inosine-pranobex and Hepatitis--Chronic

Topics: Adult; Clinical Trials as Topic; Hepatitis B; Hepatitis B e Antigens; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; Hepatitis, Chronic; Humans; Inosine; Inosine Pranobex; Middle Aged

Topics: Hepatitis C; Hepatitis, Chronic; Humans; Inosine Pranobex

21 patients with chronic active hepatitis B (CAH-B) were treated for 1-2 years with isoprinosine, while another 18 patients served as control group. All patients were initially DNA polymerase (DNAp) and HBeAg positive. Nine (43%) treated patients became persistently negative for DNAp, seroconverted to anti-HBe and showed histological remission on follow-up biopsy. Among simultaneously followed controls 5 (28%) lost DNAp and 4 (22%) also lost their HBeAg. However, only 2 (11%) seroconverted to anti-HBe. Histological improvement was seen in 5 (28%) controls. Thus, it seems that isoprinosine may exert a beneficial effect on the course and outcome of CAH-B.

Topics: Adult; DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase; Female; Hepatitis B; Hepatitis B e Antigens; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; Hepatitis, Chronic; Humans; Inosine Pranobex; Male

Ninety-six patients with pathologically-proven, chronic, active hepatitis were studied to evaluate different lines of treatment. Patients were divided into the following groups: control (followed without specific active treatment), corticosteroid group, azathioprine group, corticosteroid and azathioprine group, chlorambucil group, 5-fluorouracil group, colchicine group and isoprinosine group. Patients were followed clinically, biochemically, and histopathologically. Results showed that patients put on any therapeutic regimen did either the same or worse than the control group left without active therapy. There was no difference in response to treatment between HBsAg +ve or -ve patients; both groups showed no improvement. Some patients given active treatment developed the side effects and complications from the drug used.

Topics: Adrenal Cortex Hormones; Age Factors; Azathioprine; Chlorambucil; Colchicine; Drug Therapy, Combination; Fluorouracil; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; Hepatitis, Chronic; Humans; Inosine Pranobex