Jacquelyn J. Maher – 1 June 1989 – To differentiate cultured rat liver myofibroblasts, fat‐storing cells, aortic smooth muscle cells and skin fibroblasts from each other, desmin and vimentin stainings were undertaken by indirect immunofluorescence using monoclonal antibodies. In myofibroblasts, the reaction with antibodies to vimentin was positive but that with antibodies to desmin was virtually negative. In primary cultures as well as subsequent passage of fat‐storing cells, reactions with antibodies to both desmin and vimentin were positive.

Ronald P. J. Oude Elferink, Jan de Haan, Karel J. Lambert, Lee R. Hagey, Alan F. Hofmann, Peter L. M. Jansen – 1 June 1989 – Canalicular transport of bilirubin diglucuronide, dibromosulfophthalein and several glutathione conjugates is deficient in mutant TR− rats. In contrast, transport of cholyltaurine (taurocholate), a conjugated bile acid, is normal. Previous studies using normal rats have shown that C23 nor‐dihydroxy bile acids are conjugated with sulfate or glucuronide during hepatic transport in contrast to the natural C24 bile acids, which are amidated with glycine or taurine.

1 June 1989

K. Lassoued, F. Danon, C. André, J. C. Courvalin, D. Dhumeaux, Francisco Lozano, Albert Parés, Luis Borche, Montserrat Plana, Teresa Gallart, Joan Rodés, Jordi Vives – 1 June 1989

Esteban Mezey – 1 June 1989 – The baboon is the only animal in which alcoholic fibrosis and cirrhosis of the liver has been produced with a nutritionally adequate diet. Zinc deficiency is associated with alcoholic liver disease and may contribute to liver damage. We have therefore investigated whether zinc supplementation would reduce liver damage in ten baboons receiving ethanol and an adequate diet. Eight received ethanol at up to 25 g/kg/day (70% of calories) for up to 60 months (four were supplemented with 50 mg zinc/day).

Jeffrey I. Cohen – 1 June 1989

Jürgen Pauletzki, Frans Stellaard, Gustav Paumgartner – 1 June 1989 – Decreased levels of serum cholesterol are a well‐recognized finding in hyperthyroidism. Since the conversion to bile acids is an important pathway for the elimination of cholesterol, we studied primary bile acid kinetics in seven hyperthyroid patients before and after medical treatment. Pool sizes, fractional turnover and synthesis rates of cholic acid and chenodeoxycholic acid were determined after oral administration of 50 mg [13C]cholic acid and 50 mg [13C]chenodeoxycholic acid.

Alastair D. Burt, Dina Tiniakos, Roderick N. M. MacSween, Maureen R. Griffiths, Eddie Wisse, Julia M. Polak – 1 June 1989 – The distribution of adrenergic nerves in guinea pig and rat liver was studied by the immunolocalization of fibers containing tyrosine hydroxylase and dopamine β‐hydroxylase, enzymes involved in the synthesis of catecholamines. In both species, adrenergic fibers were identified within portal tracts, often in close proximity hepatic artery branches.

Andres T. Blei – 1 June 1989

Philippe Marteau, François Ballet, Olivier Chazouillères, Yves Chrétien, Colette Rey, Danielle Petit, Raoul Poupon – 1 June 1989 – We studied the effects of a series of vasodilators on intrahepatic vascular resistance of isolated perfused cirrhotic rat livers in basal conditions and during norepinephrine‐induced vasoconstriction. Cirrhosis was induced by repeated intraperitoneal injections of carbon tetrachloride.