Effects of IGF-I treatment on osteopenia in rats with advanced liver cirrhosis

IGF-I is an anabolic hormone which has been reported to increase bone formation in several conditions of undernutrition. Advanced liver cirrhosis is associated with osteopenia and also with low serum levels of IGF-I. Previous results showed that low doses of IGF-I increase osteoblastic activity and decrease bone reabsorption in early liver cirrhosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether IGF-I-treatment also induces beneficial effect on osteopenia associated with advanced cirrhosis. Rats with ascitic cirrhosis were divided into two groups: group CI (n=10) which received saline and group CI+IGF (n=10) which were treated with IGF-I (2 microg/100 g bw x day, sc, during 21 days). Healthy controls which received saline were studied in parallel (CO n=10). On the 22nd day, the animals were sacrificed, and bone parameters were analyzed in femur. Posterior-anterior diameter was similar in all groups. No significant differences were observed in bone content of calcium, total proteins, collagen and hydroxyapatite in cirrhotic rats as compared with controls. However, CI rats showed significant reductions in total bone density (-13.5%, p<0.001) assessed by densitometry and radiological study. In CI+IGF rat bone density (assessed by densitometry) improved significantly as compared with CI animals. In summary, osteopenia characterized by loss of bone mass and preserved bone composition was found in rats with advanced cirrhosis induced by CCl4 and phenobarbital in drinking water. This bone disorder is partially restored by treatment with low doses of IGF-I during only three weeks. Thus, IGF-I could be considered as a possible therapy for osteopenia associated with advanced liver cirrhosis.     

胰岛素样生长因子1(IGF-1)mRNA同源模板竞争性PCR定量方法的建立

胰岛素样生长因子 1(IGF 1)是一种多功能的细胞增殖调控因子 ,其表达水平受多种因素的影响 ,为了研究IGF 1基因在转录水平上的调控机制 ,建立了定量测定IGF 1mRNA的竞争性PCR方法 .同时 ,也建立了一种简便的制备同源性竞争模板的方法 .以构建好的重组pUC IGF 1质粒为基础 ,利用IGF 1mRNA序列上唯一存在 ,但是在pUC18质粒上多拷贝的MspⅠ酶切位点 ,以该限制性内切酶处理重组pUC IGF 1质粒 .在T4DNA连接酶作用下对酶切产物进行随机连接 ,以连接产物作为模板 ,用可扩增IGF 1cDNA的引物进行PCR ,由此得到因含有随机插入序列而与原IGF 1cDNA产生明显长度差别的重组IGF 1.以不同浓度的该DNA片段作为同源竞争模板与大鼠肝组织cDNA在同一反应体系中进行PCR ,对PCR产物进行分析 ,计算出样本中IGF 1cDNA的初始浓度 .成功地建立了IGF 1mRNA的竞争性PCR定量检测方法 ,为研究IGF 1基因的表达调控奠定了基础 ,同时也为对已克隆的基因进行mRNA定量测定提供了一种简便和灵敏的手段     

Skeletal muscle atrophy is associated with an increased expression of myostatin and impaired satellite cell function in the portacaval anastamosis rat

Proliferation and differentiation of satellite cells are critical in the regeneration of atrophied muscle following immobilization and aging. We hypothesized that impaired satellite cell function is responsible for the atrophy of skeletal muscle also seen in cirrhosis. Myostatin and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) have been identified to be positive and negative regulators, respectively, of satellite cell function. Using a rat model of cirrhosis [portacaval anastamosis (PCA)] and sham-operated controls, we examined the expression of myostatin, its receptor activinR2b, and its downstream messenger cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21 (CDKI p21) as well as IGF1 and its receptor in the gastrocnemius muscle. Expression of PCNA, a marker of proliferation, and myogenic regulatory factors (myoD, myf5, and myogenin), markers of differentiation of satellite cells, were also measured. Real- time PCR for mRNA and Western blot assay for protein quantification were performed. PCA rats had lower body weight and gastrocnemius weight compared with sham animals (P < 0.05). PCNA and myogenic regulatory factors were lower in PCA rats (P < 0.05). Myostatin, activinR2b, and CDKI p21 were higher in the PCA animals (P < 0.05). The expression of IGF1 and its receptor was lower in liver and skeletal muscle of PCA animals (P < 0.05). These data suggest that skeletal muscle atrophy seen in the portacaval shunted rats is a consequence of impaired satellite cell proliferation and differentiation mediated, in part, by higher myostatin and lower IGF1 expression.     

