Immunohistochemical study of hepatic oval cells in human chronic viral hepatitis

AIM: To detect immunohistochemically the presence of oval cells in chronic viral hepatitis with antibody against c-kit. METHODS: We detected oval cells in paraffin embedded liver sections of 3 normal controls and 26 liver samples from patients with chronic viral hepatitis, using immunohistochemistry with antibodies against c-kit, piclass glutathione S-transferase (pi-GST) and cytokeratins 19 (CK19). RESULTS: Oval cells were not observed in normal livers. In chronic viral hepatitis, hepatic oval cells were located predominantly in the periportal region and fibrosis septa,characterized by an ovoid nucleus, small size,and scant cytoplasm. Antibody against stem cell factor receptor, c-kit, had higher sensitivity and specificity than pi-GST and CK19. About 50%-70% of c-kit positive oval cells were stained positively for either pi-GST or CK19. CONCLUSION: Oval cells are frequently detected in human livers with chronic viral hepatitis, suggesting that oval cell proliferation is associated with the liver regeneration in this condition.

Peripheral blood lymphocytes DNA in patients with chronic liver diseases

BACKGROUND: Viral replication in blood cells with nucleases may lead to the damage of lymphocytes genetic apparatus and the beginning of immunopathological reactions. AIM: Of this investigation is to reveal the damage to peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) DNA in the patients with chronic liver diseases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixteen-nine patients with chronic liver diseases (37 patients with chronic viral hepatitis, 2 patients with liver cirrhosis of mixed etiology (alcohol+virus G), 30 women with primary biliary cirrhosis-PBC) were examined. The condition of DNA structure of PBL was measured by the fluorescence analysis of DNA unwinding (FADU) technique with modification. Changes of fluorescence (in %) reflected the DNA distractions degree (the presence of DNA single-stranded breaks and alkalinelabile sights). RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The quantity of DNA single-stranded breaks and alkalinelabile sights in DNA in all patients with chronic viral hepatitis didn't differ from the control group, excluding the patients with chronic hepatitis (CH) C+G. Patients with HGV and TTV monoinfection had demonstrated the increase of the DNA single-stranded breaks PBL quantity. This fact may be connected with hypothesis about the viruses replication in white blood cells discussed in the literature. Tendency to increase quantity of DNA PBL damages in the patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) accordingly to the alkaline phosphatase activity increase was revealed. Significant decrease of the DNA single-stranded breaks and alkalinelabile sights in the PBC patients that were treated with prednisone was demonstrated. Probably, the tendency to increase the quantity of DNA single stranded breaks and alkalinelabile sights in lymphocytes of the PBC patients was depended on the surplus of the blood bile acid content.

TECA hybrid artificial liver support system in treatment of acute liver failure

AIM: To assess the efficacy and safety of TECA type hybrid artificial liver support system (TECA-HALSS) in providing liver function of detoxification, metabolism and physiology by treating the patients with acute liver failure (ALF). METHODS: The porcine liver cells (1-2) x 10(10) were separated from the Chinese small swine and cultured in the bioreactor of TECA-BALSS at 37.0 degrees C and circulated through the outer space of the hollow fiber tubes in BALSS. The six liver failure patients with various degree of hepatic coma were treated by TECA-HALSS and with conventional medicines. The venous plasma of the patients was separated by a plasma separator and treated by charcoal adsorbent or plasma exchange. The plasma circulated through the inner space of the hollow fiber tubes of BALSS and mixed with the patients' blood cells and flew back to their blood circulation. Some small molecular weight substances were exchanged between the plasma and porcine liver cells. Each treatment lasted 6.0-7.0 h. Physiological and biochemical parameters were measured before,during and after the treatment. RESULTS: The average of porcine liver cells was (1.0-3.0) x 10(10) obtained from each swine liver using our modified enzymatic digestion method. The survival rate of the cells was 85%-93% by trypan blue stain and AO/PI fluorescent stain. After cultured in TECA-BALSS bioreactor for 6 h, the survival rate of cells still remained 70%-85%. At the end of TECA-HALSS treatment, the levels of plasma NH(3), ALT, TB and DB were significantly decreased. The patients who were in the state of drowsiness or coma before the treatment improved their appetite significantly and regained consciousness, some patients resumed light physical work on a short period after the treatment.One to two days after the treatment, the ratio of PTA increased warkedly. During the treatment, the heart rates, blood pressure, respiration condition and serum electrolytes (K(+), Na(+) and Cl(-)) were stable without thrombosis and bleeding in all the six patients. CONCLUSION: TECA-HALSS treatment could be a rapid, safe and efficacious method to provide temporary liver support for patients with ALF.

