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Kan Chi Hon
ORGAN FIBROSIS &
HEALTH
Chronic diseases of the liver,
pancreas, heart, kidneys, lungs,
bone marrow, gut, arteries, skin
and even keloids involve fibrosis by
extracellular matrix (ECM), hepatic
stellate cells (HSC), transforming
growth factor- (TGF- ), con-
nective tissue growth factors
(CTGF), myofibroblasts (MFB); if
extensive, organ fibrosis wipes out
normal function e.g., liver fibrosis
leading to incurable cirrhosis. Lung
fibrosis presents with chronic
cough, shortness of breath,
etc., would limit: (1) lung expansion
( 2 ) g a s e ou s e x c h a ng e ( 3 )
perfusion; treatments tried: (1)
steroids, immuno-suppressants,
cytotoxics, colchicines, interferons:
(IFN- , IFN- ) (2) interleukin-1
(IL-1) receptor antagonists (3) anti-
oxidants, e.g., quercetin (4) TCM,
e.g., dan shen, chun xiong, dang gui
and tao ren. Liver fibrosis presents
with weight loss, tiredness,
anorexia, bloating, vomiting or even
anaemia, bleeding tendencies and
coma, is due to viral hepatitis or
alcohol or liver-toxic drugs - liver
Kupffer cells stimulated TGF-
HSC MFB ECM fibro-
sis cirrhosis; treatments tried:
steroids, tetrandrine, dan shen,
chun xiong. Avoid smoking and
drinking; if in doubt, consult your
doctor!
!"
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