AIM： To shed some light on the relationship between anti-apoptotic serum Bcl-2 concentrations and metabolic status, anthropometric parameters, inflammation indi- ces, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease severity we...AIM： To shed some light on the relationship between anti-apoptotic serum Bcl-2 concentrations and metabolic status, anthropometric parameters, inflammation indi- ces, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease severity were investigated in 43 young individuals with fatty liver （FL） and 41 with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis （NASH）. METHODS： Circulating levels of Bcl-2 were detected in 84 patients with ultrasonographic findings of ＂bright liver＂ and/or hyper-transaminasemia of unknown origin and/or increase in T-glutamyl-transpeptidase （T-GT） strictly in the absence of other acute or chronic liver disease, whose age was not advanced, who gave consent to liver biopsy and were then divided on the basis of the histological results into two groups （43 with FL and 41 with NASH）. Twenty lean subjects, apparently healthy and young, were chosen as controls.RESULTS： Serum Bcl-2 concentrations were significantly higher in the FL group than in the NASH group. Insulin resistance and γ-GT activity were significantly higher in NASH subjects. Apoptotic hepatocytes were significantly more numerous in NASH patients. NASH patients presented with larger spleens and augmented C-reactive protein （CRP） concentrations than healthy subjects. Steatosis grade at histology was similar in both NASH and FL populations. The number of apoptotic cells was significantly related to anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 protein values in FL patients. Bcl-2 serum levels positively correlated to body mass index （BMI） values （P ~ 0.0001） but not to age of the population. Triglycerides/HDL ratio correlated well to waist circumference in males （P = 0.0008）. γ-GT activity was associated with homeostatic metabolic assessment （HOMA） （P = 0.0003） and with serum ferritin （P = 0.02）. Bcl-2 concentrations were not related to either spleen size or CRP values. NASH patients pre- sented a weak negative correlation between Iobular inflammation and Bcl-2 levels. A prediction by low values of serum Bcl-2 towards a greater presence of metabolically unhealthy overweight/obese patients （MUOs） was evidenced. HOMA, BMI and uric acid, in that sequence, best predicted serum Bcl-2 concentrations. CONCLUSION： IvlUOs could be detected by Bcl-2 levels. By favoring the life span of hepatocytes, and enhancing triglyceride formation, the anti-apoptotic process inhibits free fatty acids toxicity in FL.展开更多
To characterize natural history of cryptogenic cirrhosis (CC) and compare its clinical features and outcomes to those of hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related cirrhosis.METHODSA prospective cohort of 102 consecutive patient...To characterize natural history of cryptogenic cirrhosis (CC) and compare its clinical features and outcomes to those of hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related cirrhosis.METHODSA prospective cohort of 102 consecutive patients at their first diagnosis of CC were enrolled in this study. The clinical data and outcomes were compared to an age- and Child-Pugh class-matched cohort of 110 patients with HCV-related cirrhosis. Diagnosis of cirrhosis was based on compatible clinical and laboratory parameters, ultrasound/endoscopic parameters and, whenever possible, on histological grounds and transient elastography. All cases of cirrhosis without a definite etiology were enrolled in the CC group. The parameters assessed were: (1) severity of liver disease at the time of first diagnosis; (2) liver decompensation during follow-up; (3) hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC); (4) orthotopic liver transplantation; and (5) death. The independent associated factors were evaluated by multiple logistic regression analysis, and survival and its determinants by the Kaplan-Meier model, log-rank test and Cox regression.RESULTSAt the first observation, median age was 66 and 65 years and male gender was 36% and 58% for CC and HCV cirrhosis, respectively. CC showed Child-Pugh class A/B/C of 47%/31%/22%, respectively. Compared to HCV cirrhosis, CC exhibited a significantly higher prevalence of metabolic syndrome (12% vs 54%, respectively), overweight/obesity, high BMI, impaired glucose tolerance, high blood pressure, dyslipidemia, hyperuricemia, cardiovascular diseases, extrahepatic cancer, and gallstones. Over a median period of 42 mo of follow-up, liver decompensation, HCC development and death for CC and HCV-related cirrhosis were 60.8%, and 54.4%, 16.7% and 17.2%, 39.2% and 30%, respectively. The median survival was 60 mo for CC. Independent predictors of death were age and Child-Pugh class at diagnosis. CC showed an approximately twofold higher incidence of HCC in Child-Pugh class A.CONCLUSIONUndiagnosed nonalcoholic fatty liver disease has an etiologic role in CC that is associated with a poor prognosis, early HCC development, high risk of cardiovascular disease and extrahepatic cancer.展开更多
