The localization of liver fatty acid-binding protein (L-FABP) and its mRNA in the liver and jejunum was examined in normal and 3-day-fasted rats by means of immunohistochemistry using a specific antibody to L-FABP and in situ hybridization using a synthetic oligonucleotide complementary to L-FABP mRNA as probe. In the liver from normally fed rats, the signal for L-FABP mRNA in hepatocytes was distributed throughout the lobule, with higher intensity in the periportal than in the centrolobular region. After a 3-d fasting, the mRNA signal declined in intensity throughout the lobule, in accordance with the result of Northern blot analysis. Immunohistochemistry for L-FABP showed intralobular patterns of immunoreactivity similar to those of the mRNA signal in both fed and fasted animals. In the jejunum from fed rats, L-FABP-mRNA signal was abundant in the absorptive epithelial cells lining the lower two-thirds of villus and less abundant in the villus tip cells, while the intensity of L-FABP immunoreactivity remained high in the latter cells. Fasting brought about a downward shift of the mRNA signal to an area including the upper half of the crypt and the lower portions of villus, with decreased intensity in the rest of the villus. Immunohistochemistry also showed a downward extension of the immunoreactivity into the upper crypt area. The present results suggest that in situ hybridization is a useful tool to analyze regulations of the expression of L-FABP gene in the digestive organs in association with epithelial cell migration and dietary condition.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Expression and localization of intestinal 15 kDa protein in the rat.

Rat intestinal 15 kDa protein (I-15P) is highly homologous to porcine gastrotropin. We studied the occurrence, distribution and subcellular localization of I-15P in the entire rat body, using the immunocytochemistry to localize protein and in situ hybridization to localize mRNA. Both techniques demonstrated the expression of I-15P in the enterocytes of ileum, luteal cells of ovary and a subpopulation of steroid-endocrine cells of adrenal gland. Immuno-electron microscopy further demonstrated that I-15P is localized in both the cytoplasmic and nuclear matrix regions of these cells. The present results suggest roles of I-15P not only in the transport of bile salts but also in the metabolisms of certain steroid hormones.

Adrenal Glands↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The blood group antigen D-ia in Japanese and its independence of the ABH secretor system.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

ABO Blood-Group System↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Two long-term survivors after microwave coagulation therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma: a case report.

We present two long-term survivors who underwent microwave coagulation therapy (MCT) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). One patient was a 55-yr-old man having a solitary HCC of 25 mm in diameter associated with advanced liver cirrhosis. He underwent MCT instead of hepatic resection because he developed bleeding tendency during surgery. The other patient was a 78-yr-old woman having a 7 cm tumor in segment II and a 15 mm satellite lesion in segment IV. Because manipulation of the left hepatic lobe caused prolonged hypotension, only the main tumor was resected. The satellite lesion was treated with MCT. In both cases, tumors and surrounding liver parenchyma were widely coagulated. Postoperative courses were uneventful. The coagulated area shrank subsequently after surgery. Both patients are alive 39 and 55 months after MCT without tumor recurrence. This report proves that MCT is a curative treatment and an alternative to hepatic resection in selected patients with HCCs.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Laparoscopic hepatic resection: a new and safe procedure by abdominal wall lifting method.

HCC is well known for its high incidence of intrahepatic tumor recurrence and many patients suffering from them, usually undergo further treatments, such as PEI, TAE, MCNT or hepatic resection. However, conventional hepatic resection by large skin incision causes severe intraabdominal adhesions, which disturb US examination and further treatments. The aim of the laparoscopic procedure is to prevent intraabdominal adhesions. This is a study of the feasibility of laparoscopic hepatic resection without CO2 pneumoperitoneum, which is not yet popular, as a safe and effective procedure. The patient in this study had a solitary HCC in the lateral segment. Mobilization of the lateral segment, dissections of the left hepatic artery and portal venous branches, i.e. P2 and P3, were performed under CO2 gas insufflation. However, to avoid CO2 gas embolism, further procedures, including parenchymal compression and hepatic venous dissection, were performed using the abdominal wall lifting method without pneumoperitoneum. The patient could eat on the second postoperative day and had an uneventful postoperative recovery and was discharged from the hospital 13 days after surgery. Hospital stay was shorter than conventional hepatic resections with large skin incisions. The importance of this procedure lies in that it is not only a minimally invasive procedure, but also provides us with the possibilities of further treatments, including PEI and re-hepatic resection.

Abdominal Muscles↗