Granulocyte‐colony stimulating factor induces proliferation of hepatic progenitors in alcoholic steatohepatitis: A randomized trial

Laurent Spahr, Jean‐François Lambert, Laura Rubbia‐Brandt, Yves Chalandon, Jean‐Louis Frossard, Emiliano Giostra, Antoine Hadengue – 20 June 2008 – Liver failure is the major cause of death in alcoholic steatohepatitis (ASH). In experimental hepatitis, granulocyte‐colony stimulating factor (G‐CSF) mobilizes hematopoietic stem cells, induces liver regeneration, and improves survival. We studied the short‐term effects of G‐CSF on CD34+ stem cell mobilization, liver cell proliferation, and liver function in patients with ASH.

Trends in mortality from hepatocellular carcinoma in Europe, 1980‐2004

Cristina Bosetti, Fabio Levi, Paolo Boffetta, Franca Lucchini, Eva Negri, Carlo La Vecchia – 20 June 2008 – Upward trends in mortality from hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) were recently reported in the United States and Japan. Comprehensive analyses of most recent data for European countries are not available. Age‐standardized (world standard) HCC rates per 100,000 (at all ages, at age 20‐44, and age 45‐59 years) were computed for 23 European countries over the period 1980‐2004 using data from the World Health Organization.

The molecular mechanism regulating 24‐hour rhythm of CYP2E1 expression in the mouse liver

Naoya Matsunaga, Misaki Ikeda, Takako Takiguchi, Satoru Koyanagi, Shigehiro Ohdo – 20 June 2008 – Cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) is clinically and toxicologically important and exhibits 24‐hour periodicity in its activity. In the present study, we investigated whether hepatic nuclear factor‐1α (HNF‐1α) and clock genes with a striking 24‐hour rhythm in mouse liver contributed to the 24‐hour regulation of CYP2E1 expression. The results demonstrated that the expression of CYP2E1 messenger RNA (mRNA) in the liver was affected by HNF‐1α and the circadian organization of molecular clocks.

Effects of satavaptan, a selective vasopressin V2 receptor antagonist, on ascites and serum sodium in cirrhosis with hyponatremia: A randomized trial

Pere Ginès, Florence Wong, Hugh Watson, Slobodan Milutinovic, Luis Ruiz del Arbol, Dan Olteanu, HypoCAT study investigators – 20 June 2008 – Hyponatremia in cirrhosis is associated with significant morbidity and mortality and complicates ascites management. Vasopressin receptor antagonists improve serum sodium concentration by increasing renal solute‐free water excretion, but their effects on the management of ascites have not been assessed.

Human leukocyte antigen class II associations with hepatitis C virus clearance and virus‐specific CD4 T cell response among Caucasians and African Americans

Rebecca A. Harris, Kazushi Sugimoto, David E. Kaplan, Fusao Ikeda, Malek Kamoun, Kyong‐Mi Chang – 20 June 2008 – The outcome of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has been associated with antiviral CD4 T cell response, human leukocyte antigens (HLA) class II genotypes, and ethnicity. However, HLA class II molecules restrict the nature of CD4 T cell response, and HLA distributions differ between ethnic groups.

Joint effects of coffee consumption and serum gamma‐glutamyltransferase on the risk of liver cancer

Gang Hu, Jaakko Tuomilehto, Eero Pukkala, Timo Hakulinen, Riitta Antikainen, Erkki Vartiainen, Pekka Jousilahti – 20 June 2008 – Only three Japanese prospective studies have suggested an inverse association between coffee drinking and liver cancer risk. No prospective studies on the association between serum gamma‐glutamyltransferase (GGT) and liver cancer risk have been reported. We aimed to determine the single and joint associations of coffee consumption and serum GGT with the risk of primary liver cancer.

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