A pharmacodynamic model of portal hypertension in isolated perfused rat liver

AIM： To develop a pharmacodynamic model of porta hypertension from chronic hepatitis. METHODS： Pathological changes and collagen depositions were analyzed using morphometry to confirm CCI4-induced chronic hepatitis. At do, d28, ds6 and d84 of the process, the portal perfused velocities （μL/min） in isolated rat livers were exactly controlled with a quanti-fied pump. The pressure （mmHg） was monitored with a Physiological System. The geometric concentrations of phenylephrine or acetylcholine were added to a fixed volume （300 mL） of the circulating perfusate. The equation, the median effective concentration and its 95% confidence intervals of phenylephrine or acetyl- choline were regressed with Prism-4 software in non-linear fit and various slopes. In the isolated perfused rat livers with chronic hepatitis, both median effective concentrations were defined as the pharmacodynamic model of portal hypertension.CONCLUSION： A pharmacodynamic model of portal hypertension in isolated perfused rat livers with chronic hepatitis was defined as the median effective concen- trations of phenylephrine and acetylcholine.

Metabolism of Mequindox in Isolated Rat Liver Cells

Mequindox （MEQ）, 3-methyl-2-quinoxalinacetyl-l,4-dioxide, is widely used in Chinese veterinary medicine as an antimicrobial agent and feed additive. Its toxicity has been reported to be closely related to its metabolism. To understand the pathways underlying MEQ＇s metabolism more clearly, we studied its metabolism in isolated rat liver cells by using liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization hybrid linear trap quadrupole orbitrap （LC-LTQ-Orbitrap） mass spectrometry. The structures of MEQ metabolites and their product ions were readily and reliably characterized on the basis of accurate MS2 spectra and known structure of MEQ. Eleven metabolites were detected in isolated rat liver cells, two of which were detected for the first time in vitro. The major metabolic pathways reported previously for in vitro metabolism of MEQ in rat microsomes were confirmed in this study, including N O group reduction, carbonyl reduction, and methyl monohydroxylation. In addition, we fotmd that acetyl hydroxylation was an important pathway of MEQ metabolism. The results also demonstrate that cellular systems more closely simulate in vivo conditions than do other in vitro systems such as microsomes. Taken together, these data contribute to our understanding of the in vivo metabolism of MEQ.

Iron-Mediated Oxidative DNA Damage Detected by Fluorometric Analysis of DNA Unwinding in Isolated Rat Liver Nuclei

Studies were performed to determine the extent of nuclear DNA degradation induced by iron, iron-ascorbate, or iron-bleomycin under aerobic conditions in a model system using isolated rat liver nuclei. The effects of five antioxidants (catalase, superoxide dismutase, dimethyl sulfoxide, glutathione and diallyl sulfide) on this oxidative nuclear damage were also investigated. At the 0.05 level for statistical significance, iron induced concentration-dependent DNA degradation, and this effect was enhanced by ascorbate and bleomycin. The antioxidants catalase, dimethyl sulfoxide, and diallyl sulfide significantly reduced the iron-ascorbate-induced DNA damage, whereas superoxide dismutase and dimethyl sulfoxide significantly reduced iron-bleomycin-induced damage. Glutathione significantly increased the iron-bleomycin-induced DNA damage. These results suggest that the reactive oxygen species generated by iron, iron-ascorbate, and iron-bleomycin are responsible for the DNA strand breaks in isolated rat liver nuclei.

A NEW METHOD OF ISOLATING KUPFFER CELLS FROM BIOPSY TISSUE OF RAT LIVER

The isolation of a high yield and purity of Kupffer cells has been reported in detail.1 This paper reports into the research about isolation Kupffer cells from biopsy tissue of liver. This method includes 5 important steps: (1) take fresh liver tissue, and mince with scissors. (2) spin at low speed to wash off red blood cells. (3) digest in collagenase for suitable time. (4) isolate Kupffer cells on a percoll density gradient. (5) cell charaterization was observed by N.S.E stain and peroxidatic activity with lumino-meter measurement and phagocytosis with latex beads.2.3

Long-term clinical outcomes and health-related quality of life in patients with isolated methylmalonic acidemia after liver transplantation:experience from the largest cohort study in China

Background Liver transplantation(LT)has been proposed as a viable treatment option for selected methylmalonic acidemia(MMA)patients.However,there are still controversies regarding the therapeutic value of LT for MMA.The systematic assessment of health-related quality of life(HRQoL)-targeted MMA children before and after LT is also undetermined.This study aimed to comprehensively assess the long-term impact of LT on MMA,including multiorgan sequelae and HRQoL in children and families.Methods We retrospectively evaluated 15 isolated MMA patients undergoing LT at our institution between June 2013 and March 2022.Pre-and post-transplant data were compared,including metabolic profiles,neurologic consequences,growth parameters,and HRQoL.To further assess the characteristics of the HRQoL outcomes in MMA,we compared the results with those of children with biliary atresia(BA).Results All patients had early onset MMA,and underwent LT at a mean age of 4.3 years.During 1.3–8.2 years of follow-up,the patient and graft survival rates were 100%.Metabolic stability was achieved in all patients with liberalized dietary protein intake.There was a significant overall improvement in height Z scores(P=0.0047),and some preexisting neurological complications remained stable or even improved after LT.On the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory(PedsQL™)generic core scales,the mean total,physical health,and psychosocial health scores improved significantly posttransplant(P<0.05).In the family impact module,higher mean scores were noted for all subscales post-LT,especially family function and daily activities(P<0.01).However,the total scores on the generic core scales and transplant module were significantly lower(Cohen’s d=0.57–1.17)when compared with BA recipients.In particular,social and school functioning(Cohen’s d=0.86–1.76),treatment anxiety,and communication(Cohen’s d=0.99–1.81)were far behind,with a large effect size.Conclusions This large single-center study of the mainland of China showed an overall favorable impact of LT on isolated MMA in terms of long-term survival,metabolic control,and HRQoL in children and families.The potential for persistent neurocognitive impairment and inherent metabolic fragility requires long-term special care.

Isolation and cultivation of porcine hepatocytes for extracorporeal artificial liver support system

Objective To develop procedures for the successful harvesting of large quantities of viable and functional pig liver cells from abattoir organs.Methods The procedure included partial liver lobe retrograde perfusion and mechanical/enzymatic digestion of the liver tissue, followed by separation of the hepatocytes, based on size and density, from contaminating cell types.Results Digestion of the partial liver lobe resulted in an average yield of 1.39×109 cells (9.9×106 cells/g liver) with an average viability of 92.5%. The yield and viability of cells were improved by dispase/collagenase resultant digestion. The emergence of blebby cells was blocked by supplying oxygen to the cell isolation buffers. Isolated hepatocytes seeded onto polystyrene surfaces remained viable and functional at a level comparable to that of rat hepatocytes, although their function decreased over time.Conclusions Adult pig hepatocytes can be harvested with high yields and retain viability and differentiated function using this method. Abattoir pig livers can be an excellent source of hepatocytes for use as the biological component of artificial liver assist devices.