Vitamin E Attenuates the Progression of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Caused by Partial Hepatectomy in Mice.

Background And Aim: The progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) likely involves a 'multiple hit' mechanism. We hypothesized that partial hepatectomy, a procedure performed frequently in patients with NAFLD, would accelerate the progression of disease.

Methods: C57BL/6JolaHsd mice were fed a choline-deficient L-amino acid-defined diet (CD-AA) or a choline-sufficient L-amino acid-defined control diet (CS-AA).

Diffuse reflectance spectroscopy accurately quantifies various degrees of liver steatosis in murine models of fatty liver disease.

Background: A real-time objective evaluation for the extent of liver steatosis during liver transplantation is currently not available. Diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) rapidly and accurately assesses the extent of steatosis in human livers with mild steatosis. However, it is yet unknown whether DRS accurately quantifies moderate/severe steatosis and is able to distinguish between micro- and macrovesicular steatosis.

Horizontal RNA transfer mediates platelet-induced hepatocyte proliferation.

Liver regeneration is stimulated by blood platelets, but the molecular mechanisms involved are largely unexplored. Although platelets are anucleate, they do contain coding or regulatory RNAs that can be functional within the platelet or, after transfer, in other cell types. Here, we show that platelets and platelet-like particles (PLPs) derived from the megakaryoblastic cell line MEG-01 stimulate proliferation of HepG2 cells.

Sphingosine kinase-1 inhibition protects primary rat hepatocytes against bile salt-induced apoptosis.

Sphingosine kinases (SphKs) and their product sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) have been reported to regulate apoptosis and survival of liver cells. Cholestatic liver diseases are characterized by cytotoxic levels of bile salts inducing liver injury. It is unknown whether SphKs and/or S1P play a role in this pathogenic process.

Angiotensin II protects primary rat hepatocytes against bile salt-induced apoptosis.

Unlabelled: Angiotensin II (AT-II) is a pro-fibrotic compound that acts via membrane-bound receptors (AT-1R/AT-2R) and thereby activates hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). AT-II receptor blockers (ARBs) are thus important candidates in the treatment of liver fibrosis. However, multiple case reports suggest that AT-1R blockers may induce hepatocyte injury.

Pertussis toxin, an inhibitor of G(αi) PCR, inhibits bile acid- and cytokine-induced apoptosis in primary rat hepatocytes.

Unlabelled: Excessive hepatocyte apoptosis is a common event in acute and chronic liver diseases leading to loss of functional liver tissue. Approaches to prevent apoptosis have therefore high potential for the treatment of liver disease. G-protein coupled receptors (GPCR) play crucial roles in cell fate (proliferation, cell death) and act through heterotrimeric G-proteins.

Effect of captopril on TNF-α and IL-10 in the livers of bile duct ligated rats.

Background: The renin-angiotensin system has an important role in hepatic inflammation and fibrosis. Renin-angiotensin system blockade by angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors provides some protective effects against hepatic fibrogenesis. Captopril as an ACE inhibitor can decrease inflammatory mediators and attenuate hepatic fibrosis in the livers of bile duct ligated (BDL) rats.

Urodynamic changes in patients with anterior urethral valves: before and after endoscopic valve ablation.

Purpose: To retrospectively review a series of children with anterior urethral valves (AUV), with emphasis on patterns of urodynamic change and long-term outcome of endoscopic treatment.

Patients And Methods: We reviewed the medical records of eight patients who had undergone thorough radiological and urodynamic exams before and after treatment. The diagnosis of AUV was based on radiological imaging and confirmed by urethrocystoscopy.

Attenuation of hepatic fibrosis through captopril and enalapril in the livers of bile duct ligated rats.

Hepatic fibrosis is a common feature in different types of chronic liver injury. The demonstration of the pro-fibrogenesis role of angiotensin II in chronic liver diseases brought up the idea that anti-angiotensin II agents may be effective on improvement of hepatic fibrosis by either blocking the angiotensin II receptor or inhibition of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE). This study is aimed at comparing the anti-fibrogenesis effects of two ACE inhibitors, captopril and enalapril, in the livers of rats with bile duct ligation through biochemical and histopathological parameters.

The effects of bladder neck incision on urodynamic abnormalities of children with posterior urethral valves.

Purpose: We evaluated the effects of simultaneous bladder neck incision and valve ablation on urodynamic abnormalities in patients with posterior urethral valves.

Materials And Methods: A total of 46 patients with posterior urethral valves entered our prospective study between 1998 and 2003. Group 1 consisted of 22 patients who underwent simultaneous valve ablation and bladder neck incision at the 6 o'clock position.