Tepoxalin on renal function and liver enzymes in cats exposed to hypotension with isoflurane

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and metabolic syndrome in postmenopausal women

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is considered the most common cause of chronic liver disease in the Western countries. NAFLD includes a spectrum ranging from a simple steatosis to a nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) which is defined by the presence of inflammatory infiltrate, cellular necrosis, hepatocyte ballooning, and fibrosis and cirrhosis that can eventually develop into hepatocellular carcinoma. Studies emphasize the role of insulin resistance, oxidative stress, pro-inflammatory cytokines, adipokines in the development and progression of NAFLD. It seems to be independently associated with type II diabetes mellitus, increased triglycerides, decreased HDL-cholesterol, abdominal obesity and insulin resistance. These findings are in accordance with the criteria used in the diagnosis of metabolic syndrome (MetS). Here, we will discuss the current knowledge on the epidemiology, pathophysiology and diagnosis of NAFLD and the association of metabolic syndrome in postmenopausal women.

Prevention of rat liver fibrosis and carcinogenesis by coffee and caffeine

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Wavelets based Algorithm for the Evaluation of Enhanced Liver Areas

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a primary tumor of the liver. After local therapies, the tumor evaluation is based on the mRECIST criteria, which involves the measurement of the maximum diameter of the viable lesion. This paper describes a computed methodology to measure through the contrasted area of the lesions the maximum diameter of the tumor by a computational algorithm 63 computed tomography (CT) slices from 23 patients were assessed. Non-contrasted liver and HCC typical nodules were evaluated, and a virtual phantom was developed for this purpose. Optimization of the algorithm detection and quantification was made using the virtual phantom. After that, we compared the algorithm findings of maximum diameter of the target lesions against radiologist measures. Computed results of the maximum diameter are in good agreement with the results obtained by radiologist evaluation, indicating that the algorithm was able to detect properly the tumor limits A comparison of the estimated maximum diameter by radiologist versus the algorithm revealed differences on the order of 0.25 cm for large-sized tumors (diameter > 5 cm), whereas agreement lesser than 1.0cm was found for small-sized tumors. Differences between algorithm and radiologist measures were accurate for small-sized tumors with a trend to a small increase for tumors greater than 5 cm. Therefore, traditional methods for measuring lesion diameter should be complemented with non-subjective measurement methods, which would allow a more correct evaluation of the contrast-enhanced areas of HCC according to the mRECIST criteria.

Creatine supplementation and oxidative stress in rat liver

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Bioaccumulation of butyltins and liver damage in the demersal fish Cathorops spixii (Siluriformes, Ariidae)

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Effect of Statins and Aerobic Physical Exercise on Liver Function in Dyslipidemic Rats - Morphometric Study

The present study was carried out to evaluate the effect of statins associated with physical exercise (PE) in liver cells in dyslipidemic rats through cariometry. The animals were divided into six groups: animals subjected to a hypercholesterolemic diet (HD), simvastatin, with (G1) and without (G2) physical exercise (PE); HD submitted (G3) or not (G4) to PE, and commercial food diet (F) with (G5) and without (G6) PE. Histological analysis of the liver was performed by staining the slides with hematoxylin and eosin. The cariometric study included measuring the major and minor diameters of the hepatocytes nuclei. The Shapiro-Wilk test was also performed. To determine the differences among the groups, the Kruskal-Wallis Test with Dunn's post-test were conducted. The significance level was set at 5%. No difference was found in the hepatocytes nuclei between G5 and G6. When these groups were related with G3 and G4, reduced nuclei were observed. There was no difference between G1 and G6. The comparison between G6 and G2 showed that the nuclei in G2 were smaller. No difference was detected between G5 and G1. Changes were observed in the nuclei shape in G2 in comparison to G1. Considering G2 and G3, a decrease in the size of nuclei was observed in G3. On the other hand, G2 showed changes in shape in the comparative analysis with G4. The size and shape of G1 nuclei were larger than G3 as well as changes in shape were observed when compared to G4. G4 showed smaller nuclei than G3. Therefore, F, associated or not with the practice of PE, does not alter the size and shape of the hepatocytes nuclei; HD combined with sedentarism influences changes in the morphometric parameters of hepatocytes; and the association of simvastatin and PE seems to protect the hepatocytes nuclei with regard to HD.

Passion fruit seed meal at growing and finishing pig (30-90 kg) feeding

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Reconsideration of histopathology and ultrastructural aspects of the human liver in yellow fever

Yellow fever is a re-emerging infectious disease that currently is at risk of urbanization due to the advance of the Aedes aegypti vector. The disease affects about 200,000 individuals annually, mainly in tropical Africa and South America. It causes severe disease involving especially the liver, with lesions characterized by midzonal steatosis, apoptosis and lytic necrosis of the hepatocytes. Quantitative histological and immunohistochemical analysis of 53 human hepatic samples demonstrated apoptosis, steatosis and lytic necrosis of hepatocytes with midzonal pattern. No substantial alterations and reticular network were observed. The inflammatory infiltrate consisted of mononuclear cells and intensity was minimal or moderate, disproportionate to the intense death of the hepatocytes. Hepatic damage in yellow fever resulted mainly from a massive death of hepatocytes due to apoptosis and to a lesser extent due to lytic necrosis. It is recommended that therapeutic regimens for serious cases should include measures to protect against apoptosis. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Sugar cane vinasse in water bodies: Impact assessed by liver histopathology in tilapia

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Evaluation of Clinical and Inflammatory Markers of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Postmenopausal Women with Metabolic Syndrome

Background: The aim of this study was to assess clinical and inflammatory markers in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in postmenopausal women with metabolic syndrome.Methods: This cross-sectional study included 180 Brazilian women (age >= 45 years and amenorrhea >= 12 months). Metabolic syndrome was diagnosed by the presence of at least three of the following indicators: Waist circumference (WC) > 88 cm, triglycerides (TGs) >= 150 mg/dL, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) < 50 mg/dL; blood pressure >= 130/85 mmHg; and glucose >= 100 mg/dL. NAFLD was diagnosed by abdominal ultrasound. Participants were divided into three groups: Metabolic syndrome alone (n = 53); metabolic syndrome + NAFLD (n = 67); or absence of metabolic syndrome or NAFLD (control, n = 60). Clinical, anthropometric, and biochemical variables were quantified. The inflammatory profile included adiponectin, interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). Data were submitted to statistical analysis using a Tukey test, analysis of variance (ANOVA), chi-squared, Pearson correlation, and logistic regression (odds ratio, OR).Results: Women with metabolic syndrome + NAFLD, abdominal obesity, high glucose, and insulin resistance by HOMA-IR were compared to women with metabolic syndrome alone and controls (P < 0.05). High values of IL-6 and TNF-alpha and low values of adiponectin were observed among women with metabolic syndrome alone or metabolic syndrome + NAFLD when compared to controls (P < 0.05). In multivariate analysis, the variables considered as risk of NAFLD development were: High systolic blood pressure (SBP) [(OR 1.02, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.0-1.04]; large WC (OR 1.07, 95% CI 1.01-1.13); insulin resistance (OR 3.81, 95% CI 2.01-7.13); and metabolic syndrome (OR 8.68, 95% CI 3.3-24.1). Adiponectin levels reduced NAFLD risk (OR 0.88, 95% CI 0.80-0.96).Conclusion: In postmenopausal women, metabolic syndrome, abdominal obesity, and insulin resistance were risk markers for the development of NAFLD, whereas higher adiponectin values indicated a protection marker.