Expression of Fas (CD95/APO-1) and Fas ligand (FasL) in experimentally-induced acute pancreatitis.

Introduction: Acinar cell death is a crucial event in acute pancreatitis (AP) and may occur either by apoptosis or necrosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of the apoptosis associated proteins Fas and FasL in experimentally induced severe AP.

Methods: AP was induced in 30 rats by injecting 0.

Corticotropin-releasing hormone receptors mediate opposing effects in cholestasis-induced liver cell apoptosis.

CRH receptors are expressed in human and rat liver. The current study investigated the biological role of the CRH system in the hepatocellular apoptotic process and aimed to reveal the responsible molecular mechanisms. Using a rat experimental model of common bile duct surgical ligation leading to obstructive jaundice and cholestasis, liver apoptosis was induced in the hepatic parenchyma as confirmed by the elevated expression of the early apoptotic neoepitope M30.

Recombinant leptin administration improves early angiogenesis in full-thickness skin flaps: an experimental study.

Background: Leptin is a potent direct angiogenic factor that stimulates endothelial cell migration and activation in vitro, and angiogenesis in vivo. In addition, leptin seems to play an important role in angiogenesis as it promotes the formation of new blood vessels.

Objective: To determine the effect of local application of exogenous leptin on the survival of full thickness skin flaps in an experimental animal model.

Human leptin induces angiogenesis in vivo.

Leptin is an adipocyte-produced peptide, which plays a crucial role in the regulation of body weight. There is also evidence that leptin stimulates endothelial cell proliferation and the formation of capillary-like tubes in vitro. The disc angiogenesis system was used to measure the angiogenic effect of leptin in vivo.