Gliotoxin ameliorates development of fibrosis and cirrhosis in a thioacetamide rat model

Activation of hepatic stellate cells causes most of the pathological changes in cirrhosis. The fungal metabolite gliotoxin was shown to induce apoptosis of hepatic stellate cells in vitro. We examined whether gliotoxin may prevent or reverse liver fibrosis in a rat model of thioacetamide-inducedcirrhosis, and whether gliotoxin administration in vivo causes apoptosis of activated stellate cells. Gliotoxin treatment resulted in a significant decrease in liver fibrosis in rats, but did not improve liver functions. We observed a significant reduction in the numbers of activated hepatic stellate cells in the gliotoxin-treated rats. Gliotoxin administration also resulted in parenchymal apoptosis of hepatocytes and hepatic stellate cells. In conclusion, gliotoxin reduces hepatic fibrosis, an effect accompanied by reduction of the numbers of activated hepatic stellate cells in the liver.     

Interleukin-13 ameliorates postischemic hepatic gluconeogenesis and hyperglycemia in rat model of stroke

Metabolic Brain Disease - Hyperglycemia is a well-known indicator of stroke prognosis, and one-third of nondiabetic patients develop postischemic hyperglycemia during the acute phase of stroke;...     

Thalidomide ameliorates carbon tetrachloride induced cirrhosis in the rat

OBJECTIVE: Thalidomide has anti-inflammatory, anti-tumour necrosis factor-alpha and anti-collagen activities. Cirrhosis is characterized by inflammation and fibrosis. Thus, thalidomide was evaluated in an experimental model of liver cirrhosis. METHODS: Male Wistar rats were used. Group 1 (n = 8) received mineral oil i.p. (control); group 2 (n = 15) received CCl(4) i.p. for 8 weeks to induce cirrhosis; group 3 (n = 15) consisted of rats receiving CCl(4) plus thalidomide (200 mg/kg/12 h); animals in group 4 (n = 8) received thalidomide only. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (gamma-GTP) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were measured in serum, while collagen (hydroxyproline), glycogen and lipid peroxidation were determined in liver samples. A liver histopathological analysis was performed by using Gomori's trichromic staining. RESULTS: Intoxication with CCl(4) induced 33.3% mortality, while thalidomide co-treatment reduced it to 13.3%. The serum activities of ALT, gamma-GTP and ALP increased 3, 2 and 4-fold by CCl(4) treatment; thalidomide completely prevented elevation of these enzymes. In the liver, lipid peroxidation increased about 20-fold and glycogen was abolished in CCl(4) cirrhotic rats; thalidomide completely prevented the former and partially (P < 0.05) the latter. CCl(4) treated rats revealed a loss of normal architecture and nodules of hepatocytes surrounded by thick bands of collagen. Thalidomide + CCl(4) treated rats showed minor histological alterations and thinner bands of collagen. The anti-fibrotic effect estimated by hydroxyproline was partial but significant (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Thalidomide prevented necrosis, cholestasis and fibrosis induced by CCl(4). Its mechanism of action may be related to its anti-inflammatory, anti-tumour necrosis factor-alpha and anti-fibrotic activities reported previously.     

Tetrandrine stimulates the apoptosis of hepatic stellate cells and ameliorates development of fibrosis in a thioacetamide rat model

AIM To investigate the therapeutic effect of tetrandrine on liver fibrosis induced by thioacetamide in rats in vivo and in vitro.METHODS In vitro study we investigated the effect of tetrandrine on the apoptosis of rat hepatic stellate cells transformed by simian virus 40 (T-HSC/Cl-6), which retains the features of activated cells. In vivo studyhepatic fibrosis was induced in rats by thioacetamide.Tetrandrine was given orally to rats at doses of 5, 10 or 20 mg/kg for 4 wk compared with intraperitoneal injection of interferon-r.RESULTS In vitro study 5, 10 or 25 μg/mL of tetrandrine-induced activation of caspase-3 in t-HSC/Cl-6 cells occurred dose-depenclently. In vivo study tetrandrine treatment as well as interferon-r significantly ameliorated the development of fibrosis as determined by lowered serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST),alanine aminotransferase (ALT), total bilirubin (T-Bil)and the levels of liver hydroxyproline (Hyp), hyaluronic acid (HA), laminin (LN) and also improved histological findings. The effects of tetrandrine at the concentration of 20 mg/kg were better than the other concentration groups.CONCLUSION Tetrandrine promotes the apoptosis of activated HSCs in vitro. Tetrandrine administration can prevent liver fibrosis and liver damage induced by thioacetamide in rats in vivo, indicating that it might exert a direct effect on rat HSCs.     

