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.

Subscribe to