M Masuhara, M Yasunaga, K Tanigawa, F Tamura, S Yamashita, I Sakaida, K Okita – 1 August 1996 – Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and transforming growth factor α (TGF‐α) stimulate liver regeneration, whereas transforming growth factor β 1 (TGF‐β 1) inhibits it in rats. However their significance in human liver diseases, especially in severe acute liver injury, remains unclear. We studied HGF, TGF‐α, and TGF‐β 1 messenger RNA (mRNA) expression in the livers of patients with live diseases using a competitive reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction.

K Kogure, Y Zhang, M Kanzaki, W Omata, T Mine, I Kojima – 1 August 1996 – When 1 μg 125I‐follistatin was administered into a rat intravenously, radioactivity levels in serum decreased rapidly. Analysis with a biexponential equation showed that the initial half‐ life and the terminal half‐life were 4.0 and 130.8 minutes, respectively. After 2 hours of infusion, approximately 9% of the follistatin infused remained in the liver, which was much more than that in kidney, spleen, pancreas, intestine, or lung.

U Eckhardt, J A Horz, E Petzinger, W Stüber, M Reers, G Dickneite, H Daniel, M Wagener, B Hagenbuch, B Stieger, P J Meier – 1 August 1996 – The peptidomimetic thrombin inhibitor CRC 220, 4‐methoxy‐2,3,6‐trimethylphenylsulfonyl‐L‐aspartyl‐D‐4‐amidinop henylalanyl‐ piperidide, is taken up into isolated rat hepatocytes through active, carrier‐mediated transport. This uptake is inhibited by bile acids. Functional expression in Xenopus laevis oocytes was performed to identify the transport system responsible for the hepatocellular CRC 220 uptake. Injection of poly(A)+RNA in X.

D T Wong – 1 August 1996

I K Schumacher, T Okamoto, B Kim, N R Chowdhury, J R Chowdhury, I J Fox – 1 August 1996 – Transplantation of hepatocytes has been shown to provide metabolic support during liver failure in experimental models. The potential clinical application of hepatocyte transplantation, however, is limited by the need for readily available, well‐characterized cells, and a worldwide shortage of donor organs.

R Oren, I Dotan, M Papa, Y Marravi, H Aeed, J Barg, L Zeidel, R Bruck, Z Halpern – 1 August 1996 – The coexistence of hyperkinetic circulation, hypermetabolism, and hyperactivity of the sympathetic nervous system is encountered in both cirrhosis and hyperthyroidism. Several drugs, such as propylthiouracil and propranolol, that are beneficial for treating some patients with chronic liver diseases are also prescribed for the treatment of thyrotoxicosis.

Z Ma, S S Lee – 1 August 1996 – In cirrhosis, cardiac contractile function has been extensively documented to be abnormal. At baseline, cardiac output is increased, and this is one of the characteristics of hyperdynamic circulation. However, when cirrhotic patients are challenged by pharmacological or physiological stress, ventricular hyporesponsiveness is revealed. Similar patterns have been noted in cirrhotic animal models.

M G Pessoa, T L Wright – 1 August 1996

S Miyagawa, S Kawasaki, M Makuuchi – 1 August 1996 – Clinicopathological and prognostic features in patients who had undergone hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) were examined in relation to viral infection. Among 175 patients, cirrhosis was diagnosed histologically in 134, while 41 had noncirrhotic livers. One hundred twenty‐four patients were positive for antibody to hepatitis C virus (anti‐HCV) (HC group), 32 for hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg) (HB group), and 19 negative for both anti‐HCV and HBsAg (non‐B, non‐C group).

H M Karpoff, C Tung, B Ng, Y Fong – 1 August 1996 – An increasing number of hepatic resections are being performed as potentially curative surgery for malignant liver neoplasms. Hepatectomy and subsequent liver regeneration produce a local environment that enhances growth of microscopic residual tumor. To determine if pretreatment with murine interferon γ (IFN‐γ) can protect against such enhanced tumor growth, Buffalo rats were randomized to receive a 3‐day treatment of IFN‐γ (50,000 U/qD intraperitoneally) or saline.