Synthesis of 3-episiastatin B analogues having anti-influenza virus activity

Two epimers of siastatin B, 3-episiastatin B (3) and 3,4-diepisiastatin B (4), were obtained by the chemical modification of siastatin B. Compound 3 showed marked inhibitory activity against influenza virus neuraminidases and significant inhibition of influenza virus infection in vitro.

Moebius syndrome: continuous tachypnea verified by a polygraphic study

Four polygraphic recordings were obtained in three cases of Moebius syndrome. The cases were a 4-month-old girl (Case 1), a 4-year-old boy (Case 2), and a 5-year-old girl (Case 3). The recordings revealed that in all three cases there was a lack of rapid eye movements to the lateral side, continuous low amplitude on chin EMG, and continuous tachypnea. In Case 3, polygrams were recorded at 2 and 5 years of age, both records showing the same pattern of tachypnea. Arterial blood gas analysis (AGA), PH, PaCO2 and PaO2 were found to be within normal limits. It has been assumed that this syndrome includes brainstem dysplasia, according to the chief symptoms, and autopsy and auditory brainstem response (ABR) findings. ABR examination showed low amplitude of waves, a prolonged wave I-V interval, and the absence of wave V. It is known that there is a close relationship between this syndrome and respiratory disorders. But there have only been a few reports on respiratory disorders in this syndrome. It is strongly believed that continuous tachypnea is an important symptom of Moebius syndrome.

[Antitumor activity of various cytostatics in mice bearing murine advanced tumors]

Antitumor activities of cytostatics such as 5-FU, 5'-DFUR, cyclophosphamide (CPA), ACNU, CDDP, mitomycin C (MMC) and doxorubicin (DXR) were compared in mice bearing four different murine-tumor models at two different stages of the tumor growth. All cytostatics tested suppressed the tumor growth in most of the four tumors, colon 26 carcinoma, UV 2237 fibrosarcoma, Ehrlich carcinoma and Meth A fibrosarcoma, when the tumor sizes were small (early transplant). When given to mice bearing advanced tumors, 5-FU, CDDP, MMC and DXR were effective only at the higher doses, showing toxicity. In contrast, 5'-DFUR was equally effective against both most of early and advanced tumors except for advanced Meth A against which higher doses of 5'-DFUR were needed. CPA and ACNU equally suppressed the growth of early transplant and advanced tumors of Meth A, although higher doses were needed against advanced tumors of three others. 5'-DFUR was also effective against tumor cachexia (colon 26) and spontaneous metastasis (Lewis lung carcinoma), which are characteristically observed in mice bearing advanced tumors. CPA also showed an anticachectic activity, though the activity was weaker than that of 5'-DFUR. These results suggest that 5'-DFUR and CPA can be used in both intensive and adjuvant chemotherapies.

Enzyme immunoassay of gastrin in human plasma

A sensitive and specific double-antibody enzyme immunoassay (EIA) for a gastrin-like immunoreactive substance (G-IS) in human plasma was developed. For competitive reactions, the gastrin antibody was incubated with gastrin standard (or sample) and beta-D-galactosidase labeled synthetic C-terminal gastrin I fragment (residue 2-17). Free and antibody-bound enzyme hapten were separated using an anti-rabbit IgG coated immunoplate. Activity of the enzyme on the plate was fluorometrically determined. The present immunoassay allows detection of 1 to 20 fmol/ml (2.1 to 42 pg/ml) of gastrin. The levels of G-IS determined in human plasma were 7.8 +/- 1.6 pg/ml before lunch and 26.4 +/- 8.4 pg/ml after lunch.

R2D5 antigen: a calcium-binding phosphoprotein predominantly expressed in olfactory receptor neurons

