Inhibition of renin-angiotensin system in experimental acute pancreatitis in rats: a new therapeutic target?

Objective: Pancreatic renin-angiotensin system has been implied to play a role in the regulation of pancreatic functions and could be a new therapeutic target in acute pancreatitis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic potential of angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibition by captopril and angiotensin II type 1 receptor inhibition by L-158809 and losartan experimentally in acute pancreatitis.

Design: Rats were randomly divided into 15 groups.

Serum procalcitonin and CRP levels in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a case control study.

Background: Both C reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin (PCT) are well known acute phase reactant proteins. CRP was reported to increase in metabolic syndrome and type-2 diabetes. Similarly altered level of serum PCT was found in chronic liver diseases and cirrhosis.

Use of activated protein C has no avail in the early phase of acute pancreatitis.

Objectives: Sepsis and acute pancreatitis have similar pathogenetic mechanisms that have been implicated in the progression of multiple organ failure. Drotrecogin alfa, an analogue of endogenous protein C, reduces mortality in clinical sepsis. Our objective was to evaluate the early therapeutic effects of activated protein C (APC) in a rat model of acute necrotizing pancreatitis.

The effect of 1alpha,25(OH)2D3 vitamin over oxidative stress and biochemical parameters in rats where Type 1 diabetes is formed by streptozotocin.

Introduction: The 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) [1alpha,25(OH)(2)D(3)] plays an essential role in mineral balance but has also been recognized as a powerful modulator of immune response. We aimed to examine the effect of the 1alpha,25(OH)(2)D(3) treatment on insulin/c-peptide, catalase, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and blood glucose in rats that take streptozotocin (STZ).

Methods: Forty pieces of male rats of Albino family whose average weights were 261.

The role of heme in hemolysis-induced acute pancreatitis.

Background: The aim was to reveal the mechanism of hemolysis-induced acute pancreatitis and to evaluate the role of heme and heme oxygenase activity in inducing pancreatic inflammation in an experimental hemolysis model.

Material/methods: Hemolytic anemia was induced in rats by intraperitoneal injection of 60 mg/kg acetylphenylhydrazine (APH). To evaluate the toxic effect of free heme after hemolysis, heme oxygenase inhibitor (HOI) was used to inhibit the enzyme which decreases the free heme concentration after hemolysis.

Two-year interferon therapy with or without ribavirin in chronic delta hepatitis.

Unlabelled: The only beneficial agent for the treatment of chronic delta hepatitis (CDH) is interferon (IFN). However, there is no consensus on the best dosage or duration of IFN therapy. As ribavirin (RBV) increases the sustained response when added to IFN in chronic hepatitis C, probably because of its immunomodulatory effect, we aimed to investigate the efficacy of 2-year IFN treatment and whether RBV had any additive effect to IFN in CDH.

Recipient-derived hepatocytes in sex-mismatched liver allografts after liver transplantation: early versus late transplant biopsies.

Background: The presence of microchimerism in transplanted tissues is well defined; however, the timeframe of appearance and disappearance of engraftment in liver allograft is unknown. The aims of this study were to analyze for the presence of "recipient-derived cells" in sex-mismatched individuals after liver transplantation, comparing the frequency of "recipient-derived cell repopulation" in early versus late transplant biopsies and to evaluate the relationship between "recipient-derived cell repopulation" and the severity of graft injury.

Methods: Paraffin-embedded liver biopsy samples of 18 recipients were reviewed.

Low plasma apolipoprotein A-I level is not a reliable marker of fibrosis in children with chronic hepatitis B.

Aim: To evaluate the clinical value of plasma apolipoprotein A-I (Apo A-I) as a marker of fibrosis in children with chronic hepatitis B (CHB).

Methods: Liver biopsy specimens from 49 children with CHB were evaluated by using Knodell index. Plasma Apo A-I level was measured after 12-h fasting.

Interferon-lamivudine combination is no better than lamivudine alone in anti-HBe-positive chronic hepatitis B.

Background And Aims: Results of studies using lamivudine and interferon combination in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B are not consistent or conclusive. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of interferon plus lamivudine use versus single lamivudine in anti-HBe-positive chronic hepatitis B.

Methods: Eighty patients were treated with either lamivudine or lamivudine plus simultaneously started interferon.

Is procalcitonin a reliable marker for the diagnosis of infected pancreatic necrosis?

Background: Infected necrosis in acute pancreatitis is the main factor in determining the prognosis of the disease. Early and accurate diagnosis of infected pancreatic necrosis might decrease mortality. The aim of the present study is to identify a reliable marker for the onset infection in three different experimentally induced pancreatitis models.

