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Mironova M, Gopalakrishna H, Rodriguez Franco G, Holland SM, Koh C, Kleiner DE, Heller T. Granulomatous liver diseases. Hepatol Commun 2024; 8:e0392. [PMID: 38497932 PMCID: PMC10948139 DOI: 10.1097/hc9.0000000000000392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2024] Open
Abstract
A granuloma is a discrete collection of activated macrophages and other inflammatory cells. Hepatic granulomas can be a manifestation of localized liver disease or be a part of a systemic process, usually infectious or autoimmune. A liver biopsy is required for the detection and evaluation of granulomatous liver diseases. The prevalence of granulomas on liver biopsy varies from 1% to 15%. They may be an incidental finding in an asymptomatic individual, or they may represent granulomatous hepatitis with potential to progress to liver failure, or in chronic disease, to cirrhosis. This review focuses on pathogenesis, histological features of granulomatous liver diseases, and most common etiologies, knowledge that is essential for timely diagnosis and intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Mironova
- Liver Diseases Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Harish Gopalakrishna
- Liver Diseases Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Gian Rodriguez Franco
- Liver Diseases Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Steven M. Holland
- Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Christopher Koh
- Liver Diseases Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - David E. Kleiner
- Department of Pathology, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Theo Heller
- Translational Hepatology Section, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
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Shao H, Huang L, Duan S, Gao M, Zhu J, Chen X, Zhu Y, Wang W, Yang Z, Wang X, Wang Z, Wang Z, Ba Y, Zhang R, Li C, Zhang Q, Wang J, Liu H, Wu W, Feng F. Glyburide attenuates ozone-induced pulmonary inflammation and injury by blocking the NLRP3 inflammasome. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY 2020; 35:831-839. [PMID: 32167222 DOI: 10.1002/tox.22919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2019] [Revised: 02/23/2020] [Accepted: 03/01/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Glyburide is a classic antidiabetic drug that is dominant in inflammation regulation, but its specific role in ozone-induced lung inflammation and injury remains unclear. In order to investigate whether glyburide prevents ozone-induced pulmonary inflammation and its mechanism, C57BL/6 mice were intratracheally pre-instilled with glyburide or the vehicle 1 hour before ozone (1 ppm, 3 hours) or filtered air exposure. After 24 hours, the total inflammatory cells and total protein in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were detected. The pathological alternations in lung tissues were evaluated by HE staining. The expression of NLRP3, interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and IL-18 protein in lung tissues was detected by immunohistochemistry. Western blotting was used to examine the levels of caspase-1 p10 and active IL-1β protein. Levels of IL-1β and IL-18 in BALF were measured using ELISA kits. Glyburide treatment decreased the total cells in BALF, the inflammatory score, and the mean linear intercept induced by ozone in lung tissues. In addition, glyburide inhibited the expression of NLRP3, IL-18, and IL-1β protein in lung tissues, and also suppressed NLRP3 inflammasome activation, including caspase-1 p10, active IL-1β protein in lung tissues, IL-1β, and IL-18 in BALF. These results demonstrate that glyburide effectively attenuates ozone-induced pulmonary inflammation and injury via blocking the NLRP3 inflammasome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hua Shao
- College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Li Huang
- College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Shuyin Duan
- College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Min Gao
- College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Jiacheng Zhu
- College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Xiaohui Chen
- College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Yajuan Zhu
- College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Wenhan Wang
- College of Medical Laboratory Technology, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Zengwen Yang
- College of Medical Laboratory Technology, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Xinyu Wang
- College of Medical Laboratory Technology, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Zhen Wang
- College of Medical Laboratory Technology, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Zhimin Wang
