Cytokine Gene Transcription By NF-kappaB Family Members in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

We examined the expression of the transcription factor NF-kappa B, a nuclear trans-acting factor known to play a key role in cytokine gene regulation, in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It was found that LP macrophages in Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) display high levels of NF-kappa B DNA-binding activity accompanied by an increased production of interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha. Western blot studies showed an increased expression of the p50 and c-rel subunits of NF-kappa B; however, the most striking finding was an increased expression level of NF-kappa B p65 in patients with CD and UC. Selective downregulation of p65 in IBD…

Destruction of Kupffer’s cells increases total liver blood flow and decreases ischemia reperfusion injury in pigs

Survival and recurrence after liver transplantation versus liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma: a retrospective analysis.

Objective This study compares the results of liver transplantation (LTx) and liver resection (LR) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) to test the widespread hypothesis that LTx is the preferable approach for small HCCs. Summary Background Data With respect to scarcity of donor organs and poor results, LTxs for large HCCs are obsolete. Small HCC transplantations have been reported to result in an excellent survival rate. However, the data of comparative studies are controversial. Methods Patients who were treated curatively by LTx (n = 50) or LR (n = 52) for HCC were included in this retrospective study. Survival and freedom from recurrence were analyzed. Patients were stratified according to…

The efficacy of N-acetylcysteine as a hepatoprotective agent in liver transplantation

One of the most common complications after liver transplantation is primary graft dysfunction which results from severe deterioration of the microcirculation. The data obtained from our experimental studies indicate that N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is able to reduce the severity of ischemia/reperfusion injury and improves postoperative graft function after liver transplantation in rats. The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate the efficacy of NAC as a hepatoprotective agent under clinical conditions. A group of 30 liver transplanted patients were treated with NAC, and 30 patients (control group) were treated with a 5 % solution of glucose only. In the NAC group we observed a distinct reductio…