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McConnell MJ, Iwakiri Y. Portal Hypertension in Alcohol-Associated Hepatitis. CURRENT HEPATOLOGY REPORTS 2023; 22:67-73. [PMCID: PMC10075503 DOI: 10.1007/s11901-023-00601-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023]
Abstract
Purpose of Review This review article will examine portal hypertension in alcoholic hepatitis (AH) from both a basic mechanistic and a clinical perspective. Recent Findings Alcoholic hepatitis is a major public health problem in the USA, accounting for over 300,000 hospital admissions in a recent year of data (Jinjuvadia et al. J Clin Gastroenterol. 60;49:506–511). Portal hypertension is a key consequence of AH and a driver of liver-related morbidity and mortality. Alcohol may directly mediate portal hypertension via multiple possible mechanisms, including increased portal inflow, increased intrahepatic vasoconstriction, inflammation, and changes in the liver vasculature such as perisinusoidal fibrosis and phlebosclerosis. Summary Portal hypertension is a key consequence of AH and a critical area for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J. McConnell
- grid.47100.320000000419368710Section of Digestive Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, 1080 LMP, 333 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT 06520 USA
| | - Yasuko Iwakiri
- grid.47100.320000000419368710Section of Digestive Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, 1080 LMP, 333 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT 06520 USA
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Deficiency in Inactive Rhomboid Protein2 (iRhom2) Alleviates Alcoholic Liver Fibrosis by Suppressing Inflammation and Oxidative Stress. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23147701. [PMID: 35887045 PMCID: PMC9317380 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23147701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2022] [Revised: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 07/09/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic alcohol exposure can lead to liver pathology relating to inflammation and oxidative stress, which are two of the major factors in the incidence of liver fibrosis and even liver cancer. The underlying molecular mechanisms regarding hepatic lesions associated with alcohol are not fully understood. Considering that the recently identified iRhom2 is a key pathogenic mediator of inflammation, we performed in vitro and in vivo experiments to explore its regulatory role in alcohol-induced liver fibrosis. We found that iRhom2 knockout significantly inhibited alcohol-induced inflammatory responses in vitro, including elevated expressions of inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-18, and TNF-α) and genes associated with inflammatory signaling pathways, such as TACE (tumor necrosis factor-alpha converting enzyme), TNFR1 (tumor necrosis factor receptor 1), and TNFR2, as well as the activation of NF-κB. The in vivo results confirmed that long-term alcohol exposure leads to hepatocyte damage and fibrous accumulation. In this pathological process, the expression of iRhom2 is promoted to activate the TACE/NF-κB signaling pathway, leading to inflammatory responses. Furthermore, the deletion of iRhom2 blocks the TACE/NF-κB signaling pathway and reduces liver damage and fibrosis caused by alcohol. Additionally, the activation of the JNK/Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway caused by alcohol exposure was also noted in vitro and in vivo. In the same way, knockout or deleting iRhom2 blocked the JNK/Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway to regulate the oxidative stress. Therefore, we contend that iRhom2 is a key regulator that promotes inflammatory responses and regulates oxidative stress in alcoholic liver fibrosis lesions. We posit that iRhom2 is potentially a new therapeutic target for alcoholic liver fibrosis.
