Relevance of epidermal growth factor to improve steatotic liver preservation in IGL-1 solution.

AIM: Static preservation solution is critical for liver graft outcomes, especially when steatosis is present. Institut Georges Lopez (IGL)-1 solution protects fatty livers effectively against cold ischemia reperfusion injury. Its benefits are mediated by nitric oxide and prevention of oxidative stress. The supplementation of IGL-1 with epidermal growth factor (EGF) enhances steatotic graft preservation by increasing adenosine triphosphate content, thereby mitigating oxidative stress and mitochondrial damage. METHODS: After steatotic livers were preserved for 24 hours in IGL-1 solution with or without EGF supplements, they were perfused ex vivo for 2 hours at 37°C. The benefits of EGF were assessed by evidences of hepatic damage and function--transaminases, bile production, and flow rate--as well as by other factors presumably associated with the poor tolerance of fatty livers toward cold ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI)--energy metabolism, mitochondrial damage, oxidative stress, eNOS activity and proinflammatory interleukin (IL) beta content. RESULTS: Steatotic livers preserved in IGL-1 solutions supplemented with EGF (10 µg/L) showed lower transaminase levels, greater bile production, and ameliorated flow rates when compared to IGL-1 alone. In addition, energy metabolism deterioration, mitochondrial damage, oxidative stress, and cytokine IL-1 beta release were prevented. CONCLUSION: EGF addition to IGL-1 increased fatty liver graft preservation, thereby reducing steatotic liver damage against cold IRI.

Hydrocarbon pollution in the sediment from the Jarzouna-Bizerte coastal area of Tunisia (Mediterranean Sea).

This study investigated the presence and origin of hydrocarbon pollution in industrial waste water sediments found near the Jarzouna (Bizerte, Tunisia) oil refinery. Analyses of surface sediments (layer 1) and deep sediments (layer 2) showed that Total Hydrocarbon (TH) concentrations ranged from 602 +/- 7.638 microg/g in layer-1 to 1270 +/- 2.176 microg/g in layer-2. The results suggest that the deeper the sediment, the higher the level of total hydrocarbon found. The sedimentary Non Aromatic Hydrocarbon (NAH) and Aromatic Hydrocarbon (AH) concentrations ranged from 66.22 +/- 1.516 to 211.82 +/- 10.670 microg/g for NAH, and from 13.84 +/- 0.180 to 115.60 +/- 2.479 microg/g for AH. The high variability of these concentrations was associated with the location of the sediment collection sites. Aliphatic biomarker analysis revealed petroleum contamination close to the refinery rejection site, and biogenic sources further away. Petroleum contamination may be associated with increased industrial activity in the area of Jarzouna-Bizerte in the Mediterranean Sea.

Mandibular bone alterations of ovariectomized rats under vitamin D insufficiency.

UNLABELLED: Experimental osteoporosis was studied in mandible bone by means of ovariectomy and vitamin D insufficiency. METHODS: 42 female Wistar rats were divided into the following four groups: (1) ovariectomized rats maintained in 12h day-night light conditions (ov-l), (2) ovariectomized rats maintained in 24h dark light conditions (ov-ob), (3) sham-operated rats maintained in 12h day-night light conditions (ch-l) and (4) sham-operated rats maintained in 24 h dark conditions (ch-ob). 12 weeks later the animals were sacrificed, the mandibles were excised, cleaned and weighed, the right side of the mandibles were histologically examined and the left side of the mandibles were prepared for mineral phase analysis by X-ray diffraction. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed to detect apoptotic cells by anti-PARP p85 antibody. RESULTS: In group 2, the weight of mandibles significantly decreased. Chondroid areas were observed in ovariectomized groups and polarized light observation validated the collagen distribution disturbance in these groups (groups 1 and 2). Apoptotic osteoblasts were localized in groups 1, 2 and 4. They were numerous in group 2. The mineral phase analysis did not find differences between the groups. CONCLUSION: This study validates a new model of osteoporotic animal associating estrogens deficiency and vitamin D insufficiency where matrix synthesis and osteoblast biology are altered, but not biomineralization.