- College of Medical Laboratory Technology, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Yue Ba
- College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Ruiqin Zhang
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Chunyang Li
- College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Qiao Zhang
- College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Hong Liu
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Weidong Wu
- School of Public Health, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan, China
| | - Feifei Feng
- College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
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Li R, Bi YA, Vildhede A, Scialis RJ, Mathialagan S, Yang X, Marroquin LD, Lin J, Varma MVS. Transporter-Mediated Disposition, Clinical Pharmacokinetics and Cholestatic Potential of Glyburide and Its Primary Active Metabolites. Drug Metab Dispos 2017; 45:737-747. [PMID: 28438781 DOI: 10.1124/dmd.116.074815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2016] [Accepted: 04/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Glyburide is widely used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. We studied the mechanisms involved in the disposition of glyburide and its pharmacologically active hydroxy metabolites M1 and M2b and evaluated their clinical pharmacokinetics and the potential role in glyburide-induced cholestasis employing physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modeling. Transport studies of parent and metabolites in human hepatocytes and transfected cell systems imply hepatic uptake mediated by organic anion-transporting polypeptides. Metabolites are also subjected to basolateral and biliary efflux by P-glycoprotein, breast cancer resistance protein, and multidrug resistance-associated proteins, and are substrates to renal organic anion transporter 3. A PBPK model in combination with a Bayesian approach was developed considering the identified disposition mechanisms. The model reasonably described plasma concentration time profiles and urinary recoveries of glyburide and the metabolites, implying the role of multiple transport processes in their pharmacokinetics. Predicted free liver concentrations of the parent (∼30-fold) and metabolites (∼4-fold) were higher than their free plasma concentrations. Finally, all three compounds showed bile salt export pump inhibition in vitro; however, significant in vivo inhibition was not apparent for any compound on the basis of a predicted unbound liver exposure-response effect model using measured in vitro IC50 values. In conclusion, this study demonstrates the important role of multiple drug transporters in the disposition of glyburide and its active metabolites, suggesting that variability in the function of these processes may lead to pharmacokinetic variability in the parent and the metabolites, potentially translating to pharmacodynamic variability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Li
- Systems Modeling and Simulation, Medicine Design, Pfizer Worldwide R&D, Cambridge, Massachusetts (R.L.); and Pharmacokinetics, Dynamics and Metabolism, Medicine Design, Pfizer Worldwide R&D, Groton, Connecticut (Y.B., A.V., R.J.S., S.M., X.Y., L.D.M., J.L., M.V.S.V.)
| | - Yi-An Bi
- Systems Modeling and Simulation, Medicine Design, Pfizer Worldwide R&D, Cambridge, Massachusetts (R.L.); and Pharmacokinetics, Dynamics and Metabolism, Medicine Design, Pfizer Worldwide R&D, Groton, Connecticut (Y.B., A.V., R.J.S., S.M., X.Y., L.D.M., J.L., M.V.S.V.)
| | - Anna Vildhede
- Systems Modeling and Simulation, Medicine Design, Pfizer Worldwide R&D, Cambridge, Massachusetts (R.L.); and Pharmacokinetics, Dynamics and Metabolism, Medicine Design, Pfizer Worldwide R&D, Groton, Connecticut (Y.B., A.V., R.J.S., S.M., X.Y., L.D.M., J.L., M.V.S.V.)
| | - Renato J Scialis
- Systems Modeling and Simulation, Medicine Design, Pfizer Worldwide R&D, Cambridge, Massachusetts (R.L.); and Pharmacokinetics, Dynamics and Metabolism, Medicine Design, Pfizer Worldwide R&D, Groton, Connecticut (Y.B., A.V., R.J.S., S.M., X.Y., L.D.M., J.L., M.V.S.V.)
| | - Sumathy Mathialagan
- Systems Modeling and Simulation, Medicine Design, Pfizer Worldwide R&D, Cambridge, Massachusetts (R.L.); and Pharmacokinetics, Dynamics and Metabolism, Medicine Design, Pfizer Worldwide R&D, Groton, Connecticut (Y.B., A.V., R.J.S., S.M., X.Y., L.D.M., J.L., M.V.S.V.)
| | - Xin Yang
- Systems Modeling and Simulation, Medicine Design, Pfizer Worldwide R&D, Cambridge, Massachusetts (R.L.); and Pharmacokinetics, Dynamics and Metabolism, Medicine Design, Pfizer Worldwide R&D, Groton, Connecticut (Y.B., A.V., R.J.S., S.M., X.Y., L.D.M., J.L., M.V.S.V.)
