Keratinocyte growth factor protects murine hepatocytes from tumor necrosis factor–induced apoptosis in vivo and in vitro

Giorgio Senaldi, Christine L. Shaklee, Bernadett Simon, Christopher G. Rowan, David L. Lacey, Thomas Hartung – 30 December 2003 – Keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) promotes epithelial growth and differentiation and has potent effects on the liver. The coinjection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and d ‐galactosamine (GalN) results in hepatic failure in mice. Mechanistically, LPS‐induced tumor necrosis factor (TNF) triggers hepatocyte apoptosis, which is enhanced by GalN‐arrested transcription. Similarly, the combination of TNF and actinomycin D (ActD) causes hepatocyte apoptosis in vitro.

Heterozygosity for hereditary hemochromatosis is associated with more fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C

Belinda C. Smith, Jane Grove, Muna A. Guzail, Christopher P. Day, Ann K. Daly, Alastair D. Burt, Margaret F. Bassendine – 30 December 2003 – Hepatic iron has been associated with more aggressive liver disease in chronic viral hepatitis. We evaluated whether the recently described C282Y mutation of the hemochromatosis gene, designated HFE (responsible for at least 83% of hereditary hemochromatosis), was associated with more advanced liver disease in chronic hepatitis C.

Effect of alcohol consumption on serum hepatitis C virus RNA and histological lesions in chronic hepatitis C

Fabienne Pessione, Françoise Degos, Patrick Marcellin, Véronique Duchatelle, Corinne Njapoum, Michèle Martinot‐Peignoux, Claude Degott, Dominique Valla, Serge Erlinger, Bernard Rueff – 30 December 2003 – The role of alcohol intake in the occurrence of severe liver disease in chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) carriers is still debated. A cross‐sectional study has been conducted in 233 chronic hepatitis C virus carriers.

Genomic fluidity is a necessary event preceding the acquisition of tumorigenicity during spontaneous neoplastic transformation of WB‐F344 rat liver epithelial cells

Michelle J. Hooth, Jack L. Vincent, William B. Coleman, Sharon C. Presnell, Joe W. Grisham, Gary J. Smith – 30 December 2003 – The genomic evolution of a cohort of WB‐F344 rat liver epithelial cell lineages undergoing spontaneous neoplastic transformation was followed to define the mechanistic relationship between genomic instability and progression to the neoplastic phenotype.

Effects of diosgenin, A plant‐derived steroid, on bile secretion and hepatocellular cholestasis induced by estrogens in the rat

Luigi Accatino, Margarita Pizarro, Nancy Solís, Cecilia S. Koenig – 30 December 2003 – Increased biliary secretion of cholesterol and lipid vesicles (unilamellae and multilamellae) induced by diosgenin (D), a plant‐derived steroid, has cytoprotective effects in the rat liver subjected to obstructive cholestasis.

The polarized hepatic human/rat hybrid WIF 12‐1 and WIF‐B cells communicate efficiently in vitro via connexin 32‐constituted gap junctions

Catherine Chaumontet, Giovanna Mazzoleni, Catherine Decaens, Valérie Bex, Doris Cassio, Paule Martel – 30 December 2003 – Gap junction intercellular communication (GJIC) plays an essential role in the control of growth, differentiation, and functions of different tissues. The expression of connexins (Cxs), the structural proteins of gap junctions, is developmentally regulated and tissue‐specific In vivo hepatocytes express Cx32 and Cx26. Most currently available in vitro hepatic cell systems express Cx43 instead of the expected Cxs.

Sero‐clearance of hepatitis B surface antigen in chronic carriers does not necessarily imply a good prognosis

Teh‐ia Huo, Jaw‐ching Wu, Pui‐ching Lee, Gar‐yang Chau, Wing‐yu Lui, Shyh‐haw Tsay, Ling‐tan Ting, Full‐young Chang, Shou‐dong Lee – 30 December 2003 – The incidence of delayed hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) clearance in the natural history of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV)‐infected patients was low. Previous studies regarding the prognosis in such patients were controversial. Among 1,355 chronic carriers from 1985 to 1997, spontaneous HBsAg clearance was observed in 55 patients.

Primary biliary cirrhosis–autoimmune hepatitis overlap syndrome: Clinical features and response to therapy

Olivier Chazouillères, Dominique Wendum, Lawrence Serfaty, Sarah Montembault, Olivier Rosmorduc, Raoul Poupon – 30 December 2003 – The association of primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) and autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is thought to be rare, and its optimal treatment is unknown. Of 130 consecutive patients with a diagnosis of PBC, we identified 12 cases (9.2%) of overlap syndrome (10 females, 2 males; median age, 50 years) strictly defined by the presence of at least two of the three recognized biochemical, serological, and histological criteria of each disease.

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