The downstream financial effect of hepatology

Stanley Martin Cohen, Sushama Gundlapalli, Ami R. Shah, Tricia J. Johnson, John A. Rechner, Donald M. Jensen – 19 April 2005 – As a more consultative but less procedurally oriented specialty, Hepatology has been considered a financial liability in some academic centers. However, no actual data exist on the relative contribution of a Hepatology practice. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the direct and indirect (i.e., downstream effect) charges generated by a Hepatology section in comparison with a Gastroenterology section.

Anandamide induces necrosis in primary hepatic stellate cells

Sören V. Siegmund, Hiroshi Uchinami, Yosuke Osawa, David A. Brenner, Robert F. Schwabe – 19 April 2005 – The endogenous cannabinoid anandamide (AEA) is a lipid mediator that blocks proliferation and induces apoptosis in many cell types. Although AEA levels are elevated in liver fibrosis, its role in fibrogenesis remains unclear. This study investigated effects of AEA in primary hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). Anandamide blocked HSC proliferation at concentrations of 1 to 10 μmol/L but did not affect HSC proliferation or activation at nanomolar concentrations.

Hyperhomocysteinemia and the MTHFR C677T polymorphism promote steatosis and fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C patients

Luigi E. Adinolfi, Diego Ingrosso, Giuseppe Cesaro, Amelia Cimmino, Maria D'Antò, Rosanna Capasso, Vincenzo Zappia, Giuseppe Ruggiero – 19 April 2005 – The factors and mechanisms implicated in the development of hepatitis C virus (HCV)‐related steatosis are unknown. Hyperhomocysteinemia causes steatosis, and the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T polymorphism induces hyperhomocysteinemia. We investigated the role of these factors in the development of HCV‐related steatosis and in the progression of chronic hepatitis C (CHC).

Iron‐ and inflammation‐induced hepcidin gene expression in mice is not mediated by Kupffer cells in vivo

Dan‐Qing Lou, Jeanne‐Claire Lesbordes, Gaël Nicolas, Lydie Viatte, Myriam Bennoun, Nico Van Rooijen, Axel Kahn, Laurent Renia, Sophie Vaulont – 19 April 2005 – Hepcidin, a recently discovered iron regulatory peptide, is believed to inhibit the release of iron from absorptive enterocytes and macrophages. Liver hepcidin synthesis is induced in vivo by iron stores and inflammation. The molecular basis of the regulation of hepcidin gene expression by these effectors in hepatocytes is currently unknown, although there is strong evidence that indirect mechanisms are involved.

Secretin activation of the apical Na+‐dependent bile acid transporter is associated with cholehepatic shunting in rats

Gianfranco Alpini, Shannon Glaser, Leonardo Baiocchi, Heather Francis, Xuefeng Xia, Gene LeSage – 19 April 2005 – The role of the cholangiocyte apical Na+‐dependent bile acid transporter (ASBT) in bile formation is unknown. Bile acid absorption by bile ducts results in cholehepatic shunting, a pathway that amplifies the canalicular osmotic effects of bile acids. We tested in isolated cholangiocytes if secretin enhances ASBT translocation to the apical membrane from latent preexisting intracellular stores.

Activity of CYP2E1 and CYP3A enzymes in adults with moderate alcohol consumption: A comparison with nonalcoholics

Suthat Liangpunsakul, Dhanashri Kolwankar, Amar Pinto, J. Christopher Gorski, Stephen D. Hall, Naga Chalasani – 19 April 2005 – Alcohol consumption is known to induce hepatic CYP2E1 activity, but its effect on hepatic and intestinal CYP3A in humans is not known. We have conducted a study to compare the CYP2E1 and CYP3A activities in 20 individuals with moderate alcohol consumption and 20 gender‐, race‐. and body mass index (BMI)‐matched nonalcoholics.

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