R2D5 is a mouse monoclonal antibody that labels rabbit olfactory receptor neurons. Immunoblot analysis showed that mAb R2D5 recognizes a 22-kD protein with apparent pI of 4.8, which is abundantly contained in the olfactory epithelium and the olfactory bulb. We isolated cDNA for R2D5 antigen and confirmed by Northern analysis and neuronal depletion technique that R2D5 antigen is expressed predominantly, but not exclusively, in olfactory receptor neurons. Analysis of the deduced primary structure revealed that R2D5 antigen consists of 189 amino acids with calculated M(r) of 20,864 and pI of 4.74, has three calcium-binding EF hands, and has possible phosphorylation sites for Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaM kinase II) and cAMP-dependent protein kinase (A kinase). Using the bacterially expressed protein, we directly examined the biochemical properties of R2D5 antigen. R2D5 antigen binds Ca2+ and undergoes a conformational change in a manner similar to calmodulin. R2D5 antigen is phosphorylated in vitro by CaM kinase II and A kinase at different sites, and 1.81 and 0.80 mol of Pi were maximally incorporated per mol of R2D5 antigen by CaM kinase II and A kinase, respectively. Detailed immunohistochemical study showed that R2D5 antigen is also expressed in a variety of ependymal cells in the rabbit central nervous system. Aside from ubiquitous calmodulin, R2D5 antigen is the first identified calcium-binding protein in olfactory receptor neurons that may modulate olfactory signal transduction. Furthermore our results indicate that olfactory receptor neurons and ependymal cells have certain signal transduction components in common, suggesting a novel physiological process in ependymal cells.

Thyroxine 5-deiodinase in human brain tumors

To determine whether human brains contain deiodinating pathways, we studied the activity of T4 5-monodeiodinase (5-D) in 20 human brain tumors obtained intraoperatively, including astrocytoma (10), meningioma (4), oligodendroglioma (2), glioblastoma (2), medulloblastoma (1), and malignant lymphoma (1). Mitochondrial-microsomal fractions prepared from these tumor tissues were used as the source of T4 5-D. Each sample was incubated with 32.2 nmol/L T4 and 30 mmol/L dithiothreitol at 37 C for 90 min. T4 5-D activity was measured by the production of rT3 from T4 with a RIA. T4 5-D activity was found in 6 of 10 astrocytomas, 2 oligodendrogliomas, 1 of 2 glioblastomas, and 1 malignant lymphoma. This activity depended on protein concentration, incubation time, incubation temperature, and pH of the incubation mixture. It was also heat labile. T4 5-D was not inhibited by 1 mmol/L propylthiouracil, but was inhibited by iopanoic acid and aurothioglucose in a dose-dependent manner. The apparent Km and maximum velocity for T4 5-D at 30 mmol/L dithiothreitol were 106.6 nmol/L and 22.7 pmol/mg protein.h, respectively. These data suggest that human gliomas (and probably malignant lymphomas) contain T4 5-D activity, which is similar to type III enzyme activity in the rat. T4 5-D may regulate the intracellular concentration of thyroid hormone in gliomas.

Decreases in substance P and vasoactive intestinal peptide concentrations in plasma of stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats

In order to study alterations of peripheral substance P (SP) and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) in the immunoreactive nervous system in essential hypertension, plasma SP and VIP concentrations in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP) at 8, 12, 18, 28, 30, 35 and 48 weeks of age and age-matched Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY) were measured, using enzyme immunoassays (EIAs). The mean plasma SP concentrations of SHRSP (n = 61) and WKY (n = 58) were 4.9 +/- 1.2 fmol/ml and 6.6 +/- 1.9 fmol/ml, respectively. The value of SHRSP was significantly lower than that of WKY (p < 0.01). The mean SP concentration of young SHRSP was significantly higher than those of other ages. The mean plasma VIP concentrations of SHRSP (n = 61) and WKY (n = 58) were 0.80 +/- 0.25 fmol/ml and 1.01 +/- 0.32 fmol/ml, respectively. The value of SHRSP was significantly lower than that of WKY (p < 0.01). These decreases in plasma SP and VIP concentrations of SHRSP were observed at all ages. Decreases in the peripheral release of SP and VIP from the endings of SP- and VIP-immunoreactive nerves of SHRSP were seen, and the functional involution of peripheral SP- and VIP-immunoreactive nerves in essential hypertension was suggested.

