Mariano Ubeda, Marion M. Matzilevich, Noemí M. Atucha, Joaquín García‐Estañ, Tomás Quesada, Shiow‐Shih Tang, Julie R. Ingelfinger – 1 June 1994 – Activation of antinatriuretic systems such as the renin‐angiotensin system, is of major importance in the pathogenesis of sodium retention in cirrhosis. In this study, we studied the intrarenal renin‐angiotensin system by measuring renin and angiotensinogen mRNA expression in the kidney of rats subjected to long‐term bile duct ligation in a phase before the development of ascites, when sodium retention is already present.

Jianjun Li, Alan S. Rosman, Maria A. Leo, Yasuo Nagai, Charles S. Lieber – 1 June 1994 – One of the contributory factors to the development of cirrhosis is a decrease in collagenase activity, which may be related to levels of inhibitors such as serum tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase.

1 June 1994

Hal F. Yee, Teresa L. Wright – 1 June 1994 – Serial serum samples and pretreatment and post‐treatment liver tissue from patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection were tested for HCV RNA by reverse‐transcription polymerase chain reaction and branched DNA signal amplification assays. At the end of treatment with interferon‐α (IFNα), 4 of 5 patients showing no biochemical response (in alanine aminotransferase activity), 4 of 5 with transient responses, and 1 of 5 showing complete and sustained responses had HCV RNA detectable in serum.

Parvathi Mohan, Saidee C. Ling, John B. Watkins – 1 June 1994 – The ontogeny of hepatic synthesis and biliary secretion of glutathione was characterized and correlated with hepatic gamma glutamyl transpeptidase, bile flow rate, biliary bile acids and amino acids in Sprague‐Dawley rats at 18 days of gestation and postnatally at ages 7, 14, 21, 28 and 54 days. Bile was collected by bile duct cannulation under intraperitoneal anesthesia with nembutal/ketamine.

Jeffrey A. Handler, Caroline A. Genell, Robin S. Goldstein – 1 June 1994 – The purpose of these studies was to investigate intrahepatic changes underlying age‐related decreases in bile flow by evaluating the effects of aging on bile acid–dependent and –independent flow, canalicular versus ductular flow and hepatic tight junction permeability. The isolated perfused liver was used to assess age‐related changes in intrinsic hepatobiliary function without the complications of extrahepatic factors such as circulating hormones or hemodynamics.

Francesco Cetta, Francesco Lombardo, Andrea Cariati – 1 June 1994

Inmaculada Castillo, Javier Bartolomé, Sonia Navas, Sara Gonzalez, Montserrat Herrero, Vicente Carreño – 1 June 1994 – We studied the long‐term outcomes of 43 patients with chronic hepatitis C treated with one or two interferon cycles, in relation to hepatitis C virus RNA in serum and peripheral‐blood mononuclear cells. After the first interferon cycle, 15 (35%) patients had normal transaminase levels, although only five of them had normal levels throughout follow‐up (complete responders).

Antonio Madejón, Teresa Cotonat, Javier Bartolomé, Inmaculada Castillo, Vicente Carreño – 1 June 1994 – We examined the efficacy of decreasing high doses (beginning at 18 MU/day) of interferon‐α2a vs. that of daily low doses (3 MU) in the treatment of chronic hepatitis delta virus infection. Patients treated with 18 MU had a somewhat higher frequency of normalization of serum ALT levels than patients treated with low doses (31% and 12%, respectively, on an intention‐to‐treat basis).

Elihu M. Schimmel – 1 June 1994