摘要:

Abstract:To determine the role of telomere‐mediated gene stability in hepatocarcinogenesis, we examined the telomere length of human liver with or without chronic liver diseases and hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC). The mean telomere restriction fragment (TRF) length of normal liver (n=13), chronic hepatitis (n=11), liver cirrhosis (n=24) and HCC (n=24) was 7.8±0.2, 7.1±0.3, 6.4±0.2 and 5.2±0.2 kb, respectively (mean±standard error). TRF length decreased with a progression of chronic liver diseases and that in HCC was significantly shorter than that in other chronic liver diseases (p<0.05). The ratios of TRF length of HCC to that of corresponding surrounding liver of well differentiated (n=7), moderately differentiated (n=10) and poorly differentiated (n=4) HCCs were 0.83±0.06, 0.75±0.05 and 0.98±0.09, respectively. The ratio of poorly differentiated HCC was significantly higher than that of moderately differentiated HCC (p<0.05). A comparison between the size and telomere length ratio of moderately differentiated HCCs revealed a decrease of the ratio with size until it reached 50 mm in diameter. In contrast, the ratio increased as the size enlarged over 50 mm. These findings suggest that the gene stability of the liver cells mediated by the telomere is reduced as chronic liver disease progresses and that telomerase is activated in poorly differentiated HCC and moderately differentiated HCC over 50 mm in

ISSN:0106-9543    

DOI:10.1111/j.1600-0676.1996.tb00748.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1996

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

Abstract:The liver of adult rats with cholestasis secondary to bile duct resection has been shown to express the proenkephalin gene and, by immunohistochemical stains, to contain met‐enkephalin. To further study hepatic opioids in cholestasis, concentrations of proenkephalin‐derived endogenous opioids were measured in a rat model of cholestasis by the use of radioimmunoassays. The specificity of the immunoreactivity detected by the assays was confirmed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). In adult male rats with cholestasis due to BDR, the concentrations of three proenkephalin‐derived opioid peptides were increased. Specifically, the mean hepatic concentrations of met‐enkephalin, Met‐Enk‐Arg6‐Phe7and leu‐enkephalin were 2.5 (p<0.005), 2.1 (p<0.005) and 2.5 (p<0.01) fold higher than the corresponding mean for controls. These findings provide further independent evidence that opioid peptides accumulate in the liver in a model of cholestasis and are consistent withde novosynthesis of opioid peptides occurring in the cholestatic liver. This phenomenon may have relevance to the altered function of the opioid system in cholestasis and to the role of the liver as a neuro

ISSN:0106-9543    

DOI:10.1111/j.1600-0676.1996.tb00749.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1996

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

Abstract:Diagnosis of liver cirrhosis relies on hepatic biopsy. So far, attempts have failed to achieve a serologic test that differentiates cirrhosis from other hepatic conditions. The aim of this work was to assess the diagnostic value of the ratio of serum angiotensin converting enzyme activity (SACE) and the levels of protein C4 of serum complement (SACE/C4) in differentiating cirrhotic from noncirrhotic alcoholic liver diseases. In this study, 68 active alcoholic patients (17 with fatty liver or minimal changes, 11 with acute alcoholic hepatitis and 40 with cirrhosis) were included. Twenty healthy subjects were studied as a control group. Liver biopsy was performed in all patients. SACE levels were significantly higher in the group with cirrhosis when compared with the group of patients without cirrhosis and the control. On the other hand, serum C4 level decreased as liver damage progressed. SACE values above 25 IU/1 had a sensitivity of 92.5 percent (95 percent confidence interval, 87.5 to 97.5) and a specificity of 79 percent (95% percent confidence interval, 70.5 to 87.5), in detecting those patients with liver cirrhosis. The sensitivity further increased to 95 percent (95 percent confidence interval, 90.5 to 99.5) and the specificity to 100 percent when the SACE/C4 ratio was used and a cutoff point of 145 was chosen. To conclude, in alcoholics SACE is specifically elevated in patients with cirrhosis, and the SACE/C4 ratio is a excellent biochemical index for the diagnosis of cirrhosis in alcoholic patients.