Liver transplantation and artificial liver support in fulminant hepatic failure

INTRODUCTIONFulminant hepatic failure(FHF)is a severe disease with devastating consequences;the incidence is high in China.Before the availability of liver transplantation,the mortality rate was more than 80%[1,2].The advent of liver transplantation revolutionized the outcome of FHF[3,4].However,many patients were unwilling to accept liver transplantation until very late,hence most of them died because of donor shortage and urgency of the disease[5-7],To overcome he problems,we performed orthotopic liver transplantation(OLT)in combination with artificial liver support(ALS) in the treatment of FHF in the past 2 years with satisfactory results.Our experience was reported below.

Epidemiological and histopathological study of relevance of Guizhou Maotai liquor and liver diseases

AIM: To explore the relevance of Maotai liquor and liver diseases. METHODS: Epidemiological study was conducted on groups of subjects, each consisting of 3 subjects from the Maotai liquor group consisting of 99 individuals and one from the non-alcoholic control group consisting of 33 individuals. Liver biopsy was performed on 23 volunteers from Guizhou Maotai Distillery who had a constant and long history of drinking Maotai liquor. Experimental histopathological study was conducted as follows: sixty male Wistar rats were divided into 3 groups randomly and fed with Maotai liquor, ordinary white wine, and physiological saline respectively for a period of 8 and 12 weeks. The rats were sacrificed in batches, then serum ALT, AST, TBil, and AKP were measured. Rat livers were harvested to measure the liver indexes, GSH, and MDA. Histopathological examinations were also performed. Another eighty mice were randomly divided into 4 groups and fed with Maotai (at different dosages of 10 ml.kg(-1) and 20 ml.kg(-1)), ethanol, and physiological saline. The animals were sacrificed after 4 weeks and serum ALT was determined. Then the livers were harvested and liver indexes and MDA were measured. RESULTS: The incidence rate of hepatic symptoms, splenomegaly, liver function impairment, reversal of Albumin/Globulin and increased diameter of portal veins in the Maotai liquor group were 1.0% 1/99 , 1.0% 1/99 , 1.0% 1/99 , 1.0% 1/99 , 0 0/99 and 0 0/99 , 0 0/99 ,0 0/99 , 0 0/99 , 0 0/99 , respectively. There was no significant difference between the Maotai group and the non-alcoholic control group P】0.05 . Various degree of fatty infiltration of hepatocytes was found in the 23 volunteers receiving liver biopsy, but there was no obvious hepatic fibrosis or cirrhosis. A comparison was made between the Maotai liquor group and the ordinary white wine group. It was found that hepatic MDA in rats and mice were 0.33+/-0.10 and 0.49+/-0.23 respectively in Maotai group and 0.61+/-0.22 and 0.66+/-0.32 in the ordinary white wine group; MDA had an obvious decrease in the Maotai liquor group (P【0.05); hepatic GSH were 0.12 mg.g(-1)+/-0.06 mg.g(-1) in rats of the Maotai liquor group and (0.08+/-0.02)mg.g(-1) in white wine group, it was obviously increased in the Maotai liquor group (P【0.05). After the 20 rats had been fed with ordinary white wine for 8 weeks consecutively, disarranged hepatocyte cords, fatty infiltration of hepatocytes, and fibrous septa of varying widths due to hepatic connective tissues proliferation were observed; after 12 weeks, the fibrous tissue proliferation continued and early cirrhosis appeared. Compared with the ordinary white wine group, fatty infiltration was observed in the 8-week and 12-week groups, but no necrosis or fibrosis or cirrhosis was found in the Maotai liquor group (P【0.05). CONCLUSION: Maotai liquor may cause fatty liver but not hepatic fibrosis or cirrhosis, and it can strengthen lipid peroxidation in the liver.