Incubation of camazepam [3-(N,N-dimethyl) carbamoyloxy-7-chloro-1- methyl-1,3-dihydro-5-phenyl-2H-1,4-benzodiazepin-2-one] with rat liver microsomes and cofactors produced a 3-(N-methyl-N-hydroxymethyl) carbamoyloxy d...Incubation of camazepam [3-(N,N-dimethyl) carbamoyloxy-7-chloro-1- methyl-1,3-dihydro-5-phenyl-2H-1,4-benzodiazepin-2-one] with rat liver microsomes and cofactors produced a 3-(N-methyl-N-hydroxymethyl) carbamoyloxy derivative as the most abundant metabolite.This metabolite was thermally unstable and was isolated from a metabolite mixture by normal-phase High-Performance Liquid Chromatography.Its struc- ture was established by chemical ionization and ^(252)Cf plasma desorption time-of-flight mass spectral analyses.展开更多
Nannochloropsis oceanica promises to be an industrial-level producer of polyunsaturated fatty acids. In this study, the fastest and slowest growing N. oceanica mutants were selected through N-methyl-N＇-nitro-N-nitros...Nannochloropsis oceanica promises to be an industrial-level producer of polyunsaturated fatty acids. In this study, the fastest and slowest growing N. oceanica mutants were selected through N-methyl-N＇-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine mutation, and two mutant strains and the wild type （WT） subjected to transcriptome profiling. It was found that the 0D680 reads at stationary growth phase of both WT and its mutants were proportional to their cell density, thus indicating their division rate and growth speed during culture. This chemical mutation was effective for improving growth performance, and the fast strain divided faster by upregulating the expression of genes functioning in the cell cycle and downregulating genes involved in synthesis of amino acids, fatty acids, and sugars as well as the construction of ribosome and photosynthetic machinery. However, the relationship among the effected genes responsible for cell cycle, metabolism of fatty and amino acids, and construction of ribosome and photosynthetic machinery remained unclear. Further genetic studies are required for clarifying the genetic/metabolic networks underpinning the growth performance ofN. oceanica. These findings demonstrated that this mutation strategy was effective for improving the growth performance of this species and explored a means ofmicroalgal genetic improvement, particularly in species possessing a monoploid nucleus and asexual reproduction.展开更多
Objective To verify the regulation of acyl-coenzyme A:cholesterol acyltransferase 2 (ACAT 2), which is associated with cholesterol metabolism, by saturated fatty acids (SFAs). Methods Palmitic acid (PA), the most abun...Objective To verify the regulation of acyl-coenzyme A:cholesterol acyltransferase 2 (ACAT 2), which is associated with cholesterol metabolism, by saturated fatty acids (SFAs). Methods Palmitic acid (PA), the most abundant saturated fatty acid in plasma, and oleic acid (OA), a widely distributed unsaturated fatty acid, were used to treat hepatic cells HepG2, HuH7, and mouse primary hepatocytes. In addition, PA at different concentrations and PA treatment at different durations were applied in HepG2 cells. In in vivo experiment, three-month male C57/BL6 mice were fed with control diet and SFA diet containing hydrogenated coconut oil rich of SFAs. The mRNA level of ACAT2 in those hepatic cells and the mouse livers was detected with real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results In the three types of hepatic cells treated with PA, that SFA induced significant increase of ACAT2 expression (P<0.01), whereas treatment with OA showed no significant effect. That effect of PA was noticed gradually rising along with the increase of PA concentration and the extension of PA treatment duration (both P<0.05). SFA diet feeding in mice resulted in a short-term and transient increase of ACAT2 expression in vivo, with a peak level appearing in the mice fed with SFA diet for two days (P<0.05). Conclusion SFA may regulate ACAT2 expression in human and mouse hepatic cells and in mouse livers.展开更多
The use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs(NSAIDs) is widespread worldwide thanks to their analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic effects. However, even more attention is placed upon the recurrence of dige...The use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs(NSAIDs) is widespread worldwide thanks to their analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic effects. However, even more attention is placed upon the recurrence of digestive system complications in the course of their use. Recent data suggests that the complications of the lower gastro-intestinal tract may be as frequent and severe as those of the upper tract. NSAIDs enteropathy is due to enterohepatic recycling of the drugs resulting in a prolonged and repeated exposure of the intestinal mucosa to the compound and its metabolites. Thus leading to so-called topical effects, which, in turn, lead to an impairment of the intestinal barrier. This process determines bacterial translocation and toxic substances of intestinal origin in the portal circulation, leading to an endotoxaemia. This condition could determine a liver inflammatory response and might promote the development of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, mostly in patients with risk factors such as obesity, metabolic syndrome and a high fat diet, which may induce a small intestinal bacterial overgrowth and dysbiosis. This alteration of gut microbiota may contribute to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and its related disorders in two ways: firstly causing a malfunction of the tight junctions that play a critical role in the increase of intestinal permeability, and then secondly leading to the development of insulin resistance, body weight gain, lipogenesis, fibrogenesis and hepatic oxidative stress.展开更多
