The Connective Tissue Framework of the Hepatic Ligaments in the Human Liver

Objectives: To demonstrate the three-dimensional structure of the collagen fiber framework in the human liver ligaments and capsule. Methods: We studied the collagen fiber framework of relatively normal human liver specimens using a cell maceration method and scanning electron microscopy. Results: The collagen fibers of the hepatic falciform ligament subdivided into three types depending on the direction and location. The outer collagen fibers of the hepatic teres ligament formed the longitudinal plate, and the inner fibers had a loop-like structure. The coronary ligament contained two parallel collagen bundles toward the hepatic capsule. The hepatic capsule possesses the outer thicker and inner interlaced layers of the collagen fibers. The hepatic ligaments’ outer layer connected with the hepatic capsule collagen fibers, while the inner layer tended to merge with the hepatic lobular parenchyma’s connective tissue. Conclusions: The hepatic ligaments and liver capsule are layered structures of collagen fibers differing in direction. The hepatic ligaments’ outer layer connected with the liver capsule’s collagen fibers and the inner layer merged with the hepatic lobular parenchyma’s connective tissue

Functional Abnormalities of the Liver in Diabetic Patients with and without Hepatitis C

Objective: We aimed to compare liver function of diabetes mellitus patients with and without viral hepatitis C using the non-alcoholic fatty liver disease fibrosis score, aspartate transaminase to platelet ratio index, Fibrosis-4 Index, Mac-2-binding protein biomarker and ultrasonic liver stiffness measurements. Methods: The study was conducted based on convenience sampling of 123 patients. Slightly more than half of the study participants were male (53%, n=64). Thirty-three of the diabetics with hepatitis (mean age 52.31±9.8 years) and 90 diabetics without hepatitis (mean age 53.26±8.58) agreed to participate. Anthropometric measurements, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease fibrosis score, aspartate transaminase to platelet ratio index, Fibrosis-4 Index, Mac-2-binding protein biomarker, and ultrasonic transient elastography measurements were compared using independent t-tests for continuous variables and Wilcoxon rank sum tests for ordinal variables. Results: The median values of the Fibrosis-4 Index for those with and without hepatitis C were 1.3 vs. 0.9 (p<.05), Mac-2-binding protein biomarker 2.0 vs. 1.3 (p<.0001), ultrasonic liver stiffness measurements 10.3 vs. 6.9 (p<.0001), aspartate transaminase to platelet ratio 0.6 vs. 0.3 (p<.001), and Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease fibrosis scores were -0.2 vs. -0.9 ( p<.004), respectively Conclusions: Diabetic patients with hepatitis had statistically significantly higher Mac-2-binding protein biomarker, NAFLD Fibrosis Scores than patients without hepatitis. However, other fibrosis test results were similar in diabetic patients with hepatitis and without hepatitis C

Blood Donors with Different Types of Human Constitution Demonstrate Different Level of Cytokines

Objective: This study was aimed to determine possible relationship between the types of human constitution used in Mongolian traditional medicine and certain types of immune response in healthy blood donors. Materials and methods: Ninety-three blood donors were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. The type of human constitution was determined using the method of Sachs R (1995) and modifi ed by Batchimeg et al. (2003), in which the titer of cytokines (Human IL-2, IL-6, IL-10, IFNγ and TGFβ) in blood plasma and in supernatant of 12- hour PBMC culture were measured by ELISA. Results: Analysis and comparison of different cytokine titers in different constitution groups produced the following fi ndings: Subjects with Badgan ( Tibetan-badken, or phlegm, or bile) type of constitution had a lower activity of Th2 mediated immune response; subjects with Shar ( Tibetan-mkrispa [kris-pa] or mucus) humour domination had a higher activity of Th2 mediated response; and subjects with Khii humour domination may demonstrate higher activity of Th1 mediated response. Conclusion: Human typology types used in Mongolian traditional medicine are likely related to activity or intensity of certain types of adaptive immune responses and authors see an essential need to continue research in this fi eld of study

Effects of Caffeine and Chlorogenic Acid on Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis in Mice Induced by Choline-Deficient, L-Amino Acid-Defined, High-Fat Diet

Several recent experimental studies have investigated the effects of caffeine and chlorogenic acid (CGA), representative ingredients of coffee, on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)/nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). However, the results are conflicting, and their effects are yet to be clarified. In the present study, we examined the effects of caffeine and CGA on choline-deficient, L-amino acid-defined, high-fat diet (CDAHFD)-fed mice, relatively new model mice of NASH. Seven-week-old male C57BL/6J mice were divided into the following groups: Control diet (control), CDAHFD (CDAHFD), CDAHFD supplemented with 0.05% (w/w) caffeine (caffeine), and CDAHFD supplemented with 0.1% (w/w) CGA (CGA). After seven weeks, the mice were killed and serum biochemical, histopathological, and molecular analyses were performed. Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels were significantly higher in the caffeine and CGA groups than in the CDAHFD group. On image analysis, the prevalence of Oil red O-positive areas (reflecting steatosis) was significantly higher in the caffeine group than in the CDAHFD group, and that of CD45R-positive areas (reflecting lymphocytic infiltration) in the hepatic lobule was significantly higher in the caffeine and CGA groups than in the CDAHFD group. Hepatic expression of interleukin (IL)-6 mRNA was higher in the caffeine and CGA groups than in the CDAHFD group, and the difference was statistically significant for the caffeine group. In conclusion, in the present study, caffeine and CGA significantly worsened the markers of liver cell injury, inflammation, and/or steatosis in NASH lesions in mice