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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Ursodeoxycholyl lysophosphatidylethanolamide improves steatosis and inflammation in murine models of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Anita Pathil, Jan Mueller, Arne Warth, Walee Chamulitrat, Wolfgang Stremmel – 20 December 2011 – Hepatic fat accumulation and changes in lipid composition are hallmarks of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). As an experimental approach for treatment of NAFLD, we synthesized the bile acid–phospholipid conjugate ursodeoxycholyl lysophosphatidylethanolamide (UDCA‐LPE). Previous work demonstrated profound hepatoprotective properties of the conjugate in vitro and in vivo. Here we investigated the effects of UDCA‐LPE in two nutritional mouse models of NAFLD.

S6 kinase 2 deficiency enhances ketone body production and increases peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor alpha activity in the liver

KyeongJin Kim, Suhkneung Pyo, Sung Hee Um – 20 December 2011 – Nutrient homeostasis is tightly regulated by the balance between energy production and utilization. During fasting, production of ketone bodies as an alternative energy source is critical to maintain nutrient homeostasis. An important component in the nutrient‐sensitive signaling pathway is S6 kinase 2 (S6K2), a downstream effector of mammalian target of rapamycin.

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