Efficacy of polyadenylic.polyuridylic acid in the treatment of chronic active hepatitis B.

Abstract

In order to assess whether polyadenylic.polyuridylic acid [poly(A).poly(U)] can be used as a new therapeutic agent for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B, 19 patients with histologically proven chronic active hepatitis B were injected intravenously with 100-150 mg of poly(A).poly(U) weekly for six weeks. Changes in alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels, 2',5'-oligoadenylate synthetase (2'.5'-AS) activities and HBV markers were sequentially checked during and after treatments. Serum ALT levels were decreased gradually and 2'.5'-AS activities were significantly increased after initiation of poly(A).poly(U) injections. At the end of this trial (24th week) we have observed the normalizations of elevated ALT levels in 14 (73.7%), negative conversion of HBeAg in 11 (57.9%) and loss of HBV-DNA in 12 out of 19 patients (63.1%). Complete responses which had both normalization of ALT levels and negative conversion of HBeAg were noted in 11 patients (57.9%) and partial responses showing either normalization of ALT levels or negative conversion of HBeAg alone were in four out of 19 patients (21.1%). No notable adverse effects were observed during the treatments and follow-up period. It can be concluded that poly(A).poly(U) seems to be effective in the treatment of chronic active hepatitis B and has an advantage of being free of significant side effects.

• Authors: K B Hahm, K Y Han, W H Kim, D S Yim, C Y Chon, Y M Moon, J K Kang, I S Park, J K Youn, E Deschamps de Paillette
• Journal: International journal of immunopharmacology (Int J Immunopharmacol) Vol. 16 Issue 3 Pg. 217-25 (Mar 1994) ISSN: 0192-0561 [Print] England
• PMID: 8206687 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Biomarkers
• DNA, Viral
• Hepatitis B e Antigens
• Poly A-U
• Alanine Transaminase
• 2',5'-Oligoadenylate Synthetase

Topics

• 2',5'-Oligoadenylate Synthetase (blood)
• Adult
• Alanine Transaminase (blood)
• Biomarkers (blood)
• DNA, Viral (blood)
• Female
• Hepatitis B (blood, drug therapy)
• Hepatitis B e Antigens (blood)
• Hepatitis B virus (isolation & purification)
• Hepatitis, Chronic (blood, drug therapy)
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Poly A-U (therapeutic use)