Decreased hepatic uptake of cholesterol and retinol in the dimethylnitrosamine rat model of cirrhosis

ABSTRACT— The fenestrated endothelium of the liver sinusoids forms a sieve between the circulation and hepatocytes. Fenestrae selectively permit the entrance of relatively small chylomicron remnants into the space of Disse to contact hepatocyte receptors, but obstruct the passage of the larger parent chylomicrons. Much of dietary cholesterol and most of retinol are transported as esters in the core of chylomicrons. In the dimethyl nitrosamine rat model of cirrhosis, we have described a rapid reduction in size and number of fenestrae well before the onset of cirrhosis. Concurrent with this decreased porosity is a decreased trapping of radio-labelled dietary cholesterol and retinol by these livers. We postulate that the less porous “liver sieve” hinders the hepatic uptake of chylomicron remnants, with consequent disturbance of cholesterol and retinol metabolism.     

Decreased hepatic uptake of cholesterol and retinol in the dimethylnitrosamine rat model of cirrhosis.

The fenestrated endothelium of the liver sinusoids forms a sieve between the circulation and hepatocytes. Fenestrae selectively permit the entrance of relatively small chylomicron remnants into the space of Disse to contact hepatocyte receptors, but obstruct the passage of the larger parent chylomicrons. Much of dietary cholesterol and most of retinol are transported as esters in the core of chylomicrons. In the dimethyl nitrosamine rat model of cirrhosis, we have described a rapid reduction in size and number of fenestrae well before the onset of cirrhosis. Concurrent with this decreased porosity is a decreased trapping of radio-labelled dietary cholesterol and retinol by these livers. We postulate that the less porous "liver sieve" hinders the hepatic uptake of chylomicron remnants, with consequent disturbance of cholesterol and retinol metabolism.     

Effect of remote ischemic preconditioning on hepatic microcirculation and function in a rat model of hepatic ischemia reperfusion injury

Background:

Liver transplantation involves a period of ischemia and reperfusion to the graft which leads to primary non-function and dysfunction of the liver in 5–10% of cases. Remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) has been shown to reduce ischemia reperfusion injury (IRI) injury to the liver and increase hepatic blood flow. We hypothesized that RIPC may directly modulate hepatic microcirculation and have investigated this using intravital microscopy.

Methods:

A rat model of liver IRI was used with 45 min of partial hepatic ischemia (70%) followed by 3 h of reperfusion. Four groups of animals (Sham, IRI, RIPC+IRI, RIPC+Sham) were studied (n= 6, each group). Intravital microscopy was used to measure red blood cell (RBC) velocity, sinusoidal perfusion, sinusoidal flow and sinusoidal diameter. Neutrophil adhesion was assessed by rhodamine labeling of neutrophils and cell death using propidium iodide.

Results:

RIPC reduced the effects of IRI by significantly increasing red blood cell velocity, sinusoidal flow and sinusoidal perfusion along with decreased neutrophil adhesion and cell death.

Conclusions:

Using intravital microscopy, this study demonstrates that RIPC modulates hepatic microcirculation to reduce the effects of IRI. HO-1 may have a key role in the modulation of hepatic microcirculation and endothelial function.     

运动神经元病患者认知功能筛查

目的 调查中国运动神经元病患者认知功能异常及额颞叶功能异常的发生情况.方法 对100例运动神经元病的患者行简易智能状态量表(MMSE),神经精神科问卷,汉密尔顿抑郁量表及汉密尔顿焦虑量表检查.并调查患者一般资料及功能等级评分(FRS)等情况.结果 MMSE结果示轻度认知障碍者占24.2%,MMSE正常与异常之间比较FRS总分及抑郁情况,两者差异有统计学意义.抗抑郁治疗3个月后随访,发现2例患者可能存在额颞叶功能受损.结论 运动神经元病患者认知功能可能轻度受损,部分存在精神行为表现异常,2例患者可能有额颞叶功能受损.     