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Braverman ER, Dennen CA, Gold MS, Bowirrat A, Gupta A, Baron D, Roy AK, Smith DE, Cadet JL, Blum K. Proposing a “Brain Health Checkup (BHC)” as a Global Potential “Standard of Care” to Overcome Reward Dysregulation in Primary Care Medicine: Coupling Genetic Risk Testing and Induction of “Dopamine Homeostasis”. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19095480. [PMID: 35564876 PMCID: PMC9099927 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19095480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2022] [Revised: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
In 2021, over 100,000 people died prematurely from opioid overdoses. Neuropsychiatric and cognitive impairments are underreported comorbidities of reward dysregulation due to genetic antecedents and epigenetic insults. Recent genome-wide association studies involving millions of subjects revealed frequent comorbidity with substance use disorder (SUD) in a sizeable meta-analysis of depression. It found significant associations with the expression of NEGR1 in the hypothalamus and DRD2 in the nucleus accumbens, among others. However, despite the rise in SUD and neuropsychiatric illness, there are currently no standard objective brain assessments being performed on a routine basis. The rationale for encouraging a standard objective Brain Health Check (BHC) is to have extensive data available to treat clinical syndromes in psychiatric patients. The BHC would consist of a group of reliable, accurate, cost-effective, objective assessments involving the following domains: Memory, Attention, Neuropsychiatry, and Neurological Imaging. Utilizing primarily PUBMED, over 36 years of virtually all the computerized and written-based assessments of Memory, Attention, Psychiatric, and Neurological imaging were reviewed, and the following assessments are recommended for use in the BHC: Central Nervous System Vital Signs (Memory), Test of Variables of Attention (Attention), Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory III (Neuropsychiatric), and Quantitative Electroencephalogram/P300/Evoked Potential (Neurological Imaging). Finally, we suggest continuing research into incorporating a new standard BHC coupled with qEEG/P300/Evoked Potentials and genetically guided precision induction of “dopamine homeostasis” to diagnose and treat reward dysregulation to prevent the consequences of dopamine dysregulation from being epigenetically passed on to generations of our children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric R. Braverman
- The Kenneth Blum Institute on Behavior & Neurogenetics, Austin, TX 78701, USA; (E.R.B.); (C.A.D.)
| | - Catherine A. Dennen
- The Kenneth Blum Institute on Behavior & Neurogenetics, Austin, TX 78701, USA; (E.R.B.); (C.A.D.)
| | - Mark S. Gold
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA;
- Department of Psychiatry, Tulane School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA;
| | - Abdalla Bowirrat
- Department of Molecular Biology, Adelson School of Medicine, Ariel University, Ariel 40700, Israel;
| | - Ashim Gupta
- Future Biologics, Lawrenceville, GA 30043, USA;
| | - David Baron
- Division of Addiction Research & Education, Center for Psychiatry, Medicine & Primary Care (Office of Provost), Western University Health Sciences, Pomona, CA 91766, USA;
| | - A. Kenison Roy
- Department of Psychiatry, Tulane School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA;
| | - David E. Smith
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA;
| | - Jean Lud Cadet
- The Molecular Neuropsychiatry Research Branch, NIH National Institute on Drug Abuse, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA;
| | - Kenneth Blum
- The Kenneth Blum Institute on Behavior & Neurogenetics, Austin, TX 78701, USA; (E.R.B.); (C.A.D.)
- Division of Addiction Research & Education, Center for Psychiatry, Medicine & Primary Care (Office of Provost), Western University Health Sciences, Pomona, CA 91766, USA;
- Correspondence:
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Solfaine R, Muniroh L, Sadarman, Apriza, Irawan A. Roles of Averrhoa bilimbi Extract in Increasing Serum Nitric Oxide Concentration and Vascular Dilatation of Ethanol-Induced Hypertensive Rats. Prev Nutr Food Sci 2021; 26:186-191. [PMID: 34316483 PMCID: PMC8276709 DOI: 10.3746/pnf.2021.26.2.186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2021] [Revised: 05/10/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The considerably high incidence of cardiovascular disease in Indonesia has attracted scientists to investigate various plant and fruit extracts as preventive agents. Averrhoa bilimbi (AB) is rich in bioactive constituents that may be effective in preventing indicators of hypertension. This study evaluated the roles of AB extract in increasing serum nitric oxide (NO) concentration and vascular dilatation in ethanol-induced hypertensive rats. A total of 24 male Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus) were divided equally into 4 treatment groups (n=6): P0 (control group, administered placebo); P1 [administered captopril 3 mg/kg body weight (BW) orally]; P2 (administered AB extract at 20 g/kg BW); and P3 (administered AB extract at 40 g/kg BW). The AB extract was obtained from fresh AB macerated in 96% ethanol and was subjected to bioactive compounds identification using thin layer chromatography. After pretreatment with ethanol for 15 days, treatments were administered daily for 14 days. All rats were measured for tail blood pressure by the tail-cuff method and NO concentrations by avidin-horseradish peroxidase sandwich-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. All rats were sacrificed to collect blood vessels for histopathology. The results showed that AB extracts contained flavonoids, saponins, polyphenols, essential oils, and anthraquinone. Treatment with AB extract at a dose of 40 mg/kg BW significantly increased NO concentrations (P<0.05). Histopathological analysis showed that AB extracts inhibited endothelial pyknosis, intimal body, and adventitial leukocyte infiltration of posterior vena cava blood vessels. These results suggest that the protective effect of AB extracts is associated with NO concentration in the blood by inhibiting blood vessel dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rondius Solfaine
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wijaya Kusuma Surabaya, Surabaya 60225, Indonesia
| | - Lailatul Muniroh
- Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Public Health, Airlangga University, Kampus C UNAIR, Surabaya 60115, Indonesia
| | - Sadarman
- Department of Animal Science, Sultan Syarif Kasim State Islamic University, Pekanbaru 28293, Indonesia
| | - Apriza
- Bachelor of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Pahlawan Tuanku Tambusai University, Kampar 28412, Indonesia
| | - Agung Irawan
- Vocational Program of Animal Husbandry, Sebelas Maret University, Surakarta 57126, Indonesia
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Li Y, Liu F, Ding F, Chen P, Tang M. Inhibition of liver fibrosis using vitamin A-coupled liposomes to deliver matrix metalloproteinase-2 siRNA in vitro. Mol Med Rep 2015; 12:3453-3461. [PMID: 26017616 PMCID: PMC4526069 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2015.3842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2014] [Accepted: 04/24/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatic fibrosis is a common form of wound healing in response to chronic liver injuries and can lead to more serious complications, including mortality. It is well-established that hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are central mediators of hepatic fibrosis, and matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) is important in the formation of liver fibrosis. In addition, HSCs are the primary cells secreting MMP-2 and extracellular matrix, therefore, there has been increasing interest in developing agents with high selectivity towards HSCs. However, no clinical drugs based on MMP-2, directed against HSCs, have been used to prevent fibrosis. Following consideration of the abundant vitamin A (VitA) receptors expressed on the cellular membrane of HSCs, the present study constructed VitA-coupled liposomes (VitA-lips) using dicyclohexylcarbodiimide-1, 3-diaminopentane condensation, rotatory film processing and ultrasonic oscillation. The results revealed that the liposomes exhibited low cytotoxicity and a suitable binding ability to MMP-2 small interference (si)RNA. Furthermore, the liposomes effectively delivered MMP-2 siRNA to the HSC-T6 cells. When HSCs were treated with the liposomes carrying MMP-2 siRNA (VitA-lip-MMP-2 siRNA), the mRNA expression and activity of MMP-2, and the protein expression levels of α-smooth muscle actin and type I collagen were significantly reduced. These results suggested that inhibition of the expression of MMP-2 in HSC-T6 cells may contribute to preventing hepatic fibrosis, and provided experimental support to the development of specific drugs against MMP-2 to prevent fibrogenesis in chronic liver disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiping Li