Inflammatory pseudotumor of the liver: 13 cases of MRI findings

INTRODUCTIONInflammatory pseudotumor of the liver ,a rare benign lesion ,is often confused with the malignant tumors .Until 1998,less than 80 cases had been reported in the world [1,2].The accuracy of the pre-surgical diagnosis was low p[3,4] ,and very few materials on the diagnosis using dynamic MRI were reported [5-7] .We collected thirteen cases of inflammatory pseudotumor of the liver were collected and roved by pathology with MRI studies .Our purpose is to describe and analyze the MRI findings of this lesion and find out the valuable signs suggesting the diagnosis so as to avoid unnecessary operations.

Assessment of correlation between serum titers of hepatitis c virus and severity of liver disease

AIM:The significance of hepatitis C virus (HCV) serum titers has been examined in several clinical situations. There is much evidence that patients with a lower viral load have better response rates to anti-viral therapy compared to those with higher levels.Moreover,a direct association has been observed between serum titers of HCV and transmission rates of the virus.The aim of the present study was to determine if there was any correlation between HCV viral load and the severity of liver disease. METHODS:Fifty patients with HCV infection were included in the study.These comprised of 34 subjects with a history of alcohol use and 16 non-alcoholics.Quantitative serum HCV RNA assay was carried out using the branched DNA (bDNA) technique.Linear regression analysis was performed between serum viral titers and liver tests.In addition,for the purpose of comparison,the subjects were divided into two groups:those with low viral liters (≤50 genome mEq/mL) and high titers (>50 mEq/mL). RESULTS:All subjects were men,with a mean±SD age of 47±7.8 years.The mean HCV RNA level in the blood was 76.3×10~5±109.1 genome equivalents/mL.There was no correlation between HCV RNA levels and age of the patients (r=0.181),and the history or amount (g/d) of alcohol consumption (r=0.07).Furthermore,no correlation was observed between serum HCV RNA levels and the severity of liver disease as judged by the values of serum albumin (r=0.175),bilirubin (r=0.217),ALT (r=0.06) and AST (r=0.004) levels.Similarly,no significant difference was observed between patients with low viral titers and high liters with respect to any of the parameters. CONCLUSION:Our results indicate that the severity of liver disease is independent of serum levels of hepatitis C virus.These findings are important since they have a direct impact on the current debate regarding the role of direct cytopathic effect of hepatitis C virus versus immune-mediated injury in the pathogenesis of HCV-related liver damage.

Initial steroid-free immunosuppression after liver transplantation in recipients with hepatitis c virus related cirrhosis

AIM:Steroids can increase hepatitis C virus(HCV) replication.After liver transplantation(LTx),steroids are commonly used for immunosuppression and acute rejection is usually treated by high steroid dosages.Steroids can worsen the outcome of recurrent HCV infection.Therefore, we evaluated the outcome of HCV infected liver recipients receiving initial steroid-free immunosuppression. METHODS:Thirty patients undergoing LTx received initial steroid-free immunosuppression.Indication for LTx included 7 patients with HCV related cirrhosis.Initial immunosuppression consisted of tacrolimus 2×0.05mg/kg.d po and mycophenolate mofetil(MMF)2×15mg/kg.d po.The tacrolimus dosage was adjusted to trough levels in the target range of 10-15μg/L during the first 3 mo and 5-10μg/L thereafter.Manifestations of acute rejection were verified histologically. RESULTS:Patient and graft survival of 30 patients receiving initial steroid-free immunosuppression was 86% and 83% at 1 and 2 years.Acute rejection occurred in 8/30 patients, including 1 HCV infected recipient.All HCV-infected patients had HCV genotype Ⅱ(lb).HCV seropositivity occurred within the first 4 mo after LTx.The virus load was not remarkably increased during the first year after LTx.Histologically,grafts had no severe recurrent hepatitis. CONCLUSION:From our experience,initial steroid-free immunosuppression does not increase the risk of acute rejection in HCV infected liver recipients.Furthermore,none of the HCV infected patients developed serious chronic liver diseases.It suggests that it may be beneficial to avoid steroids in this particular group of patients after LTx.

