Ala Ihsan Sharara

The general focus of my work involves clinical trials in the fields of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, particularly in the area of viral hepatitis, liver transplantation and inflammatory bowel diseases. At this point, I have no laboratory-based activity and am mostly involved with clinical care and research including: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of N-acetylcysteine supplementation to alfa-interferon in patients with chronic hepatitis C; a pilot trial of low-dose hydroxyurea in chronic hepatitis B; a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of N-acetylcysteine in mild to moderately active ulcerative colitis; a pilot trial of N-acetycysteine retention enemas in distal ulcerative proctitis; and a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of adjuvant ursodeoxycholic acid in adult liver transplantation.

My special area of interest and expertise is viral hepatitis, particularly hepatitis C, and cardiovascular and infectious complications after liver transplantation. I have submitted over the last 12 months three relevant reviews to peer review journals.

KEY WORDS: hepatitis, cirrhosis, liver transplantation, oxidative stress, ulcerative colitis