Efficacy and tolerability of low-dose interferon-α in hemodialysis patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection.

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of low-dose standard or pegylated interferon (PEG-IFN) in hepatitis C virus (HCV)-positive hemodialysis patients. METHODS: In total, 19 patients were enrolled in this study, of which 12 received PEG-IFNα-2a 67.5 µg 1 time/wk (Group 1) and 7 received standard interferon α-2b subcutaneously 1.5 × 106 U 3 times/wk (Group 2). The treatment durations were 48 wk for patients infected with HCV genotype 1 and 24 wk for patients infected with HCV genotype 2/3. All patients were prospectively followed after the completion of therapy. The efficacy and tolerability of the treatment were evaluated based on the sustained virological response (SVR) and treatment-related drop-out rate. RESULTS: In Group 1, 11 of the 12 patients completed the treatment. Early virological response (EVR) and sustained virological response (SVR) rates were 83.3% and 91.7%, respectively. One patient withdrew from treatment due to an adverse event (leukopenia). The drop-out rate was 8.3% in this group. In Group 2, 5 of the 7 patients completed the treatment with an EVR and SVR of 85.7% and 71.4%, respectively. Two patients withdrew due to treatment-related adverse events (nausea and depression). In this group, the drop-out rate was 28.6%. In total, 16 of the patients attained EVR, and 15 of them completed the treatment. The SVR rate for the patients who attained EVR was 93.7%. Anemia was the most frequent side effect and was observed in 10/19 patients (55.5%), but could be effectively managed with erythropoietin. CONCLUSION: Low-dose interferon monotherapy, either with PEG-IFNα-2a or standard interferon α-2b, is an effective treatment option for hemodialysis patients with chronic hepatitis C.

[5-HT2C receptor subtype modulate production of secretory beta-amyloid protein precursor in incubated rat hippocampal slices].

AIM: To determine whether serotonin, a major neurotransmitter in brain, can modulate the production of secretory beta-amyloid protein precursor (sAPP) by activation of serotonin 5-HT2C receptor. METHODS: The hippocampal slices of rats were incubated with various concentrations of serotonin, M-110, or L-107. sAPP released into the incubation medium were assayed by Western blot analysis assay with monoclonal antibody 22C11 for 2 h. RESULTS: Various concentrations of serotonin (1.0 x 10(-2) - 1.0 x 10(3) micromol x L(-1)), M-110, a serotonin 5-HT2C agonist (1.5 x 10(-6) - 1.5 x 10(3) micromol x L(-1)), showed positive effect on the production of sAPP while L-107, a serotonin 5-HT2C antagonist (1.0 x 10(-9) - 1.0 x 10(3) micromol x L(-1)), showed negative effect on the production of sAPP over controls. CONCLUSION: Serotonin modulates production of secretory amyloid beta-protein precursor through serotonin 5-HT2C receptor in incubated rat hippocampal slices.