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Development of the liver- and lobe-selective nonviral gene transfer following the instillation of naked plasmid DNA using catheter on the liver surface in mice.

PURPOSE: The present study has undertaken the liver- and lobe-selective nonviral gene transfer following the instillation of naked plasmid DNA (pDNA) using catheter on the liver surface in mice. METHODS: The polyethernylon catheter was inserted intraperitoneally through the abdominal wall and was retained on the surface of the liver right and left medial lobes. pDNA was administered through the catheter to the liver right and left medial lobes. RESULTS: The luciferase levels produced in the applied liver lobes at 6 h after liver surface instillation of pDNA were significantly higher than those produced in other liver lobes and other tissues assayed, and ranged from approximately 5 folds higher in other lobes to 20-30 folds higher in other tissues. Following liver surface instillation of pDNA at a time from 2 to 24 h or at a volume from 15 to 60 microl, the gene expressions of the applied liver lobes were always significantly higher than those of other liver lobes and other tissues. CONCLUSION: We have demonstrated the liver- and lobe-selective gene transfection following the instillation of naked pDNA using catheter on the liver surface in mice.

Animals↗

Cellular communication inside the liver. Binding, conversion and metabolic effect of prostaglandin D2 on parenchymal liver cells.

The major eicosanoid produced within the rat liver, prostaglandin (PG) D2, wa studied for its ability to interact with the various liver cell types. It appeared that PGD2 bound specifically to parenchymal liver cells, whereas the binding of PGD2 to Kupffer and endothelial liver cells was quantitatively unimportant. Maximally 700 pg of PGD2/mg of parenchymal-cell protein could be bound by a high-affinity site (1 x 10(6) PGD2-binding sites/cell). The recognition site for PGD2 is probably a protein because trypsin treatment of the cells virtually abolished the high-affinity binding. High-affinity binding of PGD2 was a prerequisite for the induction of a metabolic effect in isolated parenchymal liver cells, i.e. the induction of glycogenolysis. High-affinity binding of PGD2 by parenchymal cells was coupled to the conversion of PGD2 into three metabolites, whereas no conversion of PGD2 by Kupffer and endothelial liver cells was noticed. The temperature-sensitivity of the conversion of PGD2 was consistent with a conversion of PGD2 on or in the vicinity of the cell membrane. One of the PGD2 metabolites could be identified as 9 alpha, 11 beta-PGF2. It can be calculated that the conversion rate of PGD2 by parenchymal liver cells exceeds the production rate of PGD2 by Kupffer plus endothelial liver cells, indicating that PGD2 is meant to exert its activity within the liver. The present finding that PGD2 formed by the non-parenchymal liver cells is recognized by a specific receptor on parenchymal liver cells and that binding, conversion and metabolic effect of PGD2 are interlinked by this receptor provides further support for the specific role of PGD2 in the intercellular communication in the liver.

Alprostadil↗

Exaggeration of acute liver damage by hepatic sympathetic nerves and circulating catecholamines in perfused liver of rats treated with D-galactosamine.

Effects of electrical stimulation of the hepatic nerves on acute liver damage were examined using isolated rat liver perfused in situ, 24 hours after intraperitoneal injection with D-galactosamine (800 mg/kg). The leakage of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) from the liver was used as markers of acute liver damage. In perfused livers after treatment with galactosamine, nerve stimulation (20 V, 20 Hz, 2 ms) increased the leakage of LDH and AST about 3-fold over the basal level accompanied by the decrease in flow rate, whereas with control livers the leakage of LDH and AST into the effluent was almost undetectable throughout the perfusion. The rapid increase in the leakage of LDH and AST was observed during nerve stimulation even under conditions where perfusion flow was maintained constant. Such effects of hepatic nerve stimulation on galactosamine-treated livers were mimicked well by infusion of noradrenaline or phenylephrine, and inhibited by the alpha1-antagonist bunazosin. Artificial reduction of perfusion flow alone did not induce the rapid leakage of LDH and AST into the effluent. On the other hand, low concentration (10 nmol/L) of noradrenaline only minimally decreased the flow rate but apparently augmented liver cell damage. The acute liver damage augmented by noradrenaline was dependent on extracellular Ca2+. These results indicate that in the liver, already having been injured slightly, the activation of hepatic sympathetic nerves and circulating catecholamines exaggerates acute liver damage through an action on liver cells, which depends on the influx of extracellular Ca2+.

