Efficacy and safety of 6-month iron reduction therapy in patients with hepatitis C virus-related cirrhosis: a pilot study

Abstract

Background and Purpose

Incidence of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Reduced by Phlebotomy Treatment in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C

“…Our study results demonstrated that the levels of aminotransferases were significantly improved in the phlebotomy-treated patients, similar to the reported findings of earlier studies (18)(19)(20). In the present study, the significant improvements in the ALT and AST levels in the phlebotomy group suggest that the effects of phlebotomy augment the benefits of other therapies (Fig.…”

“…In a study of combined phlebotomy and UDCA treatment in patients with chronic hepatitis C who were only partial responders to monotherapy, the ALT levels improved to the upper normal range, with no statistically significant differences between either sequence of the combined treatments (18). Another study demonstrated that iron reduction therapy significantly improved the serum levels of aminotransferases and AFP in patients with HCV-related liver cirrhosis who had received UDCA and/or glycyrrhizin injection for more than six months before study entry (19). Similarly, the addition of petit phlebotomy was found to be effective and safe for improving the serum aminotransferase levels in hepatitis C patients receiving regular glycyrrhizin injections (20).…”

Efficacy and safety of addition of minor bloodletting (petit phlebotomy) in hepatitis C virus-infected patients receiving regular glycyrrhizin injections

“…In cirrhotic patients, conventional repeated phlebotomies are sometimes discontinued because of decreases in serum albumin concentrations; some adjustments, such as reduction of removed blood volume or extension of intervals between extractions, are required. 7 On the other hand, the extent of decreases in serum albumin, ChE, and cholesterol levels was minimal in PP. Thus, PP is presumed to be a safe and effective iron reduction therapy for patients with compensated LC as well.…”

“…[3][4][5][6][7] We hypothesized whether the addition of minor bloodletting, named petit phlebotomy (PP), prior to each GI could adequately reduce serum ALT concentrations, and planned a 12-month randomized prospective study to evaluate this.…”

Molecular mechanism of iron metabolism and overload in chronic hepatitis C

“…Two of 22 LC-C patients developed ascites, probably owing to decreased serum albumin levels. Tanaka et al 34 believe that iron reduction therapy should be performed only in patients with a serum albumin concentration of more than 3.6 g/dl. To avoid adverse effects in LC-C patients treated with phlebotomy, the reduction of blood volume and interval between phlebotomies should be taken into account in patients with hypoalbuminemia.…”