Renal function and cognitive impairment in patients with liver cirrhosis

OBJECTIVE: Cognitive impairment is a common problem in patients with liver cirrhosis. Its pathogenesis is multifactorial and ammonia is considered to play a central role. Renal function has been shown to be important for ammonia metabolism in cirrhosis. Although renal dysfunction is common in cirrhotic patients, its effect on cognitive function is largely unexplored. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 128 consecutive cirrhotic patients were prospectively evaluated for the presence of cognitive dysfunction according to the West-Haven criteria and by means of two psychometric tests. Serum creatinine, sodium and potassium as well as plasma ammonia concentrations were assessed. Glomerular filtration rate was also measured by (51)Cr- EDTA clearance in a subgroup of patients. RESULTS: Forty-one patients (32%) were found to have cognitive dysfunction (clinical evaluation and/or psychometric tests). Sixteen patients (13%) found with serum creatinine levels above reference values had cognitive dysfunction more frequently than patients with creatinine within the normal range (69% versus 31%; p = 0.001), but did not differ in aetiology or severity of cirrhosis (p >0.1). Patients with loop diuretics versus without did not differ in creatinine values (p >0.1). Multivariate analysis showed that cognitive dysfunction was related to hospital admission at inclusion in the study, international normalized ratio and serum creatinine (p <0.05 for all), but not to potassium or sodium levels. Plasma ammonia concentration was related to serum creatinine (r = 0.26, p = 0.004) and the glomerular filtration rate (r = -0.44, p = 0.023). CONCLUSIONS: Renal dysfunction seems to be related to cognitive impairment in patients with liver cirrhosis and might be implicated in the pathogenesis of hepatic encephalopathy.     

Renal function and cognitive impairment in patients with liver cirrhosis

Objective. Cognitive impairment is a common problem in patients with liver cirrhosis. Its pathogenesis is multifactorial and ammonia is considered to play a central role. Renal function has been shown to be important for ammonia metabolism in cirrhosis. Although renal dysfunction is common in cirrhotic patients, its effect on cognitive function is largely unexplored. Material and methods. A total of 128 consecutive cirrhotic patients were prospectively evaluated for the presence of cognitive dysfunction according to the West-Haven criteria and by means of two psychometric tests. Serum creatinine, sodium and potassium as well as plasma ammonia concentrations were assessed. Glomerular filtration rate was also measured by ⁵¹Cr- EDTA clearance in a subgroup of patients. Results. Forty-one patients (32%) were found to have cognitive dysfunction (clinical evaluation and/or psychometric tests). Sixteen patients (13%) found with serum creatinine levels above reference values had cognitive dysfunction more frequently than patients with creatinine within the normal range (69% versus 31%; p=0.001), but did not differ in aetiology or severity of cirrhosis (p>0.1). Patients with loop diuretics versus without did not differ in creatinine values (p>0.1). Multivariate analysis showed that cognitive dysfunction was related to hospital admission at inclusion in the study, international normalized ratio and serum creatinine (p<0.05 for all), but not to potassium or sodium levels. Plasma ammonia concentration was related to serum creatinine (r=0.26, p=0.004) and the glomerular filtration rate (r=?0.44, p=0.023). Conclusions. Renal dysfunction seems to be related to cognitive impairment in patients with liver cirrhosis and might be implicated in the pathogenesis of hepatic encephalopathy.     