Extraction and nutritional/hormonal regulation of tissue insulin-like growth factor 1 activity

Studies of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) mRNA translation products suggest synthesis as a high Mr precursor, larger than circulating forms. To search for a precursor, we characterized IGF-1 immunoreactivity and IGF bioactivity in extracts from the liver and other body tissues. Sequential extraction with neutral followed by acid buffer was superior to extraction with acid/ethanol or acid alone in yield of immunoreactivity and specific activity. Extracts of normal rat liver exhibited both immuno- and bioactivity parallel to that of recombinant IGF-1 and serum IGFs over a 25-fold concentration range. Based on immunoreactivity, the liver of a 134-g rat appears to contain 1.2 micrograms of IGF-1 equivalents, 50% of the 2.45 micrograms in the circulation. Diaphragm, spleen, and kidney contained no significant IGF bioactivity and 8, 17, and 32% of the IGF-1 immunoreactivity of normal liver, respectively. Although serum IGFs were found at 7.5 kDa after size exclusion chromatography at pH 3, hepatic extracts contained a predominant peak of immuno- and bioactivity of apparent molecular mass of 30-35 kDa; both sizes were present in liver perfusates. Both immunoaffinity chromatography followed by Western blotting and IGF-binding protein affinity chromatography followed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed two predominant species, at 18-19 and 12 kDa. The 18-19-kDa species is consistent with the apparent size of the glycosylated propeptide encoded by IGF-1A mRNA, while the 12-kDa species may be nonglycosylated propeptide. Extract activity was pituitary-dependent; the livers of hypophysectomized rats contained 15.4 and 48.8% of normal immuno- and bioactivity, respectively. During fasting and refeeding of rats, fluctuations in hepatic extract IGF-1 immunoreactivity generally paralleled changes in serum IGF-1 (r = 0.93, p less than 0.001). These studies demonstrate that the liver contains a pituitary- and nutrition-dependent, high Mr form of IGF-1 with immunological and biological properties similar to circulating IGF-1. Processing of this 18-19-kDa molecule through a 12-kDa intermediate may contribute IGF-1 to the circulation.     

Specificity of insulin-like growth factor binding to type-II IGF receptors in rabbit mammary gland and hypophysectomized rat liver

We have reevaluated IGF binding specificity to membrane receptors in rabbit mammary gland (RMG) and hypophysectomized rat liver (HRL) using recombinant DNA-derived and synthetic analogues of human IGF-I and highly purified IGF-II. SDS-PAGE demonstrated that [125I]IGF-I bound to type-I IGF receptors in RMG; this binding was inhibited in a similar fashion by the IGF-I analogues (IC50 = 10 ng/ml) and to a lesser extent by IGF-II (IC50 = 60 ng/ml). [125I]IGF-II bound to type-II IGF receptors in both RMG and HRL. The IC50 for IGF-II was 9 and 3 ng/ml with RMG and HRL, respectively. At a dose as high as 1 microgram/ml, IGF-I analogues inhibited less than 20% of [125I]IGF-II binding. These results suggest that IGF-I has little or no affinity for type-II IGF receptors.     

Antifibrogenic effect in vivo of low doses of insulin-like growth factor-I in cirrhotic rats.

Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) is produced mainly in the liver and it induces beneficial effects on the nutritional status, the liver function and oxidative hepatic damage in cirrhotic rats. The aim of this work was to analyze the effect of IGF-I on mechanisms of fibrogenesis in cirrhotic rats. Liver cirrhosis was induced by CCl(4) inhalation and phenobarbital in Wistar rats. Ten days after stopping CCl(4) administration (day 0), rats received either IGF-I (2 microg/100 g bw/day) (CI+IGF) or saline (CI) subcutaneously during 14 days. Animals were sacrificed on day 15. As control groups were used: healthy rats (CO) and healthy rats treated with IGF-I (CO+IGF). Liver histopathology, hydroxyproline content, prolyl hydroxylase activity, collagen I and III mRNA expression and the evolution of transformed Ito cells into myofibroblasts were assessed. Among the two control groups (CO+IGF), no differences were found in hydroxyproline content and these levels were lower than those found in the two cirrhotic groups. Compared with untreated cirrhotic rats, the CI+IGF-I animals showed a significant reduction in hydroxyproline content, prolyl hydroxylase activity and collagen alpha 1(I) and alpha1(III) mRNA expression. A higher number of transformed Ito cells (alpha-actin +) was observed in untreated cirrhotic animals as compared to CO and CI+IGF groups. In summary, treatment with IGF-I reduced all of the studied parameters of fibrogenesis. In conclusion, low doses of IGF-I induce in vivo an antifibrogenic effect in cirrhotic rats.     

Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) regulation of insulin-like growth factor II mRNA in neonatal rats

Insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) are well known as peptide mitogens and important growth factors in fetal as well as in early postnatal development. In particular, IGF II is strongly expressed during fetal life and in neonatal animals. Very little is known about the regulation of IGF II gene expression. In order to study in detail the regulation of IGF II mRNA levels in the liver by the potent nonaromatizable androgen dihydrotestosterone (DHT), we have used quantitative in situ hybridization to detect the mRNA encoding for this growth factor. Pups were separated into 4 groups and injected twice a day immediately after birth with 3 different doses of DHT: 0.1 mg DHT/day, 0.25 mg DHT/day, 0.5 mg DHT/day for 4 and 7 days, and the control groups were injected with the vehicle alone. Animals were perfused with 4% paraformaldehyde and sections from the liver, heart, kidneys and brain were cut with a cryostat. A [³⁵S]-labeled cDNA probe was used to detect IGF II mRNA levels. After hybridization, sections were autoradiographed with X-ray films and then coated with liquid photographic emulsion. Densitometric measurement revealed that, at 4 days of age, IGF II mRNA levels were lower in DHT-treated rats than in control animals. No statistically significant differences in IGF II mRNA levels were observed among the three groups treated with the different doses of DHT, thus revealing that even the lowest dose of DHT (0.1 mg/day) used was sufficient to inhibit IGF II gene expression in neonatal rats. Moreover, at 7 days of age, DHT-treated rats showed the same levels of IGF II mRNA as those observed in rats treated with DHT for 4 days. These results suggest that DHT may play an important role in the regulation of IGF II gene expression in the rat liver during the neonatal period.     

The source of ascitic fluid in experimental cirrhosis in the rat.

In order to disclose the source of ascitic fluid in liver cirrhosis, normal and cirrhotic rats were injected with fluorescein into the paracecal vein. The green fluorescence was then evaluated on the surface of the liver, the intestine and the peritoneum. Among healthy rats and in those with anascitic cirrhosis a very slight fluorescence was detected on the liver capsule whereas among rats with ascitic cirrhosis a distinct fluorescence was shown on the liver surface, the small intestine and the peritoneum. Therefore, the peritoneum is a source of ascitic fluid in cirrhosis of the rat.     

Hepatic and pancreatic glycosphingolipid phenotypes of the neurological different rat strains

Among three commonly used strains of laboratory rats, Wistar rats perform more neurological tasks better then Lewis and Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Liver is the main site of insulin-like growth factor (IGF) production and pancreas is the exclusive site of insulin production. Insulin stimulates neuronal development and appropriate IGF-I input is critical in brain growth. Glycosphingolipids (GSLs) are important mediators of insulin secretion and action. Therefore, this study investigated GSL phenotypes of liver and pancreas with hypothesis that they are different in three rat strains. Total GSL fractions (neutral and gangliosides) were analysed by high performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC). Complex gangliosides were detected by HPTLC immunostaining using cholera toxin B subunit after neuraminidase pretreatment. Wistar rats had the highest liver weight/body weight ratio and SD rats had the highest pancreas weight/body weight ratio. Ganglioside GM3 was more expressed in the liver of Wistar compared to Lewis and SD rats. SD rats contained scarce quantities of GD1a and b-series gangliosides in the liver compared to Wistar and Lewis rats. Pancreatic b-series ganglioside content was also the lowest in SD rats. This study represents differences in the hepatic and pancreatic ganglioside phenotypes of three rat strains that could influence IGF and insulin secretion and action.     