| | - Lisa D Marroquin
- Systems Modeling and Simulation, Medicine Design, Pfizer Worldwide R&D, Cambridge, Massachusetts (R.L.); and Pharmacokinetics, Dynamics and Metabolism, Medicine Design, Pfizer Worldwide R&D, Groton, Connecticut (Y.B., A.V., R.J.S., S.M., X.Y., L.D.M., J.L., M.V.S.V.)
| | - Jian Lin
- Systems Modeling and Simulation, Medicine Design, Pfizer Worldwide R&D, Cambridge, Massachusetts (R.L.); and Pharmacokinetics, Dynamics and Metabolism, Medicine Design, Pfizer Worldwide R&D, Groton, Connecticut (Y.B., A.V., R.J.S., S.M., X.Y., L.D.M., J.L., M.V.S.V.)
| | - Manthena V S Varma
- Systems Modeling and Simulation, Medicine Design, Pfizer Worldwide R&D, Cambridge, Massachusetts (R.L.); and Pharmacokinetics, Dynamics and Metabolism, Medicine Design, Pfizer Worldwide R&D, Groton, Connecticut (Y.B., A.V., R.J.S., S.M., X.Y., L.D.M., J.L., M.V.S.V.)
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Solitary Hepatic Eosinophilic Granuloma Accompanied by Eosinophilia Without Parasitosis: Report of a Case. Int Surg 2016; 100:1011-7. [PMID: 26414822 DOI: 10.9738/intsurg-d-14-00126.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
A 43-year-old Japanese woman visited for a hepatic tumor incidentally found. We suspected eosinophilic granuloma of the liver (EGL) due to visceral larva migrans (VLM). However, neither past history nor medical interview indicated a risk of parasitosis. Blood testing revealed eosinophilia, serum examination showed normal results for immunoglobulin E, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay yielded negative for Toxocara and Anisakis. Gastric and colonic endoscopy revealed normal features. Several imagings showed central necrosis of the tumor. After informed consent, laparoscopic resection was performed. Histopathological examination showed EGL without parasites. No recurrence had occurred postoperatively. Most reports documented that EGL are caused by VLM. However, parasites are not always demonstrable on serum, histopathological, or immunochemical examinations. When acting as allergens to induce type I responses, microscopic agents other than parasites in the intestinal tract could induce eosinophilic inflammation in the liver. Accumulation of more cases should help clarify other pathogeneses for EGL.
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Scheen AJ. Pharmacokinetic and toxicological considerations for the treatment of diabetes in patients with liver disease. Expert Opin Drug Metab Toxicol 2014; 10:839-57. [PMID: 24669954 DOI: 10.1517/17425255.2014.902444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Patients with type 2 diabetes have an increased risk of chronic liver disease (CLD) such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and steatohepatitis and about one-third of cirrhotic patients have diabetes. However, the use of several antidiabetic agents may be a cause for concern in the case of hepatic impairment (HI). AREAS COVERED An extensive literature search was performed to analyze the influence of HI on the pharmacokinetics (PK) of glucose-lowering agents and the potential consequences for clinical practice as far as the efficacy/safety balance of their use in diabetic patients with CLD is concerned. EXPERT OPINION Almost no PK studies have been published regarding metformin, sulfonylureas, thiazolidinediones and α-glucosidase inhibitors in patients with HI. Only mild changes in PK of glinides, dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors and sodium glucose cotransporters type 2 inhibitors were observed in dedicated PK studies in patients with various degrees of HI, presumably without major clinical relevance although large clinical experience is lacking. Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists have a renal excretion rather than liver metabolism. Rare anecdotal case reports of hepatotoxicity have been described with various glucose-lowering agents contrasting with numerous reassuring data. Nevertheless, caution should be recommended, especially in patients with advanced cirrhosis, including with the use of metformin.
