Hideto Iuchi

Absence of CD83-positive mature and activated dendritic cells at cancer nodules from patients with hepatocellular carcinoma: relevance to hepatocarcinogenesis

Mature and activated dendritic cells (CD83-positive DCs) are essential for the recruitment and survival of activated tumor-specific lymphocytes during carcinogenesis. The frequencies of CD83 positive DCs were almost same in peripheral blood from patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and cirrhosis of liver (LC). However, the numbers of CD83 positive DCs in liver tissues were significant lower in HCC compared with LC (6.6+/-10.9 vs. 33.3+/-24 DCs/specimen, P<0.05). Most importantly, there were no CD83-positive DCs at cancer nodules in HCC. A role of infiltration of activated DCs in liver during hepatocarcinogenesis is shown.

Hyperplastic liver nodules associated with early-stage primary biliary cirrhosis mimicking hepatocellular carcinoma

Nodular regenerative hyperplasia (NRH) of the liver is a condition characterized by diffuse nodular hepatocyte hyperplasia or regeneration in the absence of significant fibrous tissue deposition (1–3). NRH has been reported in association with various conditions, especially autoimmune and collagen vascular diseases, hematological disorders, and immunosuppressive therapy (2, 4–6), but its exact etiology and pathogenesis remain largely unknown. Several authors have reported on the pathologic features of hyperplastic nodules, including NRH, from patients in the early stage of primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) (7–9). Various ultrasonographic, computed tomographic, magnetic resonance imaging, and angiographic studies of NRH have been performed (10–16), but the detailed imaging characteristics of NRH are still unclear and those of NRH associated with PBC have not been previously reported. Here we report a case of hyperplastic nodules associated with PBC, which showed a pseudotumoral pattern on helical–dynamic computed tomography (CT), angiography, CT arteriography, and CT arterial portgraphy.

Drug-induced hepatitis with severe cholestasis due to voglibose

Abstract A case of drug-induced hepatitis with severe cholestasis caused by voglibose, a new agent for treating noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, is described. The patient presented with icterus and pruritis. Voglibose was administered for 3 months before abnormal liver function was detected. The lymphocyte blast transformation test was positive for voglibose (stimulation index = 536%). One month after the onset of icterus, the patient also developed cholangitis due to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus , and the serum total bilirubin level increased to above 40 mg/dl. He was treated with plasma exchange, but eventually died. Voglibose is only absorbed slightly after oral administration, and there have been no reports of hepatitis due to this drug. This is the first fatal case of voglibose-induced hepatitis combined with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus cholangitis.

Spontaneous closure of intrahepatic portovenous shunt in a noncirrhotic patient with recurrent encephalopathy

A 70-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with recurrent encephalopathy. Liver function tests, abdominal computerized tomography, ultrasonography, angiography, and laparoscopy revealed an intrahepatic portovenous shunt in a noncirrhotic liver. During follow-up, the intrahepatic portovenous shunt closed spontaneously. Subsequent liver function tests were markedly improved, with resolution of the patients previously disturbed consciousness. In the elderly, intrahepatic portovenous shunt that can be managed with conservative therapy may spontaneously close, suggesting that management options should include watchful waiting.

Development of an efficient nonviral gene transfer method to hepatocytes using cationic liposome and ursodeoxycholic acid

• L0625 DEVELOPMENT OF AN EFFICIENT NONVIRAL GENE TRANSFER METHOD TO HEPATOCYTES USING CATIONIC LIPOSOME AND URSODEOXYCHOLIC ACID. K Tada, H Minami, Y Oka, H Iuchi, SMF Akbar, N Horiike, N Roy Chowdhury*, J Roy Chowdhury*, M Onji. The Third Dept of Internal Medicine, Ehime University School of Medicine, Japan, and the Marion Bessin Liver Research Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY.