All data were placed in a database with names of patients and other identifying information removed for confidentiality to the extent permitted by law. Institutional selleck compound Review Board approval was obtained prior to study commencement. Statistical analysis of comparisons between laboratory data among both subject and control patients was performed using unpaired t tests. Pathology findings in the 10 biopsy specimens from all prospectively identified minimal change cases are shown in Table 1. A retrospective chart review
was then conducted of the 10 prospectively identified subject patients and six were identified who had retrievable clinical data. All 10 PBC control patients had retrievable clinical data. The average length of follow-up was 2 years. Baseline characteristics and clinical data on the subject and PBC control patients are summarized in Tables 2-5, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences between baseline characteristics or laboratory values before and after treatment, among both sets of patients using paired t-test analysis. In addition, total bilirubin levels (not presented in tables) among both sets of patients were within normal limits with no statistically significant differences selleck chemical before or after treatment.
No exposures to known hepatotoxins (prescription or non-prescription) were identified in the patients upon chart review. Study patients had an age distribution of 52 ± 7 years; PBC control patients had an age distribution of 52 ± 12. All suspected or diagnosed PBC patients were female. Clinical data for the CHC patients
showed a male:female gender distribution of 5:6 and age distribution of 48 ± 9 years. These age differences are not statistically significant. Patient 1 presented initially with symptoms of fatigue and pruritus. On laboratory evaluation the patient’s AP and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) levels were found to be elevated for at least 1 year. The patient also had a positive AMA, as well as mildly elevated aminotransferases. Sonographic evaluation of the liver did not C59 cell line reveal any abnormalities. Due to ongoing suspicion that the patient had PBC, a liver biopsy was performed that was nondiagnostic for PBC; however, immunostain for K19 highlighted focal bile duct loss and widespread loss of CoH (Table 1). The patient was subsequently started on 15 mg/kg daily dose of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA). During the follow-up period of 4 years, the patient’s AP, GGT, and aminotransferase levels normalized. The patient also responded symptomatically and reported resolution of complaints of pruritus and fatigue following initiation of treatment. There were no follow-up liver biopsies performed. Currently, the patient is still being treated and continues to be asymptomatic, with normal laboratory findings. Patient 2 also initially complained of pruritus.