ISSN:0106-9543    

DOI:10.1111/j.1600-0676.1996.tb00750.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1996

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

Abstract:Although hepatic schistosomiasis is a common cause of portal hypertension, only a few hemodynamic studies, in humans, have been published on this subject. The aim of this study was to determine the systemic and splanchnic hemodynamic changes in hepatic schistosomiasis and to evaluate the influence of liver fibrosis on these changes. A retrospective analysis of a series of 13 patients with hepatic schistosomiasis who had undergone hemodynamic studies was performed. Portal or perisinusoidal fibrosis was present at liver biopsy in 8 patients. The control group included 22 patients with chronic hepatitis and normal hepatic venous pressure gradients. Patients with schistosomiasis exhibited high cardiac index (4.11±1.15 1 · min‐1· m‐2vs 2.99±0.85 1 · min‐1· m‐2;p<0.05) and low systemic vascular resistance (1039±316 dyn · s · cm‐5vs 1334±336 dyn · cm‐5;p<0.05). The hepatic venous pressure gradient and hepatic blood flow were normal. Azygos blood flow was markedly increased (0.90±0.66 1 · min‐1vs 0.13±0.04 1 · min‐1;p<0.05). Hemodynamic values were not significantly different between patients with liver fibrosis and those without fibrosis at liver biopsy. In conclusion, patients with hepatic schistosomiasis had a hyperkinetic systemic and splanchnic circulation. In patients with esophageal varices, a normal hepatic venous pressure gradient confirmed presinusoidal portal hypertension. The presence of portal or perisinusoidal fibrosis did not influence

ISSN:0106-9543    

DOI:10.1111/j.1600-0676.1996.tb00751.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1996

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

Abstract:A method to isolate and cultivate macrophages from macronodular‐cirrhotic rat livers was developed in order to characterize them biochemically, by comparing various functional parameters in macrophage cell cultures from controls and cirrhotic livers. Cells were prepared from female Wistar rats, made cirrhotic by treatment with thioacetamide, by means of a pronase‐collagenase digestion method followed by a nycodenz gradient and elutriation. The yield of macrophages was 8.9×106cells/g for controls and 10.6×106cells/g for cirrhotic livers. The vitality of the cells was>95%. Forty‐eight hours after cultivation, the purity of the cell fractions amounted to 94% and 91% in controls and in the experimental group, respectively. Nitric oxide synthesis was more markedly stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in cultures from cirrhotic livers than in those from controls (25×4 vs 5.8×1 nmol/106cells/72 hours). Interferon‐gamma (IFN‐γ) induced the nitric oxide synthase more rapidly in macrophage cultures from cirrhotic livers than in controls. The production of superoxide anions by macrophages from cirrhotic livers stimulated by zymosan was significantly lower by about 40% when compared with the controls. Incorporation of3H‐thymidine was increased to 250% in cultivated macrophages from thioacetamide‐treated rats in comparison with macrophages from untreated animals. The stimulated phagocytic activity of cultivated macrophages from cirrhotic livers did not differ significantly from that of the controls. The data presented provide evidence that it is possible to isolate and to cultivate macrophages from macronodular‐cirrhotic livers with high yield and vitality. They are characterized by enhanced proliferation, reduced formation of superoxide anions, and increased produc

ISSN:0106-9543    

DOI:10.1111/j.1600-0676.1996.tb00752.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1996

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

Abstract:Glycine‐conjugated, dihydroxy bile salts inhibit calcium hydroxyapatite (HAP) formation by binding to and poisoning nascent crystal embryos. Their taurine‐conjugated counterparts bind less well to hydroxyapatite and do not inhibit its formation; but more hydrophobic, synthetic analogs of the taurine conjugated bile salts are inhibitors of hydroxyapatite formation. Because hydrophobicity is an important determinant of the ability of bile salts to inhibit hydroxyapatite crystal growth, experiments were performed to study the effect of the physiologically important mixed micelles of bile salt and phospholipid. Taurodeoxycholate/phosphatidylcholine (10:1) mixed micelles bound to HAP at lower total lipid concentrations than did pure taurodeoxycholate. At low total lipid concentrations, phosphatidylcholine (PC) binding appeared to predominate, suggesting that PC had a higher affinity than did taurodeoxycholate (TDC) for the HAP surface. Although glycodeoxycholate (3 mM) significantly (>95%) inhibited hydroxyapatite precipitation, higher concentrations of taurodeoxycholate, either alone or mixed with phosphatidylcholine, did not affect hydroxyapatite formation. These results suggest that biliary phospholipids do not modulate the ability of bile salts to inhibit hydroxyapatite crystal gro

