Effects of ursodeoxycholic acid on intrahepatic cholestasis in rats / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effects of treatment with ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) on intrahepatic cholestasis in rats, and to explore its mechanism.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Rats suffering from intrahepatic cholestasis were treated with UDCA. Their serum alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total bilirubin (TBIL), direct bilirubin (DBIL), gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (gamma-GT), total cholesterol (TCH), bile flow, total bile acid excretion, total Na(+) and TCH of bile were measured before and after treatment. In addition, the changes of liver tissue under microscrope were observed and recorded.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the control group, serum ALT, ALP, TBIL, DBIL, gamma-GT and TCH of rats in the treatment group decreased, while bile flow, total bile acid excretion, total Na(+) and TCH decreased significantly. Degeneration of hepatocytes, infiltration of inflamed cells and proliferation of small bile ducts in the treatment group were improved under microscope.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>UDCA may have therapeutic effects on cholestatic hepatitis. The mechanism may involve in its hydrophilicity, choleretic effect and immune modulation.</p>

Serum level of Interlukin 18 and nitric oxide and the effect of N-acetylcysteine in patients with fulminant hepatic failure / 中华传染病杂志

Objective To investigate whether there is a correlation of serum interleukin 18 (IL 18) and nitric oxide (NO) with Fulminant Hepatic Failure(FHF) and the effect of N acetylcysteine (NAC) on IL 18 and NO levels. Methods The level expression and dynamic changes of serum IL 18 and NO in 65 FHF patients serum were measured by ELISA. IL 18 and NO and their expression levels were observed comparatively in NAC treatment group (29 cases) and composite treatment group (36 cases). Results Serum IL 18 and NO concentrations in patients with FHF in both groups (NAC and Combination) were significantly higher than the control ( P