p75 neurotrophin receptor signaling regulates hepatic myofibroblast proliferation and apoptosis in recovery from rodent liver fibrosis

Timothy J. Kendall, Selina Hennedige, Rebecca L. Aucott, Stephen N. Hartland, Madeleine A. Vernon, R. Christopher Benyon, John P. Iredale – 24 February 2009 – Hepatic myofibroblast apoptosis is critical to resolution of liver fibrosis. We show that human hepatic myofibroblasts co‐express p75NTR (p75 neurotrophin receptor) and sortilin, thus facilitating differential responses to mature and pro nerve growth factor (proNGF). Although mature NGF is proapoptotic, proNGF protects human hepatic myofibroblasts from apoptosis.

Synergism between smoking and alcohol consumption with respect to serum gamma‐glutamyltransferase

Lutz Philipp Breitling, Elke Raum, Heiko Müller, Dietrich Rothenbacher, Hermann Brenner – 24 February 2009 – There is increasing evidence that serum levels of the liver enzyme gamma‐glutamyltransferase (γ‐GT) are an important predictor of incidence and mortality of various diseases. Apart from alcohol consumption, body mass index and smoking have been found to be associated with serum levels, but little is known about potential interactions of these factors.

Graft fibrosis after pediatric liver transplantation: Ten years of follow‐up

Rene Scheenstra, Paul M.G.J. Peeters, Henkjan J. Verkade, Annette S. H. Gouw – 24 February 2009 – Previously we reported the presence of portal fibrosis in 31% (n = 84) of the grafts in protocol biopsies 1 year after pediatric liver transplantation (LTx). To assess the natural history of graft fibrosis after pediatric liver transplantation, we extended the analysis of graft histology in follow‐up protocol biopsy specimens obtained 5 and 10 years after transplantation.

VSL#3 probiotic treatment attenuates fibrosis without changes in steatohepatitis in a diet‐induced nonalcoholic steatohepatitis model in mice

Arumugam Velayudham, Angela Dolganiuc, Michael Ellis, Jan Petrasek, Karen Kodys, Pranoti Mandrekar, Gyongyi Szabo – 24 February 2009 – Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and its advanced stage, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), are the most common causes of chronic liver disease in the United States. NASH features the metabolic syndrome, inflammation, and fibrosis. Probiotics exhibit immunoregulatory and anti‐inflammatory activity. We tested the hypothesis that probiotic VSL#3 may ameliorate the methionine‐choline‐deficient (MCD) diet–induced mouse model of NASH.

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