Adenovirus‐mediated expression of Cu/Zn‐ or Mn‐superoxide dismutase protects against CYP2E1‐dependent toxicity

María José Pérez, Arthur I. Cederbaum – 30 December 2003 – CYP2E1 induction by ethanol is one mechanism by which ethanol creates oxidative stress in the liver. The superoxide dismutases (SODs) are an important antioxidant enzyme defense system against reactive oxygen species (ROS). To investigate the protective role of SOD against CYP2E1‐dependent toxicity, a transfected HepG2 cell line overexpressing CYP2E1 (E47 cells) was infected with adenoviral vectors containing Cu/Zn‐SOD complementary DNA (cDNA) (Ad.SOD1) and Mn‐SOD cDNA (Ad.SOD2).

Pretransplantation tumor necrosis factor‐α production predicts acute rejection after liver transplantation

Andrew J. Bathgate, Patricia Lee, Peter C. Hayes, Kenneth J. Simpson – 30 December 2003 – Immunosuppressive therapy has many adverse effects in both the short and longer term. Tailoring immunosuppression might be possible if pretransplantation parameters predicted rejection. We investigated production of the proinflammatory cytokine, tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α), and the anti‐inflammatory cytokine, interleukin‐10 (IL‐10), pretransplantation to determine whether there is a relation with acute rejection.

Experience with the use of sirolimus in liver transplantation—use in patients for whom calcineurin inhibitors are contraindicated

George J. Chang, Harish D. Mahanty, David Quan, Chris E. Freise, Nancy L. Ascher, John P. Roberts, Peter G. Stock, Ryutaro Hirose – 30 December 2003 – Sirolimus (SRL) provides effective immunosuppression for kidney transplantation and may be useful in patients with delayed allograft function after kidney transplantation. We review our experience with SRL in liver transplant recipients for whom calcineurin inhibitors are undesirable. Fourteen patients with renal insufficiency or acute mental status impairment were administered SRL after liver transplantation (5‐ to 10‐mg load, 1 to 4 mg/d).

Accuracy of doppler echocardiography in the assessment of pulmonary hypertension in liver transplant candidates

W. Ray Kim, Michael J. Krowka, David J. Plevak, Jaeho Lee, Steven R. Rettke, Robert P. Frantz, Russell H. Wiesner – 30 December 2003 – Pulmonary hypertension has been associated with poor outcome after liver transplantation. We assessed the diagnostic accuracy of Doppler echocardiography in detecting significant pulmonary hypertension. Seventy‐four potential liver transplant candidates underwent Doppler echocardiography in which the systolic right ventricular pressure (RVsys) was used to estimate the systolic pulmonary artery pressure (PAsys).

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