C‐reactive protein impairs hepatic insulin sensitivity and insulin signaling in rats: Role of mitogen‐activated protein kinases

Liang Xi, Changting Xiao, Robert H.J. Bandsma, Mark Naples, Khosrow Adeli, Gary F. Lewis – 24 September 2010 – Plasma C‐reactive protein (CRP) concentration is increased in the metabolic syndrome, which consists of a cluster of cardiovascular disease risk factors, including insulin resistance. It is not known, however, whether CRP is merely a marker of accompanying inflammation or whether it contributes causally to insulin resistance. The objective of this study is to investigate the role that CRP may play in the development of insulin resistance.

Tumor necrosis factor α sensitizes primary murine hepatocytes to Fas/CD95‐induced apoptosis in a Bim‐ and Bid‐dependent manner

Kathrin Schmich, Rebekka Schlatter, Nadia Corazza, Karine Sá Ferreira, Michael Ederer, Thomas Brunner, Christoph Borner, Irmgard Merfort – 24 September 2010 – Fas/CD95 is a critical mediator of cell death in many chronic and acute liver diseases and induces apoptosis in primary hepatocytes in vitro. In contrast, the proinflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) fails to provoke cell death in isolated hepatocytes but has been implicated in hepatocyte apoptosis during liver diseases associated with chronic inflammation.

Olprinone attenuates excessive shear stress through up‐regulation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase in a rat excessive hepatectomy model

Kenya Yamanaka, Etsuro Hatano, Masato Narita, Koji Kitamura, Atsuko Yanagida, Hiroyuki Asechi, Hiromitsu Nagata, Kojiro Taura, Takashi Nitta, Shinji Uemoto – 21 September 2010 – After extended hepatectomy, excessive shear stress in the remnant liver causes postoperative liver failure. Olprinone (OLP), a selective phosphodiesterase inhibitor, has been reported to improve microcirculation and attenuate inflammation. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of OLP on shear stress in rats with an excessive hepatectomy (EHx) model.

Bile duct anastomotic stricture after adult‐to‐adult right lobe living donor liver transplantation

Kenneth Siu Ho Chok, See Ching Chan, Tan To Cheung, William Wei Sharr, Albert Chi Yan Chan, Chung Mau Lo, Sheung Tat Fan – 21 September 2010 – Duct‐to‐duct anastomosis (DDA) and hepaticojejunostomy (HJ) are options for biliary reconstruction in patients undergoing adult‐to‐adult right lobe living donor liver transplantation (ARLDLT), after which biliary anastomotic stricture (BAS) is common as a complication. The risk factors for BAS are not clearly defined. We aimed to determine the rate of post‐ARLDLT BAS in our center and its associated factors.

Transforming growth factor β1 polymorphisms and progression of graft fibrosis after liver transplantation for hepatitis C virus–‐induced liver disease

Dennis Eurich, Marcus Bahra, Sabine Boas‐Knoop, Johan F. Lock, Jennifer Golembus, Ruth Neuhaus, Peter Neuhaus, Ulf P. Neumann – 21 September 2010 – Re‐infection with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) is an important development after liver transplantation (LT); it can lead to graft fibrosis. The aim of this study was to assess the role of transforming growth factor β1 (TGF‐β1) polymorphisms in the development of HCV‐related graft disease by evaluating protocol liver biopsies.

Evolution of inflammation in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: The multiple parallel hits hypothesis

Herbert Tilg, Alexander R. Moschen – 20 September 2010 – Whereas in most cases a fatty liver remains free of inflammation, 10%‐20% of patients who have fatty liver develop inflammation and fibrosis (nonalcoholic steatohepatitis [NASH]). Inflammation may precede steatosis in certain instances. Therefore, NASH could reflect a disease where inflammation is followed by steatosis. In contrast, NASH subsequent to simple steatosis may be the consequence of a failure of antilipotoxic protection.

Lupeol targets liver tumor‐initiating cells through phosphatase and tensin homolog modulation

Terence Kin Wah Lee, Antonia Castilho, Vincent Chi Ho Cheung, Kwan Ho Tang, Stephanie Ma, Irene Oi Lin Ng – 20 September 2010 – Liver tumor‐initiating cells (T‐ICs) are capable of self‐renewal and tumor initiation and are more chemoresistant to chemotherapeutic drugs. The current therapeutic strategies for targeting stem cell self‐renewal pathways therefore represent rational approaches for cancer prevention and treatment.

Osteopontin is induced by hedgehog pathway activation and promotes fibrosis progression in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis

Wing‐Kin Syn, Steve S. Choi, Evaggelia Liaskou, Gamze F. Karaca, Kolade M. Agboola, Ye Htun Oo, Zhiyong Mi, Thiago A. Pereira, Marzena Zdanowicz, Padmini Malladi, Yuping Chen, Cynthia Moylan, Youngmi Jung, Syamal D. Bhattacharya, Vanessa Teaberry, Alessia Omenetti, Manal F. Abdelmalek, Cynthia D. Guy, David H. Adams, Paul C. Kuo, Gregory A. Michelotti, Peter F. Whitington, Anna Mae Diehl – 20 September 2010 – Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a leading cause of cirrhosis. Recently, we showed that NASH‐related cirrhosis is associated with Hedgehog (Hh) pathway activation.

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