Insulin‐like growth factor I gene transfer to cirrhotic liver induces fibrolysis and reduces fibrogenesis leading to cirrhosis reversion in rats

Luciano Sobrevals, Carlos Rodriguez, José Lorenzo Romero‐Trevejo, Gabor Gondi, Iñaki Monreal, Astrid Pañeda, Nerea Juanarena, Sara Arcelus, Nerea Razquin, Laura Guembe, Gloria González‐Aseguinolaza, Jesús Prieto, Puri Fortes – 27 October 2009 – We investigated whether gene transfer of insulin‐like growth factor I (IGF‐I) to the hepatic tissue was able to improve liver histology and function in established liver cirrhosis.

Changes in the expression of methionine adenosyltransferase genes and S‐adenosylmethionine homeostasis during hepatic stellate cell activation

Komal Ramani, Heping Yang, John Kuhlenkamp, Lauda Tomasi, Hidekazu Tsukamoto, José M. Mato, Shelly C. Lu – 27 October 2009 – Hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation is an essential event during liver fibrogenesis. Methionine adenosyltransferase (MAT) catalyzes biosynthesis of S‐adenosylmethionine (SAMe), the principle methyl donor. SAMe metabolism generates two methylation inhibitors, methylthioadenosine (MTA) and S‐adenosylhomocysteine (SAH).

Dried blood spot for hepatitis C virus serology and molecular testing

Edouard Tuaillon, Anne‐Marie Mondain, Fadi Meroueh, Laure Ottomani, Marie‐Christine Picot, Nicolas Nagot, Philippe Van de Perre, Jacques Ducos – 23 October 2009 – We investigated the performance of dried blood spots (DBS) in hepatitis C virus (HCV) diagnosis using modified commercial tests. Paired DBS and serum samples were collected from 200 patients: 100 patients with anti‐HCV antibodies (anti‐HCV), including 62 patients with detectable serum HCV RNA, and 100 patients without anti‐HCV.

Adenosine inhibits chemotaxis and induces hepatocyte‐specific genes in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells

Mehdi Mohamadnejad, Muhammad A. Sohail, Azuma Watanabe, Diane S. Krause, E. Scott Swenson, Wajahat Z. Mehal – 23 October 2009 – Bone marrow–derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have therapeutic potential in liver injury, but the signals responsible for MSC localization to sites of injury and initiation of differentiation are not known. Adenosine concentration is increased at sites of cellular injury and inflammation, and adenosine is known to signal a variety of cellular changes.

Bicarbonate secretion of mouse cholangiocytes involves Na+‐HCO 3− cotransport in addition to Na+‐independent Cl−/HCO3− exchange

Iker Uriarte, Jesús M. Banales, Elena Sáez, Fabián Arenas, Ronald P. J. Oude Elferink, Jesús Prieto, Juan F. Medina – 23 October 2009 – Bicarbonate secretion from cholangiocytes is required for appropriate adjustment of primary canalicular bile along the biliary tract. In human and rat cholangiocytes, bicarbonate secretion is mediated by anion exchanger (AE) 2, an electroneutral Na+‐independent Cl−/HCO 3− AE also involved in intracellular pH (pHi) regulation. In Ae2a,b‐deficient mice, pHi is increased in lymphocytes and fibroblasts, whereas it is surprisingly normal in cholangiocytes.

Bile salt sequestration induces hepatic de novo lipogenesis through farnesoid X receptor– and liver X receptorα–controlled metabolic pathways in mice

Hilde Herrema, Maxi Meissner, Theo H. van Dijk, Gemma Brufau, Renze Boverhof, Maaike H. Oosterveer, Dirk‐Jan Reijngoud, Michael Müller, Frans Stellaard, Albert K. Groen, Folkert Kuipers – 23 October 2009 – Diabetes is characterized by high blood glucose levels and dyslipidemia. Bile salt sequestration has been found to improve both plasma glycemic control and cholesterol profiles in diabetic patients. Yet bile salt sequestration is also known to affect triglyceride (TG) metabolism, possibly through signaling pathways involving farnesoid X receptor (FXR) and liver X receptor α (LXRα).

Subscribe to