Publications by authors named "R Hernandez-Munoz"

Purinergic signaling has emerged as an important paracrine-autocrine intercellular system that regulates physiological and pathological processes in practically all organs of the body. Although this system has been thoroughly defined since the nineties, recent research has made substantial advances regarding its role in aspects of liver physiology. However, most studies have mainly targeted the entire organ, 70% of which is made up of parenchymal cells or hepatocytes.

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Introduction And Objectives: There are different situations in which an extrahepatic bile duct replacement or substitute is needed, such as initial and localized stages of bile duct cancer, agenesis, stenosis, or bile duct disruption.

Materials And Methods: A prosthesis obtained by electrospinning composed of Poly (D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PGLA) - Polycaprolactone (PCL) - Gelatin (Gel) was developed, mechanical and biological tests were carried out to evaluate resistance to tension, biocompatibility, biodegradability, cytotoxicity, morphological analysis and cell culture. The obtained prosthesis was placed in the extrahepatic bile duct of 15 pigs with a 2-year follow-up.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study investigates the combined toxicity of arsenic (As) and fluoride (F) in drinking water, focusing on their effects on the liver of offspring from exposed pregnant mice.
  • Results revealed that exposure to As and F significantly disrupted liver function, reducing levels of glutathione (GSH) and indicating increased oxidative stress and potential liver damage at early postnatal days.
  • While some recovery of GSH levels was noted with age, persistent issues such as reduced mitochondrial function and fibrotic liver damage highlight ongoing risks from exposure to these substances during critical developmental periods.
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Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) exhibits potent growth-inducing properties across various tissues, while epidermal growth factor (EGF) acts as a molecular integration point for diverse stimuli. HGF plays a crucial role in hepatic metabolism, tissue repair, and offers protective effects on epithelial and non-epithelial organs, in addition to its involvement in reducing apoptosis and inflammation, underscoring its anti-inflammatory capabilities. The HGF-Met system is instrumental in hepatic metabolism and enhancing insulin sensitivity in animal diabetes models.

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