- Department of Pathology, Medical School of Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210009, P.R. China
| | - Feng Liu
- Department of Pathology, Medical School of Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210009, P.R. China
| | - Fengan Ding
- Department of Pathology, Medical School of Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210009, P.R. China
| | - Pingsheng Chen
- Department of Pathology, Medical School of Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210009, P.R. China
| | - Meng Tang
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210009, P.R. China
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Wang N, Feng Y, Cheung F, Chow OY, Wang X, Su W, Tong Y. A comparative study on the hepatoprotective action of bear bile and Coptidis Rhizoma aqueous extract on experimental liver fibrosis in rats. Altern Ther Health Med 2012. [PMID: 23190573 PMCID: PMC3543725 DOI: 10.1186/1472-6882-12-239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
AIM OF THE STUDY Bear bile and Coptidis Rhizoma have been used in Chinese medicine with a long tradition in treating heat-diseases. Both bear bile and Coptidis Rhizoma are used to treat liver diseases in clinical practice of Chinese Medicine. Since bears are currently endangered, it raises the question whether the use of bear bile is ethical. To look for substitute for bear bile, the aim of this study is to compare the anti-fibrotic effects of Coptidis Rhizoma and its major component berberine with the actions of bear bile and its major compound tauroursodeoxycholic acid on experimental liver fibrosis in rats. METHOD Quality assessment was conducted with high performance liquid chromatography. The experimental liver fibrosis in rats was induced by carbon tetrachloride, alcohol, and bile duct ligation respectively. The biochemical criteria in the blood and tissue samples were measured to evaluate the anti-fibrotic properties and underlying mechanisms of the drugs. RESULTS Coptidis Rhizoma Aqueous Extract (CRAE), berberine, and bear bile exerted anti-fibrotic properties on various liver fibrosis models in rats. CRAE and berberine significantly reduced the peroxidative stress in liver through increasing the superoxide dismutase enzyme activity. CRAE and berberine were able to excrete bilirubin products from the liver and protect hepatocytes from cholestatic damage. The effect of CRAE and berberine are comparable to that of bear bile. CONCLUSION Instead of using bear bile, CRAE and berberine can be potential substitutes in treating liver fibrosis.
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Liang J, Deng X, Lin ZX, Zhao LC, Zhang XL. Attenuation of portal hypertension by natural taurine in rats with liver cirrhosis. World J Gastroenterol 2009; 15:4529-37. [PMID: 19777611 PMCID: PMC2751997 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.15.4529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM: To investigate the inhibitory effect of natural taurine (NTau) on portal hypertension (PHT) in rats with experimentally-induced liver cirrhosis (LC).
METHODS: Experimentally-induced LC Wistar rats (20 rats/group) were treated with either oral saline or oral NTau for 6 consecutive weeks. Evaluation parameters included portal venous pressure (PVP), portal venous resistance (PVR), portal venous flow (PVF), splanchnic vascular resistance (SVR) and mean arterial pressure (MAP). Vasoactive substance levels including nitric oxide (NO), nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) were also measured. Histological investigation of type I and III collagen (COL I and III) and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) was also performed.
RESULTS: Treatment with NTau (1) significantly decreased PVP, PVR and PVF, and increased MAP and SVP; (2) markedly increased the vascular compliance and reduced the zero-stress of the portal vein; (3) markedly decreased the amount of NO and cGMP and activity of NOS; and (4) improved the pathological status of the liver tissue and reduced the expression of COL I, COL III and TGF-β1.
CONCLUSION: NTau inhibited the LC-induced PHT by improving hyperdynamic circulation, morphology of liver and biomechanical properties of the portal vein in experimentally-induced LC rats.
