A morphometric study of the hepatic arterioles in end-stage primary sclerosing cholangitis.

Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is typified by a heterogeneous histology with periductal fibroinflammatory lesions. The hepatic arterioles in PSC have not been well characterized. Using image analysis, we sought to examine the dimensions of hepatic arterioles in PSC. We identified 30 livers from patients transplanted for PSC as well as 10 explants each from cirrhotic patients (serving as controls) having primary biliary cirrhosis, hepatitis C (HCV), and alcoholic liver disease. At least two representative hematoxylin and eosin-stained slides were selected, and ten cross-sectioned hepatic arterioles were photographed for image analysis. The vessels were measured at their longest span and width based on the outer portions of the tunica media. Wall thickness was measured at its thickest portion from the intima to the outer portion of the tunica media; the perimeter of the luminal area was outlined by the endothelial lining, generating the total luminal area. Mean arteriolar length, width, and wall thickness (p = 0.012, p = 0.004, p = 0.001, respectively) were greater in the PSC group; luminal area was similar between the groups. When compared to the individual sub-groups, wall thickness of arterioles in PSC remained significantly greater. End-stage PSC has even larger-sized arterioles and greater wall thickness as compared to that of other cirrhotic livers. This increased wall thickness found in PSC cannot be solely attributed to cirrhosis itself. These vessel changes may potentially be the result of, or contribute to, the pathogenesis of PSC.

Increased thickness of abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue occurs more frequently in steatohepatitis than in simple steatosis.

CONTEXT: The incidence of obesity is increasing and contributes to the rising incidence of fatty liver. Body mass index (BMI) is used to assess the degree of obesity but does not take into account the pattern of body fat distribution. OBJECTIVES: To confirm the increasing incidence of fatty liver in an autopsy study. We hypothesized that a standardized measurement of abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue (ASAT) might be a good noninvasive method for differentiating steatohepatitis from steatosis. DESIGN: Consecutive complete adult postmortem cases were studied and liver sections were assessed with a steatohepatitis scoring system. Spleen weight, ASAT, and clinical information were obtained. Spleen histology was assessed in a subset of patients having splenomegaly in the absence of cirrhosis. RESULTS: Patients with human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis C virus, and appreciable alcohol use were excluded. Of 306 cases, the frequency of fatty liver was 51.6% with 33.3% having simple steatosis and 18.3%, having steatohepatitis. Mean ASAT was 3.7 cm in the steatohepatitis group versus 2.6 cm in the steatosis group (P < .001); this difference was greater in patients with a BMI less than 25 kg/m(2) (P = .05). Fibrocongestive splenomegaly was noted in 9 of 38 patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (24%) in the absence of cirrhosis. CONCLUSIONS: In this series of autopsy cases, a dramatic increase in the prevalence of fatty liver disease is demonstrated. Thicker ASAT is associated more with steatohepatitis than with simple steatosis, especially in patients with BMI below 25 kg/m(2). Fibrocongestive splenomegaly may occur in the absence of cirrhosis in the presence of steatohepatitis.

Urine Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1(UMCP-1) as a Biomarker of Renal Involvement in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

OBJECTIVES: Lupus nephritis (LN) is frequently associated with a poor long-term prognosis. Renal biopsy is the diagnostic method of choice in this condition. Urine biomarkers have been mentioned in the diagnosis of LN. The study(,)s purpose was to evaluate the performance of urinary monocyte chemoattractant protein 1(UMCP-1) as a biomarker of renal involvement in systemic lupus erythematosus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-one recently diagnosed systemic lupus erythematosus patients (8 male and 33 female) without renal involvement (group 1) and twenty six patients (8 male and 18 female) with LN (group 2), proven by biopsy, were recruited to this study. UMCP-1 sensitivity and specificity for identifying biopsy-proven nephritis were calculated, and a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was constructed to quantify how definitely UMCP-1 distinguishes between patients with and without LN. RESULTS: The mean value of UMCP-1 levels were 733.07 pg/ml ± 1282.54 and 144.16 pg/ml ± 137.90 in patients with and without LN respectively. The UMCP-1 level was significantly higher in group 2 than group 1. There was no significant correlation between UMCP-1 and 24-hour urine protein (r = 0.031, P= 0.874). The area under the ROC curve was 0.727 with a CI 95% of 0.597 to 0.857 (P=0.002). Using a cut-off value of 82 pg/ml,UMCP-1 had a sensitivity of 88.5% and a specificity of 46.3% for identifying LN. CONCLUSION: UMCP-1 can serve as a biomarker of LN although further longitudinal studies of these biomarkers are required in LN.