Liver Histopathology (liver + histopathology)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Polaprezinc attenuates liver fibrosis in a mouse model of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis

JOURNAL OF GASTROENTEROLOGY AND HEPATOLOGY, Issue 12 2008
Haruko Sugino
Abstract Background and Aim:, The effect of polaprezinc, a zinc-carnosine chelate compound, on the development of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) was investigated in dietary methionine and choline deficient (MCD) mice. Methods:, Mice were fed the MCD diet with or without polaprezinc (2.2 g/kg diet) for 10 weeks. Liver histopathology, triglyceride and lipid peroxide levels, and the expression of genes linked to fibrosis were then assessed. Results:, MCD mice developed steatohepatitis accompanied by mild fibrosis with an increase in lipid peroxidation, hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation, and the augmented mRNA expression of tumor necrosis factor-,, transforming growth factor-,1 and procollagen ,1(I). The mRNA expression levels of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1 and TIMP-2 were also enhanced. Histopathologically, polaprezinc supplementation did not influence the development of steatosis but it apparently attenuated fibrosis. Polaprezinc slightly reduced lipid peroxidation and suppressed HSC activation as well as the mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Polaprezinc affected the MCD diet-enhanced expression of TIMP-1 even when administered relatively late. Conclusion:, These results suggest that polaprezinc attenuates fibrosis in NASH by reducing inflammation and lipid peroxidation and, during a later phase, promoting fibrolysis via the inhibition of TIMP expression in the liver. Further investigation is required to clarify the clinical efficacy of polaprezinc in patients with NASH. [source]


Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, the metabolic syndrome and the risk of cardiovascular disease: the plot thickens

DIABETIC MEDICINE, Issue 1 2007
G. Targher
Abstract Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) affects a substantial proportion of the general population and is frequently associated with many features of the metabolic syndrome (MetS). Currently, the importance of NAFLD and its relationship with the MetS is being increasingly recognized, and this has stimulated an interest in the possible role of NAFLD in the development of atherosclerosis. Recent studies have reported the association of NAFLD with multiple classical and non-classical risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Moreover, there is a strong association between the severity of liver histopathology in NAFLD patients and greater carotid artery intima-media thickness and plaque, and lower endothelial flow-mediated vasodilation (as markers of subclinical atherosclerosis) independent of obesity and other MetS components. Finally, it has recently been demonstrated that NAFLD is associated with an increased risk of all-cause death and predicts future CVD events independently of other prognostic factors, including MetS components. Overall, therefore, the evidence from these recent studies strongly emphasizes the importance of assessing the global CVD risk in patients with NAFLD. Moreover, these novel findings suggest a more complex picture and raise the possibility that NAFLD, as a component of the MetS, might not only be a marker but also an early mediator of CVD. [source]


Essential pathogenic and metabolic differences in steatosis induced by choline or methione-choline deficient diets in a rat model

JOURNAL OF GASTROENTEROLOGY AND HEPATOLOGY, Issue 9 2007
Reeta Veteläinen
Abstract Background and Aim:, Choline deficient (CD) and methione-choline deficient (MCD) diets are rodent models for steatosis, with potentially dissimilar biochemical backgrounds. The aim of this study was to assess the metabolic and pathological derangements in rats fed CD and MCD diets. Methods:, Male Wistar rats received CD or MCD diet up to 7 weeks. Nutritional status, liver histopathology, Kupffer cell-mediated inflammation and injury, oxidative stress via thiobarbituric reactive species (TBARS), hepatic and plasma glutathione (GSH) and insulin homeostasis were assessed. Results:, In CD-fed rats, mainly microvesicular steatosis developed with occasional inflammatory cells. In MCD-fed rats, macrovesicular steatosis progressed to steatohepatitis (collagen deposition, activated stellate cells). Hepatic TBARS was increased and GSH decreased in the MCD-fed rats compared to no changes in the CD-fed rats. The CD-fed rats developed obesity, dyslipidemia and insulin resistance, in contrast to undetectable plasma lipids, unaffected insulin homeostasis and loss of body weight in the MCD-fed rats. Conclusions:, The CD diet induced uncomplicated steatosis as compared to progressive inflammation and fibrinogenesis in the MCD diet. CD and MCD diets represent two pathogenically different models of steatosis. Although equivalence for the outcome of both diets can be found in clinical steatosis, the results of models using these diets should be compared with caution. [source]


Liver histology after current intensified therapy for childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia: microvesicular fatty change and siderosis are the main findings

PEDIATRIC BLOOD & CANCER, Issue 3 2003
Päivi Halonen MD
Abstract Background During modern intensified therapy for childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) serum liver enzymes reach fairly high levels. Since no recent data on liver histopathology after therapy are available, we conducted a study of the subject. Procedure Liver biopsy specimens were evaluated and serum liver function tests and lipid profiles measured from 27 consecutive children, aged 3.5,17.6 years, treated according to the regimens for standard (SR) and intermediate risk (IR) ALL. Results None of the patients had entirely normal liver histology. Fatty infiltration was detected in 25 out of 27 (93%) and siderosis in 19 out of 27 patients (70%). Fourteen (52%) had both. Three (11%) also had mild portal and/or periportal fibrosis in addition to fatty change and siderosis. Fatty change was mainly microvesicular. Siderosis was in most cases grade II/IV to III/IV (in 16/19 or 84%). No hepatitis or cirrhosis was found. Serum total and LDL-cholesterol levels were higher in the patients with fibrosis than in the patients with fatty change (P,=,0.036, P,=,0.042) or with siderosis,±,fatty change (P,=,0.036, P,=,0.042). In serial ALT measurements a value of 300 U/L or more was oftener reached in the fibrosis than in the fatty change or siderosis groups (in 33 vs. in 12 or in 4% of the measurements, respectively, P,=,0.014, in Kruskall,Wallis test). Conclusions Microvesicular fatty change and siderosis are the main liver findings after current therapy for childhood ALL. Fibrosis occurs rarely. High values in serial serum ALT measurements repeatedly or a disturbed serum lipid profile may facilitate decisions about the need for a liver biopsy. Med Pediatr Oncol 2003;40:148,154. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


Protective effect of binaphthyl diselenide, a synthetic organoselenium compound, on 2-nitropropane-induced hepatotoxicity in rats

CELL BIOCHEMISTRY AND FUNCTION, Issue 4 2010
Mohammad Ibrahim
Abstract Organoselenides have been documented as promising pharmacological agents against a number of diseases associated with oxidative stress. Here we have investigated, for the first time, the potential antioxidant activity of binaphthyl diselenide ((NapSe)2; 50,mg,kg,1, p.o.) against the 2-nitropropane (2-NP)-induced hepatoxicity in rats, using different end points of toxicity (liver histopathology, plasma aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and creatinine). In addition, in view of the association of oxidative stress with 2-NP exposure, hepatic lipid peroxidation, ascorbic acid levels, ,-aminolevulinate dehydratase (,-ALA-D) and catalase (CAT) activities were evaluated. 2-NP caused an increase of AST, ALT and hepatic lipid peroxidation. 2-NP also caused hepatic histopathological alterations and ,-ALA-D inhibition. (NapSe)2 (50,mg,kg,1) prevented 2-NP-induced changes in plasmatic ALT and AST activities and also prevented changes in hepatic histology, ,-ALA-D and lipid peroxidation. Results presented here indicate that the protective mechanism of (NapSe)2 against 2-NP hepatotoxicity is possibly linked to its antioxidant activity. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]