Hep C medication

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Ran across this today- I know in the past a few people acked about

Hep C

_______Summary_______________________________________________

Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy

May 2006, Vol. 7, No. 7, Pages 953-964

(doi:10.1517/14656566.7.7.953)

Nitazoxanide, a broad-spectrum thiazolide anti-infective agent for

the treatment of gastrointestinal infections

Hemphill & #8203; & #8204;1, Joachim Mueller & #8203; & #8204;2 & Marco

Esposito & #8203; & #8204;3

1ProfessorGroup Leader, Institute of Parasitology, University of

Berne, Längass-Strasse 122, CH-3012 Berne, Switzerland.

hemphill@...

2PhDBiochemistSenior Research Fellow, Institute of Parasitology,

University of Berne, Längass-Strasse 122, CH-3012 Berne, Switzerland

3Dr. Vet. MedPhD Candidate, Institute of Parasitology, University of

Berne, Längass-Strasse 122, CH-3012 Berne, Switzerland.

hemphill@...

† Author for correspondence

Colonisation of the gastrointestinal tract by anaerobic bacteria,

protozoa, trematodes, cestodes and/or nematodes and other infectious

pathogens, including viruses, represents a major cause of morbidity

and mortality in Africa, South America and southeast Asia, as well as

other parts of the world. Nitazoxanide is a member of the thiazolide

class of drugs with a documented broad spectrum of activity against

parasites and anaerobic bacteria. Moreover, the drug has recently

been reported to have a profound activity against hepatitis C virus

infection. In addition, nitazoxanide exhibits anti-inflammatory

properties, which have prompted clinical investigations for its use

in Crohn's disease. Studies with nitazoxanide derivatives have

determined that there must be significantly different mechanisms of

action acting on intracellular versus extracellular pathogens. An

impressive number of clinical studies have shown that the drug has an

excellent bioavailability in the gastrointestinal tract, is fast

acting and highly effective against gastrointestinal bacteria,

protozoa and helminthes. A recent Phase II study has demonstrated

viral response (hepatitis C) to monotherapy, with a low toxicity and

an excellent safety profile over 24 weeks of treatment. Pre-clinical

studies have indicated that there is a potential for application of

this drug against other diseases, not primarily affecting the liver

or the gastrointestinal tract.