Calgary researcher discovers key molecules to battle Hepatitis

August 31, 2005,   A researcher at the University of Calgary has discovered two important molecules that could lead to new treatments for Hepatitis A.

In Hepatitis A, a person's white blood cells turn against their body and start attacking the liver.    {given the research & findings re stealth viruses & the like, I have to wonder if such is behind Hep-A also  -  RM}

Hepatitis A is an auto-immune disorder, while Hepatitis B and C are caused by viruses.

In all three types, the liver becomes damaged and can ultimately fail.

There are some drugs that help, but in many patients they stop working. Their last resort is a liver transplant.

An international team of researchers, led by a scientist at the University of Calgary, has discovered two key molecules that can prevent white blood cells from damaging the liver and may one day eliminate the need for transplants.

"As you know, there aren't as many organs as there are patients, so really it was dire straits for some folks. Identifying new molecules that might be able to prevent some of this inflammation might provide a new way of treating this devastating disease. We're very helpful some of these molecules might end up in clinic," says Dr. Paul Kubes, director of the Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation at the U of C

Kubes says it will probably be about ten years before patients could ever be treated with these molecules.

He's excited though, because the molecules also show promise in the treatment of multiple sclerosis, another auto-immune disease.

His research is published in the august issue of the medical journal immunity.

Kubes also worked with teams of immunologists and hepatologists from Finland and Australia.

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