ISSN:0106-9543    

DOI:10.1111/j.1600-0676.1996.tb00753.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1996

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

Abstract:A deterioration of liver function may occur during pregnancy in patients with chronic liver disorder. Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a chronic progressive liver disorder with a highly variable and fluctuating course. This study aims at investigating the outcome of pregnancy in patients with PSC and, conversly, the effect of pregnancy on the disease. Thirteen pregnancies in 10 patients with PSC (4 with liver cirrhosis, 6 with mild liver disease) were observed. Seven patients had PSC before pregnancy, 2 developed the disease during pregnancy, and one patient developed PSC 2 months after a normal pregnancy with a normal delivery. Clinical symptoms and biochemical analyses were routinely evaluated during the pregnancy. No gastrointestinal haemorrhage was observed during the pregnancy. Two patients had pruritus and 2 abdominal pain before pregnancy, and these symptoms continued during pregnancy. Abdominal pain was noted in 3 patients lacking this symptom before pregnancy. Four patients without pruritus prior to pregnancy developed this symptom during the pregnancy. In two patients, pruritus was so intense as to bring on premature delivery. Liver tests did not indicate any deterioration during pregnancy. No fetal loss occured. The outcome for all babies was normal. In patients with PSC pregnancy does not seem to have a negative effect on the disease process, neither mothers nor babies showed any ill effects. PSC has not worsened during the pregnancy in our patients.

ISSN:0106-9543    

DOI:10.1111/j.1600-0676.1996.tb00754.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1996

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

Abstract:There have been few prospective studies of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection after needlestick accidents in hospital employees. In the present study, the prevalence and features of HCV infection after needlestick accidents were evaluated prospectively measuring serum HCV‐RNA. Subjects were 56 employees who had HCV needlestick accidents. To monitor the development of hepatitis, the serum ALT levels and HCV‐related seromarkers, such as first generation anti‐HCV (RIA), second generation anti‐HCV (PHA) and HCV‐RNA (RT‐PCR) were measured every month for at least 12 months after the accidents. Three of 56 (5.4%) recipients developed HCV infection. HCV‐RNA was detected in all three recipients within 4 months after the exposure, and second‐generation HCV antibody was detected in two of three recipients. The detection of HCV‐RNA was earlier than that of HCV antibody. Two of three HCV‐infected recipients developed type C acute hepatitis and one of two received interferon therapy; however, the other case received no medication. The detection of HCV‐related seromarkers and the elevation of ALT levels were transient in these three recipients; thus, none developed chronic hepatitis. In conclusion, HCV infection developed in 5.4% of recipients within 4 months after HCV accidents. All of these HCV‐infected recipients showed fair prognosis. HCV‐RNA was a beneficial parameter for early d

ISSN:0106-9543    

DOI:10.1111/j.1600-0676.1996.tb00755.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1996

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

Abstract:We report the case of a young patient who presented two self‐limited episodes of acute jaundice that developed immediately following a long distance run. Zone 3 necrosis was the most prominent histologic change of the liver during the second episode. The diagnosis of heatstroke with liver damage was based on the exclusion of known causes of acute hepatitis, the histopathologic changes and the circumstances preceding the onset of liver disease. This seems to be the first case of severe and recurrent liver impairment due to heatstrok

ISSN:0106-9543    

DOI:10.1111/j.1600-0676.1996.tb00756.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1996

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

Abstract:We report the case of a patient admitted for acute heart failure associated with severe dilated cardiomyopathy in whom a large hepatic tumor of the right lobe of the liver was incidentally discovered. A fine needle biopsy was performed that led to the diagnosis of angiomyo(myelo)‐lipoma (AMML). The difficulties in radiological diagnosis of these very rare heterogeneous benign tumors of the liver and the interest of fine needle aspiration biopsy are discusse

ISSN:0106-9543    

DOI:10.1111/j.1600-0676.1996.tb00757.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1996

数据来源: WILEY