Hiroshi Fukuno

Inhibitory effect of a soluble transforming growth factor β type II receptor on the activation of rat hepatic stellate cells in primary culture

BACKGROUND/AIMS Oxidative stress, including the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that acts as a signaling mediator for transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta, plays a key role in hepatic fibrosis. Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) produce and respond to TGF-beta in an autocrine manner with increased collagen expression. It has previously been reported that the adenovirus-mediated overexpression of a soluble receptor against the extracellular domain of the TGF-beta type II receptor prevents hepatofibrogenesis in vivo, although its inhibitory role and mechanism in HSC activation remains to be elucidated. METHODS In this study, we report on an examination of the actual role of TGF-beta inhibition on oxidative stress and the activation of cultured rat HSCs, using the adenovirus-mediated soluble TGF-beta type II receptor. RESULTS This soluble receptor secreted from the adenovirus-infected cells binds to TGF-beta. Infection of HSCs with this adenovirus attenuated intracellular levels of TGF-beta1 mRNA and protein, NADH oxidative activity, ROS generation and lipid peroxidation, and prevented HSC activation. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that this adenovirus-mediated soluble TGF-beta receptor may lead to an interruption of the TGF-beta autocrine loop in activated HSC, in part, by inhibiting oxidative stress.

Influence of large intrahepatic blood vessels on the gross and histological characteristics of lesions produced by radiofrequency ablation in a pig liver model

Abstract: Aims: To determine whether the presence of large intrahepatic blood vessels (≥3 mm) affect radiofrequency (RF)‐induced coagulation necrosis, the gross and histological characteristics of RF‐ablated areas proximal to or around vessels were examined in normal pig livers.

Visceral fat predominance is associated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in Japanese women with metabolic syndrome.

Metabolic syndrome (MS) is likely to be associated with non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The prevalence of NAFLD in visceral fat type MS (V‐type MS) is known to be higher than in subcutaneous fat type MS (S‐type MS) in men with MS, and a larger subcutaneous fat area is reported to be not associated with NAFLD in women. We elucidated differences between V‐type S‐type MS in Japanese women with MS.

Gastric motility and autonomic activity during obstructive sleep apnea: REFLUX ESOPHAGITIS AND OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA SYNDROME

Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS) often experience gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

The differing influence of several factors on the development of fatty liver with elevation of liver enzymes between genders with metabolic syndrome: A cross-sectional study

Background Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is known to be strongly associated with obesity, visceral fat, metabolic syndrome (MS), lifestyle, and lifestyle-related diseases in both males and females. However, the prevalence of NAFLD, MS, and clinical backgrounds is different between males and females. Objective We conducted a cross-sectional study to examine the differing influence of lifestyle-related factors and visceral fat on fatty liver (FL) with elevation of liver enzymes between males and females with MS. Methods We enrolled 42,134 persons who underwent a regular health check-up, and after excluding subjects who fulfilled excluding criteria, the remaining subjects were 2,110 persons with MS. We examined the differing influence of lifestyle-related factors and visceral fat on FL with elevation of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (ALT elevation was defined as ALT level of ≥31 IU/l in the present study). Results The odds rations for FL with ALT elevation were as follows: WC, 1.83 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.36–2.46); dyslipidemia, 1.89 (95% CI 1.34–2.68); hemoglobin A1c, 1.36 (95% CI 1.00–1.85); visceral fat type MS (V-type MS), 5.78 (95% CI 4.29–7.80); and light drinker, 0.56 (95% CI 0.41–0.78) in males with MS and BMI, 2.18 (95% CI 1.43–3.33); WC, 1.85 (95% CI 1.27–2.70); diastolic blood pressure, 1.69 (95% CI 1.16–2.45); triglyceride, 2.22 (95% CI 1.56–3.17); impaired glucose tolerance, 1.66 (95% CI 1.11–2.47); and V-type MS, 3.83 (95% CI 2.57–5.70) in females with MS. The prevalence of FL with ALT elevation and ALT was significantly higher in V-type MS than in the subcutaneous fat type MS in both males and females with MS (P < 0.001). Conclusion Although V-type MS and WC is a common significant predictor of an increased prevalence of FL with ALT elevation in both males and females with MS, gender, lifestyle-related factors, and MS type in individuals with MS should be considered for the development of FL with ALT elevation.