Junichi Shoda, Anders Toll, Magnus Axelson, Fritz Pieper, Kjell Wikvall, Jan Sjövall – 1 March 1993 – In a search for enzymes involved in the formation of bile acids from 27‐hydroxycholesterol in humans, the metabolism of this and other side‐chain oxygenated steroids was studied in human liver microsomes and mitochondria. The microsomal fraction contained enzyme(s) catalyzing 7α‐hydroxylation of 27‐hydroxycholesterol and 3β‐hydroxy‐5‐cholestenoic acid, whereas the 7α‐hydroxylation of cholesterol and 3β‐hydroxy‐5‐cholenoic acid was low.

Theresa C. Peterson – 1 March 1993 – Liver fibrosis is a complex process characterized by two major events: fibroproliferation and increased collagen synthesis. The exact role of cytokines in the pathogenesis of hepatic fibrosis remains to be established, but platelet‐derived growth factor clearly stimulates proliferation of fibroblasts and increases collagen synthesis. In in vitro studies, pentoxifylline, a methylxanthine, significantly reduced platelet‐derived growth factor–driven proliferation of fibroblasts.

Jean‐François Mosnier, Claude Degott, Patrick Marcellin, Dominique Hénin, Serge Erlincer, Jean‐Pierre Benhamou – 1 March 1993 – Intraportal lymphoid nodules have been observed in liver biopsy specimens from patients with autoimmune liver disease and chronic active hepatitis C. They are characterized by a nodular lymphocyte aggregate with a germinal center. The purpose of this in situ immunophenotyping study was to determine immunohistochemically the phenotype of immunocompetent cells in and around intraportal lymphoid nodules in patients with chronic hepatitis C.

David Sacerdoti, Massimo Bolognesi, Carlo Merkel, Paolo Angeli, Angelo Gatta – 1 February 1993 – Studies of renal perfusion when kidney function tests are still normal could be useful to understand the pathophysiology of functional kidney impairment in cirrhosis; currently, this requires invasive methodology. Duplex Doppler ultrasonography allows noninvasive evaluation of intrarenal arterial resistances.

Toru Takahashi, Jerome M. Lasker, Alan S. Rosman, Charles S. Lieber – 1 February 1993 – The propensity of centrilobular liver damage to develop in alcohol abusers after exposure to various hepatotoxins, including ethanol itself, has been linked to the induction by ethanol of P‐4502E1, a microsomal P‐450 enzyme that bioactivates these agents to reactive metabolites.

Raymond S. Koff, Elihu M. Schimmel – 1 February 1993

1 February 1993

Julián Panés, Josep M. Bordas, Josep M. Piqué, Juan C. García‐pagán, Faust Feu, Josep Terés, Jaime Bosch, Joan Rodés – 1 February 1993 – This study investigated the effects of the short‐term administration of propranolol on gastric blood perfusion in cirrhotic patients with portal hypertensive gastropathy. Portal hypertensive gastropathy is a common cause of nonvariceal bleeding in cirrhosis, which is associated with increased gastric mucosal perfusion and is favorably influenced by propranolol therapy.

Bruce R. Davidson – 1 February 1993

Claudio Toledo, Joan‐Manuel Salmerón, Antoni Rimola, Miquel Navasa, Vicente Arroyo, Josep Llach, Angels Ginés, Pere Ginès, Joan Rodés – 1 February 1993 – Cefotaxime is the most commonly used antibiotic for initial therapy of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis in cirrhosis. However, since the introduction of cefotaxime no study has been performed to investigate factors influencing prognosis in cirrhotic patients with this type of infection.