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Tsuda N, Okada M, Murakami T. New proposal for the staging of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis: evaluation of liver fibrosis on Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI. Eur J Radiol 2008; 73:137-42. [PMID: 19026502 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejrad.2008.09.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2008] [Revised: 09/29/2008] [Accepted: 09/30/2008] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE We investigated whether the gadolinium-ethoxybenzyl-diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (Gd-EOB-DTPA)-enhanced MRI was useful for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) staging based on the severity of liver fibrosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS Twenty-one male Sprague-Dawley rats aged 7 weeks, weighing about 150g in NASH group were fed a choline-deficient diet for 4, 7 or 10 weeks, and seven rats in the control group were fed a standard diet (n=7). After the feeding period, the rats were subjected to contrast-enhanced MRI (2D-FLASH; TR/TE=101/2.9ms, flip angle 90 degrees ). Gd-DTPA (0.1mmol Gd/kg) and Gd-EOB-DTPA (0.025mmol Gd/kg) were injected at 24-h intervals, and the speed of contrast injection was 1mL/s. Signal intensities of the liver were measured and the relative enhancement (RE), the time of maximum RE (T(max)) and elimination half-life of RE (T(1/2)) in the liver were compared. The fibrosis rate (%) was calculated with the following formula: fibrosis/whole areax100. RESULTS The fibrosis rates of each group were as follows: 0.52, 0.79, 2.84, and 0.50% (4, 7, 10 weeks and control groups). The fibrosis rate of the 10 weeks group was significantly higher than the control and 4 or 7 weeks groups. Although there was no difference between the T(max) and T(1/2) of each group after Gd-DTPA injection, the T(max) and T(1/2) of the 10 weeks group were significantly prolonged in comparison with the control and 4 or 7 weeks groups after Gd-EOB-DTPA injection (p<0.01). There was a significant correlation between the fibrosis rate and T(max) or T(1/2) after Gd-EOB-DTPA injection (r=0.90 or 0.97). CONCLUSION It was possible to assess the progress of liver fibrosis in NASH by evaluating the signal intensity-time course on Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natsuko Tsuda
- Medical Affairs Diagnostic Imaging, Medical Affairs, Bayer Yakuhin, Ltd. 2-4-9, Umeda, Kita-ku, Osaka 530-0001, Japan
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Prozialeck WC, Edwards JR, Nebert DW, Woods JM, Barchowsky A, Atchison WD. The vascular system as a target of metal toxicity. Toxicol Sci 2008; 102:207-18. [PMID: 17947343 PMCID: PMC2752624 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfm263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 196] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Vascular system function involves complex interactions among the vascular endothelium, smooth muscle, the immune system, and the nervous system. The toxic metals cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As), and lead (Pb) can target the vascular system in a variety of ways, ranging from hemorrhagic injury to subtle pathogenic remodeling and metabolic changes. Acute Cd exposure results in hemorrhagic injury to the testis, although some strains of animals are resistant to this effect. A comparison of Cd-sensitive with Cd-resistant mouse strains showed that expression of the Slc39a8 gene, encoding the ZIP8 transporter, in the testis vasculature endothelium is responsible for this difference. Endogenously, ZIP8 is a Mn(2+)/HCO(3)(-)symporter that may also contribute to Cd damage in the kidney. Chronic Cd exposure is associated with various cardiovascular disorders such as hypertension and cardiomyopathy and it is reported to have both carcinogenic and anticarcinogenic activities. At noncytotoxic concentrations of 10-100nM, Cd can inhibit chemotaxis and tube formation of vascular endothelial cells. These angiostatic effects may be mediated through disruption of vascular endothelial cadherin, a Ca(2+)-dependent cell adhesion molecule. With regard to As, ingestion of water containing disease-promoting concentrations of As promotes capillarization of the liver sinusoidal endothelium. Because capillarization is a hallmark precursor for liver fibrosis and contributes to an imbalance of lipid metabolism, this As effect on hepatic endothelial cells may be a pathogenic mechanism underlying As-related vascular diseases. With regard to Pb, perinatal exposure may cause sustained elevations in adult blood pressure, and genetically susceptible animals may show enhanced sensitivity to this effect. Taken together, these data indicate that the vascular system is a critical target of metal toxicity and that actions of metals on the vascular system may play important roles in mediating the pathophysiologic effects of metals in specific target organs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Walter C Prozialeck
- Department of Pharmacology, Midwestern University, Downers Grove, Illinois 60515, USA.
