AIM: To investigate Kupffer cell dynamics and phagocytic activity,using a rat nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) model. METHODS: Male F344 rats were fed either a control diet or a choline-deficient L-amino acid-defin...AIM: To investigate Kupffer cell dynamics and phagocytic activity,using a rat nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) model. METHODS: Male F344 rats were fed either a control diet or a choline-deficient L-amino acid-defined (CDAA) diet,followed by contrast enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) using Levovist. The uptake of latex beads by the Kupffer cells was determined by fluorescent microscopy. The status of the Kupffer cells was compared between the two groups,using the immunohistochemical staining technique. RESULTS: After 4 or more wk of the CDAA diet,CEUS examination revealed a decrease in the signal intensity,20 min after intravenous Levovist. Fluorescent microscopic examination showed that the uptake of latex beads by the Kupffer cells was reduced at week 1 and 2 in the study group,compared with the controls,with no further reduction after 3 wk. Immunohistochemical staining revealed no significant difference in the Kupffer cell counts between the control group and the CDAA group. CONCLUSION: CEUS examination using Levovist demonstrated reduced contrast effect and phagocytic activity in the liver parenchymal phase,although the Kupffer cell numbers were unchanged,indicating reduced phagocytic function of the Kupffer cells in the rat NASH model. We believe that CEUS examination using Levovist is a useful screening modality,which can detect NASH in fatty liver patients.展开更多
AIM: To evaluate the prevalence of genetic and acquired prothrombotic risk factors and their association with the extent of fibrosis and fatty infiltration in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).ME...AIM: To evaluate the prevalence of genetic and acquired prothrombotic risk factors and their association with the extent of fibrosis and fatty infiltration in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).METHODS: Forty-four patients with chronic hepatitis (28 men and 16 women, with mean age of 45±11 and 49±12 years, respectively) constituted the patient population of this study. The groups were divided as follows: 15 patients with fatty liver (FL); 15 with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH); 14 with chronic viral hepatitis (CH) diagnosed by histology and liver technetium scan or ultrasound; and 10 healthy individuals. Thrombophilic, coagulation factors and genetic mutations were diagnosed by standard hemostatic and molecular coagulation assays.RESULTS: Activated protein C (APC) resistance and protein S were the most prevalent thrombotic risk factors (6% and 10% in NAFLD vs 21% and 14% in CH; P＜0.01 and P＜0.05, respectively). One thrombotic risk factor was identified in 41% of patients (23% mild fibrosis, 18% severe fibrosis) and two thrombotic risk factors in 6% of patients with NAFLD and severe fibrosis. While no differences in APC ratio, lupus anticoagulant, fibrinogen, factor V Leiden,prothrombin, and MTHFR mutation were found. Protein S levels were significantly lower in NASH patients than in patients with FL alone (92±19 vs106±2, P＜0.01). Protein C levels were markedly higher in patients with NAFLD and mild or severe fibrosis as compared to the patients with CH, respectively (128±40 vs96±14, P＜0.001 or 129±36 vs 88±13, P＜0.01).CONCLUSION: Up to 46% of patients with NAFLD may have thrombotic risk factors, and the presence of thrombotic risk factors is correlated with the extent of hepatic fibrosis,suggesting a crucial role of the coagulation system in the pathogenesis of hepatic fibrosis.展开更多
基金Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research from the Ministry of Education,Culture,Sports,Science,and Technology of Japan,No.19590784
文摘AIM: To investigate Kupffer cell dynamics and phagocytic activity,using a rat nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) model. METHODS: Male F344 rats were fed either a control diet or a choline-deficient L-amino acid-defined (CDAA) diet,followed by contrast enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) using Levovist. The uptake of latex beads by the Kupffer cells was determined by fluorescent microscopy. The status of the Kupffer cells was compared between the two groups,using the immunohistochemical staining technique. RESULTS: After 4 or more wk of the CDAA diet,CEUS examination revealed a decrease in the signal intensity,20 min after intravenous Levovist. Fluorescent microscopic examination showed that the uptake of latex beads by the Kupffer cells was reduced at week 1 and 2 in the study group,compared with the controls,with no further reduction after 3 wk. Immunohistochemical staining revealed no significant difference in the Kupffer cell counts between the control group and the CDAA group. CONCLUSION: CEUS examination using Levovist demonstrated reduced contrast effect and phagocytic activity in the liver parenchymal phase,although the Kupffer cell numbers were unchanged,indicating reduced phagocytic function of the Kupffer cells in the rat NASH model. We believe that CEUS examination using Levovist is a useful screening modality,which can detect NASH in fatty liver patients.
文摘AIM: To evaluate the prevalence of genetic and acquired prothrombotic risk factors and their association with the extent of fibrosis and fatty infiltration in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).METHODS: Forty-four patients with chronic hepatitis (28 men and 16 women, with mean age of 45±11 and 49±12 years, respectively) constituted the patient population of this study. The groups were divided as follows: 15 patients with fatty liver (FL); 15 with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH); 14 with chronic viral hepatitis (CH) diagnosed by histology and liver technetium scan or ultrasound; and 10 healthy individuals. Thrombophilic, coagulation factors and genetic mutations were diagnosed by standard hemostatic and molecular coagulation assays.RESULTS: Activated protein C (APC) resistance and protein S were the most prevalent thrombotic risk factors (6% and 10% in NAFLD vs 21% and 14% in CH; P＜0.01 and P＜0.05, respectively). One thrombotic risk factor was identified in 41% of patients (23% mild fibrosis, 18% severe fibrosis) and two thrombotic risk factors in 6% of patients with NAFLD and severe fibrosis. While no differences in APC ratio, lupus anticoagulant, fibrinogen, factor V Leiden,prothrombin, and MTHFR mutation were found. Protein S levels were significantly lower in NASH patients than in patients with FL alone (92±19 vs106±2, P＜0.01). Protein C levels were markedly higher in patients with NAFLD and mild or severe fibrosis as compared to the patients with CH, respectively (128±40 vs96±14, P＜0.001 or 129±36 vs 88±13, P＜0.01).CONCLUSION: Up to 46% of patients with NAFLD may have thrombotic risk factors, and the presence of thrombotic risk factors is correlated with the extent of hepatic fibrosis,suggesting a crucial role of the coagulation system in the pathogenesis of hepatic fibrosis.