文摘AIM： To shed some light on the relationship between anti-apoptotic serum Bcl-2 concentrations and metabolic status, anthropometric parameters, inflammation indi- ces, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease severity were investigated in 43 young individuals with fatty liver （FL） and 41 with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis （NASH）. METHODS： Circulating levels of Bcl-2 were detected in 84 patients with ultrasonographic findings of ＂bright liver＂ and/or hyper-transaminasemia of unknown origin and/or increase in T-glutamyl-transpeptidase （T-GT） strictly in the absence of other acute or chronic liver disease, whose age was not advanced, who gave consent to liver biopsy and were then divided on the basis of the histological results into two groups （43 with FL and 41 with NASH）. Twenty lean subjects, apparently healthy and young, were chosen as controls.RESULTS： Serum Bcl-2 concentrations were significantly higher in the FL group than in the NASH group. Insulin resistance and γ-GT activity were significantly higher in NASH subjects. Apoptotic hepatocytes were significantly more numerous in NASH patients. NASH patients presented with larger spleens and augmented C-reactive protein （CRP） concentrations than healthy subjects. Steatosis grade at histology was similar in both NASH and FL populations. The number of apoptotic cells was significantly related to anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 protein values in FL patients. Bcl-2 serum levels positively correlated to body mass index （BMI） values （P ~ 0.0001） but not to age of the population. Triglycerides/HDL ratio correlated well to waist circumference in males （P = 0.0008）. γ-GT activity was associated with homeostatic metabolic assessment （HOMA） （P = 0.0003） and with serum ferritin （P = 0.02）. Bcl-2 concentrations were not related to either spleen size or CRP values. NASH patients pre- sented a weak negative correlation between Iobular inflammation and Bcl-2 levels. A prediction by low values of serum Bcl-2 towards a greater presence of metabolically unhealthy overweight/obese patients （MUOs） was evidenced. HOMA, BMI and uric acid, in that sequence, best predicted serum Bcl-2 concentrations. CONCLUSION： IvlUOs could be detected by Bcl-2 levels. By favoring the life span of hepatocytes, and enhancing triglyceride formation, the anti-apoptotic process inhibits free fatty acids toxicity in FL.
文摘To characterize natural history of cryptogenic cirrhosis (CC) and compare its clinical features and outcomes to those of hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related cirrhosis.METHODSA prospective cohort of 102 consecutive patients at their first diagnosis of CC were enrolled in this study. The clinical data and outcomes were compared to an age- and Child-Pugh class-matched cohort of 110 patients with HCV-related cirrhosis. Diagnosis of cirrhosis was based on compatible clinical and laboratory parameters, ultrasound/endoscopic parameters and, whenever possible, on histological grounds and transient elastography. All cases of cirrhosis without a definite etiology were enrolled in the CC group. The parameters assessed were: (1) severity of liver disease at the time of first diagnosis; (2) liver decompensation during follow-up; (3) hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC); (4) orthotopic liver transplantation; and (5) death. The independent associated factors were evaluated by multiple logistic regression analysis, and survival and its determinants by the Kaplan-Meier model, log-rank test and Cox regression.RESULTSAt the first observation, median age was 66 and 65 years and male gender was 36% and 58% for CC and HCV cirrhosis, respectively. CC showed Child-Pugh class A/B/C of 47%/31%/22%, respectively. Compared to HCV cirrhosis, CC exhibited a significantly higher prevalence of metabolic syndrome (12% vs 54%, respectively), overweight/obesity, high BMI, impaired glucose tolerance, high blood pressure, dyslipidemia, hyperuricemia, cardiovascular diseases, extrahepatic cancer, and gallstones. Over a median period of 42 mo of follow-up, liver decompensation, HCC development and death for CC and HCV-related cirrhosis were 60.8%, and 54.4%, 16.7% and 17.2%, 39.2% and 30%, respectively. The median survival was 60 mo for CC. Independent predictors of death were age and Child-Pugh class at diagnosis. CC showed an approximately twofold higher incidence of HCC in Child-Pugh class A.CONCLUSIONUndiagnosed nonalcoholic fatty liver disease has an etiologic role in CC that is associated with a poor prognosis, early HCC development, high risk of cardiovascular disease and extrahepatic cancer.
