Dysregulation of glutathione synthesis during cholestasis in mice: Molecular mechanisms and therapeutic implications

Heping Yang, Komal Ramani, Meng Xia, Kwang Suk Ko, Tony W.H. Li, Pilsoo Oh, Jiaping Li, Shelly C. Lu – 28 May 2009 – Glutathione (GSH) provides important antioxidant defense and regulates multiple critical processes including fibrogenesis. There are conflicting literature studies regarding changes in GSH during cholestasis. Here we examined changes in the GSH synthetic enzymes during bile duct ligation (BDL) in mice and how treatment with ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) and/or S‐adenosylmethionine (SAMe) affects the expression of these enzymes and liver injury.

Improved results of transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma: A report from the international registry of hepatic tumors in liver transplantation

Nicholas Onaca, Gary L. Davis, Linda W. Jennings, Robert M. Goldstein, Goran B. Klintmalm – 28 May 2009 – Improved outcome after liver transplantation (LTX) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) made LTX a legitimate treatment of the disease. We analyzed trends of LTX for HCC with tumors known before transplantation in 902 patients in a large international registry across 3 periods: 1983–1990, 1991–1996, and 1997–2005.

Human progenitor cells with high aldehyde dehydrogenase activity efficiently engraft into damaged liver in a novel model

Ping Zhou, Sara Hohm, Yetunde Olusanya, David A. Hess, Jan Nolta – 28 May 2009 – Human cord blood stem cells (hCBSCs) have been reported to generate hepatocyte‐like cells and thus hold promise for repairing damaged liver. However, the frequency of hCBSC‐derived hepatocytes varies tremendously between different studies, and it is still controversial as to whether hCBSC‐derived cells can transdifferentiate into hepatocytes or simply fuse to recipient hepatocytes.

Quality of life in adults with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: Baseline data from the nonalcoholic steatohepatitis clinical research network

Kristin David, Kris V. Kowdley, Aynur Unalp, Fasiha Kanwal, Elizabeth M. Brunt, Jeffrey B. Schwimmer, NASH CRN Research Group – 28 May 2009 – Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common chronic liver disease in the United States. The association between NAFLD and quality of life (QOL) remains unclear. These data are important to estimate the burden of illness in NAFLD. The aim was to report QOL scores of adults with NAFLD and examine the association between NAFLD severity and QOL.

Characterization of occult hepatitis B virus strains in south african blood donors

Jean‐Pierre Allain, Dalila Belkhiri, Marion Vermeulen, Robert Crookes, Russell Cable, Azin Amiri, Ravi Reddy, Arthur Bird, Daniel Candotti – 28 May 2009 – Since October 2005, all blood units collected in South Africa were screened individually for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)‐1, hepatitis B and C virus (HBV, HCV) genomes uncovering preseroconversion window period (WP) infections for each virus and occult HBV infections (OBIs) defined as persistent HBV DNA without detectable hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg).

A novel pregnane X receptor and S14‐mediated lipogenic pathway in human hepatocyte

Amélie Moreau, Christelle Téruel, Michel Beylot, Valérie Albalea, Viola Tamasi, Thierry Umbdenstock, Yannick Parmentier, Antonio Sa‐Cunha, Bertrand Suc, Jean‐Michel Fabre, Francis Navarro, Jeanne Ramos, Urs Meyer, Patrick Maurel, Marie‐José Vilarem, Jean‐Marc Pascussi – 28 May 2009 – The pregnane X receptor (PXR) initially isolated as a nuclear receptor regulating xenobiotic and drug metabolism and elimination, seems to play an endobiotic role by affecting lipid homeostasis. In mice, PXR affects lipid homeostasis and increases hepatic deposit of triglycerides.

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