Effects of Vanadium Inhalation and Sweetened Beverage Ingestion in Mice: Morphological and Biochemical Changes in the Liver.

The aim of this report was to evaluate the morphological and biochemical changes in the liver by the inhalation of vanadium and consumption of sweetened beverages in a subchronic murine model. Forty CD-1 male mice were randomly divided into four groups: control, vanadium (V), sucrose 30% (S), and vanadium-sucrose (V + S). V was inhaled (1.4 mg/m3) for 1h, twice/week; 30% sucrose solution was given orally ad libitum. Blood samples were obtained for AST, ALT, and LDH determination. Liver samples were processed for histological and oxidative stress immunohistochemical evaluation with 4-hydroxynonenal at weeks 4 and 8 of exposure. Regarding liver function tests, a statistically significant increase (P < 0.05) was observed in groups V, S, and V + S at weeks 4 and 8 compared to the control group. A greater number of hepatocytes with meganuclei and binuclei were observed in V and V + S at week 8 compared to the other groups. Steatosis and regenerative changes were more extensive in the eighth week V + S group. 4-Hydroxynonenal immunoreactivity increased in the V + S group at both exposure times compared to the other groups; however, the increment was more evident in the V + S group at week 4 compared to the V + S group at week 8. An increase in De Ritis ratio (>1) was noticed in experimental groups at weeks 4 and 8. Findings demonstrate that in the liver, V, S, and V + S induced oxidative stress and regenerative changes that increased with the length of exposure. Results support possible potentiation of liver damage in areas with high air pollution and high-sweetened beverage consumption.

El hepatocito como un ejemplo de interacción entre la biología celular y las rutas metabólicas / The hepatocyte as an example of the interaction between cellular biology and metabolic pathways

Resumen Encontrar a un representante celular que reúna la estructura y las funciones que se revisan en los cursos de biología celular no es tarea fácil, pero el hepatocito reúne esas características. Además de él, en el hígado hay otras células de interés que vale la pena revisar como un complemento para contar con una visión más general de las múltiples funciones que ocurren en esta glándula. Incluimos algunas imágenes y revisamos algunas funciones de esa maravillosa célula conocida como hepatocito, que además integra a la biología celular y a la bioquímica.

Abstract To find a cell that gathers the functions and the structure that are most commonly reviewed in the cellular biology texts is a difficult task, but the hepatocyte meet these attributes. In addition it, there are other interesting cells in the liver that are important to review as a complement in order to have a general view of the multiple functions that occur in the liver. We included images and reviewed some of the functions of the hepatocyte that integrate cellular biology and biochemistry.

Myocardial connexin-43 and N-Cadherin decrease during vanadium inhalation.

Particulate matter air pollution has considerably increased during the last decades; vanadium is a transition element adhered to this particulate matter, and the combustion of fossil fuels is the main source in the atmosphere. It has been reported that air pollution and specifically vanadium exposure increases the probability of suffering arrhythmias; however the biological mechanism of such a relationship remains unknown. It has been established that a diminished presence of N-Cadherin alters the Connexin-43 arrangement, and the consequent altered presence of these proteins predisposes to ventricular heart rate problems. We analyzed myocardial histology and the expression of N-Cadherin and Connexin-43 by immunohistochemistry in mouse that inhaled vanadium. Our results showed a significant and progressive reduction in both N-Cadherin and Connexin-43, as well as the presence of meganucleus; myofibrils disruption, and clumping in the exposed groups were also observed. Our findings add more information about a possible explanation for the arrythmogenic effect observed in dwellers of cities with high particulate matter atmospheric pollution.

Hepatic megalocytosis due to vanadium inhalation: participation of oxidative stress.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the morphological changes, liver function test (LFT), and oxidative stress damage caused by thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), in mice exposed to vanadium via inhalation. Male CD-1 mice were exposed to vanadium pentoxide (V(2)O(5)) via inhalation (0.02 M), 1 hour twice a week for 6 weeks. At the end of the protocol, controls and exposed mice were killed to evaluate the changes. Histological analysis and LFT were performed to detect the damage. TBARS detection was assessed for oxidative stress. Inflammatory infiltration, binucleation, and meganucleus were detected in the liver of V(2)O(5)-exposed mice (p < 0.05). Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels were also significantly increased (p < 0.05). Lipid peroxidation was significantly higher in V(2)O(5)-exposed animals compared to controls (p < 0.05). V(2)O(5) exposure induced inflammation and cell damage detected by the increase in ALT and AST levels, as well as histological changes that suggest regenerative changes, such as binucleation and meganucleus.

[Biliary stents for reconstruction in bile duct injuries. The role of bile acids]. / Férulas después de la reconstrucción de la vía biliar. El papel de los ácidos biliares.

UNLABELLED: Biliary stents, placed either surgically, endoscopically or radiologically are a frequent palliative and/or curative option for treatment of obstructive jaundice. Stones or sludge formation above or inside the stent are of major concern in that they cause dysfunction of the stent that needs prompt replacement. To evaluate the efficacy of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) for long-term management of surgically placed biliary stents after iatrogenic injury, a prospective, controlled, randomized trial was conducted. METHOD: Patients with biliary tract reconstruction caused by iatrogenic injury that required a transanastomotic stent were randomized into a control group (N: 29) and into a UDCA (15 mg/kg day)-treated group (N: 30). Patients were followed on an external basis and a cholangiogram was obtained to verify stent patency. Liver function tests were also analyzed. RESULTS: The two groups were compared and no differences were observed. UDCA treated patients had significant elevation of transaminases and alkaline phosphatase. Two patients in the control group and four in the treated group developed lithiasis and/or sludge. CONCLUSION: No advantages were shown with administration of UDCA to maintain the biliary stents patent and to prevent neoformation of lithiasis and/or sludge. We conclude that no benefit is obtained with administration of UDCA to patients with biliary reconstruction and a transanastomotic stent.

To stent or not to stent bilioenteric anastomosis after iatrogenic injury: a dilemma not answered?

BACKGROUND: Bile duct injury is a complex and serious complication whose frequency has not diminished. A bilidigestive anastomosis (Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy) is usually needed after complex injuries. Placement of an anastomotic stent is a matter of debate and to our knowledge there is no study that compares the results between stenting and not stenting the anastomosis. DESIGN: A retrospective review of medical records of patients operated on for biliary reconstruction after iatrogenic injury. SETTING: Tertiary care academic university hospital. PATIENTS: A comparative study was performed of patients operated on between 1995 and 1999, who were referred to our hospital for acute or elective reconstruction of the biliary tract following iatrogenic injury. All patients underwent Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy. The patients were divided into 2 groups: those who underwent Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy with a transanastomotic stent and those who underwent Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy without a transanastomotic stent. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Operative mortality, anastomotic dysfunction, biliary fistula, reoperations, postoperative complications, postoperative liver function tests. RESULTS: Sixty-three patients with high and complex biliary injuries (Bismuth type III, IV; Strasberg D, E). Thirty-seven cases had reconstruction with the placement of a transanastomotic stent and 26 did not have a stent placed. No operative mortality was observed. The postoperative outcomes of both groups were compared and no differences found. Good results were observed in more than 80% of the patients. Reoperations were more frequent in the nonstented group (15% vs. 5%) and complications were more frequent in the stented group (16% vs. 7%). CONCLUSIONS: Good results are obtained with a Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy after complex injuries. The use of transanastomotic stents has to be selective according to the individual characteristics of each patient and the experience of each surgeon. We recommend their use when unhealthy (ie, ischemic, scarred) and small ducts (<4 mm) are found.