Adrenergic alpha-Agonists↗

Standardized measurement of the future liver remnant prior to extended liver resection: methodology and clinical associations.

BACKGROUND: There is no agreement regarding the preoperative measurement of liver volumes and the minimal safe size of the liver remnant after extended hepatectomy. METHODS: In 20 patients with hepatobiliary malignancy and no underlying chronic liver disease, volumetric measurements of the liver remnant (segments 2 and 3 +/- 1) were obtained before extended right lobectomy (right trisegmentectomy). The ratios of future liver remnant to total liver volume were calculated by using a formula based on body surface area. In 12 patients, response to preoperative right trisectoral portal vein embolization was evaluated. In 15 patients who underwent the planned resection, preoperative volumes were correlated with biochemical and clinical outcome parameters. RESULTS: The future liver remnants increased after portal vein embolization (26% versus 36%, P < .01). Smaller size liver remnants were associated with an increase in postoperative liver function tests (P < .05) and longer lengths of hospital stay (P < .02). Preliminary data indicates an increase in major complications for liver volumes < or = 25% (P = .02). CONCLUSIONS: A simple method of measurement provides an assessment of the liver remnant before resection. It is useful in evaluating response to portal vein embolization and in predicating the outcome before extended liver resections.

Adult↗

Inhibition of zaleplon metabolism by cimetidine in the human liver: in vitro studies with subcellular fractions and precision-cut liver slices.

1. The effect of cimetidine on the metabolism of zaleplon (ZAL) in human liver subcellular fractions and precision-cut liver slices was investigated. 2. ZAL was metabolized to a number of products including 5-oxo-ZAL (M2), which is known to be formed by aldehyde oxidase, N-desethyl-ZAL (DZAL), which is known to be formed by CYP3A forms, and N-desethyl-5-oxo-ZAL (M1). 3. Human liver microsomes catalysed the NADPH-dependent metabolism of ZAL to DZAL. Kinetic analysis of three microsomal preparations revealed mean (+/-SEM) S(50) and V(max) of 310 +/- 24 micro M and 920 +/- 274 pmol/min/mg protein, respectively. 4. Human liver cytosol preparations catalysed the metabolism of ZAL to M2. Kinetic analysis of three cytosol preparations revealed mean (+/-SEM), K(m) and V(max) of 124 +/- 14 micro M and 564 +/- 143 pmol/min/mg protein, respectively. 5. Cimetidine inhibited ZAL metabolism to DZAL in liver microsomes and to M2 in the liver cytosol. With a ZAL substrate concentration of 62 micro M, the calculated mean (+/-SEM, n = 3) IC50 were 596 +/- 103 and 231 +/- 23 micro M for DZAL and M2 formation, respectively. Kinetic analysis revealed that cimetidine was a competitive inhibitor of M2 formation in liver cytosol with a mean (+/-SEM, n = 3) K(i) of 155 +/- 16 micro M. 6. Freshly cut human liver slices metabolized ZAL to a number of products including 1, M2 and DZAL. 7. Cimetidine inhibited ZAL metabolism in liver slices to M1 and M2, but not to DZAL. Kinetic analysis revealed that cimetidine was a competitive inhibitor of M2 formation in liver slices with an average (n = 2 preparations) K(i) of 506 micro M. 8. The results demonstrate that cimetidine can inhibit both the CYP3A and aldehyde oxidase pathways of ZAL metabolism in the human liver. Cimetidine appears to be a more potent inhibitor of aldehyde oxidase than of CYP3A forms and hence in vivo is likely to have a more marked effect on ZAL metabolism to M2 than on DZAL formation. 9. The results also demonstrate that precision-cut liver slices may be a useful model system for in vitro drug-interaction studies.

Acetamides↗

Patterns of heat shock protein (HSP70) expression and Kupffer cell activity following thermal ablation of liver and colorectal liver metastases.

