHB.
  • To assess glutathione as a potential natural drug for CHB treatment.

Main Methods:

  • A randomized controlled trial involving 104 CHB patients.
  • The treatment group received intravenous glutathione (1200 mg/day) alongside standard care (inosine).
  • The control group received only standard care (inosine). Both groups were treated for eight weeks.

Main Results:

  • Glutathione treatment significantly decreased serum levels of liver enzymes (AST, ALT), bilirubin, and bile acids.
  • It also reduced markers of hepatic fibrosis (hyaluronic acid, collagen IV, laminin) and inflammation (TGF-β1, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-8).
  • Compared to the control group, glutathione demonstrated a marked improvement in liver function and reduced pathological markers.

Conclusions:

  • Glutathione treatment effectively improves liver function in CHB patients.
  • Glutathione demonstrates anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic properties in the context of CHB.
  • Glutathione represents a promising natural therapeutic agent for managing chronic hepatitis B.

Keywords:
hepatitis Bimmunologyinflammationmicrobiology

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