Expression of liver cancer associated gene HCCA3

AIM: To study and clone a novel liver cancer related gene, and to explore the molecular basis of liver cancer genesis. METHODS: Using mRNA differential display polymerase chain reaction (DDPCR), we investigated the difference of mRNA in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and paired surrounding liver tissues, and got a gene probe. By screening a human placenta cDNA library and genomic homologous extend, we obtained a full-length cDNA named HCCA3. We analyzed the expression of this novel gene in 42 pairs of HCC and the surrounding liver tissues, and distribution in human normal tissues by means of Northern blot assay. RESULTS: A full-length cDNA of liver cancer associated gene HCCA3 has been submitted to the GeneBank nucleotide sequence databases (Accession No. AF276707). The positive expression rate of this gene was 78.6% (33/42) in HCC tissues, and the clinical pathological data showed that the HCCA3 was closely associated with the invasion of tumor capsule (P=0.023) and adjacant small metastasis satellite nodules lesions (P=0.041). The HCCA3 was widely distributed in the human normal tissues, which was intensively expressed in lungs, brain and colon tissues, while lowly expressed in the liver tissues. CONCLUSION: A novel full-length cDNA was cloned and differentiated, which was highly expressed in liver cancer tissues. The high expression was closely related to the tumor invasiveness and metastasis,that may be the late heredited change in HCC genesis.

Clinical Observation on the Long-Term Therapeutic Effects of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Treatment of Liver Fibrosis

48 patients with liver fibrosis due to hepatitis B were treated for 2 years with the drugs for tonifying the kidney, supplementing qi, cooling and invigorating the blood and detoxification. The symptoms were markedly improved, and serum ALT and bilirubin were recovered and kept normal in most of the cases. The mean levels of serum hyaluronic acid, procollagen peptide III and circulating immune complex were decreased and returned to normal after the treatment. B-ultrasonography showed that the portal vein kept in normal size in 82% of the patients, the enlarged portal vein diminished in diameter, and the enlarged spleen reduced.

Chronic liver disease questionnaire:Translation and validation in Thais

AIM:Quality of life (QOL) is a concept that incorporates many aspects of life beyond“health”.The chronic liver disease questionnaire (CLDQ) was developed to evaluate the impact of chronic liver diseases (CLD) on QOL.The objectives of this study were to translate and validate a liver specific questionnaire,the CLDQ. METHODS:The CLDQ was formally translated from the original version to Thai language with permission.The translation process included forward translation,back translation,cross-cultural adaptation and a pretest.Reliability and validity of the translated version was examined in CLD patients.Enrolled subjects included CLD and normal subjects with age- and sex-matched.Collected data were demography, physical findings and biochemical tests.All subjects were asked to complete the translated versions of CLDQ and SF- 36,which was previously validated.Cronbach's alpha and test-retest were performed for reliability analysis.One-way Anova or non-parametric method was used to determine discriminant validity.Speerman's rank correlation was used to assess convergent validity.P-value<0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS:A total of 200 subjects were recruited into the study,with 150 CLD and 50 normal subjects.Mean ages (SD) were 47.3(11.7) and 49.1(8.5) years,respectively.The number of chronic hepatitis:cirrhosis was 76:74,and the ratio of cirrhotic patients classified as Child A:B:C was 37 (50%):26(35%):11(15%).Cronbach's alpha of the overall CLDQ scores was 0.96 and of all domains were higher than 0.93.Item-total correlation was>0.45.Test-retest reliability done at 1 to 4 wk apart was 0.88 for the average CLDQ score and from 0.68 to 0.90 for domain scores.The CLDQ was found to have discriminant validity.The highest scores of CLDQ domains were in the normal group,scores were lower in the compensated group and lowest in the decompensated group.The significant correlation between domains of the CLDQ and SF-36 was found.The average CLDQ score was strongly correlated with the general health domain of SF-36.(P=0.69:P=0.01). CONCLUSION:The translated CLDQ is valid and applicable in Thais with CLD.CLDQ reveals that QOL in these patients is lower than that in normal population.QOL is more impaired in advanced stage of CLD.

