Experimental and clinical aspects of liver fibrosis and portal hypertension

Abstract

The aim of the project is to study experimental and clinical aspects of tiver fibrosis and portal hypertension. Liver fibrosis Experimentally we will study: 1) the influence of age on the liver reaction to chemical aggression and inflammatory stimulus; 2) the liver effect of drugs (atorvastain and/or arnlodipin) administered with or without ethanol. Clinically we will study: 1) the role of co-infection (HBV and HIV) and fibrogenesis biochemical markers in the evolution of HCV chronic hepatitis; 2) the HCV core antigen in patients with chronic renal inefficiency; 3) the effect of UDCA in patients with the compensated and pure form of chronic schistosomiasis. Portal hypertension experimentally we will study the effects of bradykinin and angiotensin on portal responslveness. Clinically we will study: 1) platelet homeostasis in patients with the compensated and pure form of chronic schistosomiasis; 2) the role of echoendoscopy in the treatment of gastro-esophageal varices. (AU)