Efficacy and safety of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) created using covered stents of different diameters: A systematic review and meta-analysis

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to make a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the stent diameter (8 mm vs. 10 mm) that conveys better safety and clinical efficacy for transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS).Materials and methodsFour databases were used to identify clinical trials published from inception until March 2020. Data were extracted to estimate and compare one-year and three-year overall survivals, hepatic encephalopathy, variceal rebleeding, and shunt dysfunction rates between patients with 8 mm covered stents and those with 10 mm covered stents.ResultsFive eligible studies were selected, which included 489 patients (316 men, 173 women). The 8 mm covered stent group had higher efficacy regarding one-year or three-year overall survival (odds ratio [OR], 2.88; P = 0.003) and (OR, 1.81; P = 0.04) and lower hepatic encephalopathy (OR, 0.69; P = 0.04) compared with 10 mm covered stent group. There were no significant differences in variceal rebleeding rate (OR 0.80; P = 0.67). However, shunt dysfunction was lower in 10 mm covered stent group (OR, 2.26; P = 0.003).ConclusionsOur results suggest that the use of 8 mm covered stents should be preferred to that of 10 mm covered stents for TIPS placement when portal pressure is frequently monitored.     

Fluoxetine-induced hepatic lipid accumulation is mediated by prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase 1 and is linked to elevated 15-deoxy-Δ12,14PGJ2

Major depressive disorder and other neuropsychiatric disorders are often managed with long-term use of antidepressant medication. Fluoxetine, an SSRI antidepressant, is widely used as a first-line treatment for neuropsychiatric disorders. However, fluoxetine has also been shown to increase the risk of metabolic diseases such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Fluoxetine has been shown to increase hepatic lipid accumulation in vivo and in vitro. In addition, fluoxetine has been shown to alter the production of prostaglandins which have also been implicated in the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. The goal of this study was to assess the effect of fluoxetine exposure on the prostaglandin biosynthetic pathway and lipid accumulation in a hepatic cell line (H4-II-E-C3 cells). Fluoxetine treatment increased mRNA expression of prostaglandin biosynthetic enzymes (Ptgs1, Ptgs2, and Ptgds), PPAR gamma (Pparg), and PPAR gamma downstream targets involved in fatty acid uptake (Cd36, Fatp2, and Fatp5) as well as production of 15-deoxy-Δ^12,14PGJ₂ a PPAR gamma ligand. The effects of fluoxetine to induce lipid accumulation were attenuated with a PTGS1 specific inhibitor (SC-560), whereas inhibition of PTGS2 had no effect. Moreover, SC-560 attenuated 15-deoxy-Δ^12,14PGJ₂ production and expression of PPAR gamma downstream target genes. Taken together these results suggest that fluoxetine-induced lipid abnormalities appear to be mediated via PTGS1 and its downstream product 15d-PGJ₂ and suggest a novel therapeutic target to prevent some of the adverse effects of fluoxetine treatment.     

温阳解毒化瘀颗粒对肝衰竭IETM大鼠TLR4 mRNA,TNF-α及肝细胞凋亡的影响

目的:研究Toll样受体4(TLR4) mRNA及其下游炎性因子肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)与肝衰竭肠源性内毒素血症(IETM)大鼠肝细胞凋亡的关系,并探索温阳解毒化瘀颗粒对内毒素介导的肝细胞凋亡的调控机制。方法:SPF级雄性SD大鼠85只,随机分为正常组,模型组,TLR4单克隆抗体组和温阳解毒化瘀颗粒组(8.925 g·kg^-1)。采用D-半乳糖胺(D-Gal)腹腔注射建立肝衰竭IETM模型,TLR4单克隆抗体组和温阳解毒化瘀颗粒组在造模前5 d给予温阳解毒化瘀颗粒溶液灌胃,正常组、模型组以等容积蒸馏水代替,直至处死。各组分别在24,48,72 h随机处死大鼠并采集标本。检测24,48,72 h各组时间点血清丙氨酸氨基转移酶(ALT),天门冬氨酸氨基转移酶(AST)水平,苏木素-伊红(HE)染色观察肝组织病理变化,实时荧光定量聚合酶链式反应(Real-time PCR)检测肝组织TLR4 mRNA表达,酶联免疫吸附测定法(ELISA)检测肝组织TNF-α表达,流式细胞仪检测肝细胞凋亡率。结果:与正常组比较,模型组ALT,AST升高,肝组织病理损伤程度明显加重,TLR4mRNA,TNF-α表达均增高(P<0.05,P<0.01),肝细胞凋亡率明显上升(P<0.05,P<0.01);与模型组比较,温阳解毒化瘀颗粒组ALT,AST显著降低(P<0.01),肝组织病理损伤程度明显减轻(P<0.05),TLR4 mRNA,TNF-α表达显著下降(P<0.01),肝细胞凋亡率亦显著降低(P<0.01)。结论:TLR4 mRNA,TNF-α在肝衰竭时与肝细胞凋亡呈正相关,温阳解毒化瘀颗粒能够改善肝衰竭IETM大鼠肝功能,减轻肝细胞损伤,减少肝细胞凋亡,其机制可能与其下调肝脏TLR4 mRNA表达,抑制TNF-α释放,降低肝细胞凋亡率有关。     