两种不同病毒载体携带靶向大鼠金属蛋白酶组织抑制因子（TIMP）-1小干扰RNA抗肝纤维化作用的比较

目的观察以腺相关病毒（AAV）及慢病毒（Lentivirus）为载体含有针对大鼠金属蛋白酶组织抑制因子（TIMP）-1具有较强抑制作用的小干扰RNA（siRNA）对四氯化碳（CCI。）诱导的大鼠肝纤维化模型的干预作用。方法挑选针对大鼠TIMP-1基因具有较强抑制作用的siRNA序列,在体外构建为短发夹表达载体后,将其包装为重组AAV／siRNA-TIMP-I和Lenti／siRNA-TIMP-I,同时包装对照病毒AAV／EGFP和Lenti／EGFP。将Wistar大鼠分为对照组、CCl。模型组、AAV／EGFP组、Lenti／EGFP组、AAV／siRNA-TIMP-I和Lenti／siRNA-TIMP-1组,观察CCl。造模4周后,经H＆E及Masson染色评价各组动物的肝纤维化状况,经荧光定量RCR及Westernblot方法检测TIMP-1的表达抑制情况。结果H＆E及Masson染色证实,与对照组相比,CCI．模型组、AAV／EGFP组、Lenti／EGFP组肝脏胶原纤维明显增加,纤维化评分多为34级,同时肝脏TIMP-1的转录与蛋白表达水平均明显上升;而AAV／siRNA-TIMP-1和Lenti／siRNA-TIMP-l组肝纤维化程度明显减轻,纤维化评分多为2-3级,伴随肝脏TIMP-1的转录与蛋白表达水平均显著抑制。AAV／siRNA-TIMP-l和Lenti／siRNA-TIMP-I组在组织学表现及TIMP-1基因的转录与表达水平上无统计学差异。结论AAV／siRNA-TIMP-I和Lenti／siRNA-TIMP-1均可有效抑制大鼠肝脏TIMP-1基因表达,进而发挥抗肝纤维化作用。     

草鱼胰岛素样生长因子-Ⅰ基因在大肠杆菌中的表达

 为构建草鱼 (Ctenopharyngodonidellus )胰岛素样生长因子 Ⅰ (IGF Ⅰ )大肠杆菌表达质粒 ,对已克隆到的草鱼IGF Ⅰ基因进行改造 .改造后的基因去除了原cDNA的信号肽和E区序列 ,并在基因的两端分别加入起始密码子和终止密码子 .将改造后的编码草鱼IGF Ⅰ成熟肽基因亚克隆到pBV 2 2 0中 ,构建成表达质粒pBVgIGF7.转化大肠杆菌 (Escherichiacoli)进行表达 .SDS PAGE显示 ,含重组表达质粒的菌株经热诱导后表达出一约 7 5kD的特异蛋白 .表达量占菌体总蛋白的2 0 0 3% ,表达产物主要以包涵体形式存在 .重组蛋白经纯化和复性后 ,采用MTT法测定其对草鱼吻端成纤维细胞PSF和草鱼卵巢细胞CO的促增殖作用 .结果表明 ,所获得的重组草鱼IGF Ⅰ具有生物活性     

Stable transfection of rat preporinsulin II gene into rat hematopoietic stem cells via recombinant adeno-associated virus

We investigated the ability of recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV), to mediate the transfer of rat preproinsulin II (rI2) gene into rat hematopoietic stem cells in vitro and expression of rI2 following intra-venous (i.v.) injection of infected stem cells into syngeneic rats. The pLP-1 recombinant plasmid containing rI2 was engineered as follows: rI2 with RSV-promoter was released from pBC 12BI (ATCC), purified, and inserted into BamH1 site of rAAV vector plasmid pWP-19. Plasmid pLP-1, together with pAAV?AD (Somatix Corp.), was used to co-transfect cell line 293 (ATCC). The rAAV genome was rescued using helper adenovirus and packaged into mature rAAV virions (vLP-1). Bone-marrow from female Wistar-Furth rats was enriched for stem cells by using plastic adherence and negative selection with monoclonal anti-rat CD3 and CD45RA to deplete T and B cells. The remaining cells were exposed to vLP-1 (moi=50:1) for 2 hours. Transfection was confirmed by PCR of neomycin resistance gene (neoR) after 8 days in culture. For in vivo studies, ten million exposed stem cells were injected i.v. into syngeneic rats (n=3). The results represent 3 identical experiments. Expression of neoR and rI2 was analyzed by RT-PCR. At week 1, neoR and rI2 were expressed in liver, spleen, thymus, peripheral blood lymphocytes and bone marrow. At week 2, neoR was expressed in spleen and brain, while at week 6, thymus, lymph nodes, bone-marrow, liver, spleen, and brain expressed neoR. rI2 was not detected after week 1. In summary, we showed that rAAV was efficient for transferring neoR and rI2 into rat hematopoietic stem cells.     