The time course and extent of thermal ablative injury differs in liver compared to tumour tissue. This may be influenced by differences in the expression of heat shock proteins (HSP) and the response of Kupffer cells to thermal injury. This study determines the expression and response of HSP70 and Kupffer cells to thermal ablative injury in a Murine model of colorectal liver metastases. Thermal ablation by laser (Nd-YAG wavelength 1064 nm) was induced in liver and colorectal cancer liver metastases in CBA strain mice. Laser energy was applied at 2 W for 50 s and produced incomplete tumour ablation. Established tissue injury was assessed in separate groups of animals at time points ranging from 12 h to 21 days following therapy. HSP70 and Kupffer cell expression at the margins of coagulated tissue was determined by immunohistochemical staining for HSP70 and F4/80 antigens, respectively. HSP70 was faintly expressed in the cytoplasm of all tumour cells, with distinct clusters exhibiting intense cytoplasmic and nuclear HSP70 staining (130+/-19 cells mm-2). Comparatively, HSP70 expression was uncommon in untreated control liver specimens (2+/-2 cells mm-2, p<0.001). Thermal ablation increased expression of HSP70 at coagulated tissue margins. The peak response in tumours occurred at 2 days post-ablation and was significantly greater than the peak response in liver, occurring at 12 h (809+/-80 cells mm-2 vs. 454+/-52 cells mm-2, p<0.001). HSP70 expression remained significantly elevated for 7 days following therapy in tumour tissue, compared to 3 days in liver. Kupffer cell numbers in untreated control tumours were significantly lower than in untreated control livers (285+/-23 cells mm-2 vs. 451+/-30 cells mm-2, p<0.001). Following thermal ablation, there was an initial decrease in Kupffer cell numbers at the margin of coagulation with subsequent persistent increases thereafter. In liver tissue, the peak Kupffer cell response occurred at 5 days post-therapy and was significantly greater than the peak response in tumour tissue 3 days post-thermal ablation (1074+/-34 cells mm-2 vs. 860+/-53 cells mm-2, p=0.007). Thermal ablation produces a greater and more prolonged HSP70 response in colorectal liver metastases than in liver tissue. It also induces persistent increases in Kupffer cell activity in liver and tumour tissue.

Animals↗

Predicted lifetimes for adult and pediatric split liver versus adult whole liver transplant recipients.

Split liver transplantation allows 2 recipients to receive transplants from one organ. Comparisons of predicted lifetimes for two alternatives (split liver for an adult and pediatric recipient vs. whole liver for an adult recipient) can help guide the use of donor livers. We analyzed mortality risk for 48,888 waitlisted candidates, 907 split and 21,913 whole deceased donor liver transplant recipients between January 1, 1995 and February 26, 2002. Cox regression models for pediatric and adult patients assessed average relative wait list and post-transplant death risks, for split liver recipients. Life years gained compared with remaining on the waiting list over a 2-year period were calculated. Seventy-six splits (152 recipients) and 24 re-transplants resulted from every 100 livers (13.1% [adult] and 18.0% [pediatric] 2-year re-transplant rates, respectively). Whole livers used for 93 adults also utilized 100 livers (re-transplant rate 7.0%). Eleven extra life years and 59 incremental recipients accrued from each 100 livers used for split compared with whole organ transplants. Split liver transplantation could provide enough organs to satisfy the entire current demand for pediatric donor livers in the United States, provide more aggregate years of life than whole organ transplants and result in larger numbers of recipients.

Adult↗

Up-regulation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPAR-alpha) and PPAR-gamma messenger ribonucleic acid expression in the liver in murine obesity: troglitazone induces expression of PPAR-gamma-responsive adipose tissue-specific genes in the liver of obese diabetic mice.

