Soluble CD14 is essential for lipopolysaccharide-dependent activation of human intestinal mast cells from macroscopically normal as well as Crohn's disease tissue.

Mast cells are now considered sentinels in immunity. Given their location underneath the gastrointestinal barrier, mast cells are entrusted with the task of tolerating commensal microorganisms and eliminating potential pathogens in the gut microbiota. The aim of our study was to analyse the responsiveness of mast cells isolated from macroscopically normal and Crohn's disease-affected intestine to lipopolysaccharide (LPS).

Bifidobacterium adolescentis protects from the development of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis in a mouse model.

To investigate the hypothesis that an oral supplementation of Bifidobacterium adolescentis protects against a diet-induced nonalcoholic steatohepatitis in a mouse model, C57BL/6 mice were fed either a Western-style or a control diet±tap water fortified with B. adolescentis (5×10(7) cfu/ml) ad libitum for 12 weeks. Mice fed a Western-style diet gained significantly more weight than mice fed a control diet and developed a mild steatohepatitis.

Dmbt1 does not affect a Western style diet-induced liver damage in mice.

In the last three decades the prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease has markedly increased. Results from epidemiologic studies indicate that not only a general overnutrition but rather a diet rich in sugar, fat and cholesterol (= Western style diet) maybe a risk factor for the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Concerning liver diseases, it is known that Deleted in malignant brain tumors 1 is amongst others related to liver injury and repair.