Analysis of simian immunodeficiency virus sequence variation in tissues of rhesus macaques with simian AIDS

One rhesus macaque displayed severe encephalomyelitis and another displayed severe enterocolitis following infection with molecularly cloned simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) strain SIVmac239. Little or no free anti-SIV antibody developed in these two macaques, and they died relatively quickly (4 to 6 months) after infection. Manifestation of the tissue-specific disease in these macaques was associated with the emergence of variants with high replicative capacity for macrophages and primary infection of tissue macrophages. The nature of sequence variation in the central region (vif, vpr, and vpx), the env gene, and the nef long terminal repeat (LTR) region in brain, colon, and other tissues was examined to see whether specific genetic changes were associated with SIV replication in brain or gut. Sequence analysis revealed strong conservation of the intergenic central region, nef, and the LTR. However, analysis of env sequences in these two macaques and one other revealed significant, interesting patterns of sequence variation. (i) Changes in env that were found previously to contribute to the replicative ability of SIVmac for macrophages in culture were present in the tissues of these animals. (ii) The greatest variability was located in the regions between V1 and V2 and from "V3" through C3 in gp120, which are different in location from the variable regions observed previously in animals with strong antibody responses and long-term persistent infection. (iii) The predominant sequence change of D-->N at position 385 in C3 is most surprising, since this change in both SIV and human immunodeficiency virus type 1 has been associated with dramatically diminished affinity for CD4 and replication in vitro. (iv) The nature of sequence changes at some positions (146, 178, 345, 385, and "V3") suggests that viral replication in brain and gut may be facilitated by specific sequence changes in env in addition to those that impart a general ability to replicate well in macrophages. These results demonstrate that complex selective pressures, including immune responses and varying cell and tissue specificity, can influence the nature of sequence changes in env.

Arachidonic acid activates cation channels in bovine adrenal chromaffin cells

Microscopic fluorescence analysis of fura-2-loaded bovine adrenal chromaffin cells demonstrates that approximately 70% of the cells responded to arachidonic acid in increasing the intracellular Ca2+ concentration. Because this increase was markedly less in the absence of external Ca2+, we examined the effect of arachidonic acid on Ca2+ influx electrophysiologically. Bath application of 10 microM arachidonic acid induced a long-lasting inward current when the cell was clamped at -50 mV. Other fatty acids, such as oleic acid, linoleic acid, eicosatrienoic acid, and eicosapentaenoic acid, were all ineffective. The current-voltage relationships suggest that arachidonic acid may activate voltage-insensitive channels. Arachidonic acid (> or = 2 microM) activated a single-channel current in the inside-out patch, even in the presence of inhibitors of cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase, possibly suggesting that arachidonic acid could activate channels directly. The onset delay of the inward channel current in the outside-out patch configuration (54.2 +/- 63.5 s; mean +/- SD) was significantly shorter than that in the inside-out patch one (197.3 +/- 177.7 s). Washout of arachidonic acid decreased the probability of channel openings in the outside-out patch but not in the inside-out one. These results suggest that arachidonic acid activates channels reversibly from outside of the plasma membrane. The unitary conductance for Ca2+ of arachidonic acid-activated channel was approximately 17 pS. The arachidonic acid-activated channel was permeable to Ba2+, Ca2+, and Na+ but not to Cl-. The opening probability of the arachidonic acid-activated channel did not depend on membrane potential.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Ureteral obstruction caused by aneurysm of iliac artery]

A 76-year-old man was referred to our hospital because of right hydronephrosis. A retrograde pyelogram showed obstruction of the right ureter at the level where it was crossed by the common iliac artery. A computerized tomography scan demonstrated an encased right ureter and aneurysm of right common iliac artery. Arteriography revealed aneurysm of right common iliac artery. An aorto-iliac graft bypass and ureterolysis were performed with intra-peritoneal displacement of the right ureter. The diagnostic procedures and treatment modalities for ureteral obstruction caused by aneurysm are discussed.

Hepatic vein reconstruction of the graft in partial liver transplantation from living donor: surgical procedures relating to their anatomic variations

BACKGROUND

The surgical procedures to reconstruct the hepatic veins differ according to their anatomic variations to obtain the optimal graft volume for the recipient. This is an overview of the procedures used in our 25 living related liver transplantations.

METHODS

The donor/recipient body weight ratio ranged widely from 1.2:1 to 9.6:1 (5.3 +/- 0.5:1, mean +/- SEM).