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and neurological defects

Introduction and ObjectivesNonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) can be considered one of the most common causes of liver disease in our days and is regarded as one of the newest vascular risk factors for cerebrovascular and other neurological diseases.Materials and methodsWe studied a group of neurological outpatients, divided into two homogenous groups based on the presence or absence of NAFLD.Results and conclusionsWe testified an independent relationship between NAFLD and common vascular risk factors (age, sex, educational level, BMI, cholesterol and lipid assessment, Hb1ac). At the same time, we ascertained an independent relationship between NAFLD and more recently recognized vascular risk factors, such as lack of folate, vitamin B12 and vitamin D-OH25, and increased levels of homocysteine. Finally, we have documented that NAFLD showed worse executive and frontal functions, and behavioral changes, such as depressive mood and anxiety, and apathy.     

In Vitro-In Vivo Extrapolation and Hepatic Clearance-Dependent Underprediction

Accurately predicting the hepatic clearance of compounds using in vitro to in vivo extrapolation (IVIVE) is crucial within the pharmaceutical industry. However, several groups have recently highlighted the serious error in the process. Although empirical or regression-based scaling factors may be used to mitigate the common underprediction, they provide unsatisfying solutions because the reasoning behind the underlying error has yet to be determined. One previously noted trend was intrinsic clearance-dependent underprediction, highlighting the limitations of current in vitro systems. When applying these generated in vitro intrinsic clearance values during drug development and making first-in-human dose predictions for new chemical entities though, hepatic clearance is the parameter that must be estimated using a model of hepatic disposition, such as the well-stirred model. Here, we examine error across hepatic clearance ranges and find a similar hepatic clearance-dependent trend, with high clearance compounds not predicted to be so, demonstrating another gap in the field.     

Functional beta-cells derived from umbilical cord blood mesenchymal stem cells for curing rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus

INTRODUCTIONThis study aimed to investigate the therapeutic response to injected human umbilical cord blood mesenchymal stem cells (UCBMSCs) among albino rats with streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes mellitus.METHODSControl group (GI; n = 25) rats were fed with standard rat diet. Rats with STZ-induced diabetes mellitus without (GII; n = 25) and with (GIII; n = 25) differentiated human UCBMSCs implantation were the test groups. Rats were sacrificed in Week 11 following implantation. Liver biopsies were sectioned and stained in order to highlight both the presence and function of impregnated cells in the liver tissue.RESULTSHaematoxylin and eosin-stained sections in GI and GII rats showed normal liver architecture while GIII rats showed presence of cell clusters inside the liver tissue and around the central veins. Cell clusters with blue cytoplasm were present in sections in GIII rats but absent in GI and GII rats, indicating the presence of injected differentiated human UCBMSCs. The anti-human insulin immunostaining of GIII rats showed clusters of cells within the liver parenchyma and around central veins, indicating that these cells were active and secreting insulin.CONCLUSIONUCBMSCs are proficient in differentiating into insulin-producing cells in vivo under specific conditions and, when transplanted into the liver of albino rats with STZ-induced diabetes mellitus, were able to secrete insulin and partially control the status of diabetes mellitus in rats.     

肝包虫病的诊治方法研究进展

肝包虫病是流行于世界畜牧业发达地区的常见人畜共患性寄生虫病。文章介绍了肝包虫病的症状体征、诊断依据,以及各种治疗方法,以期对该病的防治提供参考。