title: A pilot study of thymus extract in chronic non-A, non-B hepatitis.
abstract: In previous studies it has been suggested that activation of cellular immunity may have a role in controlling the activity of chronic non-A, non-B liver disease. We conducted a pilot study of therapy with a bovine thymus extract for 6 weeks in 15 consecutive patients with chronic non-A, non-B hepatitis, most of them sporadic cases. Treatment induced immunomodulation, and in five patients a significant but transient diminution in aminotransferase levels was observed associated with increments in several parameters of cellular immunity. This suggests that a longer administration of this or other related compounds, or treatment with a more potent immunomodulating agent, might be effective in these patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Clinica Universitaria, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.
authors.forename: M P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Civeira
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Castilla
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Morte
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Serrano
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Prieto
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers; D002417:Cattle; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular / Q000187:drug effects; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000378:metabolism; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D013949:Thymus Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000637:Transaminases / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D007375:Interleukin-1; D013949:Thymus Extracts; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D000637:Transaminases