扶正化瘀方对肝纤维化模型大鼠肝组织纤维化及肝星状细胞的影响

目的 评价扶正化瘀方对肝纤维化模型大鼠肝组织纤维化及活化肝星状细胞(HSC)的影响. 方法 64只雄性SD大鼠随机分为正常对照组、四氯化碳(CCl4)肝纤维化模型组、药物干预低剂量组和药物干预高剂量组.除正常组外,所有大鼠用CCl4复合法制备大鼠肝纤维化模型；在造模同时,药物干预组给予扶正化瘀方灌胃,1次/d,6次/周,共6周(低剂量组按0.75g/kg,高剂量组1.5 g/kg);分别在实验的第2、4、6周处死正常组、模型组及药物干预低、高剂量组大鼠各4只,收集大鼠血清及肝组织标本,测定大鼠血清ALT、AST、总胆红素(TBil);组织标本常规石蜡包埋、切片、HE染色及Masson三重染色,采用计算机图像分析测定大鼠肝组织纤维化面积比例；测定α-平滑肌肌动蛋白(α-SMA)的积分吸光度值.组间数据比较用完全随机设计的单因素方差分析.结果 2周末正常对照组、模型对照组、药物干预低、高剂量组ALT分别为(24.68±1.50) U/L、(85.33±5.68)U/L、(56.49±4.85) U/L、(36.94±5.23)U/L,4组比较,F值为98.11,差异有统计学意义；4组的AST值分别为(37.69±3.35)U/L、(112.34±7.02) U/L、(82.89±5.32) U/L、(61.39±6.06)U/L,4组比较,F值为96.31,差异有统计学意义；4组的TBil值分别为(6.70±1.10) U/L、(14.12±0.68) U/L、(10.85±0.64) U/L、(7.78±0.69) U/L,4组比较,F值为51.67,差异有统计学意义.4周末4组ALT、AST、TBil比较,F值分别为111.24、72.11、101.20,P值均＜0.05,差异均有统计学意义；6周末4组ALT、AST、TBil比较,F值分别为154.16、190.80、158.91,P值均＜0.05,差异均有统计学意义.与正常组比较,2、4、6周末模型组、扶正化瘀高、低剂量各组ALT、AST、TBil的水平均有不同程度的升高；与模型组比较,药物干预各组ALT、AST、TBil数值均有不同程度下降,其中以扶正化瘀方高剂量组改善最为显著.与正常组比较,模型组、药物干预低、高剂量组肝组织纤维化面积比例明显升高,2周末正常组、模型组、药物干预低、高剂量组肝组织纤维化面积比例分别为5.23％±0.10％、11.93％±1.78％、9.33％±1.09％、8.26％±0.77％,4组比较,F=18.68,P＜0.01；4周末、6周末正常组、模型组、药物干预低、高剂量组肝组织纤维化面积比较,F值分别为49.95、82.44,P值均＜0.01,差异均有统计学意义.随着造模时间的延长,α-SMA表达亦较正常对照组均有升高,药物干预低、高剂量组大鼠肝组织α-SMA的表达与正常组和模型组比较,均明显下调,且药物干预高剂量组α-SMA表达下调显著.结论 扶正化瘀方具有抗肝纤维化的作用,且可减少α-SMA的表达,其抗肝纤维化机制可能是通过促进活化HSC的凋亡,减少活化HSC的数量.     

Exercise training ameliorates cognitive dysfunction in amyloid beta-injected rat model: possible mechanisms of Angiostatin/VEGF signaling

Metabolic Brain Disease - Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) regulates angio/neurogenesis and also tightly links to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Although exercise has...     

Lower extremity motor function and disability in mild cognitive impairment

Recent findings suggest that lower extremity motor dysfunction may be a feature of mild cognitive impairment (MCI), but little is known about the nature and significance of lower extremity motor dysfunction in MCI. The aim of this study was to examine the extent to which MCI is associated with impaired gait, balance, and strength and to examine the relation of lower extremity function to disability among persons with MCI in the Rush Memory and Aging Project, a clinical-pathologic study of common chronic conditions of old age. In a series of analyses adjusted for age, sex, and education, individuals with MCI exhibited more impaired gait and balance than individuals without cognitive impairment. Because vascular factors can contribute to lower extremity motor dysfunction, the authors repeated the initial analyses including terms for vascular risk factors and vascular disease, and the associations between MCI and lower extremity motor dysfunction persisted. Moreover, among those with MCI, impairments in gait and balance were associated with an increased likelihood of disability. These findings suggest that lower extremity motor dysfunction is common and contributes to disability in MCI, but lower extremity motor dysfunction in MCI does not appear to be explained by the vascular factors examined in this study.     

