R A Weisiger – 1 November 1996 – After entering the cell, small molecules must penetrate the cytoplasm before they are metabolized, excreted, or can convey information to the cell nucleus. Without efficient cytoplasmic transport, most such molecules would efflux back out of the cell before they could reach their targets. Cytoplasmic movement of amphipathic molecules (e.g., long‐chain fatty acids, bilirubin, bile acids) is greatly slowed by their tendency to bind intracellular structures.

W F Zakko, R M Green, J L Gollan, C L Berg – 1 November 1996 – Significant controversy exists regarding the regulation of glucuronidation during the process of hepatic regeneration. We used a partial hepatectomy rat model to elucidate the effects of hepatic regeneration on the various components of the microsomal glucuronidation system. Hepatic microsomes were prepared by standard sucrose density centrifugation, coupled with a modified technique involving Percoll centrifugation.

M Dumont, C D'Hont, A Moreau, H Mbape, G Feldmann, S Erlinger – 1 November 1996 – Formaldehyde may induce severe lesions of intrahepatic and extrahepatic bile ducts. The purpose of this study was to examine in vivo the functional consequences of an alteration of the biliary epithelium induced by a retrograde intrabiliary injection of formaldehyde in rats. After basal bile collection, a 10% formaldehyde solution was injected into the biliary tree of anesthetized rats, and the cannula was occluded for 30 minutes.

D Oguey, L L Dumenco, R H Pierce, N Fausto – 1 November 1996 – Chronic infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) is associated with the development of human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). One of the HBV genes, HBx, may have transforming potential, but this issue is still the subject of controversy. One of the major difficulties in addressing this question is the lack of a suitable in vitro model. We used a nontransformed, differentiated murine hepatocyte cell line (AML12) to transfect the HBx gene and examine its transforming capabilities.

Nancy L. Ascher – 1 November 1996 – To determine the role of the terminal α‐galactosyl residue in the endothelial damage mediated by human xenoreactive natural antibodies (IgM and IgG), we treated porcine endothelial cells in culture with green coffee bean α‐galactosidase. A practically complete removal of terminal α‐Gal residues (as evaluated by flow cytometry with Bandeiraea simplicifolia isolectin B4) and concomitant exposure of N‐acetyllactosamine were obtained without altering cell viability.

Udo Kaisers, Ulf Neumann, Ralf Kuhlen, Matthias Sprenger, Peter Neuhaus, Rolf Rossaint – 1 November 1996 – Our objective was to determine the effects of vasodilatory treatment with epoprostenol (PGI2) and nitroglycerin (NTG) on systemic oxygen delivery index (DO2) and hepatic venous oxygen saturation (SvhO2) after liver transplantation. This prospective study used repeated‐measures design. Fifteen adult patients undergoing orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) were enrolled.

J A Bezerra, W F Balistreri – 1 November 1996

M E de Vera, Y M Kim, H R Wong, Q Wang, T R Billiar, D A Geller – 1 November 1996 – During sepsis or inflammation, the liver expresses various protective phenotypes such as the acute phase response or the heat shock response (HSR). Inducible nitric oxide synthase (NOS2) is also expressed in the liver in these conditions and may protect the liver under some circumstances and promote injury in others. We have previously reported that the acute phase response and NOS2 expression are differentially regulated, though both can be expressed simultaneously.

D A Samarasinghe, G C Farrell – 1 November 1996 – The role of individual cell types in hepatic hypoxia‐reoxygenation (reperfusion) injury has not been completely defined. We therefore examined the effects of hypoxia and hypoxia‐reoxygenation on the viability of rat hepatocytes, Kupffer cells, and sinusoidal endothelial cells (SECs) in primary culture and whether direct exposure to hypoxia followed by reoxygenation activated Kupffer cells. Cultures of hepatocytes (purity > 99%), Kupffer cells (97%), and endothelial cells (> 93%) were established as single‐cell types and as cocultures.

K Mizuno, M Hoshino, T Hayakawa, H Yamada, T Nakazawa, T Inagaki, T Takeuchi, M Kunimatsu – 1 November 1996 – A neutrophil chemotactic factor N‐formyl‐methionyl‐leucyl‐phenylalanine (fMLP), produced by Escherichia coli under conditions of intestinal inflammation, is reported to circulate enterohepatically in the presence of experimental colitis, but its effect on bile secretion is unclear. Therefore, we investigated the effect of fMLP on bile secretion in a single‐pass isolated perfused rat liver system.