Highly Selective Artificial K Transporters Reverse Liver Fibrosis In Vivo.

Liver fibrosis is a life-threatening disease that currently lacks clinically effective therapeutic agents. Given the close correlation between dysregulated intracellular K homeostasis and the progression of liver fibrosis, developing artificial K transporters mimicking the essential function of their natural counterparts in regulating intracellular K levels might offer an appealing yet unexplored treatment strategy. Here, we present an unconventional class of artificial K transporters involving the "motional" collaboration between two K transporter molecules.

The role of ursodeoxycholic acid on cholestatic hepatic fibrosis in infant rats.

The aim of the present study was to identify the impact of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) on liver function and fibrosis markers in infant rats by establishing a cholestatic‑induced hepatic fibrosis model. α‑naphthylisothiocyanate (ANIT) was administrated by gavage to induce cholestatic hepatic fibrosis in infant rats. UCDA treatment was performed to assess its impact on biochemical indicators of liver function, four serum biomarkers of hepatic fibrosis, hepatic fibrosis indices in liver tissues and the pathology of liver tissues.

Correlation of four potential biomarkers of liver fibrosis with liver function and grade of hepatic fibrosis in a neonatal cholestatic rat model.

The present study investigated the correlation between four serum biomarkers of liver fibrosis, liver function and pathological hepatic fibrosis grade in neonatal cholestatic rats. A total of 38 Sprague‑Dawley rats, aged 3 weeks, were randomly assigned to the experimental group (EG), control group (CG) and the blank control group (BCG). EG received intragastric administration of 1% α‑naphthylisothiocyanate, 75 mg/kg, to induce acute cholestasis liver injury, CG and BCG were set as control groups.

Correlation analysis between four serum biomarkers of liver fibrosis and liver function in infants with cholestasis.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the correlation between four serum biomarkers of liver fibrosis and liver function in infants with cholestasis. A total of 30 infants with cholestasis and 20 healthy infants were included in the study. Biochemical assays based on the initial rate method and colorimetric assays were conducted to determine the levels of liver function markers in the serum [such as alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total bilirubin (TBIL), direct bilirubin (DBIL), indirect bilirubin (IBIL), γ-glutamyl transferase (γ-GT), cholinesterase (CHE) and total bile acids (TBA)] and four serum biomarkers of liver fibrosis were measured using radioimmunoassays [hyaluronic acid (HA), procollagen type III (PCIII), laminin (LN) and collagen type IV (cIV)].

[Influence of intestinal dysbacteriosis on immune and hematopoietec function in mice].

Objective: To study the effects of intestinal microflora alteration on specific and nonspecific immune function and hematopoietic function of mice.

Methods: Sixty BALB/C mice were divided at random into two groups, experimental group and control group, with 30 mice in each. The mice in the experimental group were given kanamycin 50 mg while those in the control group were given distilled water intragastrically everyday for consecutive 10 days.