Combined treatment of vitamin K2 and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor ameliorates hepatic dysplastic nodule in a patient with liver cirrhosis

Although it is well known that the hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is an ominous complication in patients with liver cirrhosis, there has been no approved drug to prevent the development of HCC to date. We previously reported that the combined treatment of vitamin K2 (VK) and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACE-I) significantly suppressed the experimental hepatocarcinogenesis. A 66-year-old Japanese woman with hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related liver cirrhosis developed a dysplastic nodule in the liver detected by enhanced computed tomography along with elevation of the tumor markers, namely, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and lectin-reactive demarcation (AFP-L3), suggesting the presence of latent HCC. After oral administration of VK and ACE-I, the serum levels of both AFP and AFP-L3 gradually decreased without any marked alteration of the serum aminotransferase activity. After one-year treatment, not only the serum levels of AFP and AFP-L3 returned to the normal ranges, but also the dysplastic nodule disappeared. Since both VK and ACE-I are widely used without serious side effects, this combined regimen may become a new strategy for chemoprevention against HCC.     

Urinary incontinence in the elderly: relation to cognitive and motor function

Urinary incontinence is a common problem in older subjects, very often wrongfully accepted as a normal part of the aging process. A total of 520 subjects (208 males and 312 females; mean age 74.8 +/- 11.8 years), from both private- and nursing-home dwelling populations, were included in this study aimed to estimate the incidence of urinary incontinence and identify factors associated with condition, in aged subjects. The incidence and type of urinary incontinence (stress, urge or mixed incontinence) were assessed by structured questionnaires and diagnosis was confirmed by a seven-day consecutive voiding diary. Assessment of physical, cognitive and emotional functions was performed on each subject using the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale (IADL), Tinetti Scale (gait), Tinetti Scale (balance) and Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) instruments. In the total population sample the incidence of urinary incontinence was 47.9%. The incontinence cases were classified, according to the different types, as: stress incontinence (males: 3.4%; females: 8.7%; males+females: 6.5%); urge incontinence (males: 27.4%; females: 31.4%; males+females: 29.8%); mixed incontinence (males: 20.2%; females: 5.8%; males+females: 11.5%). In the total population sample, no significant relationship was found between age and prevalence of urinary incontinence. In the elderly female group, age significantly correlated in a direct manner with urge incontinence (P<0.01) and inversely with stress incontinence (P<0.001). Only in the male sex group age significantly correlated with mixed incontinence (P<0.005). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that the dependent variable 'incontinence' could be predicted by MMSE (P<0.001) in the male sex group and by the Tinetti Scale (gait) (P<0.001) in the female sex group.     

脂肪间质干细胞移植对大鼠肝硬化模型的治疗作用

目的:探讨脂肪间质干细胞经门静脉及尾静脉移植后,对CCl4诱导的大鼠肝硬化模型的治疗作用.方法:SD♂大鼠45只随机分为对照组、门脉移植组及尾静脉移植组.所有大鼠经腹腔皮下注射CCl4混合物8 wk.第6周时门静脉组及尾静脉组分别从肠系膜上静脉及尾静脉注射大鼠脂肪间质干细胞悬液每只2 mL(细胞数量为2×106个),对照组自尾静脉注射等容量的细胞培养液.细胞移植前后取血检测肝功能指标.取肝脏标本并行包埋切片,HE染色后显微镜下观察各标本肝细胞变性坏死及肝硬化程度并进行病理评分.对所有实验数据行统计学分析.结果:门静脉及尾静脉移植组大鼠的肝功能指标(AST、ALT、ALB)较对照组有明显改善(142.2±31.2 U/L,167.9±28.3 U/L vs 354.2±26.4 U/L; 79.4±18.9 U/L,85.8±21.4 U/L vs456.7±35.3 U/L; 26.3±2.0 g/L,24.5±2.2 g/Lvs 17.2±1.7 g/L,均P<0.05),但TBIL没有明显改善.与对照组相比,脂肪干细胞移植能抑制肝组织的变性坏死和纤维化形成.病理评分比差异有统计学意义(P<0.05).结论:经门静脉及尾静脉移植脂肪间质干细胞对大鼠肝硬化模型有治疗作用,能改善肝功能及肝硬化程度.