Jürgen Pauletzki, Frans Stellaard, Gustav Paumgartner – 1 June 1989 – Decreased levels of serum cholesterol are a well‐recognized finding in hyperthyroidism. Since the conversion to bile acids is an important pathway for the elimination of cholesterol, we studied primary bile acid kinetics in seven hyperthyroid patients before and after medical treatment. Pool sizes, fractional turnover and synthesis rates of cholic acid and chenodeoxycholic acid were determined after oral administration of 50 mg [13C]cholic acid and 50 mg [13C]chenodeoxycholic acid.

Jeffrey I. Cohen – 1 June 1989

Esteban Mezey – 1 June 1989 – The baboon is the only animal in which alcoholic fibrosis and cirrhosis of the liver has been produced with a nutritionally adequate diet. Zinc deficiency is associated with alcoholic liver disease and may contribute to liver damage. We have therefore investigated whether zinc supplementation would reduce liver damage in ten baboons receiving ethanol and an adequate diet. Eight received ethanol at up to 25 g/kg/day (70% of calories) for up to 60 months (four were supplemented with 50 mg zinc/day).

K. Lassoued, F. Danon, C. André, J. C. Courvalin, D. Dhumeaux, Francisco Lozano, Albert Parés, Luis Borche, Montserrat Plana, Teresa Gallart, Joan Rodés, Jordi Vives – 1 June 1989

1 June 1989

Ronald P. J. Oude Elferink, Jan de Haan, Karel J. Lambert, Lee R. Hagey, Alan F. Hofmann, Peter L. M. Jansen – 1 June 1989 – Canalicular transport of bilirubin diglucuronide, dibromosulfophthalein and several glutathione conjugates is deficient in mutant TR− rats. In contrast, transport of cholyltaurine (taurocholate), a conjugated bile acid, is normal. Previous studies using normal rats have shown that C23 nor‐dihydroxy bile acids are conjugated with sulfate or glucuronide during hepatic transport in contrast to the natural C24 bile acids, which are amidated with glycine or taurine.

Jacquelyn J. Maher – 1 June 1989 – To differentiate cultured rat liver myofibroblasts, fat‐storing cells, aortic smooth muscle cells and skin fibroblasts from each other, desmin and vimentin stainings were undertaken by indirect immunofluorescence using monoclonal antibodies. In myofibroblasts, the reaction with antibodies to vimentin was positive but that with antibodies to desmin was virtually negative. In primary cultures as well as subsequent passage of fat‐storing cells, reactions with antibodies to both desmin and vimentin were positive.

Hirohito Tsubouchi, Shuichi Hirono, Eiichi Gohda, Hiroyuki Nakayama, Kozo Takahashi, Osami Sakiyama, Hiroomi Miyazaki, Junichi Sugihara, Eiichi Tomita, Yasutoshi Muto, Yasushi Daikuhara, Shuji Hashimoto – 1 June 1989 – We have recently found the presence of human hepa‐tocyte growth factor in sera of patients with fulminant hepatic failure and have purified human hepatocyte growth factor from plasma of a patient with fulminant hepatic failure. In this paper, we report the clinical significance of human hepatocyte growth factor in blood from patients with fulminant hepatic failure.

J. Fred Dice – 1 June 1989

Isaac B. Weisfuse, Stephen C. Hadler, Howard A. Fields, Miriam J. Alter, Paul M. O'Malley, Franklyn N. Judson, David G. Ostrow, Norman L. Altman – 1 June 1989 – To assess the incidence and prevalence of delta hepatitis in homosexual men, we tested serum specimens for delta markers in participants in two previous studies: a hepatitis B vaccine trial among homosexual men conducted in the early 1980′s and the Centers for Disease Control sentinel counties hepatitis study for 1983–1984.