γ‐interferon treatment inhibits collagen deposition in murine schistosomiasis

Mark J. Czaja, Francis R. Weiner, Shizuko Takahashi, Marie‐Adele Giambrone, Peter H. Der Van Meide, Huub Schellekens, Luis Biempica, Mark A. Zern – 1 November 1989 – Since interferons have been shown to affect the synthesis of matrix proteins such as collagen in several in vitro systems, the potential role of γ‐interferon in inhibiting hepatic fibrosis was investigated. Hepatic cells, consisting primarily of hepatocytes, were treated with recombinant γ‐interferon for 24 hr.

Endotoxin‐induced ascites formation in the rat: Partial mediation by platelet‐activating factor

Francisco Guarner, John L. Wallace, Wallace K. Macnaughton, Geoffrey C. Ibbotson, Vicente Arroyo, Joan Rodés – 1 November 1989 – Systemic endotoxemia has been observed in patients with acute and chronic liver failure, and bacterial endotoxin is known to increase vascular permeability. We investigated in the normal rat the effects of intraportal endotoxin administration and the possible mediation of these effects by platelet‐activating factor.

Development and evaluation of a system of microencapsulation of primary rat hepatocytes

Zhuhui Cai, Zhiqing Shi, Morris Sherman, Anthony M. Sun – 1 November 1989 – To determine the in vitro function of microencapsulated hepatocytes, viable hepatocytes were isolated from rats and encapsulated within biocompatible alginatepolylysine membranes for in vitro studies. Urea formation, prothrombin and cholinesterase activity, the incorporation of tritiated leucine into intracellular proteins and the immunolocation of synthesized albumin were monitored in culture.

The integrated value of serum procollagen III peptide over time predicts hepatic hydroxyproline content and stainable collagen in a model of dietary cirrhosis in the rat

Mary J. Ruwart, Karen F. Wilkinson, Bob D. Rush, Thomas J. Vidmar, Kenneth M. Peters, Keith S. Henley, Henry D. Appelman, Kiyoung Y. Kim, Detlef Schuppan, Eckert G. Hahn – 1 November 1989 – To determine whether a serum parameter of collagen metabolism, serum procollagen type III peptide, correlated with hepatic collagen in a model of diet‐induced fibrosis, rats were fed a control or cirrhogenic diet for 6 months and treated with either subcutaneous vehicle or the hepatoprotective prostaglandin 16,16‐dimethyl prostaglandin E2 (100 μg per kg) twice daily.

Diverticular bile duct lesion in chronic active hepatitis

Mogens Vyberg – 1 November 1989 – Liver needle biopsies from patients with non‐A, non‐B chronic active hepatitis and so‐called abnormal bile duct epithelium were studied with a three‐dimensional method. Photographs of bile duct structures in serial sections were transferred to acrylic plates. Five bile duct lesions of a not previously described diverticular type were revealed. The diverticuli were of varying shape with a diameter of 30 to 110 μ and a length of 75 to 150μm budding from small (12 to 25μm), slightly ectatic bile ducts. The diverticular epithelium was disordered.

Which patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection will respond to α‐interferon therapy? A statistical analysis of predictive factors

M. Gary Brook, Peter Karayiannis, Howard C. Thomas – 1 November 1989 – Twenty‐one pretreatment variables were assessed for their significance in response prediction using data from 114 patients given α‐interferon for chronic hepatitis B virus infection.

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