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Affiliation(s)
- André J Scheen
- University of Liège, CHU Sart Tilman (B35), Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Medicines (CIRM), Division of Diabetes, Nutrition and Metabolic Disorders and Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine , B-4000 Liege 1 , Belgium +32 4 3667238 ; +32 4 3667068 ;
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Tolman KG, Freston JW, Kupfer S, Perez A. Liver safety in patients with type 2 diabetes treated with pioglitazone: results from a 3-year, randomized, comparator-controlled study in the US. Drug Saf 2009; 32:787-800. [PMID: 19670918 DOI: 10.2165/11316510-000000000-00000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), the major hepatic manifestation of type 2 diabetes mellitus, is the most common liver disease in the US. Thiazolidinediones, a commonly used drug class for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, have emerged as a potentially useful treatment for NAFLD. There are, however, lingering concerns about their potential toxicity as well as emerging concerns about how to monitor for and assess hepatotoxicity. We conducted a randomized, long-term, double-blind, hepatic safety study at 171 centres in the US in which 2097 patients with type 2 diabetes received either pioglitazone or glibenclamide (glyburide). METHODS Patients were randomized to receive either pioglitazone (15-45 mg once daily) or glibenclamide (5-15 mg once daily) for 3 years. The primary objective was to evaluate drug-induced liver injury manifested by liver enzyme elevations, measured every 8 weeks for the first year and every 12 weeks thereafter. The primary endpoint was a confirmed ALT greater than three times the upper limit of normal (>3 x ULN) with a secondary endpoint of 8 x ULN. MAIN RESULTS The intent-to-treat population included 1051 pioglitazone-treated and 1046 glibenclamide-treated patients; of these, 411 pioglitazone patients and 413 glibenclamide patients completed the study. The incidence of hepatocellular injury was 0 with pioglitazone and 4 (0.38%) with glibenclamide (p = 0.0617). Analyses of the secondary endpoints revealed no ALT >8 x ULN for pioglitazone versus 1 with glibenclamide (p = 0.4988); no ALT >3 x ULN + total bilirubin 2 x ULN with pioglitazone versus 1 with glibenclamide (p = 0.4988); and fewer ALT >3 x ULN single elevations with pioglitazone (n = 3) than with glibenclamide (n = 9; p = 0.0907). Significantly (p < or = 0.05) fewer cases of ALT >1.5 x ULN, aspartate aminotransferase >1.5 x ULN and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase >1.5 x ULN were seen with pioglitazone compared with glibenclamide. No case of hepatic dysfunction or hepatic failure was reported in either treatment group; two cases of hepatic cirrhosis with glibenclamide were reported. CONCLUSION This study demonstrates an hepatic safety profile of pioglitazone similar to that of glibenclamide in long-term use in patients with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes. Trial registration number (clinicaltrials.gov): NCT00494312.
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Vital Durand D, Durieu I, Rousset H. Granulomatoses d’origine médicamenteuse ou toxique. Rev Med Interne 2008; 29:33-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.revmed.2007.09.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2007] [Accepted: 09/22/2007] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the association of diabetes and hepatobiliary disease. METHODS We performed a MEDLINE search of the English-language literature published between January 1980 and January 2007 for studies in which diabetes was associated with liver diseases. RESULTS Through its association with the insulin resistance syndrome, type 2 diabetes is associated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), NASH-cirrhosis, and NASH-cirrhosis-related hepatocellular carcinoma. Because of the association with insulin resistance, insulin sensitizers may slow or even arrest the progress of these diseases. Type 2 but not type 1 diabetes is associated with hepatitis C virus but not hepatitis B viral infection. This association is likely due to hepatitis C viral infection of the pancreatic beta-cells. Early detection and antiviral therapy can decelerate the development of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is associated with hemochromatosis and autoimmune hepatitis. Because of the presence of autonomic neuropathy, cholelithiasis but not cholecystitis is more common in patients with diabetes than in the general population. Therefore, asymptomatic cholelithiasis in patients with diabetes no longer warrants a cholecystectomy. In patients with advanced liver disease of any cause, insulin resistance and diabetes have an increased frequency of occurrence and can be reversed with liver transplantation. Rarely, medications used to treat type 2 diabetes have been associated with drug-induced hepatitis. CONCLUSION The prevalence of hepatobiliary diseases is increased in patients with diabetes. Early recognition and treatment of these conditions can prevent, stabilize, or even reverse hepatic damage and prevent the development of hepatic carcinoma and liver failure.
