Department of Internal Medicine
Gastroenterology-Hepatology Faculty
Graduate School:
University of Illinois
Medical School:
University of Tennessee
Residency:
University of Tennessee
Fellowship:
The University of Iowa
Warren Schmidt, M.D., Ph.D.
Professor
Dr. Schmidt's group is interested in the pathologic and biochemical actions of the hepatitis C virus that is an important cause of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma worldwide. Their work focuses on hepatitis C inflammation and oxidative stress caused by the virus in vivo and in vitro. They have determined that the hepatitis C core protein is responsible for oxidative stress in hepatocytes and that the protein transcriptionally modulates the expression of antioxidative stress defense enzymes such as Heme oxygenase-1. These studies are important to eventually understand the mechanisms of hepatocellular injury caused by the virus and how it promotes progressive liver disease.
Dr. Schmidt's group is also studying the importance of host risk factors which accelerate hepatitis C disease progression. They have shown that the development of asymptomatic cryoglobulinemia leads to a 4-5 fold increase in the relative risk for progression to cirrhosis in hepatitis C positive patients. These studies are important for patient diagnosis, prognosis and management of chronic hepatitis C liver disease.
Honors, Awards, and Organizations- American Association for Study of Liver Diseases
- America's Top Doctors (Castle, Connolly Medical, Ltd.)
- Who's Who in America (Science & Engineering)
Recent Publications
- Wen, F., Abdalla, M., Aloman, C., Xiang, J., Ahmad, I., Walewski, J., McCormick, M., Brown, K., Branch, A., Spitz, D., Britigan, B. and Schmidt, W. Increased proxidant production and enhanced susceptibility to glutathione depletion in HepG2 cells co-expressing HCV core protein and CYP2E1. Journal of Medical Virology. In Press-2003.
- Kayali, Z., Buchwold, V., Zimmerman, B., and Schmidt, W.N. Hepatitis C, Cryoglobulinemia and Cirrhosis: A Meta Analysis. Hepatology, 2002; 36(4):978-985.
- Wunschmann, S., Hedh, J., Klinzman, D., Schmidt, W.N., Stapleton, J.T. Characterization of hepatitis C virus (HCV) and HCV E2 interactions with CD81 and the low density lipoprotein receptor. J Virol, 2001; 74 (19):10055-10062.
- Schmidt, W., Stapleton, J., LaBrecque, D., Mitros, F., Kirby, P., Perino Phillips, M.J., and Brashear, D. Hepatitis C virus infection and Cryoglobulinemia: analysis of whole blood and plasma HCV RNA concentration and correlation with liver histology. Hepatology, 2000; 31 :737-744.
Links of Interest