Biochemical changes associated with the fatty liver syndrome in cows

There were significant changes in enzyme activities and concentrations of metabolites in the blood and liver of cows with fatty livers when compared to normal cows. Blood and liver samples were taken from cows at the abattoir immediately after slaughter. The liver was checked for pathological signs and the samples were divided according to the degree of fatty changes. Three groups were studied: controls showing no gross pathological signs, mild fatty infiltration and severe infiltration. In cows with fatty liver, there were significant increases in the serum activities of isocitric dehydrogenase (ICDH), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH), glutamic dehydrogenase (GLDH), lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), malic dehydrogenase (MDH), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and acid phosphatase (ACP). In the fatty liver, the activities of the enzymes, ICDH, G6PDH, LDH, MDH, ALP and malic enzyme (ME) were significantly higher, while sorbitol dehydrogenase (SDH) was significantly lower. While serum total lipid decreased, the opposite was seen in the liver with higher lipid content, mainly due to triglycerides and cholesterol esters. The significant increases in the NADPH generating enzymes ME, ICDH, G6PDH and MDH, which are required for fatty acid synthesis, suggest that the lipids accumulated in the liver are not only of extrahepatic origin, mobilized into the liver, but also arise from increased lipid synthesis in the liver which is induced during the laying down of fat in the liver. Measurement of the serum NADPH generating enzymes may serve as a useful biochemical test specific for fatty liver in cows.     

Biochemical changes associated with alpha-difluoromethylornithine uptake and resistance in Trypanosoma brucei

Procyclic Trypanosoma brucei grown in semi-defined media are sensitive to alpha-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) (EC50 100 microM), an inhibitor of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), a key enzyme in polyamine biosynthesis. Organisms resistant to 5 mM DFMO (EC50 greater than 20 mM) were obtained by passage in incremental amounts of drug. Resistant and wild-type cells accumulated DFMO by passive diffusion with a consequent decrease in polyamine levels, indicating inhibition of ODC in both cell types. The resistant phenotype was stable in the absence of DFMO, in which state there was no increase in ODC abundance or activity. By kinetic analysis, the ODC of resistant cells appeared normal. In wild-type and resistant cells, [3H]DFMO equally and uniquely affinity-labelled a 50 kDa polypeptide corresponding to the ODC subunit. Levels of ODC and tubulin mRNAs were elevated 4-fold in resistant cells grown in the presence of DFMO, although there was no indication of gene amplification. The intracellular concentration of dihydrotrypanothione (N1,N8-bis(glutathionyl)-spermidine), a redox intermediate unique to kinetoplastids, was unchanged in resistant cells growing in DFMO but was halved in wild-type cells exposed to DFMO for 48 h. The exceptionally elevated levels of ornithine found in DFMO-treated resistant cells most likely play a crucial role in cell survival by maintaining intracellular concentrations of dihydrotrypanothione by competing with DFMO for ODC.     

Pathologic features associated with fibrosis in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) represents a spectrum of clinicopatholologic conditions ranging from steatosis alone to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), with varying risks for progression to cirrhosis. Although steatosis alone seems to be nonprogressive, some patients with NASH can progress. This study focuses on the clinical and pathological characteristics of patients with NAFLD associated with the development of histological fibrosis. Patients with an established diagnosis of nonalcoholic fatty liver were identified through our NAFLD database containing extensive clinical, demographic, and laboratory data. Liver biopsy specimens were read blindly by one hepatopathologist using a 19-item pathological protocol and by another hepatopathologist using a second pathological protocol. Clinical and pathological data were matched to the presence of different types of histological fibrosis. Univariate and multivariate analyses helped determine all of the variables independently associated with histological fibrosis. Of 132 NAFLD patients, 21.2% had advanced fibrosis (septal/bridging fibrosis or well-established cirrhosis). Sinusoidal fibrosis was present in 20.3% of patients, whereas perivenular fibrosis was seen in 17.2%. Ballooning degeneration and Mallory bodies were independently associated with both sinusoidal fibrosis and perivenular fibrosis. Aspartate aminotransferase/alanine aminotransferase ratio and ballooning degeneration were also independently associated with periportal-portal fibrosis. We conclude that the presence of hepatocyte injury in NAFLD is associated with fibrosis. These pathological features can be used to establish the pathological criteria for diagnosis of the progressive form of NAFLD or NASH.     

