Green tea flavonoid may prevent reinfection with hepatitis C virus following liver transplantation

[rambleon40]

Press release:

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2011-12/w-gtf120111.php

Abstract:

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/hep.24610/abstract

[Aaron57]

Another new and very interesting possibility for future TP recipients ...

Entry Point for Hepatitis C Infection Identified:

January 24, 2012 -- A molecule embedded in the membrane of human liver cells that aids in cholesterol absorption also allows the entry of hepatitis C virus, the first step in hepatitis C infection, according to research at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine.

Previous studies showed that cholesterol was somehow involved in HCV infection. The UIC researchers suspected that a receptor called NPC1L1, known to help maintain cholesterol balance might also be transporting the virus into the cell.

The FDA-approved drug ezetimibe (sold under the trade-name Zetia) is readily available and perfectly targeted to the receptor, Sainz said, so the researchers had an ideal method for testing NPC1L1's involvement in HCV infection.

The researchers showed that ezetimibe inhibited HCV infection in cell culture and in mice transplanted with human liver cells. And, unlike any currently available drugs, ezetimibe was able to inhibit infection by all six types of HCV.

While current drugs are highly toxic and often cannot be tolerated by transplant patients taking immunosuppressant drugs, ezetimibe is quite safe and has been used long-term without harm by people to control their cholesterol, Uprichard said. Because it prevents entry of the virus into cells, ezetimibe may help protect the new liver from infection.


http://www.hivandhepatitis.com/hcv-basic-science/3438-researchers-show-how-cholesterol-receptor-promotes-hcv-cell-entry

[orphanedhawk]

I agree, each to their own but I will stick with coffee, dark and strong.

[HectorSF]

Thanks Eureka. You make a good point. It will take perhaps years, if something can be learned for these catechins at best, and I will need transplant with a year. So...whatever is available medically this year is really my only options.

The other grip I have is... I am not wild about anything to do with green tea even if it is just isolated catechins. EGCG and its derivatives, epigallocatechin (EGC), epicatechin gallate (ECG), and epicatechin (EC). Green tea tastes flat and like dirty grass to me. This will mean more anti-nausea meds. Just what we need. (!) It would be so much more "user-friendly" if they could make a antiviral in the form of a root beer or cherry popsicle. One less pill to take. I would be the first in line!

Seriously I have only been following the the 2 and 3 drug hepatitis C treatments. And will ask my doctor if their is a possibly of trying something to prevent reinfection of my donor liver.

Hector

[1oftheclub222]

how much green tea are they talking about?

[eureka254]

Because the above data is molecular response collected in-vitro, though very promising, it may not be applicable clinically as yet.  There are actually a number of agents being evaluated clinically (ITX5061, silibinin, anti-clonal antibodies, triple tx as well as riba/IV INF) to prevent infection post-transplant... definitely a good in-depth topic for your next visit to the TP center.~eur

[HectorSF]

Thanks, I will discuss this with my hepatologist as i hope to have a transplant this year.

Hector