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are transcription factors that play an important role in the regulation of genes involved in lipid utilization and storage, lipoprotein metabolism, adipocyte differentiation, and insulin action. The three isoforms of the PPAR family, i.e. alpha, delta, and gamma, have distinct tissue distribution patterns. PPAR-alpha is predominantly present in the liver, and PPAR-gamma in adipose tissue, whereas PPAR-delta is ubiquitously expressed. A recent study reported increased PPAR-gamma messenger RNA (mRNA) expression in the liver in ob/ob mice; however, it is not known whether increased PPAR-gamma expression in the liver has any functional consequences. The expression of PPAR-alpha and -delta in the liver in obesity has not been determined. We have now examined the mRNA levels of PPAR-alpha, -delta, and -gamma in three murine models of obesity, namely, ob/ob (leptin-deficient), db/db (leptin-receptor deficient), and serotonin 5-HT2c receptor (5-HT2cR) mutant mice. 5-HT2cR mutant mice develop a late-onset obesity that is associated with higher plasma leptin levels. Our results show that PPAR-alpha mRNA levels in the liver are increased by 2- to 3-fold in all three obese models, whereas hepatic PPAR-gamma mRNA levels are increased by 7- to 9-fold in ob/ob and db/db mice and by 2-fold in obese 5-HT2cR mutant mice. PPAR-delta mRNA expression is not altered in ob/ob or db/db mice. To determine whether increased PPAR-gamma expression in the liver has any functional consequences, we examined the effect of troglitazone treatment on the hepatic mRNA levels of several PPAR-gamma-responsive adipose tissue-specific genes that have either no detectable or very low basal expression in the liver. The treatment of lean control mice with troglitazone significantly increased the expression of adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein (aP2) and fatty acid translocase (FAT/CD36) in the liver. This troglitazone-induced increase in the expression of aP2 and FAT/CD36 was markedly enhanced in the liver in ob/ob mice. Troglitazone also induced a pronounced increase in the expression of uncoupling protein-2 in the liver in ob/ob mice. In contrast to the liver, troglitazone did not increase the expression of aP2, FAT/CD36, and uncoupling protein-2 in adipose tissue in lean or ob/ob mice. Taken together, our results suggest that the effects of PPAR-gamma activators on lipid metabolism and energy homeostasis in obesity and type 2 diabetes may be partly mediated through their effects on PPAR-gamma in the liver.

Adipose Tissue↗

Factors affecting the prognosis of anatomical liver resection for liver metastases from colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Liver resection has improved the survival of colorectal cancer patients with metastases. However, there are groups at high risk of recurrence after liver resection. This report reviews our results using anatomical liver resection and analyzes the prognostic factors. METHODOLOGY: We analyzed 78 patients who underwent anatomical liver resection of liver metastases from colorectal cancer between June 1988 and March 2002. RESULTS: Twenty-nine patients had synchronous metastases, and 49 had metachronous. The 5-year overall survival rate was 43%. Patients with more than three metastatic tumors had a significantly poorer 5-year recurrence-free survival rate. There was no statistical difference in the 5-year overall survival rate between patients with metachronous metastases (41%) and those with synchronous (44%) metastases. The 5-year overall survival rate was significantly poorer for patients with an interval of 1 year or less between colorectal and liver resections than for patients with a longer interval. Recurrence after liver resection occurred in 38 patients (49%). The recurrences occurred in the lung in 18 patients, in remnant liver in 15 patients, in lymph nodes in 7 patients, and in other organs in 6 patients. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that anatomical liver resection of liver metastases from colorectal cancer improves survival. Liver metastases that occur within 1 year of colorectal resection may need an interval of observation before liver resection.

Adult↗

Hydrolysis of organic sulfates in periportal and pericentral regions of the liver lobule: studies with 4-methylumbelliferyl sulfate in the perfused rat liver.

