A cell‐permeable hairpin peptide inhibits hepatitis C viral nonstructural protein 5A–mediated translation and virus production

Ronik Khachatoorian, Vaithilingaraja Arumugaswami, Piotr Ruchala, Santanu Raychaudhuri, Eden M. Maloney, Edna Miao, Asim Dasgupta, Samuel W. French – 20 December 2011 – NS5A is a key regulator of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) life cycle including RNA replication, assembly, and translation. We and others have shown that NS5A augments HCV internal ribosomal entry site (IRES)‐mediated translation. Furthermore, Quercetin treatment and heat shock protein (HSP) 70 knockdown inhibit the NS5A‐driven augmentation of IRES‐mediated translation and infectious virus production.

Probability of C282Y homozygosity decreases as liver transaminase activities increase in participants with hyperferritinemia in the hemochromatosis and iron overload screening study

Paul C. Adams, Mark Speechley, James C. Barton, Christine E. McLaren, Gordon D. McLaren, John H. Eckfeldt – 20 December 2011 – Hemochromatosis is considered by many to be an uncommon disorder, although the prevalence of HFE (High Iron) 282 Cys → Tyr (C282Y) homozygosity is relatively high in Caucasians. Liver disease is one of the most consistent findings in advanced iron overload resulting from hemochromatosis. Liver clinics are often thought to be ideal venues for diagnosis of hemochromatosis, but diagnosis rates are often low.

Prevalence and risk factors of infections by multiresistant bacteria in cirrhosis: A prospective study

Javier Fernández, Juan Acevedo, Miriam Castro, Orlando Garcia, Carlos Rodríguez de Lope, Daria Roca, Marco Pavesi, Elsa Sola, Leticia Moreira, Anibal Silva, Tiago Seva‐Pereira, Francesco Corradi, Jose Mensa, Pere Ginès, Vicente Arroyo – 20 December 2011 – Epidemiology, risk factors, and clinical effect of infections by multiresistant bacteria in cirrhosis are poorly known. This work was a prospective evaluation in two series of cirrhotic patients admitted with infection or developing infection during hospitalization.

Effect of adipose tissue insulin resistance on metabolic parameters and liver histology in obese patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Romina Lomonaco, Carolina Ortiz‐Lopez, Beverly Orsak, Amy Webb, Jean Hardies, Celia Darland, Joan Finch, Amalia Gastaldelli, Stephen Harrison, Fermin Tio, Kenneth Cusi – 20 December 2011 – The role of adipose tissue insulin resistance in the pathogenesis of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) remains unclear.

Outcomes of curative treatment for hepatocellular cancer in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis versus hepatitis C and alcoholic liver disease

Srinevas K. Reddy, Jennifer L. Steel, Hui‐Wei Chen, David J. DeMateo, Jon Cardinal, Jaideep Behari, Abhinav Humar, J. Wallis Marsh, David A. Geller, Allan Tsung – 20 December 2011 – Concomitant increasing incidences of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) suggest that a substantial proportion of HCC arises as a result of hepatocellular injury from NASH.

Hepatic endothelin‐1 and endocannabinoids‐dependent effects of hyperleptinemia in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis‐cirrhotic rats

Ying‐Ying Yang, Tung‐Hu Tsai, Yi‐Tsau Huang, Tzung‐Yan Lee, Che‐Chang Chan, Kuei‐Chuan Lee, Han‐Chieh Lin – 20 December 2011 – Leptin, the ob gene product, is a protein released from adipocytes and has been detected in fibrotic and cirrhotic livers. Leptin in brain has an inhibitory effect on food intake. Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is characterized by hyperleptinemia. This study explores the possible mechanisms of hyperleptinemia in relation to increased intrahepatic resistance (IHR) and portal hypertension in NASH cirrhotic rats.

Suppression of interferon‐α signaling by hepatitis E virus

Chen Dong, Mohammad Zafrullah, Tonya Mixson‐Hayden, Xing Dai, Jiuhong Liang, Jihong Meng, Saleem Kamili – 20 December 2011 – The interferon (IFN) system is integral to the host response against viruses, and many viruses have developed strategies to overcome its antiviral effects. The effects of hepatitis E virus (HEV), the causative agent of hepatitis E, on IFN signaling have not been investigated primarily because of the nonavailability of an efficient in vitro culture system or small animal models of infection.

Retinoic acid receptor–related orphan receptor α–induced activation of adenosine monophosphate–activated protein kinase results in attenuation of hepatic steatosis

Eun‐Jin Kim, Young‐Sil Yoon, Suckchang Hong, Ho‐Young Son, Tae‐Young Na, Min‐Ho Lee, Hyun‐Jin Kang, Jinyoung Park, Won‐Jea Cho, Sang‐Gun Kim, Seung‐Hoi Koo, Hyeung‐geun Park, Mi‐Ock Lee – 20 December 2011 – There is increasing evidence that the retinoic acid receptor–related orphan receptor α (RORα) plays an important role in the regulation of metabolic pathways, particularly of fatty acid and cholesterol metabolism; however, the role of RORα in the regulation of hepatic lipogenesis has not been studied.

Subscribe to