文摘Incubation of camazepam [3-(N,N-dimethyl) carbamoyloxy-7-chloro-1- methyl-1,3-dihydro-5-phenyl-2H-1,4-benzodiazepin-2-one] with rat liver microsomes and cofactors produced a 3-(N-methyl-N-hydroxymethyl) carbamoyloxy derivative as the most abundant metabolite.This metabolite was thermally unstable and was isolated from a metabolite mixture by normal-phase High-Performance Liquid Chromatography.Its struc- ture was established by chemical ionization and ^(252)Cf plasma desorption time-of-flight mass spectral analyses.
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.31270408)the National High Technology Research and Development Program of China(863 Program)(No.2014AA022001)
文摘Nannochloropsis oceanica promises to be an industrial-level producer of polyunsaturated fatty acids. In this study, the fastest and slowest growing N. oceanica mutants were selected through N-methyl-N＇-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine mutation, and two mutant strains and the wild type （WT） subjected to transcriptome profiling. It was found that the 0D680 reads at stationary growth phase of both WT and its mutants were proportional to their cell density, thus indicating their division rate and growth speed during culture. This chemical mutation was effective for improving growth performance, and the fast strain divided faster by upregulating the expression of genes functioning in the cell cycle and downregulating genes involved in synthesis of amino acids, fatty acids, and sugars as well as the construction of ribosome and photosynthetic machinery. However, the relationship among the effected genes responsible for cell cycle, metabolism of fatty and amino acids, and construction of ribosome and photosynthetic machinery remained unclear. Further genetic studies are required for clarifying the genetic/metabolic networks underpinning the growth performance ofN. oceanica. These findings demonstrated that this mutation strategy was effective for improving the growth performance of this species and explored a means ofmicroalgal genetic improvement, particularly in species possessing a monoploid nucleus and asexual reproduction.
基金Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (30721063)National High Technology Research and Development Program of China (863 Program) (2006AA02A406)+1 种基金National Basic Research Program of China (973 Program) (2006CB503801)Special Fund of the National Laboratory of China (2060204)
文摘Objective To verify the regulation of acyl-coenzyme A:cholesterol acyltransferase 2 (ACAT 2), which is associated with cholesterol metabolism, by saturated fatty acids (SFAs). Methods Palmitic acid (PA), the most abundant saturated fatty acid in plasma, and oleic acid (OA), a widely distributed unsaturated fatty acid, were used to treat hepatic cells HepG2, HuH7, and mouse primary hepatocytes. In addition, PA at different concentrations and PA treatment at different durations were applied in HepG2 cells. In in vivo experiment, three-month male C57/BL6 mice were fed with control diet and SFA diet containing hydrogenated coconut oil rich of SFAs. The mRNA level of ACAT2 in those hepatic cells and the mouse livers was detected with real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results In the three types of hepatic cells treated with PA, that SFA induced significant increase of ACAT2 expression (P<0.01), whereas treatment with OA showed no significant effect. That effect of PA was noticed gradually rising along with the increase of PA concentration and the extension of PA treatment duration (both P<0.05). SFA diet feeding in mice resulted in a short-term and transient increase of ACAT2 expression in vivo, with a peak level appearing in the mice fed with SFA diet for two days (P<0.05). Conclusion SFA may regulate ACAT2 expression in human and mouse hepatic cells and in mouse livers.
文摘The use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs(NSAIDs) is widespread worldwide thanks to their analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic effects. However, even more attention is placed upon the recurrence of digestive system complications in the course of their use. Recent data suggests that the complications of the lower gastro-intestinal tract may be as frequent and severe as those of the upper tract. NSAIDs enteropathy is due to enterohepatic recycling of the drugs resulting in a prolonged and repeated exposure of the intestinal mucosa to the compound and its metabolites. Thus leading to so-called topical effects, which, in turn, lead to an impairment of the intestinal barrier. This process determines bacterial translocation and toxic substances of intestinal origin in the portal circulation, leading to an endotoxaemia. This condition could determine a liver inflammatory response and might promote the development of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, mostly in patients with risk factors such as obesity, metabolic syndrome and a high fat diet, which may induce a small intestinal bacterial overgrowth and dysbiosis. This alteration of gut microbiota may contribute to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and its related disorders in two ways: firstly causing a malfunction of the tight junctions that play a critical role in the increase of intestinal permeability, and then secondly leading to the development of insulin resistance, body weight gain, lipogenesis, fibrogenesis and hepatic oxidative stress.
