Collagen XVIII is localized in sinusoids and basement membrane zones and expressed by hepatocytes and activated stellate cells in fibrotic human liver

Orlando Musso, Marko Rehn, Janna Saarela, Nathalie Théret, Jocelyne Liétard, Elina Hintikka, Dominique Lotrian, Jean‐Pierre Campion, Taina Pihlajaniemi, Bruno Clément – 30 December 2003 – Type XVIII collagen is a recently discovered nonfibrillar collagen associated with basement membranes in mice and expressed at high levels in human liver.

Subclinical hepatic encephalopathy impairs daily functioning

Michael Groeneweg, Juan C. Quero, Ilone De Bruijn, Ieneke J.C. Hartmann, Marie‐louise Essink‐bot, Wim C.J Hop, Solko W. Schalm – 30 December 2003 – Subclinical hepatic encephalopathy (SHE) is assumed to have a negative effect on patients' daily functioning; therefore, treatment is recommended. However, no studies have been performed that document the clinical relevance of SHE.

Changes in lymph vessels and portal veins in the portal tract of patients with idiopathic portal hypertension: A morphometric study

Hiroki Oikawa, Tomoyuki Masuda, Shin‐Ichiro Sato, Akiko Yashima, Kazuyuki Suzuki, Shunichi Sato, Ryoichi Satodate – 30 December 2003 – Little is known about the effects of the pathological process associated with idiopathic portal hypertension (IPH) on hepatic lymph vessels or lymph flow. We used morphometric analysis to examine IPH‐associated changes in lymph vessels and branches of the portal vein, with use of immunohistochemical staining for alpha smooth muscle actin. We also quantitated these changes using an image analysis system.

Mitochondrial dysfunction and cytoskeletal disruption during chemical hypoxia to cultured rat hepatic sinusoidal endothelial cells: The pH paradox and cytoprotection by glucose, acidotic pH, and glycine

Yoshiya Nishimura, Lewis H. Romer, John J. Lemasters – 30 December 2003 – We investigated mechanisms underlying death of cultured rat liver sinusoidal endothelial cells exposed to chemical hypoxia with KCN (2.5 mmol/L) to simulate the adenosine triphosphate (ATP) depletion and reductive stress of anoxia. During chemical hypoxia, acidotic pH prevented cell death. Glucose (0.3‐10 mmol/L) also prevented cell killing. Cytoprotection by glucose but not acidosis was associated with prevention of ATP depletion.

Hepatic oval cell activation in response to injury following chemically induced periportal or pericentral damage in rats

Bryon E. Petersen, Valerie F. Zajac, George K. Michalopoulos – 30 December 2003 – Administration of 2‐acetylaminofluorene (2‐AAF) given before partial hepatectomy (PHx) results in suppression of hepatocyte proliferation and stimulation of oval cell proliferation. Our objective in this study was to examine the oval cell response and associated α‐fetoprotein (AFP) gene expression by combining 2‐AAF with selective damage of centrilobular regions (carbon tetrachloride [CCl4 ]) or periportal regions (allyl alcohol [AA]).

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