The Combined Use of Tonification and Purgation in Treatment of Fatty Liver

Fatty liver is a disease caused by excessive accumulation of fat in the liver due to long-term ort repeated affection of various causative factors'When the pathogenic factor prevails,the qi is sure to be deficient',Therefore,deficiency of the vital-qicontributes greatly to the occurrence of fatty liver.For many years,the author has concentrated ont the treatment of fatty liver with the tonificatioin method,or tonification followed by purgation,or the combination of tonificaytioin with purgation,so as to effectively prevent the liver from being injured by harmful substances ,and to benefit the recovery of fatty liver.The following is a report of his experience in treatment of fatty liver with the combined use of tonification and purgation.

Effects of Da Ding Feng Zhu Decoction in 30 Cases of Liver Fibrosis

To study the clinical effects of Da Ding Feng Zhu (大定风珠) Decoction on liver fibrosis. 56 patients withliver fibrosis due to chronic hepatitis B were randomly divided into a treatment group (30 cases treatedwith Da Ding Feng Zhu Decoction) and a control group (26 cases treated with colchicine). The serumlevels of hyaluronic acid (HA), procollagen Ⅲ (PC-Ⅲ), Ⅳ collagen (Ⅳ-C) and Laminin (LN) of thepatients were determined, compared and analyzed before treatment and after 3-month treatment in the twogroups. The results showed that in the treatment group, the levels of HA, PC-Ⅲ, Ⅳ-C and LN after3-month treatment were significantly lowered as compared to that before treatment (P＜0.01). In thecontrol group, only the HA level was obviously lowered (P＜0.05). There was an significant difference(P＜0.05) in PC-Ⅲ and Ⅳ-C and a very significant difference (P＜0.01) in HA after treatment between thetwo groups. It is therefore concluded that Da Ding Feng Zhu Decoction can lower serum indexes of liverfibrosis.

Effect of insulin on hyperkalemia during anhepatic stage of liver transplantation

AIM:To investigate the effectiveness of insulin on decreasing serum potassium concentration during anhepatic stage of orthotopic liver transplantation. METHODS:Sixteen patients with serum potassium concentrations greater than 4.0 mmol/L at the onset of anhepatic stage were randomized into two groups.The patients in control group (n=8) received no treatment, while those in treatment group (n=8) received an intravenous bolus injection of regular insulin (20U) 10 min into the anhepatic stage,followed by a glucose infusion (500mL 50g/L dextrose) over 15 min. RESULTS:In control group,potassium concentration underwent no changes whereas in treatment group,it decreased from 4.8±0.48 mmol/L to 4.19±0.55 mmol/L (mean±SD) within 15 min and to 3.62±0.45 mmol/L 60 min after the therapy.The potassium concentration was lower in treatment group than in control group within 30 min of treatment (3.94±0.57 vs 4.47±0.42 mmol/L, respectively;P<0.05),and increased similarly 30 s after graft reperfusion in both groups of patients,but remained lower in treatment group (5.81±2.78 vs 7.44±1.75 mmol/L, respectively;P<0.05).The potassium concentration returned to pre-reperfusion levels within 5 min after graft reperfusion. CONCLUSION:In patients undergoing orthotopic liver transplantation,the administration of insulin rapidly decreases serum potassium concentration even in the absence of the liver,suggesting an important contribution by extrahepatic tissues in insulin-stimulated uptake of potassium.