Biochemical changes in the rat brain associated with dinitrophenol-induced brain edema.

The present paper was designed to the study of cerebral edema induced by intracarotid infusion of dinitrophenol. The determinations included variations in three lysosomal enzymes (acid phosphatase, cathepsin C and beta-glucuronidase), Na+-K+-ATP-ase, changes in cerebral RNA and protein concentrations and the synthesis of these macromolecules in vitro. In experimental brain edema a drastic drop in the activity of lysosomal enzymes took place. The acid phosphatase decreased to less than 30% of controls. Cathepsin C and beta-glucuronidase were reduced about 30% and 50% of control levels respectively. Protein concentration in the cerebral tissue also decreased by more than 50%. The concentration of RNA, RNA synthesis, and the level of Na+-K+-ATP-ase remained unchanged. Protein synthesis was stimulated by 75% (against controls). All these phenomena were suppressed when the animals subjected to the action of dinitrophenol were concomitantly treated with the antiacidotic substance, tris (hydroxymethyl) aminomethane.     

Biochemical changes in blood and tissues associated with round heart disease in turkey poults

Enzyme levels in the plasma, liver and heart muscle from normal healthy and round heart diseased (RHD) turkey poults are described. RHD was induced by feeding with furazolidone or developed spontaneously. Lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), isocitric dehydrogenase (ICDH) and creatine-phosphokinase (CPK) were significantly lower in the heart muscle of birds showing RHD symptoms, while liver cholinesterase (CE) was significantly higher in the diseased birds in comparison to the controls. LDH isoenzyme pattern in the heart muscle and liver showed a shift toward the M type tetramers. The significance of these findings is discussed.     

Serum bilirubin levels are inversely associated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Background/Aims

Serum bilirubin exerts antioxidant and cytoprotective effects. In addition, elevated serum bilirubin levels are associated with a decreased risk of metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. However, few studies have evaluated whether serum bilirubin is associated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which is closely associated with other metabolic diseases. The aim of this study was thus to elucidate the association between serum total bilirubin levels and NAFLD.

Methods

A cross-sectional study of 17,348 subjects undergoing a routine health check-up was conducted. Subjects positive for hepatitis B or hepatitis C virus, or with other hepatitis history were excluded. NAFLD was diagnosed on the basis of typical ultrasonographic findings and an alcohol consumption of less than 20 g/day.

Results

The mean age of the subjects was 49 years and 9,076 (52.3%) were men. The prevalence of NAFLD decreased steadily as the serum bilirubin level increased in both men and women (P<0.001 for both). Multivariate regression analysis adjusted for other metabolic risk factors showed that serum bilirubin level was inversely associated with the prevalence of NAFLD [odds ratio (OR)=0.88, 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.80-0.97]. Furthermore, there was an inverse, dose-dependent association between NAFLD and serum total bilirubin levels (OR=0.83, 95% CI=0.75-0.93 in the third quartile; OR=0.80, 95% CI=0.71-0.90 in the fourth quartile vs. lowest quartile, P for trend <0.001).

Conclusions

Serum bilirubin levels were found to be inversely associated with the prevalence of NAFLD independent of known metabolic risk factors. Serum bilirubin might be a protective marker for NAFLD.     

Hypoadiponectinemia and insulin resistance are associated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

We investigated the association between nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and plasma adiponectin levels and insulin resistance. We recruited study subjects among one hundred and eighty one persons who were examined abdominal ultrasound at routine screening tests. A standard interview (consumption of alcohol and medical history), physical examination (height, weight, waist circumference, and blood pressure), and biochemical study (lipid parameters, aminotransferases, fasting plasma glucose, fasting insulin, and plasma adiponectin) were performed. Subjects who consumed alcohol more than moderate, evidence of viral hepatitis, toxic hepatitis, and serious cardiac, renal, or hepatic disease were excluded. Thirty-eight NAFLD patients and 53 control subjects diagnosed by ultrasound were finally analyzed. The plasma adiponectin level was significantly correlated with HDL-cholesterol (r=0. 38, p<0.001), triglycerides (r=-0.22, p=0.04), fasting insulin (r=-0.37, p<0.01), and insulin resistance by homeostasis model of assessment-insulin resistance (HOMAIR) (r=-0.39, p<0.01), after adjusting for age, sex, and adiposity. Multiple logistic regression analysis indicated that HOMA-IR was a significant predictor of having NAFLD (odds ratio [OR]=2.38; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.52-5.74), while adiponectin had a protective effect against NAFLD (OR=0.22; 95% CI: 0.09-0.55). We demonstrated that hypoadiponectinemia and insulin resistance are associated with NAFLD independent of obesity.     