The hydrolysis of 4-methylumbelliferyl sulfate by liver sulfatases to free fluorescent 4-methylumbelliferone and the subsequent formation of the glucuronide conjugate were studied in the isolated perfused rat liver. In livers from fed, phenobarbital-treated rats, 4-methylumbelliferyl sulfate (0.25-1.5 mM) was hydrolyzed rapidly to free 4-methylumbelliferone at maximal rates of about 5 mumol/g/hr. A major fraction of the free 4-methylumbelliferone formed was converted to the glucuronide at maximal rates around 20 mumol/g/hr. Similar rates of hydrolysis were observed in livers from fasted, phenobarbital-treated or normal rats, although the ratio of glucuronide to free product was decreased markedly by fasting. In liver homogenates, however, rates of organic sulfate hydrolysis exceeded those observed in the perfused liver by at least 2-fold, suggesting that 4-methylumbelliferyl sulfate content is an important determinant of rates of hydrolysis in the perfused liver. There was a good correlation (r = 0.91) between rates of product formation and fluorescence of 4-methylumbelliferone detected from the liver surface with fiber optic light guides. Fluorescence of 4-methylumbelliferone produced from hydrolysis of 4-methylumbelliferyl sulfate was also monitored with micro-light guides placed on periportal and pericentral areas of the liver lobule for the estimation of local rates of product formation. When perfusions were in the anterograde direction, desulfation of 4-methylumbelliferyl sulfate was about 50% higher in pericentral (28.8 +/- 9.3 mumol/g/hr) than in periportal (18.2 +/- 2.7 mumol/g/hr) areas. Furthermore, 4-methylumbelliferyl sulfate content determined in microdissected samples was 1.5- to 2-fold higher in pericentral than in periportal regions of the liver lobule but the activity of 4-methylumbelliferyl sulfate sulfatase was identical in both zones of the liver lobule. We conclude, therefore, that the local substrate content is an important determinant of rates of 4-methylumbelliferyl sulfate hydrolysis in sublobular zones of the liver.

Animals↗

Comparison of Tc-99m labeled liver and liver paté as markers for solid-phase gastric emptying.

A radionuclide marker for studies of solid-phase gastric emptying should have a high labeling efficiency and remain relatively stable during gastric emptying. The availability of materials and the ease of preparation are also considerations in selecting radionuclide markers. We have compared the stability of intracellularly labeled chicken liver, surface-labeled chicken liver, and labeled puréed meat (liver paté) incubated with hydrochloric acid solution or gastric juice. Intracellularly labeled chicken liver and labeled liver paté were also compared in gastric emptying studies in humans. Our in vitro results demonstrated labeling efficiencies greater than 92% for both intracellularly labeled liver and labeled liver paté. The paté labeled with Tc-99m sulfur colloid was more stable than Tc-99m surface-labeled liver in vitro and its preparation was easier than with the intracellular labeling technique. Gastric emptying studies on normal subjects demonstrated equal performance of the intracellularly labeled liver and the labeled liver paté. Labeled liver paté is thus an alternative to intracellularly labeled chicken liver in measuring solid-phase gastric emptying.

Adult↗

Development of a bioartificial liver: properties and function of a hollow-fiber module inoculated with liver cells.

We have developed a bioartificial liver support system utilizing hollow-fiber bioreactor, plasmapheresis and microcarrier cell culture technologies. Liver cells were obtained through portal vein perfusion with ethylenediaminetetraacetate or ethylenediaminetetraacetate/collagenase. A mathematical model of mass transport in a hollow-fiber module, at various plasma flow velocities and system configurations, was developed. The bioartificial liver's ability to carry out specific differentiated metabolic liver functions was tested in vitro and in vivo. A reproducible large-animal model of acute ischemic liver failure was developed. Most major first-generation cyclosporine and 19-norterstosterone metabolites were isolated after substrate addition to the bioartificial liver in vitro. After bioartificial liver treatment for 6 hr (with dog or pig liver cells), dogs with acute liver failure had significantly lower serum ammonia and lactate levels and significantly higher serum glucose levels than did control animals treated with a bioartificial liver system inoculated with microcarriers alone. In addition, bioartificial liver-treated animals had significantly higher mean systolic blood pressures than did controls. Liver cell viability at the end of the 6-hr in vivo experiment was greater than 90%.

Animals↗

The bright liver syndrome. Prevalence and determinants of a "bright" liver echopattern.