RESULTS

The graft weight/recipient body weight was 2.40% +/- 0.21%. Graft components, which were determined by the optimal graft volume, and their drainage veins were the following: (1) segments 2 and 3 (S2+3) were used in 13 cases, 11 with the left hepatic vein (LHV) and two with the LHV and a partial drainage vein of S3; (2) S2+3 and a part of S4 in eight cases, seven with LHV and one with LHV and a partial drainage vein of S4; (3) S2+3+4 in three cases, with the common trunk of LHV and middle hepatic vein in all cases; and (4) S5+6+7+8 in one case with right hepatic vein. In two of three cases in which the graft had two drainage veins, the two vessels were reformed to have a common anastomotic orifice by the back-table plastic surgery procedure. In the other case in which the procedure could not be performed, two separate anastomoses of the individual vessels were performed successfully. Although stenosis of the reconstructed hepatic veins occurred four times in two cases at 3 months or more after transplantation, all incidences could be completely repaired by balloon dilation.

CONCLUSIONS

These results show that, with careful consideration of the hepatic vein reconstruction, pediatric patients can receive optimal volume grafts from living donors.

Coding of odor molecules by mitral/tufted cells in rabbit olfactory bulb. II. Aromatic compounds

1. Recordings of extracellular spike responses were made from single mitral/tufted cells in the ventromedial region of the main olfactory bulb of urethan-chloralose-anesthetized rabbits. Using periodic artificial inhalations, the olfactory epithelium was stimulated with series of aromatic and aliphatic compounds systematically varying in molecular conformation. 2. Analysis of response specificity of single mitral/tufted cells for alkylbenzenes indicated that the length of the hydrocarbon side chain attached to the benzene ring plays a role in determining the specificity of excitatory spike responses. 3. For a panel of isomeric (ortho-, meta-, and para-positions) disubstituted benzenes, single mitral/tufted cells tended to be activated selectively by one or two specific structural isomer(s). For a panel that contained both alkylbenzenes and disubstituted benzenes, single mitral/tufted cells were activated by subsets of odor molecules having similar conformations. These observations suggest that the overall conformation of the aromatic compounds plays an important role in determining tuning specificity of individual mitral/tufted cells. 4. For a panel of monosubstituted benzenes with various functional groups, single mitral/tufted cells in the ventromedial region tended to be activated not only by molecules having a hydrocarbon side chain (alkylbenzenes), but also by those having a methoxy group (--O--CH3), a bromine (--Br), or a chlorine (--Cl). However, most of the neurons were not activated by those having an amino group (--NH2), a hydroxy group (--OH), nor a carboxyl group (--COOH). 5. Examination with an expanded panel of stimulus odor molecules that included both aromatic and aliphatic compounds indicated that single mitral/tufted cells show excitatory spike responses to a range of odor molecules (molecular receptive range) having similar conformations. Different mitral/tufted cells in the ventromedial region typically showed different molecular receptive ranges. 6. In mitral/tufted cells with relatively high spontaneous discharges, single neurons in the ventromedial region showed inhibitory responses to subsets of odor molecules in addition to the excitatory response to other subsets of odor molecules. The odor molecules that caused inhibitory responses in single mitral/tufted cells showed molecular conformations resembling each other. 7. The present results together with previous studies indicate that determination of the molecular receptive range properties (both excitatory extent and inhibitory extent) of single mitral/tufted cells is a useful method for characterizing individual bulbar neurons. These results further support the hypothesis that conformational parameters of ligand odor molecules play a key role in sensory processing in the main olfactory bulb.

Management of a broken atrial catheter migrated into the heart: a rare complication of ventriculoatrial shunt--case report

A 21-year-old male, who had undergone a ventriculoatrial shunt for hydrocephalus 5 years previously, became stuporous. A roentgenogram revealed that the distal segment of the broken atrial catheter had migrated and become lodged in the heart. Because the fragment had not adhered to the myocardium, it was easily retrieved by the transvenous approach with a retriever catheter. If the migrated catheter does not adhere to the myocardium, transvenous catheter retrieval is absolutely necessary. If, however, the migrated catheter adheres to the myocardium, an open thoracotomy would be required for retrieval, or the alternative of warfarin administration without retrieval may be the treatment of choice, as long as other problems do not occur.

