Protein arginine methyltransferase 1 regulates hepatic glucose production in a FoxO1‐dependent manner

Dahee Choi, Kyoung‐Jin Oh, Hye‐Sook Han, Young‐Sil Yoon, Chang‐Yun Jung, Seong‐Tae Kim, Seung‐Hoi Koo – 24 April 2012 – Postprandial insulin plays a critical role in suppressing hepatic glucose production to maintain euglycemia in mammals. Insulin‐dependent activation of protein kinase B (Akt) regulates this process, in part, by inhibiting FoxO1‐dependent hepatic gluconeogenesis by direct phosphorylation and subsequent cytoplasmic exclusion.

Von Willebrand factor as new noninvasive predictor of portal hypertension, decompensation and mortality in patients with liver cirrhosis

Monika Ferlitsch, Thomas Reiberger, Matthias Hoke, Petra Salzl, Bernadette Schwengerer, Gregor Ulbrich, Berit Anna Payer, Michael Trauner, Markus Peck‐Radosavljevic, Arnulf Ferlitsch – 24 April 2012 – von Willebrand factor antigen (vWF‐Ag) is elevated in patients with liver cirrhosis, but the clinical significance is unclear. We hypothesized that vWF‐Ag levels may correlate with portal pressure, measured by hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG), and predict clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH; HVPG ≥10 mmHg), decompensation and mortality.

Specific bile acids inhibit hepatic fatty acid uptake in mice

Biao Nie, Hyo Min Park, Melissa Kazantzis, Min Lin, Amy Henkin, Stephanie Ng, Sujin Song, Yuli Chen, Heather Tran, Robin Lai, Chris Her, Jacquelyn J. Maher, Barry M. Forman, Andreas Stahl – 24 April 2012 – Bile acids are known to play important roles as detergents in the absorption of hydrophobic nutrients and as signaling molecules in the regulation of metabolism. We tested the novel hypothesis that naturally occurring bile acids interfere with protein‐mediated hepatic long chain free fatty acid (LCFA) uptake.

Prophylaxis versus preemptive therapy for cytomegalovirus disease in high‐risk liver transplant recipients

Marta Bodro, Núria Sabé, Laura Lladó, Carme Baliellas, Jordi Niubó, Jose Castellote, Joan Fabregat, Antoni Rafecas, Jordi Carratalà – 24 April 2012 – Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is an opportunistic infection frequently found after solid organ transplantation, and it contributes significantly to mortality and morbidity. CMV‐seronegative recipients of grafts from CMV‐seropositive donors have the highest risk of CMV disease. The most appropriate strategy for preventing CMV disease in this population is a matter of active debate.

Neuropeptide PACAP in mouse liver ischemia and reperfusion injury: Immunomodulation by the cAMP‐PKA pathway

Haofeng Ji, Yu Zhang, Xiu‐da Shen, Feng Gao, Cynthia Y. Huang, Catalina Abad, Ronald W. Busuttil, James A. Waschek, Jerzy W. Kupiec‐Weglinski – 24 April 2012 – Hepatic ischemia and reperfusion injury (IRI), an exogenous antigen‐independent local inflammation response, occurs in multiple clinical settings, including liver transplantation, hepatic resection, trauma, and shock. The immune system and the nervous system maintain extensive communication and mount a variety of integrated responses to danger signals through intricate chemical messengers.

Chemokines and mitochondrial products activate neutrophils to amplify organ injury during mouse acute liver failure

Pedro E. Marques, Sylvia S. Amaral, Daniele A. Pires, Laura L. Nogueira, Frederico M. Soriani, Braulio H.F. Lima, Gabriel A.O. Lopes, Remo C. Russo, Thiago V. Ávila, Juliana G. Melgaço, André G. Oliveira, Marcelo A. Pinto, Cristiano X. Lima, Ana Maria De Paula, Denise C. Cara, Maria F. Leite, Mauro M. Teixeira, Gustavo Batista Menezes – 24 April 2012 – Acetaminophen (APAP) is a safe analgesic and antipyretic drug. However, APAP overdose leads to massive hepatocyte death.

Role of regulatory T cells in the promotion of transplant tolerance

Itay Shalev, Nazia Selzner, Wendy Shyu, David Grant, Gary Levy – 21 April 2012 – Liver transplantation is now recognized as the most effective therapy for patients with end‐stage acute and chronic liver failure. Despite outstanding short‐term graft and patient survival, liver transplantation continues to face several major challenges, including poor long‐term graft survival due to chronic rejection and major side effects of long‐term immunosuppressive therapy (which is required for the prevention of rejection).

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