Glucokinase (GK) is a key enzyme for glucose utilization in liver and shows a higher expression in the perivenous zone. In primary rat hepatocytes, the GK gene expression was activated by HNF (hepatic nuclear factor)-4alpha via the sequence -52/-39 of the GK promoter. Venous pO2 enhanced HNF-4 levels and HNF-4 binding to the GK-HNF-4 element. Thus, HNF-4alpha could play the role of a regulator ...

Introduction Avicularin is a flavonoidal class chemical basically composed with quercetin-3-?-l-arabino furanoside present in Lindera erythrocarpa, Rhododendron schlipenbachii and Psidium guajava. protect hepatocytes against oxidative stress. Methods Various literature databases have been searched to collect the needed information of avicularin for their biological importance chronic hepatic co...

Activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are major participants in hepatic fibrosis; thus, the induction of HSC apoptosis has been proposed as an antifibrotic treatment strategy. Heat shock protein (Hsp) 90 is a molecular chaperone that stabilizes major signal transduction proteins, and its inhibitors have antitumor activity. In this study, the susceptibility of HSCs to an Hsp90 inhibitor was ev...

Introduction: Liver tissue malfunction is a severe worldwide health concern that arises from various chronic liver conditions. The goal of this investigation was to look into the anti-fibrotic effect apigenin (APG), an antioxidant found in plants, versus thioacetamide (TAA)-triggered hepatic scarring rats and potential mechanisms behind it. Methods: TAA administered thrice weekly (100 mg/kg, i....

Effects of four cannabinoids [cannabidiol (CBD), delta 8-tetrahydrocannabinol, delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol, and cannabinol] on hepatic microsomal oxidation of testosterone (17 beta-hydroxy-androst-4-ene-3-one) were examined in adult male rats. Only CBD (30 microM) competitively inhibited 2 alpha-hydroxy-testosterone (2 alpha-OH-T) and 16 alpha-OH-T formation by hepatic microsomes but did not a...

The pancreatic islet hormone glucagon stimulates hepatic glucose production and thus maintains blood glucose levels in the fasting state. Transcription factors of the Foxa [Fox (forkhead box) subclass A; also known as HNF-3 (hepatocyte nuclear factor-3)] family are required for cell-specific activation of the glucagon gene in pancreatic islet alpha-cells. However, their action on the glucagon g...

The aim of this study was to investigate the hepatoprotective effect of BRP, a polysaccharide fraction isolated from Boschniakia rossica, against galactosamine and lipopolysaccharide induced fulminant hepatic failure. Mice were injected with a single dose of galactosamine/lipopolysaccharide with or without pretreatment of BRP. Results showed marked reduction of hepatic necrosis, serum marker en...

BACKGROUND We investigated the effects of isoflurane and sevoflurane in a warm liver ischemia-reperfusion (IR) model on cytokines, hepatic tissue blood flow (HTBF), energy content, and liver structure. METHODS Seventy-two Wistar rats were randomly assigned into 1 of 3 groups: Control group, no volatile anesthetics; sevoflurane group, 2% sevoflurane; isoflurane group, 1.5% isoflurane. Thirty m...

Catalase, an endogenous antioxidant enzyme, is thought to have rescue effects on hepatic fibrosis. In this study, the regulation of catalase in CCl₄-induced hepatic fibrogenesis was investigated. Our results indicated that catalase expression was decreased upon CCl₄ treatment in a time-dependent manner, while the expression of several profibrosis and proangiogenic factors, including transforming ...