[Long-term results of transscleral retinal detachment surgery with special reference to visual function]

We studied visual acuity and visual field of 44 eyes in 42 patients who had undergone transscleral retinal detachment surgery, they were classified into a preoperative group, a postoperative group, and a group ten years after surgery. With regard to visual acuity, the postoperative group showed a significant increase compared with the preoperative group (p < 0.001), and there was no significance between the postoperative group and the group ten years after surgery. In order to quantify the visual field obtained by Goldmann perimeter, the areal size of V-4 isopter, the areal size of I-4 isopter and the volume of the visual field were adopted in the present study. Each of the three mean values was high in the following order: the group ten years after surgery, the postoperative group, and the preoperative group. The mean value of the group ten years after surgery was respectively equivalent to 80.6%, 65.5%, and 71.1% of that of normal control in the order: the areal size of V-4 isopter, the areal size of I-4 isopter, and the volume of the visual field. Our results support the conclusion that the visual acuity acquired postoperatively can be maintained for ten years after surgery. The visual field acquired postoperatively also seems to be retained ten years after surgery.

An animal model of coronary thrombosis and thrombolysis--comparisons of vascular damage and thrombus formation in the coronary and femoral arteries after balloon angioplasty

The purpose of this study was to compare vascular damage and thrombus formation in the coronary and femoral arteries after balloon angioplasty, and to develop a physiological animal model of intracoronary occlusive thrombus using the balloon angioplasty technique. Angioplasty of the left anterior descending coronary arteries of 14 dogs was performed with an oversized balloon catheter at a high inflation pressure (150 PSI). This was followed angiographically (PTCA protocol). Dogs that showed arterial occlusion were divided into 2 groups. The dogs in 1 group were killed with an overdose of sodium pentobarbital, and those in the other group were infused with a tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA; 300,000 unit/kg). Angioplasty of the femoral and profunda femoris arteries (n = 5) was performed in 5 other dogs (PTA protocol). All of the animals were eventually sacrificed and tissue preparations were made from all 3 types of arteries. In the PTCA protocol, acute arterial occlusion was seen angiographically within 2 h in 10 of the 14 dogs. A histological study of the acutely occluded arteries (n = 5) showed thrombotic occlusion and severe arterial damage with medial tearing. T-PA was infused to 5 of the dogs with acute occlusion, and all showed reperfusion. A histological study of these animals showed severe arterial damage, but no macroscopic thrombus. In 4 dogs without acute occlusion, none of the 10 arteries examined were acutely occluded. In the PTA protocol, none of the 10 arteries were acutely occluded. A histological study showed fewer thrombi and less severe arterial damage.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Deuterium chemical shift imaging for the estimation of cerebral perfusion in rabbit infarction model

In order to develop a new technique for the measurement of local cerebral blood flow (CBF), the deuterium chemical shift imaging (2H-CSI) technique, an application of in vivo nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), was used for the estimation of cerebral perfusion in rabbit infarction model. The 2H chemical shift images of rabbit brain were obtained every 30 seconds before and after intravenous injection of deuterated saline. The changes in 2H NMR signal intensity documented that the cerebral perfusion in the damaged area due to infarction decreased obviously compared to that in the intact area. These findings indicate that the 2H-CSI technique can be applied to the measurement of local CBF. The readily availability and limited toxicity of deuterated water may make possible to use this method in clinical cases.

Phase I/II trial of didanosine (2',3'-dideoxyinosine) in hemophiliac patients with AIDS or AIDS-related complex