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Tsuda N, Okada M, Murakami T. Potential of gadolinium-ethoxybenzyl-diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (Gd-EOB-DTPA) for differential diagnosis of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and fatty liver in rats using magnetic resonance imaging. Invest Radiol 2007; 42:242-7. [PMID: 17351431 DOI: 10.1097/01.rli.0000258058.44876.a5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES To investigate the potential of gadolinium-ethoxybenzyl-diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (Gd-EOB-DTPA) for the differential diagnosis of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and fatty liver (FL). METHODS Twenty-one male rats were divided into 3 groups. Seven rats in the NASH group were fed a choline-deficient diet for 10 weeks, and the 7 rats in the FL group were fed a standard diet also containing 1% (wt/wt) orotic acid for 4 weeks. As a control, 7 rats were fed a standard diet. After the feeding period, all rats were subjected to contrast-enhanced dynamic and delayed MRI with a 2D-FLASH technique. Gd-DTPA (0.1 mmol Gd/kg) and Gd-EOB-DTPA (0.025 mmol Gd/kg) were injected into the tail vein at 24-hour intervals. Signal intensities of the liver were measured for each MR image and the relative enhancement (RE) was calculated. In addition, the time of maximum RE (Tmax) and the half-life of RE (T1/2) in liver were compared. After MRI, the liver was histologically analyzed to evaluate steatosis, hepatitis, and fibrosis. RESULTS Diffuse macrovesicular steatosis and severe fibrosis were observed in the NASH group, whereas diffuse microvesicular steatosis and rare fibrosis were observed in the FL group. Immediately after the Gd-DTPA injection, the RE in the liver of each group temporarily increased, and thereafter, rapid RE reduction was observed. However, a continuous increase and subsequent slow reduction of RE were induced after the Gd-EOB-DTPA injection. Although there was no difference between the Tmax and T1/2 of each group after the Gd-DTPA injection, Tmax and T1/2 of the NASH group were significantly prolonged in comparison with FL and control groups after the Gd-EOB-DTPA injection (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS It was possible to differentiate NASH and FL by evaluating the SI time course on Gd-EOB-DTPA enhanced MRI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natsuko Tsuda
- Business Unit Diagnostic Imaging, Nihon Schering K. K., Nishimiyahara, Osaka, Japan.
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Straub AC, Stolz DB, Ross MA, Hernández-Zavala A, Soucy NV, Klei LR, Barchowsky A. Arsenic stimulates sinusoidal endothelial cell capillarization and vessel remodeling in mouse liver. Hepatology 2007; 45:205-12. [PMID: 17187425 PMCID: PMC1764828 DOI: 10.1002/hep.21444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Trivalent arsenic [As(III)] is a well-known environmental toxicant that causes a wide range of organ-specific diseases and cancers. In the human liver, As(III) promotes vascular remodeling, portal fibrosis, and hypertension, but the pathogenesis of these As(III)-induced vascular changes is unknown. To investigate the hypothesis that As(III) targets the hepatic endothelium to initiate pathogenic change, mice were exposed to 0 or 250 parts per billion (ppb) of As(III) in their drinking water for 5 weeks. Arsenic(III) exposure did not affect the overall health of the animals, the general structure of the liver, or hepatocyte morphology. There was no change in the total tissue arsenic levels, indicating that arsenic does not accumulate in the liver at this level of exposure. However, there was significant vascular remodeling with increased sinusoidal endothelial cell (SEC) capillarization, vascularization of the peribiliary vascular plexus (PBVP), and constriction of hepatic arterioles in As(III)-exposed mice. In addition to ultrastructural demonstration of SEC defenestration and capillarization, quantitative immunofluorescence analysis revealed increased sinusoidal PECAM-1 and laminin-1 protein expression, suggesting gain of adherens junctions and a basement membrane. Conversion of SECs to a capillarized, dedifferentiated endothelium was confirmed at the cellular level with demonstration of increased caveolin-1 expression and SEC caveolae, as well as increased membrane-bound Rac1-GTPase. CONCLUSION These data demonstrate that exposure to As(III) causes functional changes in SEC signaling for sinusoidal capillarization that may be initial events in pathogenic changes in the liver.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam C. Straub
- From the Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Donna B. Stolz
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Mark A. Ross
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Araceli Hernández-Zavala
- Center for Environmental and Molecular Biology of the Lung, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC; and
| | | | - Linda R. Klei
- From the Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Aaron Barchowsky
- From the Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health, Pittsburgh, PA