BACKGROUND: "Bright" liver at ultrasonography predicts fatty liver. AIM: To assess prevalence and predictors of a bright liver. METHODS: Prevalence arm--Prospective collection of records of unselected patients undergoing liver ultrasound. Protocol arm--A sample of patients with bright liver underwent routine laboratory investigations, liver tests, HBsAg (EIA) and anti-HCV (ELISA). Equipment--Grey scale real-time scanner. Bright liver diagnosed through the liver-kidney contrast. Statistics--Student's t-test; chi-square test; one-way analysis of variance; stepwise multiple logistic regression analysis, forward and backward. RESULTS: Prevalence arm--72 out of 363 (19.8%) cases had bright liver. Protocol arm--100 cases underwent laboratory evaluation. No difference was found in mean values of fasting plasma glucose, LDL cholesterol, apo A, Lp(a), uric acid, total bilirubin, GOT, GPT, AP, GGT, and serum bile acids or in the prevalence of serum HBsAg and anti-HCV in bright liver vs control groups. Univariate analysis showed body mass index, age, total cholesterol triglycerides, apo B, albumin, HDL cholesterol to be significantly different between cases and controls. However, the last 2 variables dropped out when logistic regression analysis was applied. CONCLUSIONS: 1. Roughly 20% of Italian patients undergoing US for routine clinical practice will have a bright liver. 2. Body mass index, age, serum cholesterol, triglycerides, and apo B levels are the independent predictors of a bright liver.

Aged↗

Prognostic value of the monoethylglycinexylidide liver function test in assessing donor liver suitability.

BACKGROUND: Liver graft assessment prior to transplantation continues to be controversial. Various donor organ parameters must be evaluated to ensure that the transplanted organ will function and that the number of organs discarded will be minimized. Recent attempts to quantify liver function have utilized the metabolism of lidocaine to monoethylglycinexylidide (MEGX), and the MEGX test has been employed to evaluate the functional characteristics of donor livers prior to transplantation, with conflicting results. OBJECTIVE: To ascertain the role of quantitating the metabolic rate of lidocaine in predicting the results of liver transplantation. METHODS: Consecutive liver donors (N = 37) underwent quantitation of the amount of lidocaine converted to MEGX at 15 minutes. The donor patients were divided arbitrarily into efficient and poor lidocaine metabolizers, and the results of liver transplantation were evaluated. RESULTS: Patients who received livers that produced MEGX values of 80 ng/mL or less in 15 minutes had no definable alteration in transplantation outcome compared with patients who received livers that were more efficient lidocaine metabolizers. In a collected series, 46 patients who received livers that produced MEGX values of 80 ng/mL or less had a 1-month graft survival rate of 89% (41/46), while 74 patients who received livers that produced MEGX values greater than 80 ng/mL had a 1-month graft survival rate of 86% (64/74). CONCLUSIONS: The MEGX test had no practical utility in predicting liver graft functional status.

Humans↗

Predictive value of liver tissue flow in assessment of the viability of liver grafts after extended preservation in pigs.

The crucial damage in cold storage of liver allografts is to the hepatic sinusoidal lining (microcirculation). Using different solutions, we studied whether determinations of graft tissue flow were valuable in estimating the viability of liver grafts. Twenty-three pairs of female pigs underwent orthotopic liver transplantation and were assigned to five groups according to the cold preservation time or solutions used: in group I the liver grafts were stored in Euro-Collins solution (EC) for 4 h (n = 3), in group II the grafts were stored in EC for 12 h (n = 5), in group III the donor was pretreated with azathioprine (AZA), 1 mg/kg per day, orally (p.o.) for 3 days before harvesting and the graft was implanted after 12 h cold storage with EC (n = 6), in group IV the graft was stored in modified University of Wisconsin solution (mUW) for 4 h (n = 3), and in group V the graft was stored in mUW for 24 h (n = 6). Liver tissue blood flow (LTBF) was measured, using a laser doppler device, at 60 min after recirculation of the graft. In the case of EC preservation, LTBF (ml/100 g of liver tissue per min) correlated well with 4-day survival: 21.2 +/- 3.0 ml/100 g of tissue per min mean +/- SD, in group I (3/3, 100%); 10.0 +/- 2.8 ml/100 g of tissue per min in group II (0/5, 0%); and 19.1 +/- 3.4 ml/100 g of tissue per min in group III (5/6, 83.3%) (P < 0.05, group II vs I and III). All grafts with LTBF of more than 15 ml/100 g tissue per min functioned well. However, changes in microcirculation of the mUW-stored livers did not correlate with early function of the graft: 23.0 +/- 2.3 ml/100 g of tissue per min in group IV (4-day survival; 3 of 3, 100%) and 23.5 +/- 9.1 ml/100 g of tissue per min in group V (0 of 6, 0%). This was accompanied by graft dehydration during storage and an increased number of erythrocytes in the hepatic sinusoids post-recirculation. We concluded that assessment of liver tissue flow by LDF was very helpful and easy to apply in predicting liver graft failure in the case of preservation with Euro-Collins solution. However, LTBF should be carefully evaluated as a marker of liver graft viability when the liver graft is preserved with mUW.

