Therapeutic efficacy of L‐ornithine‐L‐aspartate infusions in patients with cirrhosis and hepatic encephalopathy: Results of a placebo‐controlled, double‐blind study

G Kircheis, R Nilius, C Held, H Berndt, M Buchner, R Gortelmeyer, R Hendricks, B Kruger, B Kuklinski, H Meister, H Otto, C Rink, W Rosch, S Stauch – 30 December 2003 – One hundred twenty‐six patients with cirrhosis, hyperammonemia (>50 μmol/L), and chronic (persistent) hepatic encephalopathy (HE), which developed spontaneously without the existence of known precipitating factors, were enrolled in a randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled clinical trial of intravenously administered L‐ ornithine‐L‐aspartate (OA).

Cardiac muscarinic receptor function in rats with cirrhotic cardiomyopathy

D N Jaue, Z Ma, S S Lee – 30 December 2003 – The pathogenesis of cirrhotic cardiomyopathy remains unclear. Because ventricular contractility is dependent on the interplay of stimulatory β‐adrenergic and inhibitory muscarinic receptors, we aimed to examine a possible role of muscarinic M2 receptor overactivity in a rat model of cirrhotic cardiomyopathy. Cirrhosis was induced by bile duct ligation (BDL), while controls underwent sham operations.

Cytotoxicity of bile salts against biliary epithelium: A study in isolated bile ductule fragments and isolated perfused rat liver

A Benedetti, D Alvaro, C Bassotti, A Gigliozzi, G Ferretti, T La Rosa, A Di Sario, L Baiocchi, A M Jezequel – 30 December 2003 – We evaluated cytotoxic effects of different unconjugated and glycine‐ and taurine‐conjugated bile salts (BS) against bile duct epithelial cells in isolated bile ductule fragments and isolated perfused rat liver.

Possible involvement of pertussis toxin‐sensitive G protein in hepatocyte growth factor‐induced signal transduction in cultured rat hepatocytes: Pertussis toxin treatment inhibits activation of phospholipid signaling, calcium oscillation, and mitogen‐acti

T Adachi, S Nakashima, S Saji, T Nakamura, Y Nozawa – 30 December 2003 – Treatment of primary cultured rat hepatocytes with hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) gives rise to inositol phosphate formation, cytosolic calcium oscillation, activation of mitogen‐activated protein (MAP) kinase and phospholipase D (PLD), and arachidonic acid release, leading to DNA synthesis.

S‐adenosyl‐L‐methionine protects the liver against the cholestatic, cytotoxic, and vasoactive effects of leukotriene D4: A study with isolated and perfused rat liver

R N Cincu, C M Rodriguez‐Ortigosa, I Vesperinas, J Quiroga, J Prieto – 30 December 2003 – Cysteinyl‐leukotrienes can cause cholestasis and liver damage when administered at nanomolar concentrations. Using the isolated and perfused rat liver we analyzed whether S‐adenosyl‐L‐methionine (SAMe) may protect this organ against the noxious effects of leukotriene‐D4 (LTD4).

Role of ischemia in causing apoptosis, atrophy, and nodular hyperplasia in human liver

K Shimamatsu, I R Wanless – 30 December 2003 – Ischemia is known to be a cause of hepatocellular apoptosis and atrophy in experimental animals, but the effect of vascular obstruction on such lesions in the normal or cirrhotic human liver has not been studied. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of ischemia in the development of apoptosis, atrophy, and nodular hyperplasia in cirrhotic and noncirrhotic human livers. Apoptosis, focal atrophy, and nodular hyperplasia were semiquantitated in 203 liver specimens obtained at transplantation, segmental resection, or autopsy.

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