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Research
Laboratory for Hepatology Research
Our laboratory provides clinical care for liver diseases including viral hepatitis such as HBV, HCV, liver cancer, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, portal hypertension, autoimmune liver disease and acute liver failure, based on the close cooperation with surgery and radiology, and practice the high advanced multidisciplinary approach. Furthermore, for the development of the new cure, we practice various basic and clinical researches in cooperation with domestic and foreign medical institutions. In addition, we emphasize the training and education of the hepatologist.
Introduction of clinical research
Medical examination
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Our target diseases are viral hepatitis, protopathic liver cancer, and NASH. Recent improvements in diagnostic methods and medical therapies in this area had been incredible. In particular, we actively target intractable hepatitis B, hepatitis C, advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. We educate experts in medical examination, training them in medical procedures such as transarterial embolization, liver biopsy, therapy of esophageal and gastric varices and therapy of radio wave ablation.
Annual numbers of examinations and procedures
- Antiviral therapy against hepatitis B and C
- 450
- Treatment for liver cancer
- Radiofrequency ablative therapy
- 50
- Transarterial therapy
- 380
- Systemic chemotherapy
- 70
- Gastroesophageal varices
- EIS/EVL
- 30
- B-RTO
- 5
- Liver biopsy for Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
- 80
Clinical research
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- Approaches to improve the effect of anti-viral therapy for chronic viral hepatitis
- Recently, the effect of antiviral therapy for chronic viral hepatitis patients had been improved. However, some problems such as resistant viruses and recalcitrant patients are remaining. We analyze the relationships between viral and host factors for chronic hepatitis and the effect of antiviral therapy, Based on these results, we provide the most suitable therapy for individual patients. We are also actively involved in the clinical trials of a development of new therapies for chronic viral hepatitis.
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- Multidisciplinary approach for liver cancer
- We perform multidisciplinary approach for liver cancer, including hepatic resection, ablative therapy, transarterial catheter therapy (hepatic artery chemoembolization, hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy), systemic chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or liver transplantation. In addition, management for underlying hepatic disease such as viral hepatitis, metabolic disease, or liver cirrhosis is extremely important in the improvement of long-term prognosis.
We present every treatment option and practice advanced multidisciplinary treatment for the liver cancer based on the close cooperation with internal medicine, surgery, and radiology. Furthermore, we participate in many clinical trials aiming at the development of the new cure for the liver cancer.
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- Efforts to epidemiologic study and treatment for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
- NAFLD has been shown to be associated with multi-factors such as insulin resistance, type 2 DM, hyperlipidemia, oxidative stress, microbiome and periodontal disease. In our laboratory, we provide a medical care for NAFLD/NASH patients by treating metabolic disorders such as visceral obesity, diabetes, hypertension and dyslipidemia. We are also working aggressively to the new clinical trial.
We participate in the Japan Study Group of NAFLD (JSG-NAFLD; NAFLD research group consisting of University Hospitals and general hospitals), and study epidemiology and clinical research.
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- Nutrition therapy and measures of complications in patients with liver cirrhosis
- Patients with liver cirrhosis often have protein-energy malnutritions (PEM) and poor physical activities. These conditions result in sarcopenia. PEM and sarcopenia are predictive factors for poor prognosis in patients with liver cirrhosis. Therefore, it is important to carry out the appropriate nutritional therapy in patients with liver cirrhosis. We have launched a special team MCU (Metabolic Care Unit) with dietitian, physical therapists, pharmacists, nurses, diabetes physicians and digestive surgeons. MCU is making efforts to carry out a comprehensive nutrition management in liver cirrhosis patients. In addition, we are working on clinical researches based on clinical data obtained through the activities of MCU in order to improve the cirrhosis treatment. Patients with cirrhosis are associated with the development of portal hypertension, esophageal gastric varices, shunt encephalopathy and portal vein thrombosis. These complications cause gastrointestinal bleeding and exacerbation of patient's QOL. To improve the prognosis and QOL of cirrhosis patients, we are taking an aggressive approch in cooperation with the digestive surgery and radiology.
Basic research
Team members
![staff](/themes/naika1/img/labo/ph_staff.jpg)
Lecturer:Michio Imamura
Associate Professor or Lecturer:Daiki Miki
Assistant Professor:Tomokazu Kawaoka
Assistant Professor:Masami Yamauchi
Assistant Professor:Wataru Okamoto
Assistant Professor:Eisuke Murakami
Associate Professor or Lecturer:Takashi Nakahara
Assistant Professor:Atsushi Ohno
Assistant Professor:Hatsue Fujino
Assistant Professor:Takuro Uchida
Assistant Professor:Yuji Teraoka
Assistant Professor:Shinsuke Uchikawa
Medical Practitioner:Kenichiro Kodama
Associate Professor:Hiromi Chayama, Center for Medical Specialist Graduate Education & Research
Associate Professor:C.Nelson Hayes, Study group on Gastroenterology and Hematology
Assistant Professor (Special Appointment):Grace Naswa Makokha
Graduate Students:22
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