Cytokines' profile in fulminant hepatic failure: effect of hepatocyte transplantation

We used a previously described animal model of fulminant hepatic failure [FHF] to study the effect of hepatocyte transplantation [HcTx] on the cytokine profile. Three groups of Sprague Dawley rats were used. Group I [n=30] received intrasplenic HcTx. Group II [n=12] received intrasplenic injection of saline. Two days later, both groups underwent surgically induced FHF. Group III [n=30] underwent sham operation. Six animals of each group were euthanized preoperatively and on postoperative days 1, 7, 14 and 28 to study plasma cytokines; hepatocyte growth factor [HGF] and transforming growth factor beta one [TGF-beta 1]. Preoperatively, and after hepatocyte transplantation, Group I had a higher level of hepatocyte growth factor [HGF] than Groups II and III. On postoperative day 1, Group I had low levels of HGF and TGF-beta 1 and Group lI had the highest levels among the three groups. No animals in Group II survived beyond day 3 postoperatively. On day 14, HGF showed a rise in Group I as compared with Group III. HcTx has modified the level of cytokines in favor of liver regeneration in FHF rats

Outcome of duodenal switch procedure for treatment of duodenogastric reflux

The duodenal switch [DS] has been found to be a useful operation for treatment of abnormal primary and pathologic duodenogastric reflux. To evaluate the efficacy of the duodenal switch procedure in treatment of abnormal primary and pathologic duodenogastric reflux [DGR]. Over a period of 3 years, 6 patients with symptomatic primary DGR and 14 patients with pathologic DGR following gastrojejunostomy underwent pancreaticobiliary diversion using duodenal switch procedure. Endoscopic evaluation of gastric and duodenal mucosa was done before and after surgery. Symptoms were evaluated with a symptom score using a detailed questionnaire. Suprapapillary duodenojejunostomy [duodenal switch procedure] was done in all patients. During a mean follow-up period of 2 years [range: 0.5-2.8 years], most of the patients had a good satisfactory outcome as defined by endoscopic evaluation and significant reduction in the pre-operative symptoms. There was no reoperation or mortality in our study. The duodenal switch procedure is an effective surgical therapy in patients with primary or pathologic or DGR