Background: Transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF1) has been implicated in the stimulation of extracellular matrix synthesis in acute and chronic liver disease. Endoglin (CD-105) is a membrane glycoprotein that binds TGF1 with high affinity. Endoglin is overexpressed in several model of fibrosis. The goal of the present study was to evaluate the effect of bile duct ligation (BDL) on endoglin e...

In the following experimental study the ability of normal and partially hepatectomized rats to clear their bloodstream of epinephrine-induced lactic acid loads was compared. As reported previously, significant differences in the handling of these loads were observed, and additional studies were carried out comparing the effect of carbon tetrachloride poisoning and bile duct ligation on the rat ...

Objective: The aim of the present investigation is to develop a mouse model of biliary pancreatitis with characteristics of both gallstone formation and pancreatitis,mimicking the human etiology and pathphysiological character. Design: Male C57BL/6 mice were fed with chow, high fat/cholesterol and lithogenic diet for 12 weeks respectively. Laparotomy was done followed by ligation of pancreatic ...

Endoscopic manometry was used to measure pancreatic duct, common bile duct, pancreatic duct sphincter and bile duct sphincter pressures in 43 healthy volunteers and 162 patients with a variety of papillary, pancreatic and biliary disorders. Common bile duct pressure was significantly raised after cholecystectomy, with common bile duct stones and papillary stenosis but pancreatic duct pressure o...

The rat is a frequently used experimental model in studies involving human disease. We review several methods of inducing hepatic fibrosis and cirrhosis in rats. These include induction by hepatotoxins and hepatocarcinogens such as carbon tetrachloride, dimethylnitrosamine, thioacetamide and furan; the hepatoxin-cum-nutrient, alcohol; a high fat-low choline-low protein diet; immunologic agents ...

Methods Three groups of rats were considered: SHAM, Bile Duct Ligation (BDL), BDL + hyperammonic dietary (BDLNH3). In each group, rats were treated by BNa or RFX. HE was assessed using neurocomportemental testing (6 minutes tail suspension test assessing the time of immobility). NH3 levels were assessed before sacrifice. BBB permeability was assessed by IV injection of a fluorochrome (Texas Red...

Ca(2+) signals mediate the hepatic effects of numerous hormones and growth factors. Hepatic Ca(2+) signals are elicited by the inositol trisphosphate receptor, an intracellular Ca(2+) channel. Three isoforms of this receptor have been identified; they are expressed and regulated differently. We investigated the effect of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis on the hepatic expression of the inositol tri...

We previously described a selective bile duct ligation model to elucidate the process of hepatic fibrogenesis in children with biliary atresia or intrahepatic biliary stenosis. Using this model, we identified changes in the expression of alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) both in the obstructed parenchyma and in the hepatic parenchyma adjacent to the obstruction. However, the expression profiles...