Attenuation of serum laminin concentrations upon treatment of chronic hepatitis

Objectives: The aim of this work was to determine the serum laminin level cutoff point for predicting liver fibrosis highlighting its diagnostic value and determining the effect of treatment on serum laminin concentrations. Methods: Serum laminin concentrations in chronic hepatitis patients (n=62) and controls (n=20) were compared by ELISA and stages of fibrosis were assessed according to the modified Knodell score system. Results: Mean serum laminin concentration in patients (91.9 ± 20.9 ng/ml) was greater than controls (46.2 ± 10.2 ng/ml; p <0.001). Serum concentrations of laminin in all stages of hepatic fibrosis were significantly higher than those of healthy controls (p <0.05). A cutoff point of 52ng laminin/ml of serum was obtained for the discrimination of various stages of liver fibrosis showing a good sensitivity (96.8%) and specificity (80%). After 6 months of treatment, a gradual decrease in serum laminin concentrations were observed, however the level was still higher than that of the healthy group (p<0.05). Conclusions: Our findings suggest that the serum laminin concentration is a useful noninvasive marker of liver fibrosis and shows a strong positive correlation with different stages of the disease

Tubular cell phenotype in HIV-associated nephropathy: Role of phospholipid lysophosphatidic acid

Collapsing glomerulopathy and microcysts are characteristic histological features of HIV-associated nephropathy (HIVAN). We have previously reported the role of epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) in the development of glomerular and tubular cell phenotypes in HIVAN. Since persistent tubular cell activation of NF kappa B has been reported in HIVAN, we now hypothesize that HIV may be contributing to tubular cell phenotype via lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) mediated downstream signaling. Interestingly, LPA and its receptors have also been implicated in the tubular interstitial cell fibrosis (TIF) and cyst formation in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (PKD). Primary human proximal tubular cells (HRPTCs) were transduced with either empty vector (EV/HRPTCs), HIV (HIV/HRPTCs) or treated with LPA (LPA/HRPTC). Immunoelectrophoresis of HIV/HRPTCs and LPA/HRPTCs displayed enhanced expression of pro-fibrotic markers: a) fibronectin (2.25 fold), b) connective tissue growth factor (CTGF; 4.8 fold), c) alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA; 12 fold), and d) collagen 1(5.7 fold). HIV enhanced tubular cell phosphorylation of ILK-1, FAK, PI3K, Akt, ERKs and P38 MAPK HIV increased tubular cell transcriptional binding activity of NF-kappa B; whereas, a LPA biosynthesis inhibitor (AACOCF3), a DAG kinase inhibitor, a LPA receptor blocker (Ki16425), a NF-kappa B inhibitor (PDTC) and NF kappa B-siRNA not only displayed downregulation of a NF kappa B activity but also showed attenuated expression of profibrotic/EMT genes in HIV milieu. These findings suggest that LPA could be contributing to HIV-induced tubular cell phenotype via NF kappa B activation in HIVAN. (C) 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved

HYDROTHERMAL SYNTHESIS OF ALIGNED HYDROXYAPATITE NANORODS WITH ULTRA-HIGH CRYSTALLINITY

Abstract Hydroxyapatite nanorods aligned with ultrahigh crystallinity and high-yield were successfully synthesized through a hydrothermal approach. In this experiment, a new composition of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide ((CH 3 (CH 2 ) 15 N + (CH 3 ) 3 Br -) was designated as CTAP)/Ca(NO 3 ) 2 / (NH 4 ) 2 HPO 4 /NaOH and distilled water under hydrothermal condition, to synthesize single crystal HAp nanorods with diameter of 20 ± 10 nm and length of 80 ± 20 nm, was introduced. Crystal phases were determined by X-ray diffraction (XRD). Scanning electron microscope (SEM) was applied to investigate the morphology. The microstructure of the HAp products were further observed by transmission electron microscope (TEM) and high resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM) with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The purity and chemical composition of the as-synthesized powder was analyzed by FTIR and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP)

Measurement of serum laminin level during the treatment of chronic hepatitis

Background and Objective: Noninvasive methods have been proposed as surrogate markers for liver biopsy in recent years. It was shown that serum laminin level increases with the development for liver fibrosis The aim of this work was to determine serum laminin level cutoff point for predicting liver fibrosis, highlighting its diagnostic value and determining the effect of treatment on its level. Materials and Methods: In this case-control study during 2008-09, serum laminin levels in chronic hepatitis patients (n=62) and controls (n=20) before the beginning of the treatment and three times in a 2 month's interval i.e. 2.4 and 6 months after the beginning of the treatment- were compared by ELISA and stages of fibrosis were assessed according to the liver biopsy. Results: Mean serum laminin concentration in patients (91.9±20.9 ng/ml) was greater than the control (46.2±10.2 ng/ml, P<0.05). Serum levels of laminin in all stages of hepatic fibrosis were significantly higher than those of the healthy controls (P<0.05). A cutoff point of 52.0 ng/ml of laminin serum was obtained for the discrimination of patients with liver fibrosis than the healthy control showed a good sensitivity (96.8%) and specificity (80%). After 6 months of treatment, a gradual decrease in serum laminin level was observed, however the level was still higher than that of the healthy group (P<0.05). Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that serum laminin level is a useful non-invasive marker of liver fibrosis due to strong positive correlation between serum laminin level and the degree of liver fibrosis