Failure of liver cirrhosis induction by thioacetamide in Nagase analbuminaemic rats

Repeated administration of thioacetamide (TA), either intraperitoneally or in drinking water, produced liver cirrhosis in normal Sprague-Dawley rats (SDR) with significant histological alterations similar to those observed in human cirrhosis. In the present study, we evaluated the ability of TA to induce liver cirrhosis in mutant Nagase analbuminaemic SDR. Thioacetamide was administered either intraperitoneally up to 4 months or in drinking water up to 6 months to normal and to Nagase analbuminaemic SDR. Nagase analbuminaemic rats (NAR) were also administered TA in drinking water up to 10 months. Liver cirrhosis development was determined by macroscopic and microscopic analysis. In contrast to normal SDR, no histological characteristics of cirrhosis could be observed in NAR submitted to a 4 or 6 months treatment with TA. Such failure to induce cirrhosis in Nagase rats was confirmed even after prolonged TA administration in drinking water for up to 10 months. In contrast, fibrosis and cholangiolar proliferation occurred in the 10-month TA-treated analbuminaemic rats, suggesting that the mechanisms involved in cirrhosis induction are different from those involved in fibrosis development and carcinogenesis. It is unlikely that the protective effect against TA-induced cirrhosis observed in analbuminaemic rats is related to the absence of albumin in this rat strain, since a co-administration of TA with albumin in analbuminaemic rats did not restore the potential for TA to induce cirrhosis in this rat strain. In conclusion, the fact that induction of cirrhosis by TA is prevented in the inherently hyperlipidaemic and hypercholesterolaemic analbuminaemic rats could be considered for potential application in the treatment of clinical cirrhosis.     

Expression, purification and characterization of recombinant human insulin-like growth factor I in yeast

Insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) is a 70 amino acid (aa) protein that is structurally similar and functionally related to insulin. We have inserted a synthetic gene coding for human IGF-I into a Saccharomyces cerevisiae expression vector utilizing the MF alpha 1 promoter and pre-pro leader peptide. This vector directs the expression and secretion of native, biologically active growth factor. Cleavage of the pre-pro alpha factor leader sequence in vivo results in the secretion of a 70-aa recombinant IGF-I molecule with the native N-terminal glycine residue. Human IGF-I purified from yeast culture supernatant is equipotent to serum-derived IGF-I in inhibiting [125I]IGF-I binding to type-I IGF receptors and crude human serum-binding proteins. Recombinant IGF-I is also equipotent to human IGF-I in the stimulation of DNA synthesis in rat aortic smooth-muscle cells. In contrast, yeast recombinant IGF-I is less potent than serum-derived IGF-I in binding to type-2 IGF receptors. The ability to produce native, biologically active IGF-I in yeast will allow the elucidation of binding domains through the expression and characterization of specific structural analogs.     

Influence of caveolin on constitutively activated recombinant eNOS: insights into eNOS dysfunction in BDL rat liver

