Inhibition of glucagon improves splanchnic hyporesponse to terlipressin in cirrhotic rats with blood retention in the gastric lumen.

Background/aims: Portal hypotensive effect of terlipressin is less effective when given during hemorrhage than in stable state. Blood retention in the stomach can induce splanchnic hyperemia which is mainly a consequence of an increased glucagon release. This study was undertaken to evaluate whether gastric blood retention contributes to the splanchnic hyporesponse to terlipressin.

Vascular contractile response and signal transduction in endothelium-denuded aorta from cirrhotic rats.

Aim: The mechanism of decreased vascular reactivity to vasoconstrictors in portal hypertension is still unclear. In addition to nitric oxide, defects in post-receptor signal transduction pathway have been suggested to play a role. However, substantial evidences observed equivocal changes of vascular reactivity following different agonists that challenged the hypothesis of the post-receptor defect.

Acute administration of carvedilol is more effective than propranolol plus isosorbide-5-mononitrate in the reduction of portal pressure in patients with viral cirrhosis.

Objective: Propranolol is known to decrease portal pressure in cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension; however, a substantial number of patients do not respond to propranolol administration. The addition of isosorbide-5-mononitrate may enhance portal pressure reduction in patients receiving propranolol. Carvedilol is a nonselective beta-blocker with alpha(1)-adrenergic blocking activity.

Plasma erythropoietin level in patients with cirrhosis and its relationship to the severity of cirrhosis and renal function.

Background And Aim: The level of plasma erythropoietin (EPO) in patients with cirrhosis is controversial. It is known that overproduction of nitric oxide (NO) plays, in part, a role for the development of peripheral arterial vasodilatation in cirrhosis with portal hypertension. It has also been hypothesized that a possible interaction is noted between endogenous EPO and NO production.

Good response to hepatic arterial chemoembolization in a patient with primary neuroendocrine tumor of the liver.

A primary neuroendocrine tumor without endocrine symptoms was reported on a 64-year-old woman. Despite of intensive survey, no other primary source of the tumor was found. Contrasted-enhanced computed tomography (CT) showed three nodules in both lobes.

Effect of 1-week losartan administration on bile duct-ligated cirrhotic rats with portal hypertension.

Background/aims: Nitric oxide and angiotensin play important roles in the pathogenesis of the hemodynamic derangement in cirrhosis and portal hypertension. The hemodynamic effects of losartan, an angiotensin II type 1 receptor antagonist, in cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension are conflicting. This study was undertaken to explore the possible mechanism of action of losartan on portal hypertension in cirrhotic rats produced by bile duct ligation (CBL).

One-week losartan administration increases sodium excretion in cirrhotic patients with and without ascites.

Background: Losartan, a highly selective angiotensin II type 1 receptor antagonist, has been reported to have a significant portal hypotensive effect in cirrhotic patients. A recent study also showed that losartan exerted a dramatic natriuretic effect in preascitic cirrhosis. The influence of losartan on renal hemodynamics and sodium homeostasis in cirrhotic patients with ascites is unclear.