Primary hepatocytes have been used in drug development for the evaluation of hepatotoxicity of candidate compounds. However, the rapid depression of their hepatic characters in vitro must be improved to predict toxicity with higher accuracy. We have hypothesized that a well organized tissue construct that includes nonparenchymal cells and appropriate scaffold material(s) could overcome this dif...

Kon K, Ikejima K, Okumura K, Arai K, Aoyama T, Watanabe S. Diabetic KK-A mice are highly susceptible to oxidative hepatocellular damage induced by acetaminophen. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 299: G329–G337, 2010. First published June 10, 2010; doi:10.1152/ajpgi.00361.2009.—Despite pathophysiological similarities to alcoholic liver disease, susceptibility to acetaminophen hepatotoxici...

The synthesis of a new xanthine nitric oxide donor (TSP-81) is discussed. The designed compound included two structural moieties, i.e., theophylline (1,3-dimethylxanthine) and acetaminophen (4-hydroxyacetanilide), linked by the nitric oxide donor alkyl chain as a spacer. The compound was characterized by microanalysis (CHN), 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, FT-IR and UV– –Vis spectroscopy and thermogravimetric...

Acetaminophen is a widespread and commonly used painkiller all over the world. However, it can cause liver damage when taken in large doses or at repeated chronic doses. Current models of acetaminophen metabolism are complex, and limited to numerical investigation though provide results that represent clinical investigation well. We derive a mathematical model based on mass action laws aimed at...