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The pathogenesis of thrombocytopenia in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) conceivably involves autoimmunity; however, the dynamics of autoantibodies and other autoimmune mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we examined the changes in the frequency of anti-glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa antibody-producing B cells and the levels of plasma B-cell-activating factor (BAFF), a proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL), and interleukin (IL)-21 following treatment of CHC with direct-acting antiviral agents (DAA). We recruited 28 patients with CHC who underwent treatment with DAA for 8-12 weeks and subsequently tested negative for serum hepatitis C virus RNA. Thirty healthy controls were recruited for comparison. Platelet counts increased significantly (p = .016), and the frequency of anti-GPIIb/IIIa antibody-producing B cells decreased significantly (p = .002) in CHC patients with thrombocytopenia at the end of treatment (EOT) than before DAA treatment (baseline). However, these changes were not observed in CHC patients without thrombocytopenia. Plasma BAFF levels in CHC patients with thrombocytopenia significantly decreased from baseline to EOT (p = .002). Anti-GPIIb/IIIa antibodyproducing B cells were positively correlated with plasma BAFF levels in these patients (r = 0.669, p = .039). These results suggest that DAA treatment suppresses the autoimmune response against platelets and improves thrombocytopenia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this retrospective multicenter study was to clarify the antifibrotic effect and long‐term outcome of sodium glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2‐Is) in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) complicated by type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Of the 1262 consecutive patients with T2DM who recently received SGLT2‐Is, 202 patients with NAFLD had been receiving SGLT2‐Is for more than 48 weeks and were subjected to this analysis. Furthermore, 109 patients who had been on SGLT2‐I therapy for more than 3 years at the time of analysis were assessed for the long‐term effects of SGLT2‐Is. Significant decreases in body weight, liver transaminases, plasma glucose, hemoglobin A1c, and Fibrosis‐4 (FIB‐4) index were found at week 48. Overall, the median value of FIB‐4 index decreased from 1.42 at baseline to 1.25 at week 48 (p < 0.001). In the low‐risk group (FIB‐4 index < 1.3), there was no significant change in the FIB‐4 index. In the intermediate‐risk (≥1.3 and <2.67) and high‐risk (≥2.67) groups, the median levels significantly decreased from 1.77 and 3.33 at baseline to 1.58 and 2.75 at week 48, respectively (p < 0.001 for both). Improvements in body weight, glucose control, liver transaminases, and FIB‐4 index were found at 3 years of SGLT2‐I treatment. In the intermediate‐risk and high‐risk groups (≥1.3 FIB‐4 index), the FIB‐4 index maintained a significant reduction from baseline throughout the 3 years of treatment. Conclusion: This study showed that SGLT2‐Is offered a favorable effect on improvement in FIB‐4 index as a surrogate marker of liver fibrosis in patient with NAFLD complicated by T2DM, especially those with intermediate and high risks of advanced fibrosis, and this antifibrotic effect is sustained for the long term. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction and aim. We assessed the characteristics of virological response to a combination treatment of ombitasvir, paritaprevir, and ritonavir in hepatitis C virus genotype 1-infected elderly Japanese patients. Material and Methods. This multicenter prospective study was conducted at six locations in Japan. Seventy patients with chronic hepatitis C virus genotype 1b infection were orally administered ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir once daily for 12 weeks. The primary endpoint was the proportion of elderly patients with sustained virological response (SVR) 12 weeks after the completion of treatment. Adverse events were also recorded to evaluate drug safety and tolerability during the trial period. SVR in elderly patients (age > 65; 94% [47 / 50]) was lower than that in younger patients (100% [20 / 20]). Results. No significant differences in SVR 12 weeks after the completion of treatment were observed between the age groups (P = 0.153). Adverse events were observed in 16 patients (23.3%). Multivariate analysis confirmed that the change or discontinuation of concomitant drugs owing to drug interactions was independent of risk factors for adverse events associated with this drug combination (P = 0.015; odds ratio, 15.9; 95% confidence interval, 1.79 - 148). Ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ ritonavir combination treatment was highly effective in elderly patients. Conclusion. Tolerability should be monitored in older patients for whom concomitant medications are discontinued or changed because of drug interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]