Forty-three hemophiliacs with AIDS or ARC received a daily dose of 334 or 500 mg didanosine (2',3'-dideoxyinosine or ddI) orally in 2 divided doses in phase I/II, open-label clinical trial conducted in Japan. Twenty-eight patients completed 6 months of therapy. There was an increase in circulating CD4(+) cells in 19 valuable patients from 91 +/- 25 (mean +/- SE) at entry to 131 +/- 38 at 24 weeks of therapy P = 0.01; Wilcoxon signed rank). Fourteen of 37 patients met the criteria for CD4 rise >/= 50/mm3 rise or >/= 50% increase from entry values) for more than 4 consecutive weeks. Twenty patients were p24 positive at entry. Nine out of the 10 evaluable patients (90%) showed a decline in p24 antigen at weeks 20-24 (P = 0.02). Thirty-five patients had symptoms related to HIV-1 infection at entry. Twenty-seven patients reported improvements in constitutional symptoms during therapy. Nine patients presented with possible drug-related adverse effects, and didanosine was discontinued in 6 patients (one each with edema; abdominal pain with anorexia; hematuria with edema and rash; sense of abdominal distension with anorexia; diarrhea and abdominal pain; and irritability). One patient had a transient increase in serum amylase level to twice the upper limit of normal, but he continued to receive the drug. These data suggest that didanosine was generally well tolerated in hemophiliacs with AIDS or ARC, and its administration correlated with improvement in constitutional symptoms and laboratory findings. The adverse effects of didanosine seen in this population were moderate to mild, and no complications related to hemorrhagic diathesis were observed, although the relative risk of acute pancreatitis in this population (while not seen in the present study to date) requires more study.

Blocking of human fertilization by carbohydrates

The zona penetration test and triple stain technique were used to elucidate the blocking effects of carbohydrates on human fertilization and their mechanisms. In the presence of D-mannose or D-fructose (final concentration, 50 mmol/l), sperm penetration through the human zona pellucida was completely blocked. The triple stain technique revealed that D-fructose (50 mmol/l) significantly (P < 0.01) suppressed the acrosome reaction of human spermatozoa, while D-mannose did not show a suppressive effect on the acrosome reaction. These results reinforce our hypothesis proposed previously, that a mandatory step in human fertilization is the binding of a D-mannose-binding constituent of the sperm surface to a D-mannose residue in the sperm receptor site on the zona pellucida. In addition, D-fructose may play an important role as an acrosome stabilizing factor in seminal fluid.

[Magnetic resonance imaging study on rat sugar cataract]

Proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR) is one of the most important methods for noninvasively evaluating the state of water in the biological system. It could be useful for evaluation of the early changes of cataract. In this study, in vivo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was applied to rat galactosemic cataract, which is a model of the human diabetic cataract, and compared with the histological findings. The relationship between the relaxation times (T1, T2) and the water contents were discussed. The T1 and T2 values were prolonged and the high intensity area of the lens cortex was enlarged from the early stage of the cataract (two days after the intake of galactose). These changes preceded the histological changes. This suggests that MRI is applicable for the evaluation of anti-cataract agents, for example aldose reductase inhibitors, against human diabetic cataract.

Effects of halothane on the synthesis of neurotransmitter amino acids in mouse brain

The effects of halothane on the synthesis of the three major neuroactive amino acids (gamma-aminobutyric acid, aspartate and glutamate) and glutamine, which is closely related metabolically, were investigated in mouse brain using a labelled precursor ([13C]glucose) and a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry system. The ratios of newly synthesized amino acids were increased relative to baseline values when animals were exposed to 1% halothane, and decreased when they were exposed to 2% halothane. These findings suggest that halothane affects the synthesis of neurotransmitter amino acids in a concentration-dependent manner, without discrimination between excitatory and inhibitory amino acids.

The role of tumor necrosis factor-alpha in the aggravation of cerulein-induced pancreatitis in rats

Severe acute pancreatitis is often complicated by intraperitoneal infection, resulting in multiple organ failure (MOF). It is known to elevate serum tumor necrosis factor (TNF-alpha) in patients with sepsis and/or MOF. In order to study the role of TNF-alpha in the aggravation of acute pancreatitis, we investigated TNF-alpha production by peritoneal macrophages in acute pancreatitis rat using the cerulein-induced pancreatitis model. TNF-alpha production by isolated peritoneal macrophages following lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation was significantly increased in pancreatitis rats as compared with nonpancreatitis control rats (p < 0.001). Serum TNF-alpha activity was elevated following intraperitoneal administration of LPS as the septic challenge both in pancreatitis rats and in control rats, being significantly higher in the former (p < 0.05). Histological findings and liver function tests revealed that LPS induced more severe liver damage in pancreatitis rats than in control rats within 24 h after LPS administration. These results indicate that increased TNF-alpha production by peritoneal macrophages in acute pancreatitis augmented LPS-induced liver injury and suggest the possibility that TNF-alpha may play a role in the development of MOF during acute pancreatitis complicated by intraabdominal sepsis.