Cytoprotective effect of somatostatin in a rat model of hepatic ischemic reperfusion

Ignacio Landa, Javier Arias, Manuel Gómez, Manuel Quadros, Ana Moreno, José Luis Balibrea – 1 December 1992 – To evaluate the possible cytoprotective effect of somatostatin in hepatic ischemic reperfusion injury we used 75 adult male Wistar rats randomly separated into four groups. The rats in group 1 underwent sham operations, and those in group 2 underwent resection of the median and left lateral lobes. The rats in group 3 underwent a 90‐min period of ischemia of the right lateral lobe, which we induced by temporarily occluding the right portal vein and the hepatic artery.

Liver regeneration and the effect of exogenous putrescine on regenerative activity after partial hepatectomy in cirrhotic rats

Ethel Macintosh, Tony Gauthier, Norman Pettigrew, Gerald Minuk – 1 December 1992 – There are conflicting data regarding the ability of the liver to regenerate after partial hepatectomy in animals and humans with cirrhosis. The purpose of this study was to document liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy in a carbon tetrachloride rat model of cirrhosis and to determine whether exogenous putrescine, a polyamine that has been reported to stimulate liver regeneration in animal models of acute liver failure, enhances regenerative activity in cirrhosis.

Occurrence of oval‐type cells in hepatitis B virus—associated human hepatocarcinogenesis

Chu Chieh Hsia, Ritva P. Evarts, Harushige Nakatsukasa, Elizabeth R. Marsden, Snorri S. Thorgeirsson – 1 December 1992 – Proliferation of a new population of epithelial cells with distinct structure, as well as cytokeratin and α‐fetoprotein expression, was observed in nonneoplastic liver tissues from 14 cases (13 hepatitis B virus—positive) of human hepatocellular carcinoma. These cells were characterized by oval nuclei; scant, pale cytoplasm; small cell size; and cross‐reaction with a monoclonal antibody against rat oval cells.

A calcium‐binding protein in bile and gallstones

Michael F. Kestell, John Sekijima, Sum P. Lee, Han Z. Park, Michelle Long, Eric W. Kaler – 1 December 1992 – Calcium salts are often present in the center of all types of gallstones. Matrix proteins are known to be essential for biomineralization and may therefore also be important in the formation and growth of gallstones. Other researchers have described an anionic peptide fraction of a biliary lipoprotein complex in bile and a low—molecular weight acidic glycoprotein present in gallstones.

Variability of atrial natriuretic peptide plasma levels in ascitic cirrhotics: Pathophysiological and clinical implications

Paolo Angeli, Lorenza Caregaro, Francesca Menon, David Sacerdoti, Renzo de Toni, Carlo Merkel, Angelo Gatta – 1 December 1992 – Ascitic cirrhotic patients are a heterogenous population with respect to factors that may affect plasma human atrial natriuretic peptide levels (such as degree of plasma volume and plasma levels of angiotensin II, vasopressin and norepinephrine). Thus the proven variability of plasma human atrial natriuretic peptide values in ascitic cirrhotic patients may be due also to the selection of patients, not only to the study conditions.

The effect of oral‐administered lactulose on colonic nitrogen metabolism and excretion

Per Brøbech Mortensen – 1 December 1992 – The influence of lactulose on organic acid fermentation, nitrogen metabolism and excretion in the colonassociated with its mechanism of action on hepatic encephalopathy was investigated. Orally administered lactulose in increasing amounts (0 to 20 to 40 to 80 to 160 gm/day) to 12 healthy volunteers decreased ammonia production in 16.6% fecal homogenates incubated 6 hr and 24 hr at 37° C (mean ± S.E.M.:from 7 ± 1 to 0 ± 0 and from 13 ± 2 to 0 ± 0 mmol/L, respectively).

Hepatitis C virus and porphyria cutanea tarda: Evidence of a strong association

Silvia Fargion, Alberto Piperno, Maria Domenica Cappellini, Maurizio Sampietro, Anna Ludovica Fracanzani, Riccardo Romano, Rita Caldarelli, Rosaria Marcelli, Luisa Vecchi, Gemino Fiorelli – 1 December 1992 – Porphyria cutanea tarda in human beings is believed to be due to reduced hepatic uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase activity. However, extrinsic factors such as alcohol abuse and drug intake are required for clinical manifestation of the disease. In addition to typical cutaneous lesions, patients with porphyria cutanea tarda usually have chronic liver disease and moderate iron overload.

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