- Address reprint requests to: Aaron Barchowsky, Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health, Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Bridgeside Point, 100 Technology Drive, Rm 332, Pittsburgh, PA 15219. E-mail: ; fax: 412-624-9361
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Straub AC, Stolz DB, Vin H, Ross MA, Soucy NV, Klei LR, Barchowsky A. Low level arsenic promotes progressive inflammatory angiogenesis and liver blood vessel remodeling in mice. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2006; 222:327-36. [PMID: 17123562 PMCID: PMC2084367 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2006.10.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2006] [Accepted: 10/09/2006] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The vascular effects of arsenic in drinking water are global health concerns contributing to human disease worldwide. Arsenic targets the endothelial cells lining blood vessels, and endothelial cell activation or dysfunction may underlie the pathogenesis of both arsenic-induced vascular diseases and arsenic-enhanced tumorigenesis. The purpose of the current studies was to demonstrate that exposing mice to drinking water containing environmentally relevant levels of arsenic promoted endothelial cell dysfunction and pathologic vascular remodeling. Increased angiogenesis, neovascularization, and inflammatory cell infiltration were observed in Matrigel plugs implanted in C57BL/6 mice following 5-week exposures to 5-500 ppb arsenic [Soucy, N.V., Mayka, D., Klei, L.R., Nemec, A.A., Bauer, J.A., Barchowsky, A., 2005. Neovascularization and angiogenic gene expression following chronic arsenic exposure in mice. Cardiovasc.Toxicol 5, 29-42]. Therefore, functional in vivo effects of arsenic on endothelial cell function and vessel remodeling in an endogenous vascular bed were investigated in the liver. Liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSEC) became progressively defenestrated and underwent capillarization to decrease vessel porosity following exposure to 250 ppb arsenic for 2 weeks. Sinusoidal expression of PECAM-1 and laminin-1 proteins, a hallmark of capillarization, was also increased by 2 weeks of exposure. LSEC caveolin-1 protein and caveolae expression were induced after 2 weeks of exposure indicating a compensatory change. Likewise, CD45/CD68-positive inflammatory cells did not accumulate in the livers until after LSEC porosity was decreased, indicating that inflammation is a consequence and not a cause of the arsenic-induced LSEC phenotype. The data demonstrate that the liver vasculature is an early target of pathogenic arsenic effects and that the mouse liver vasculature is a sensitive model for investigating vascular health effects of arsenic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam C. Straub
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health
| | - Donna B. Stolz
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
| | - Harina Vin
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
| | - Mark A. Ross
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
| | - Nicole V. Soucy
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Dartmouth Medical School
| | - Linda R. Klei
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health
| | - Aaron Barchowsky
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health
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Li D, Zhang LL, Hou HS, Shi Q, Shen BJ. Dynamic changes of liver in cirrhosis model of rabbits. Shijie Huaren Xiaohua Zazhi 2006; 14:1403-1407. [DOI: 10.11569/wcjd.v14.i14.1403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM: To establish a relatively simple and feasible rabbit model of liver cirrhosis and analyze the dynamic changes of function and histopathology of cirrhotic liver.
METHODS: Twenty-four New Zealand rabbits were divided into two groups, of which twenty were received subcutaneous injection of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) along with gastric infusion of edible ethanol for eight weeks. Animals in control group were fed with regular water and injected subcutaneously with the same quantity of olive oil. The development of hepatic fibrosis was recorded by Masson's trichrome method fortnightly. Blood samples were collected to measure the blood protein and enzymes fortnightly.
RESULTS: After treatment with CCl4, hepatic fibrosis was aggravated with time went by. As compared with those in normal controls, the levels of aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in the experimental groups were increased significantly (AST: 983.5 ± 116.7 nkat/L vs 650.1 ± 133.4 nkat/L, P = 0.03; ALT: 1867.1 ± 200.1 nkat/L vs 883.5 ± 116.7 nkat/L, P = 0.01), while the level of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) was decreased (100.1 ± 33.3 nkat/L vs 366.7 ± 50.1 nkat/L, P = 0.01) at the end of 8 wk. Typical features of liver cirrhosis and the formation of false lobe were observed at the end of 8 wk.
CONCLUSION: Rabbit models of liver cirrhosis, with a low mortality and high success rate, can be established by combination of CCl4 and ethanol in a relatively short time.
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