Oleuropein prevents the progression of steatohepatitis to hepatic fibrosis induced by a high-fat diet in mice

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is characterized by hepatocyte injury and inflammatory cell infiltration, which has been linked to peripheral insulin resistance and increased levels of triglycerides in the liver. The purposes of this study were to establish a mouse model of NASH by feeding mice a 60% high-fat diet (HFD) and to demonstrate the anti-fibrotic effects of oleuropein, which has been shown to have anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, in this HFD-induced mouse model of NASH. C57BL/6 mice were divided into three groups: a regular diet group (Chow), a HFD group and an oleuropein-supplemented HFD group (OSD), which was fed a 0.05% OSD for 6 months. The effects of oleuropein in this model were evaluated using biochemical, histological and molecular markers. The expression levels of alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA)and collagen type I in the HFD and OSD groups were evaluated using real-time PCR and western blotting. The body weight, biochemical marker levels, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease activity score, homeostasis model of assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and leptin levels observed in the HFD group at 9 and 12 months were higher than those observed in the Chow group. The HOMA-IR and leptin levels in the OSD group were decreased compared with the HFD group. In addition, alpha-SMA and collagen type I expression were decreased by oleuropein treatment. We established a NASH model induced by HFD and demonstrated that this model exhibits the histopathological features of NASH progressing to fibrosis. Our results suggest that oleuropein may be pharmacologically useful in preventing the progression of steatohepatitis and fibrosis and may be a promising agent for the treatment of NASH in humans.

Infantile Type Choledochal Cyst with Biliary Atresia: Report of two cases

Choledochal cysts in neonates and young infants take two forms: the choledochal cyst associated with biliary atresia (CCBA) and the choledochal cyst in the absence of biliary atresia (CC). Infants in both groups usually have similar clinical symptoms at presentation, but management and prognosis are different. While early portoenterostomy is required for CCBA, cyst excision with hepaticojejunostomy or choledochojejunostomy is usually performed for CC. The former shows a relatively poor prognosis, and the latter shows a better prognosis. Two infants who presented with clinical features of neonatal cholestasis, and clinically suspected to have choledochal cysts, were found on imaging studies and surgery to have extrahepatic bile duct atresia in association with choledochal cysts.