Effects of terlipressin on systolic pulmonary artery pressure of patients with liver cirrhosis: An echocardiographic assessment

AIM:Portopulmonary hypertension is a serious complication of chronic liver disease.Our aim was to search into the effect of terlipressin on systolic pulmonary artery pressure among cirrhotic patients. METHODS:Twelve patients(6 males and 6 females)with liver cirrhosis were recruited in the study.Arterial blood gas samples were obtained in sitting position at rest.Contrast enhanced echocardiography and measurements of systolic pulmonary artery pressure were performed before and after the intravenous injection of 2 mg terlipressin. RESULTS:Of 12 patients studied,the contrast enhanced echocardiography was positive in 5,and the positive findings in contrast enhanced echocardiography were reversed to normal in two after terlipressin injection.The mean systolic pulmonary artery pressure was 25.5±3.6 mmHg before terlipressin injection,and was 22.5+2.5 mmHg after terlipressin(P=0.003).The systolic pulmonary artery pressure was above 25 mmHg in seven of these 12 patients. After the terlipressin injection,systolic pulmonary artery pressure was<25 mmHg in four of these cases(58.3% vs 25%,P=0.04). CONCLUSION:Terlipressin can decrease the systolic pulmonary artery pressure in patients with liver cirrhosis.

AN ANALYSIS FOR DEATH CAUSES IN 45 CASES OF LIVER CANCER TREATED WITH TRADITIONAL CHINESE DRUGS

Among the 165 cases of late-stage liver cancer treated in our hospital,65(39.4%)died,with an average survival time of 8.1 months and a median survival time of 7 months.Among the 65 dead patients,45 were treated with traditional Chinese drugs and 20 withwestern medicine.The average survival time was 8.4 months in the former and 7.3months in the latter group.The direct causes of death for the 65 patients were hepaticcoma,severe hemorrhage of the upper digestive tract,Heyd’s syndrome,hepatorrhexis,respiratory failure,cardiac failure,etc.The incidence rates of hemorrhage of the upperdigestive tract and hepatorrhexis in the 45 patients treated with traditional Chinese drugswere obviously lower than those treated with western medicine.

115例成人急性EB病毒感染相关肝损伤临床特征分析

目的探讨成人急性EB病毒(EBV)感染者的临床表现、肝功能、外周血淋巴细胞亚群等实验室检查特征,为成人急性EBV感染相关肝损伤的诊治提供依据。方法对北京地坛医院2009年6月-2016年3月因成人急性EBV感染伴发肝功能异常的115例患者临床资料进行回顾性分析,根据有无黄疸分为黄疸组(n=46)和非黄疸组(n=69),并对黄疸升高的影响因素加以分析。计量资料满足正态分布的组间比较采用t检验;不满足正态分布的组间比较采用Wilcoxon检验;多因素分析采用logistic回归分析。结果 115例患者中出现发热106例(92.2%),咽峡炎97例(84.3%),扁桃体肿大73例(63.5%),浅表淋巴结肿大73例(63.5%),脾肿大74例(64.4%)。黄疸组和无黄疸组在外周血淋巴细胞的比例(t=-2.51,P=0.014)、ALT(Z=4.93,P<0.001)、AST(Z=5.34,P<0.001)、GGT(Z=5.26,P<0.001)、ALP(Z=5.29,P<0.001)水平差异均有统计学意义。logistic回归分析显示AST(比值比=1.008,95%可信区间:1.003~1.012,P<0.001)、ALP(比值比=1.008,95%可信区间:1.003~1.013,P=0.001)为TBil升高的独立危险因素。结论成人急性EBV感染相关肝损伤以ALT和AST升高为主,发热、咽峡炎、扁桃体肿大、颈部淋巴结肿大、脾肿大等临床表现较常见,AST、ALP为TBil升高的独立危险因素,为临床诊断提供依据。