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Abstract
Granulomatous diseases of the liver span a huge range of infectious, drug-related, and immunologic disorders. Familiarity with the different types of granulomas as well as how they present in different diseases can be helpful in narrowing the pathologic differential diagnosis. This review surveys both common and unusual granulomatous diseases with emphasis on practical diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- David E Kleiner
- Laboratory of Pathology, National Cancer Institute, Building 10, Room 2N212, 10 Center Drive, MSC 1516, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
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Abstract
Drugs may cause several overlapping syndromes of cholestasis, the pathophysiological syndrome resulting from impaired bile flow. These reactions comprise approximately 17% of all hepatic adverse drug reactions (ADRs) and they may be severe. Causes of 'pure' (bland) cholestasis include oestrogens and anabolic steroids; rarer associations are with antimicrobials and NSAIDs. 'Cholestatic hepatitis' is a common drug reaction in which liver injury and inflammation cause significant elevation of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) as well as cholestasis. Chlorpromazine and ketoconazole are classic examples, but it is now exemplified by amoxycillin-clavulanate and other oxy-penicillins. Chronic cholestasis results from small bile duct injury leading to the vanishing bile duct syndrome (VBDS), a disorder mimicking primary biliary cirrhosis, or from injury to larger bile ducts causing secondary sclerosing cholangitis. Whilst there is increasing evidence of a genetic predisposition to cholestatic drug reactions, there are currently no pretreatment tests to predict drug safety. Prevention of severe reactions therefore relies on early detection of liver injury and prompt drug withdrawal. Symptomatic management includes relief of pruritus and correction of fat-soluble vitamin deficiency. In small cohort studies, ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) arrested progressive cholestasis in two-thirds of cases, but evidence for use of corticosteroids is anecdotal. This review considers diagnosis, pathogenesis, prevention and management of drug-induced cholestasis, with particular reference to frequently- and newly-described causes.
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Abstract
Troglitazone, the first of the thiazolidinediones, caused severe hepatotoxicity including liver failure in several patients. It appears, however, that the thiazolidinediones as a class are not as hepatotoxic as troglitazone. Comparative data at comparable dates of usage indicate that pioglitazone and rosiglitazone are not significant hepatotoxins. This is further supported by experimental data that demonstrate that troglitazone, alone among the thiazolidinediones, is toxic in hepatocyte cell culture. All of the thiazolidinediones cause ALT elevations; however, ALT monitoring for hepatotoxicity does not appear to prevent serious liver disease nor reduce patient risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keith G Tolman
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, 30 N 1900 E RM 4R118 SOM Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA.
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Malhi H, Irani AN, Rajvanshi P, Suadicani SO, Spray DC, McDonald TV, Gupta S. KATP channels regulate mitogenically induced proliferation in primary rat hepatocytes and human liver cell lines. Implications for liver growth control and potential therapeutic targeting. J Biol Chem 2000; 275:26050-7. [PMID: 10862612 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m001576200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
To determine whether K(ATP) channels control liver growth, we used primary rat hepatocytes and several human cancer cell lines for assays. K(ATP) channel openers (minoxidil, cromakalim, and pinacidil) increased cellular DNA synthesis, whereas K(ATP) channel blockers (quinidine and glibenclamide) attenuated DNA synthesis. The channel inhibitor glibenclamide decreased the clonogenicity of HepG2 cells without inducing cytotoxicity or apoptosis. To demonstrate the specificity of drugs for K(+) channels, whole-cell patch-clamp recordings were made. Hepatocytes revealed K(+) currents with K(ATP) channel properties. These K(+) currents were augmented by minoxidil and pinacidil and attenuated by glibenclamide as well as tetraethylammonium, in agreement with established responses of K(ATP) channels. Reverse transcription of total cellular RNA followed by polymerase chain reaction showed expression of K(ATP) channel-specific subunits in rat hepatocytes and human liver cell lines. Calcium fluxes were unperturbed in glibenclamide-treated HepG2 cells and primary rat hepatocytes following induction with ATP and hepatocyte growth factor, respectively, suggesting that the effect of K(ATP) channel activity upon hepatocyte proliferation was not simply due to indirect modulation of intracellular calcium. The regulation of mitogen-related hepatocyte proliferation by K(ATP) channels advances our insights into liver growth control. The findings have implications in mechanisms concerning liver development, regeneration, and oncogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Malhi
- Marion Bessin Liver Research Center, the Cancer Research Center, and the Departments of Medicine and Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York 10461, USA
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