Animals↗

Differences of liver membrane antibody frequency in alcoholic liver disease. Detection of IgG and IgA classes using radioimmunoassay.

The presence of liver membrane antibody in IgG and IgA was investigated by radioimmunoassay using isolated rabbit hepatocytes as target cells. This technique was more sensitive than the immunofluorescent method. IgG liver membrane antibodies were positive in 24% of patients with alcoholic liver disease. IgA liver membrane antibodies were detected in 58% of patients with alcoholic liver disease, whereas they were detected only in 21% of those with nonalcoholic liver disease, except for cases of autoimmune chronic active hepatitis. In alcoholic liver disease, IgA liver membrane antibodies were detected at a high frequency in a group of patients with alcoholic hepatitis and active cirrhosis (94%) as compared with that of fatty liver, hepatic fibrosis, and inactive cirrhosis (42%). These results suggest that alcoholic liver disease is characterized in part by a humoral immune response of IgA liver membrane antibodies.

Cell Membrane↗

Pre- and post-transplant assessment of liver function in paediatric liver transplantation.

The pre-operative risk of paediatric liver transplantation candidates (n = 41) was assessed in a prospective study by means of clinical symptoms, conventional static and liver blood flow dependent dynamic liver function tests. Nine patients died during the 365-day waiting period. The data were subjected as covariates to a survival analysis in the Cox proportional hazards model. There was a significant relationship between the results of mono-ethylglycinexylidide (MEGX) formation and ICG test and the 365-day survival rate. In the stepwise analysis, none of the remaining parameters improved the predictive ability when added to the dynamic liver function test results. The assessment of post-transplantation liver function was studied in 27 patients during the first 28 postoperative-day period. In addition, liver function was studied in a cross-sectional study 1-7 years after successful liver transplantation in children with complete or partial rehabilitation. In the early postoperative period severe organ damage was indicated by both static and dynamic liver function tests. In the later course after transplantation no deterioration of liver function measured with MEGX formation was to be observed. These findings demonstrate the usefulness of dynamic liver function tests in the pre- and post-transplant assessment of liver function.

Child↗

Evidence for segmental bile drainage by hepatic portoenterostomy for biliary atresia: Cholangiographic, hepatic venographic, and histologic evaluation of the liver taken at liver transplantation.

BACKGROUND: The result of hepatic portoenterostomy for biliary atresia (BA) has improved, but there are some patients who experience worsened liver function in the long term after one decrease in jaundice owing to portoenterostomy. However, the cause of the liver dysfunction in the long term has not been clearly ascertained. METHODS: Five patients (5 to 28 years of age) with BA underwent liver transplantation (LT) because of liver dysfunction after successful portoenterostomy. To clarify the cause of liver dysfunction occurring in the long term, the authors performed a cholangiogram, hepatic venogram, and macroscopic/microscopic examination of the liver just after LT. RESULTS: (1) Macroscopically, the liver could be divided into 3 areas, the hypertrophic, atrophic, and intermediate, with findings between those of the hypertrophic and atrophic areas. (2) The divided areas clearly corresponded to the liver segments. Segment IV was the hypertrophic area in all patients, but segments VI and VII were the atrophic areas in 4 of the 5 patients. (3) Based on the cholangiographic and microscopic findings, the hypertrophic area had near-normal structure with bile ducts. The atrophic area had severe fibrosis and contained only a few bile ducts in the intralobular spaces of liver. CONCLUSIONS: It seems that segmental bile drainage must have been established by hepatic portoenterostomy in some patients and that some postoperative patients might have worsened liver function in the long-term follow-up period accompanied with progression of fibrosis and impaired bile drainage. These pathologic changes occur in each liver segment.

Adolescent↗