UDCA treatment protects against MTX-induced liver toxicity. Histopathologically hepatocyte necrosis can be prevented by UDCA treatment, indicating clearly the hepatoprotective effect of this agent on MTX-induced liver injury.

As cardiovascular risk factors, both MetS and increased IMT occur frequently among NAFLD patients. Screening for both conditions might be beneficial for assessment of future atherosclerotic complications.

The findings of this study show preexisting typical HBsAg escape and NUC resistance mutations are possible. The genetic arrangement of the HBV genome with polymerase and surface genes overlapping has substantial public health and diagnostic implications and relevance.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common cause of abnormal hepatic steatosis in the absence of alcohol abuse worldwide. Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is the most progressive form of NAFLD. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of apolipoprotein E (APOE) polymorphisms in the development of NASH. We analysed 57 NASH patients and 245 healthy controls using a polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method in a case-control study. The diagnosis of the patients was based on liver biopsy. The serum levels of glucose, lipids, vitamin B12, folic acid, homocysteine, insulin, total biluribin, total protein, albumin, ferritin, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were determined in all of the subjects. Body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), AST, ALT, fasting blood sugar (FBS), total cholesterol, triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol, insulin and ferritin levels were significantly higher in the 57 patients with NASH compared with the 245 healthy controls. The APOE epsilon3 allele was overrepresented in the whole group of NASH patients (epsilon3=97.37% in NASH versus 82.45% in controls). The APOE polymorphism was statistically significantly associated with NASH (chi(2)=15.741; p=0.008). The APOE3/3 genotype (odds ratio [OR]=7.941; p=0.000) was strongly associated with increased risk for NASH in all NASH patients. Consequently, the APOE3/3 genotype may play a role in the aetiopathogenesis of NASH.

IBDs are frequently encountered in Turkey. IBD incidence is lower than North and West Europe but close to Middle East in our country. The majority of IBD cases are diagnosed in young people (20 to 40 y) with predominance in males. The rate of both intestinal and extraintestinal complications in our population was low when compared with the data reported in the literature. IBD and especially UC, can coexist with amebiasis or become manifest with amebic infestation. The presence of concomitant ameba may create confusion and cause dilemmas in the diagnosis and treatment of UC.