Development of steatohepatitis in Ob/Ob mice is dependent on Toll-like receptor 4
Journal Title: Annals of Hepatology - Year 2015, Vol 14, Issue 5
Abstract
Background and aim. The etiology of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) progression, and why some patients develop non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) vs. uncomplicated NAFLD, is not well understood. Obesity and NAFLD are thought to be associated with high circulating levels of leptin; however, the role of leptin in NASH has been controversial. Secondly, as ob/ob mice are known to have elevated circulating levels of TLR4-stimulating endotoxin secondary to increased intestinal permeability. Material and methods. We evaluated the long-term effects of steatosis on the livers of aleptinemic (OB) mice and the role of TLR4 in the development of hepatic sequelae in these animals. Results. At 20 weeks of age OB animals displayed grossly steatotic livers, but also features of early stage NASH including hepatocellular ballooning and numerous necroinflammatory foci with associated changes in serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT). TLR4 KO did not affect the development of obesity or steatosis in ob/ob mice, but protected these animals from hepatitis and liver injury. Conclusions. In conclusion, the data presented here indicate that steatohepatitis develops in the absence of leptin, and that TLR4 is integral to the development NASH secondary to hyperphagia.
Authors and Affiliations
Alton G. Sutter, Arun P. Palanisamy, Julie H. Lench, Alex P. Jessmore, Kenneth D. Chavin
Isolated granulomatous hepatitis-A histopathological surprise mimicking cholangiocarcinoma in ulcerative colitis
A 63-yr-old woman, known case of ulcerative colitis, was diagnosed with sclerosing cholangitis 2 years back. She was admitted for investigation of abdominal discomfort, fatigue with elevated alkaline phosphatase and dera...
Platelet count/spleen diameter ratio as a predictor of esophageal varices in cirrhotic patients - Reply
Massive avascular malformations causing life threatening portal hypertension
We present an unusual case of extensive avascular malformations (AVMs) causing non-cirrhotic portal hypertension. This phenomenon, though previously described, is a rare clinical entity which, in the setting of life thr...
Acute Liver Failure
Acute liver failure is a rare but often catastrophic illness affecting the liver and multiple organ systems. Patients with acute liver failure require a multidisciplinary approach for adequate management. With improved...
Prevalence and resistance pattern of genotype G and H in chronic hepatitis B and HIV co-infected patients in Mexico
Objective. We estimated the prevalence and identified the resistance pattern of HBV genotypes H and G in HBV monoinfected and HIV co-infected patients. Material and methods. A cross-sectional prevalence and analytic stud...