Isolation and Characterization of Mesenchymal Stem Cells from Human Fetal Liver; Potential Candidates for Replacement Therapy in Liver Disease

Liver cell transplantation (LCT) is emerging as an alternative to organ transplantation in the treatment of liver disease since tissue unavailability and immunological incompatibilities are still major obstacles. Primary human hepatocytes are the first choice for LCT. However the unavailability of liver donors, the need for high numbers of hepatocytes for transplantation, immunological rejection, and low activity and inability to expand hepatocytes in vitro are limiting factors.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: Current Evaluation and Management

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is the most common upper gastrointestinal disorder in the westernized countries. The worldwide incidence of GERD is increasing as the incidence of H.Pylori is decreasing. There are a variety of esophageal and extraesophageal complications that may be potentially life threatening. Esophageal complications include erosive esophagitis, esophageal stricture, Barrett’s esophagus and adenocarcinoma of the esophagus. Extraesophageal complications include atypical chest pain that can simulate angina pectoris; ear, nose, and throat (ENT) manifestations.

Cerebral Expression of NKCC1 in Rats with Acute and Chronic Hyperammonemia

Acute Liver Failure (ALF) is a severe medical condition, primarily defined by high plasma-ammonia levels, multiorgan failure and development of Hepatic Encephalopathy (HE), while chronic liver failure is defined by chronic low level hyperammonemia and development of HE. Newly research showed that increased cerebral expression of the ion-channel Na+, K+, Cl- co-transporter I (NKCC1) is associated with brain edema development in several medical clinical conditions.

Sustained Glutathione Deficiency Interferes with the Liver Response to TNF-α and Liver Regeneration after Partial Hepatectomy in Mice

Glutathione (GSH) is a tripeptide of glutamate, cysteine, and glycine. It is the most abundant non-protein thiol in the cell, and is present at 5-10 mM in hepatocytes. GSH scavenges reactive oxygen species (ROS) and acts as a cofactor in the metabolism of xenobiotics through reduction and conjugation reactions. Several methods have been used in vivo and in vitro to study the effects of short-term GSH depletion on the hepatocyte cell cycle.

Cancer Associated Fibroblasts and Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) ranks the fifth most common cancer worldwide, and high recurrent rate and metastasis are the major hurdles for effective therapies of this disease. Recently, increasing evidence shows that Cancer-associated Fibroblasts (CAFs), one of the most abundant cell types inside the tumor stroma, plays a prominent role in progression of various cancer types. Since most of the HCC cases are developed with cirrhosis background in which activated myofibroblast is enriched, the role of CAFs in HCC progression is currently being investigated.