Diminished endothelial nitric oxide (NO) synthase (eNOS)-derived NO production from the hepatic vascular endothelium contributes to hepatic vasoconstriction in portal hypertension. The aim of this study was to examine the mechanism of this process by testing the influence of a constitutively active form of eNOS (S1179DeNOS) in both primary and propagated liver cells in vitro and in the sham and bile duct ligated (BDL) rat liver in vivo, using an adenoviral vector encoding green fluorescent protein (AdGFP) and S1179DeNOS (AdS1179DeNOS). AdS1179DeNOS transduction augmented basal and agonist-stimulated NO generation in nonparenchymal liver cells. Sham rats transduced in vivo with AdS1179DeNOS evidenced a decreased pressor response to incremental doses of the vasoconstrictor methoxamine compared with sham rats transduced with AdGFP. However, BDL rats transduced with AdS1179DeNOS did not display improved vasodilatory responses as evidenced by similar flow-dependent pressure increases to that observed in BDL rats transduced with AdGFP, despite similar levels of viral transgene expression. We next examined the influence of the eNOS inhibitory protein caveolin on S1179DeNOS dysfunction in cirrhotic liver. Immunogold electron microscopic analysis of caveolin in BDL liver demonstrated prominent expression not only in liver endothelial cells, but also in hepatic stellate cells. In vitro studies in the LX2 hepatic stellate cell line demonstrate that caveolin precipitates recombinant S1179DeNOS in LX2 cells, that recombinant S1179DeNOS coprecipitates caveolin, and that binding is enhanced in the presence of overexpression of caveolin. Furthermore, caveolin overexpression inhibits recombinant S1179DeNOS activity. These studies indicate that recombinant S1179DeNOS protein functions appropriately in normal liver cells and tissue but evidences dysfunction in the cirrhotic rat liver and that caveolin expression and inhibition in BDL nonparenchymal cells, including hepatic stellate cells, may account for this dysfunction.     

Truncated Active Human Matrix Metalloproteinase-8 Delivered by a Chimeric Adenovirus-Hepatitis B Virus Vector Ameliorates Rat Liver Cirrhosis

Background

Liver cirrhosis is a potentially life-threatening disease caused by progressive displacement of functional hepatocytes by fibrous tissue. The underlying fibrosis is often driven by chronic infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV). Matrix metalloproteinases including MMP-8 are crucial for excess collagen degradation. In a rat model of liver cirrhosis, MMP-8 delivery by an adenovirus (Ad) vector achieved significant amelioration of fibrosis but application of Ad vectors in humans is subject to various issues, including a lack of intrinsic liver specificity.

Methods

HBV is highly liver-specific and its principal suitability as liver-specific gene transfer vector is established. HBV vectors have a limited insertion capacity and are replication-defective. Conversely, in an HBV infected cell vector replication may be rescued in trans by the resident virus, allowing conditional vector amplification and spreading. Capitalizing on a resident pathogen to help in its elimination and/or in treating its pathogenic consequences would provide a novel strategy. However, resident HBV may also reduce susceptibility to HBV vector superinfection. Thus a size-compatible truncated MMP-8 (tMMP8) gene was cloned into an HBV vector which was then used to generate a chimeric Ad-HBV shuttle vector that is not subject to superinfection exclusion. Rats with thioacetamide-induced liver cirrhosis were injected with the chimera to evaluate therapeutic efficacy.

Results

Our data demonstrate that infectious HBV vector particles can be obtained via trans-complementation by wild-type virus, and that the tMMP8 HBV vector can efficiently be shuttled by an Ad vector into cirrhotic rat livers. There it exerted a comparable beneficial effect on fibrosis and hepatocyte proliferation markers as a conventional full-length MMP-8Ad vector.

Conclusions

Though the rat cirrhosis model does not allow assessing in vivo HBV vector amplification these results advocate the further development of Ad-HBV vectors for liver-specific gene therapy, including and perhaps particularly for HBV-related disease.     

Branched-chain amino acid-enriched nutrients stimulate antioxidant DNA repair in a rat model of liver injury induced by carbon tetrachloride

Oxidative stress (OS) plays an important role in the progression of chronic liver disease including organ injury and hypoalbuminemia. Long-term oral supplementation with branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) can inhibit liver dysfunction but their role in the prevention of liver fibrosis and injury to the liver is unclear. The aim of this study was to assess how BCAAs preserve liver function from OS. To investigate how BCAAs specifically prevent OS, we evaluated the effect of oral supplementation with BCAAs on OS using a rat liver cirrhosis model. Liver cirrhosis was induced in ten male Sprague–Dawley rats by administering carbon tetrachloride for 12?weeks. Five of the ten carbon tetrachloride-treated rats were assigned to a control group and five to a BCAA group. BCAA-supplementation significantly preserved plasma albumin concentrations and significantly inhibited the occurrence of organ injury as determined by blood chemistry analysis. Hepatic expression of OGG1 mRNA was increased in the BCAA group compared to the control group. In the BCAA group, increased hepatic levels of OGG1 protein were found by western blot. On the other hand, the number of 8-OHdG-positive cells was significantly higher in liver sections taken 1?month after carbon tetrachloride treatment. Furthermore, OGG1-positive cells were significantly increased in the hepatocytes around the central vein. BCAA was found to reduce OS, which could possibly lead to a decrease in the occurrence of hypoalbuminemia and organ injury. Our results indicate that BCAA-enriched nutrients stimulate antioxidant DNA repair in a rat model of liver injury induced by carbon tetrachloride.     

