title: The effects of a Chinese medicinal suppository (Vitalliver) on insulin-like growth factor 1 and homocysteine in patients with hepatitis B infection.
abstract: The liver is the major organ for the metabolism of homocysteine (Hcy) and production of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1). Hcy metabolism and IGF-1 synthesis may be impaired in chronic liver diseases. The study investigated the regulatory effect of a Chinese herbal suppository, Vitalliver, on Hcy and IGF-1, as well as their relationship in patients with hepatitis B infection. Forty patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection without cirrhosis, 25 males and 15 females, were observed for changes in Hcy and IGF-1 after the administration of Vitalliver (one nightly) for a period of 3 months. Serum levels of Hcy, IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 were measured at baseline, and at 1 month and 3 months after treatment. Vitalliver reduced Hcy levels significantly (p = 0.001) from 9.7 +/- 2.8 to 9.0 +/- 2.1 micromol/L after treatment of 3 months. Furthermore, the IGF-1 levels increased significantly (p < 0.001) from 170.2 +/- 81.8 to 212.8 +/- 80.9 ng/mL at 1 month and 187.5 +/- 72.3 ng/mL at 3 months (p = 0.001) after treatment. In conclusion, it is speculated Vitalliver may have a self-regulatory effect on the release of IGF-1 in HBV patients without liver cirrhosis.
authors.affiliation: Research and Development Department, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: S H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Chui
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: A K K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Chui
authors.forename: L S L
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Shek
authors.forename: R N S
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Wong
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D018972:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3 / Q000378:metabolism; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008516:Medicine, Chinese Traditional; D008875:Middle Aged; D008517:Phytotherapy; D013488:Suppositories
chemical_list: D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D018972:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3; D013488:Suppositories; C506575:Vitalliver; D006710:Homocysteine; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I