Modeling the impact of partial hepatectomy on the hepatic hemodynamics using a rat model.

Due to the growing shortage of donor livers, more patients are waiting for transplantation. Living donor liver transplantation may help expanding the donor pool, but is often confronted with the small-for-size syndrome. Since the hemodynamic effects of partial hepatectomy are not fully understood, we developed an electrical rat liver model to compare normal with resected liver hemodynamics.

Determination of Residual Antibiotics in Cryopreserved Heart Valve Allografts.

INTRODUCTION: Cardiovascular allografts are systematically incubated in antibiotics for their decontamination, and the antibiotics are removed before allograft implantation. We studied the occurrence of antibiotic residues in allograft valves. MATHODS: 12 experimental allografts were analyzed in this study.

Evaluation of decontamination process of heart valve and artery tissues in European Homograft Bank (EHB): a retrospective study of 1,055 cases.

To evaluate the efficiency of decontamination practice in European Homograft Bank (EHB), the data of the cardiovascular tissues received during recent 2 years were retrospectively analysed in this study. After initial assessment, the tissues were incubated in a 3-antibiotics' cocktail at 4°C for 20-48 h. The states of contamination were evaluated before and after incubation with the focus on the differences in donor type, tissue type, germ type and incubation time.

Expression of placental growth factor in regenerating livers after partial hepatectomy in the rat.

Background/aims: Placental growth factor (PlGF) is known for its role in pathological conditions to protect parenchymal cells of different organs from injury, whereas its presence in the liver and its potential importance in stimulating liver regeneration has never been described. This was investigated in this study using a rat model of partial hepatectomy (PH).

Methods: The rat model of 70, 80, and 90% PH was used.

Increased glucocorticoid receptor expression and activity mediate the LPS resistance of SPRET/EI mice.

SPRET/Ei mice are extremely resistant to acute LPS-induced lethal inflammation when compared with C57BL/6. We found that in vivo SPRET/Ei mice exhibit strongly reduced expression levels of cytokines and chemokines. To investigate the role of the potent anti-inflammatory glucocorticoid receptor (GR) in the SPRET/Ei phenotype, mice were treated with the GR antagonist RU486 or bilateral adrenalectomy.

Alteration of N-glycome in diethylnitrosamine-induced hepatocellular carcinoma mice: a non-invasive monitoring tool for liver cancer.

Background And Aims: There is a demand for serum markers that can routinely assess the progression of liver cancer. DENA (diethylnitrosamine), a hepatocarcinogen, is commonly used in an experimental mouse model to induce liver cancer that closely mimics a subclass of human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, blood monitoring of the progression of HCC in mouse model has not yet been achieved.

Over-expression of heat shock protein 70 in mice is associated with growth retardation, tumor formation, and early death.

Experiments in lower organisms, such as worms and flies, indicate that the molecular chaperone protein heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) is a longevity factor. In contrast, we demonstrate here that mice overexpressing HSP70 display growth retardation and early death. HSP70 transgenic mice displayed increased levels of serum corticosterone and weaker expression and activity of the glucocorticoid receptor in the liver.

Rating of CCl(4)-induced rat liver fibrosis by blood serum glycomics.

Background: Non-invasive staging of human liver fibrosis is a desirable objective that remains under extensive evaluation. Animal model systems are often used for studying human liver disease and screening antifibrotic compounds. The aim of the present study was to investigate the potential use of serum N-glycan profiles to evaluate liver fibrosis in a rat model.

Effects of portal vein arterialization on liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy in the rat.

Although portal venous supply is considered essential to preserve hepatic integrity, in this study, effects of portal arterialization on liver regeneration were evaluated in a rat model of partial hepatectomy (PH). Ninety-six Lewis rats were randomly assigned to four groups of 24 rats each: PH only (group 1), PH with either venous or arterialized portal supply (groups 2 and 3, respectively), and PH without portal supply (group 4). Liver regeneration rate (LRR), 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine (BrdU) labeling index, and liver biological characteristics were assessed on days 1, 2, 3, and 7.