Leiomyosarcoma of the inferior vena cava: report of a case.

We report a case of leiomyosarcoma of the inferior vena cava, which was successfully treated by surgical en bloc resection and reconstruction of the inferior vena cava, followed by adjuvant radiation therapy. A 39-year-old man presented with nausea, vomiting, epigastric pain, and weight loss. Radiologic examinations showed a mass originating from the inferior vena cava and surgical resection was performed.

Regenerative nodule mimicking hepatocellular carcinoma in a cirrhotic child due to hepatitis B: an imaging dilemma.

Viral hepatitis B, post-hepatitic cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the classical sequence of events in hepatitis B virus (HBV) infected children and serum Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and ultrasound (USG) screening is recommended during follow up. We present a 13-yr-old girl with cirrhosis related to chronic HBV infection with normal AFP level and a 4 cm mass appearance by USG. Contrast spiral evaluation computed tomography (CT) study demonstrated a single mass located at 8th segment of the liver.

Leukotriene receptor antagonism in experimental acute pancreatitis in rats.

Objectives: Acute pancreatitis is a multifactorial disease caused by activation of several inflammatory mediators. Leukotrienes, beside other mediators, may be involved in acute pancreatitis. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of 'zafirlukast', a leukotriene receptor antagonist, in acute pancreatitis and its relation with prostaglandin synthesis.

Infliximab: a new therapeutic agent in acute pancreatitis?

Purpose: Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) has a central role in the pathogenesis of acute pancreatitis and related systemic complications. The aim of this study is to investigate the therapeutic effectiveness of monoclonal TNF antibody (infliximab) in acute edematous and severe necrotizing pancreatitis models in rats.

Methods: One hundred rats were randomly divided into 10 groups.

Detection of mutant p53 in hepatocellular cancer from Turkey and its correlation with clinicopathologic parameters.

The samples of hepatocellular carcinoma from Turkey, a country with a high prevalence of hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus, but low dietary exposure to aflatoxin B1, were examined in order to detect the frequency of mutant p53 and its association with clinical and pathological data. Fifty-two samples of hepatocellular cancer from the patients who were diagnosed in our clinic were included in this study. The mutant p53 protein was searched for by specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Effects of Mast-Cell Stabilization in Cerulein-Induced Acute Pancreatitis in Rats.

Acute pancreatitis is characterized by inflammationof the pancreas that ranges from mild inflammationto severe necrotizing pancreatitis (1-3).Several factors can initiate a cascade of pathologic events that results in AP (4). A key feature in thispathogenesis is inflammatory reaction.

Effects of methimazole pretreatment on cerulein induced acute pancreatitis in rats.

Background: Many interrelationships exist between the thyroid gland and the gastrointestinal tract. Several past and recent studies have shown that the thyroid gland profoundly influences the structure and function of the exocrine pancreas in the rat. In the present study we investigated the effect of methimazole (METZ), an antithyroid drug, on cerulein induced acute pancreatitis (AP) in rats.

Clinical and biochemical features and therapy responses in primary biliary cirrhosis and primary biliary cirrhosis-autoimmune hepatitis overlap syndrome.

Background/aims: Primary biliary cirrhosis and autoimmune hepatitis are two main immune-mediated liver diseases. Some patients display characteristics of both diseases, so called overlap syndrome. The aims of this study were to investigate and to compare the clinical and laboratory features and responses to therapy in primary biliary cirrhosis and overlap syndrome.

Alpha interferon and lamivudine combination therapy for chronic hepatitis B in children.

Background: Lamivudine is a new alternative therapeutic agent for chronic hepatitis B, in which alpha interferon (IFN-alpha) monotherapy is not successful enough. Published reports have revealed no satisfactory data on IFN-alpha and lamivudine combination therapy in children. The aim of this study is to investigate the efficacy and safety of this combination therapy in children with chronic hepatitis B.

Clinicopathological features of hepatitis C virus infection in dialysis and renal transplantation.

Background: Liver biopsy (LB) gives an accurate picture of the severity of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in end-stage renal disease. The aim of this study was to find out whether clinical and histopathological course of HCV infection in renal transplant (RT) patients (pts) is different from dialysis (Dx) pts.

Methods: Forty Dx and 46 RT pts underwent LB.

Stromal predominant type mesenchymal hamartoma of liver: CT and MR features.

Mesenchymal hamartoma is a rare pediatric liver tumor. The tumor is mainly cystic but occasionally a solid component is seen. Therefore the tumor can be divided into two forms: (a) cystic predominant, and (b) stromal predominant.