Duplication 4q associated with chronic cholestatic changes in liver biopsy

We report a 15-day-old girl with partial trisomy 4q syndrome who presented with neonatal cholestasis. She had dysmorphic facial features and preaxial polysyndactyly of the right hand. The other findings were generalized hypertrichosis, pes equinovarus, oedema on feet and mild hepatomegaly. No specific reason for the cholestasis with elevated liver enzymes and direct bilirubinemia were characterized. Cytogenetic analyses revealed a karyotype 46,XX,der(13)t(4;13)(q25;p13). This is the first patient with partial trisomy 4q syndrome presented with neonatal cholestasis.     

Age-related changes of long-chain fatty acid metabolism in rat liver

Palmitate oxidation activity and the activities of several enzymes involved in long-chain fatty acid metabolism were examined in the liver of young adult (2-month-old) and senescent (32-month-old) female rats. Palmitate oxidation activity in rat liver mitochondria showed age-related decrease, as judged by the rates of both 14CO2 production and formation of radioactive acid-soluble products from [1-14C]palmitate. In addition, long-chain acyl-coenzyme A synthetase activity was found to be decreased in liver mitochondria and increased in liver microsomes in senescent rats. These results suggest that, in the rat liver, preferential channeling of long-chain fatty acids through the triacylglycerol synthetic pathway may increase with age, and as a result, energy production by their oxidation may decrease.     

Biochemical changes and cytotoxicity associated with the degradation of polymeric glutaraldehyde derived crosslinks

The reversibility of glutaraldehyde crosslinks has been suggested as a reason for failure of long-term bioprosthetic implants. The stability of such crosslinks was investigated in tendons and model compounds. Small but cytotoxic levels of glutaraldehyde were still released from crosslinked tendons even after these tendons were extensively rinsed for up to 6 months. The toxic effect was evidenced by the death of fibroblasts surrounding a midsection piece of rinsed crosslinked tendon, while the end section pieces did not show toxic effects. The formation and stability of glutaraldehyde modified [14C]-L-lysine derivatives were investigated. The polymerization of glutaraldehyde with amino compounds was initially fast but continued to proceed slowly for months. Degradation of high-molecular-weight soluble polymers was detected by gel filtration chromatography. Low-molecular-weight soluble materials were also released from insoluble products which were formed when high concentrations of glutaraldehyde and radioactive lysine were reacted. These chemical and biological studies suggest that local cytotoxicity of glutaraldehyde crosslinked bioprostheses may be due to unstable glutaraldehyde polymers that persist in the interstices of crosslinked tissues.     

Renal morphological changes in idiopathic acute fatty liver of pregnancy

Renal morphological changes are described in four cases of idiopathic acute fatty liver of pregnancy. Light microscopy showed mild glomerular hypercellularity together with thickening and narrowing of capillary loops. In two cases the tubules showed lipid accumulation which included free fatty acids. Electron microscopy showed mesangial cell interposition between the basal lamina and endothelial cells. Glomeruli contained electron dense material in a subendothelial location. Immunoperoxidase stains showed diffuse segmental deposits of fibrin/fibrinogen and IgM in relation to glomerular capillary loops. IgG and C3 were found in three and two cases respectively. Pathogenetic mechanisms including disseminated intravascular coagulation, immune complex deposition and alterations in lipid metabolism are discussed. Coexistent preeclampsia is considered to be an unlikely explanation for the changes. There is a possibility that these renal changes comprise an early feature of idiopathic acute fatty liver of pregnancy.