Enzyme inhibitory autoantibodies to pyruvate dehydrogenase complex in primary biliary cirrhosis: Applications of a semiautomated assay

Khay‐Lin Teoh, Merrill J. Rowley, Helen Zafirakis, E. Rolland Dickson, Russell H. Wiesner, M. Eric Gershwin, Ian R. Mackay – 1 November 1994 – Sera from patients with primary biliary cirrhosis inhibit the activity of the mitochondrial pyruvate dehydrogenase complex. We utilized this effect to develop a simple, miniaturized, semiautomated spectrophotometric assay as a diagnostic aid. The sera studied were from 71 patients with primary biliary cirrhosis and 62 other subjects.

Is liver cancer a stem cell—derived disease?

Ronald A. Faris, Douglas C. Hixson – 1 November 1994 – In transgenic mice bearing the Simian Virus 40 large T antigen under the control of the human anti‐thrombin III regulatory sequences, a step‐wise progression toward hepatocellular carcinoma is observed. We have used two monoclonal antibodies (A6 and G7) developed against a surface antigen expressed in oval cells from dipin‐treated mice, to analyze the emergence of such preneoplastic populations in the livers of anti‐thrombin III Simian Virus 40 T transgenic mice.

Expression of Mucin core protein of mammary type in primary liver cancer

Motoko Sasaki, Yasuni Nakanuma – 1 November 1994 – Expression of mucin core protein of mammary type (MUC‐1 core protein) was investigated in primary hepatic carcinoma (25 cases of cholangiocarcinoma, 15 cases of combined hepatocellular‐cholangiocellular carcinoma and 18 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma) with monoclonal antibody DF3 and a standard avidinbiotin complex method.

Gastric microcirculatory changes of Portal‐hypertensive rats can be attenuated by long‐term Estrogen‐progestagen treatment

Julián Panés, Maria Casadevall, Mercedes Fernández, Josep M. Piqué, Jaume Bosch, Roser Casamitjana, Isabel Cirera, Josep A. Bombí, Josep Terés, Juan Rodés – 1 November 1994 – It has been suggested that estrogen‐progestagen therapy may be useful in preventing bleeding from gastric angiodysplasia, a vascular lesion similar to that described in portal‐hypertensive gastropathy. In this study we assessed the effects of estrogen‐progestagen therapy on gastric microcirculation and systemic and splanchnic hemodynamics in portal‐hypertensive and sham‐operated rats.

A comparison of copper uptake by liver plasma membrane vesicles and uptake by isolated cultured rat hepatocytes

Michelle J. Bingham, Harry J. McArdle – 1 October 1994 – We studied copper uptake from copper dihistidine complexes by plasma membrane vesicles isolated from rat liver and compared the data with those for uptake under the same conditions by hepatocytes cultured from rat liver to determine whether membrane vesicles can be used to study copper uptake. Marker enzyme analysis showed a 28‐fold increase in 5′‐nucleotidase activity, a slight increase in endoplasmic reticulum and no contamination with mitochondrial membranes.

Tumor necrosis factor‐α regulates in vivo nitric oxide synthesis and induces liver injury during endotoxemia

Brian G. Harbrecht, Mauricio Di Silvio, A. J. Demetris, Richard L. Simmons, Timothy R. Billiar – 1 October 1994 – Tumor necrosis factor‐alpha is a principal mediator of the pathophysiological effects of endotoxemia and endotoxin shock. Tumor necrosis factor‐α also contributes to the stimulation of nitric oxide synthesis by the induction of the enzyme nitric oxide synthase in a variety of tissues.

Modulation of hepatic mRNA levels after administration of lipopolysaccharide and diphtheria and tetanus toxoids and pertussis vaccine adsorbed (dtp vaccine) to mice

Sherry S. Ansher, Walter Thompson – 1 October 1994 – Administration of whole‐cell diphtheria and tetanus toxoids and pertussis vaccine adsorbed (DTP vaccine) caused marked depression in the expression of mRNA for isozymes of cytochrome P‐450 in the livers of endotoxin‐responsive and nonresponsive mice. The levels of expression of mRNA for a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon–inducible (CYP 1A2) and an ethanol‐inducible (CYP2E1) form of P‐450 were reduced by 70% to 80% 8 to 12 hr after vaccination or Bordetella pertussis endotoxin administration.

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