同步辐射X荧光法测定电泳分离后蛋白条带内的锌

本文初步建立了一种基于电泳分离和同步辐射X荧光(SRXRF)分析技术的生物样品内微量元素的种态分析方法。用同步辐射X荧光法直接分析了人肝细胞胞质溶胶等电聚焦(IEF)分离后蛋白条带内的金属锌含量。结果表明:肝细胞胞质溶胶内主要有三个含锌条带,等电点(pI)分别为4.69、5.93、9.84。含锌量分别占总检出锌的33.08%、17.05%、26.54%。其中等电点为4.69的蛋白可能为金属硫蛋白。另外在等电点为6.60—9.30的范围内有若干含锌蛋白,共占总检出锌的23.33%。

Clinicopathological study on TTV infection in hepatitis of unknown etiology

AIM: To investigate the state of infection, replication site, pathogenicity and clinical significance of transfusion transmitted virus (TTV) in patients with hepatitis, especially in patients of unknown etiology. METHODS: Liver tissues taken from 136 cases of non-A non-G hepatitis were tested for TT virus antigen and nucleic acid by in situ hybridization (ISH) and nested-polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Among them, TT virus genome and its complemental strand were also detected in 24 cases of autopsy liver and extrahepatic tissues with ISH. Meanwhile, TTV DNA was detected in the sera of 187 hepatitis patients by nested-PCR. The pathological and clinical data of the cases infected with TTV only were analyzed. RESULTS: In liver, the total positive rate of TTV DNA was 32.4% and the positive signals were located in the nuclei of hepatocytes. In serus, TTV DNA was detected in 21.4% cases of hepatitis A-G, 34.4% of non-A non-G hepatitis and 15% of healthy donors. The correspondence rate of TTV DNA detection between liver tissue with ISH and sera with PCR was 63.2% and 89.3% in the same liver tissues by ISH and by PCR, respectively.Using double-strand probes and single-strand probes designed to detect TTV genome, the correspondence rate of TTV DNA detected in liver and extrahepatic tissues was 85.7%. Using single-strand probes, TTV genome could be detected in liver and extrahepatic tissues by PCR, but its complemental strands (replication strands) could be observed only in livers. The liver function of most cases infected with TTV alone was abnormal and the liver tissues had different pathological damage such as ballooning, acidophilia degeneration, formation of apoptosis bodies and focus of necrosis, but the inflammation in the lobule and portal area was mild. CONCLUSION: The positive rate of TTV DNA among cases of hepatitis was higher than that of donors, especially in patients with non-A non-G hepatitis, but most of them were coinfected with other hepatitis viruses. TTV can infect not only hepatocytes, but also extrahepatic tissues. However, the chief replication place may be liver. The infection of TTV may have some pathogenicity. Although the pathogenicity is comparatively weak, it can still damage the liver tissues. The lesions in acute hepatitis (AH) and chronic hepatitis (CH) are mild, but in severe hepatitis (SH), it can be very serious and cause liver function failure, therefore, we should pay more attention to TTV when studying the possible pathogens of so-called &quot;liver hepatitis of unknown etiology&quot;.

人胎肝再生刺激物质对大鼠中毒性肝坏死的治疗作用

本文报道了人胎肝再生刺激物质(h-HSS)、人胎肝胞溶质(h-FLC)对D-氨基半乳精中毒大鼠的存活率和肝功能的影响,和对h-HSS的理化性质及其分子量进行了初步分析与测定。结果发现:h-HSS和h-FLC均能显著提高中毒大鼠的存活率;显著降低其血清OCT和mAST活性,提高HPT-A及促进~3H-TdR掺入肝内DNA的速率。加热95℃、30min,h-HSS仍保留其活性,而经胰蛋白酶处理后,其活性丧失。在SDS-PAGE上,h-HSS显示1条主带和3条次带,各带分子量依次为1.5、2.4、3.4和4.0万道尔顿,主带相对含量占47.57％。