Expression and distribution of the prolactin receptor in normal rat liver and in experimental liver cirrhosis.

Recent results have suggested a role for prolactin (PRL) as a regeneration factor in the liver. In order to investigate the involvement of prolactin in the pathogenesis of liver cirrhosis, we studied the expression of the prolactin receptor (PRLR) and PRL during the development of cirrhosis in an animal model. 30 male rats were exposed to CCl4 by inhalation. Phenobarbitone was added to the drinking water to accelerate the formation of toxic metabolites by enzyme induction. Two control groups of 30 animals each were treated with phenobarbitone only or received no treatment. 10 animals of each group were sacrificed 35, 55, and 70 days after initiation of treatment. Liver tissue was subjected to histological examination, which demonstrated fibrosis of different grades and cirrhosis in the CCl4-treated rats. Expression of PRLR mRNA was investigated by mRNA extraction, RT-PCR and computer-supported densitometric evaluation. Compared to control liver, PRLR mRNA was expressed at a higher level in fibrotic and cirrhotic liver specimens. In normal tissue, immunohistochemical staining showed a high concentration of PRLR around the central vein and in the epithelium of the bile ducts. This pattern of distribution was lost in fibrosis and cirrhosis. An accumulation of PRLR was demonstrated within the damaged cells. Neither PRL nor PRL mRNA was detectable in normal, fibrotic, or cirrhotic liver. We conclude that PRLR is distributed in normal rat liver in a typical pattern which is lost with increasing fibrosis. PRL is not produced by rat liver, indicating that PRL does not act through autocrine or paracrine mechanisms.     

复方高支链氨基酸对肝硬化大鼠肝功能及营养状况的影响

将SD雄性大鼠用四氯化碳处理建立肝硬化大鼠模型,并随机分为A、B、C三组,A组大鼠给予静脉输注生理盐水,B组、C组大鼠分别给予输注等量的普通氨基酸注射液和复方高支链氨基酸注射液,分别于实验第0d、第14d测定大鼠体质量、肝功能指标及营养学指标水平。实验结束后,B、C两组大鼠体质量明显增加,与A组相比,B、C两组大鼠肝功能各指标水平显著降低,血清蛋白水平显著升高,且C组相比,B组大鼠肝功能水平与血清蛋白水平改善作用更为明显(p<0.05)。说明复方高支链氨基酸能改善肝硬化大鼠的肝功能指标,抑制血浆蛋白分解,有效控制肝硬化病症的进一步恶化。     

骨髓间充质干细胞(BMSCs)移植于大鼠肝硬化模型的动物实验研究

目的:探讨骨髓间充质干细胞应用于肝硬化模型的的实验疗效,为临床试验提供数据。方法:制作大鼠肝硬化模型,将肝硬化大鼠随机分为两组,实验组和对照组,每组25只。将骨髓间充质干细胞通过门静脉注射入实验组大鼠肝脏,术后两组大鼠仍然以0.5mL/100g的维持剂量腹腔注射40%CCl4植物油溶液,3周后处死所有实验动物,取其静脉血检测ALT、TBIL、ALB、AFP,并取大鼠肝脏做组织切片观察。结果:实验大鼠肝脏可观察到诱导分化的肝细胞。实验组大鼠死亡3只,对照组死亡2只。对照组与实验组肝功能指标ALT、ALB、TBIL、AFP有显著差异,P<0.05,具有统计学意义,AST差异无统计学意义,P>0.05。结论:BMSCs注入肝硬化大鼠模型中能有效改善肝脏的生理功能,对临床试验有很好的指导作用。