Methionine-choline deprivation alters liver and brain acetylcholinesterase activity in C57BL6 mice.

Choline and methionine are precursors of acetylcholine, whose hydrolysis is catalyzed by acetylcholinesterase (AChE). Considering the possibility of their common deficiency, we investigated the influence of methionine-choline deprivation on AChE activity in liver and various brain regions (hypothalamus, hippocampus, cerebral cortex and striatum) in mice fed with methionine-choline deficient (MCD) diet. Male C57BL/6 mice (n = 28) were randomly and equally divided into following groups: control group fed with standard diet for 6 weeks (C) and groups fed with MCD diet for 2 weeks (MCD2), 4 weeks (MCD4) and for 6 weeks (MCD6). After the diet, mice were sacrificied and AChE activity in liver and brain was determined spectrophotometrically. Hepatic AChE activity was higher in MCD2, MCD4 and MCD6 compared to control (p < 0.01), with most prominent increase in MCD6. AChE activity in hypothalamus was higher in MCD4 and MCD6 vs. control (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01, respectively), as well as in MCD6 compared to MCD4 (p < 0.01). In hippocampus, increase in AChE activity was shown in MCD6 compared to control (p < 0.01). In cortex and striatum, increase in AChE activity was noted in MCD6 compared to control (p < 0.05). Our findings indicate the increase of hepatic and brain AChE activity in mice caused by methionine-choline deprivation.

Rimonabant Improves Oxidative/Nitrosative Stress in Mice with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.

The present study deals with the effects of rimonabant on oxidative/nitrosative stress in high diet- (HFD-) induced experimental nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Male mice C57BL/6 were divided into the following groups: control group fed with control diet for 20 weeks (C; n = 6); group fed with HFD for 20 weeks (HF; n = 6); group fed with standard diet and treated with rimonabant after 18 weeks (R; n = 9); group fed with HFD and treated with rimonabant after 18 weeks (HFR; n = 10). Daily dose of rimonabant (10 mg/kg) was administered to HFR and R group by oral gavage for two weeks. Treatment induced a decrease in hepatic malondialdehyde concentration in HFR group compared to HF group (P < 0.01). The concentration of nitrites + nitrates in liver was decreased in HFR group compared to HF group (P < 0.01). Liver content of reduced glutathione was higher in HFR group compared to HF group (P < 0.01). Total liver superoxide dismutase activity in HFR group was decreased in comparison with HF group (P < 0.01). It was found that rimonabant may influence hepatic iron, zinc, copper, and manganese status. Our study indicates potential usefulness of cannabinoid receptor type 1 blockade in the treatment of HFD-induced NAFLD.

Attitudes and knowledge of nurses on organ legacy and transplantation.

INTRODUCTION: Nurses represent an important link in mediating between the potential donors and their relatives'consent to organ and tissue transplantation.The message of the Health Department to potential donors about the importance of organ donation was supported by the Serbian Orthodox Church, the army and other institutions through media campaigns. Nurses could contribute to this action by their personal example. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was identification and bivariate analysis of nurse attitude about organ donation, their knowledge about the importance of transplantation as treatment methods, as well as the connection between work experience and education level with the formation of attitudes and new skills. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 291 nurses from the Clinical Center of Serbia, Belgrade, filled in the questionnaire on the effect of correlation between the length of the service and level of education on knowledge and attitudes toward organ transplantation and organ donation. RESULTS: Out of 291 respondents, 67.4% have completed the nursing school and 32.6% have higher education. The majority (63.9%) of respondents knew that the EEG was the most valid method for determining brain death. The question regarding the possibility of buying organs was answered correctly by 68.7% of respondents. A large majority (91%) would accept organ transplant, if needed, but only 32.0% would be organ donors, and only 0.3% owned a donor card. In contrast, one third of nurses were already blood donors. CONCLUSION: In case of necessary transplantation, nurses would accept someone else's organ, though they do not possess donor cards, but just few would donate their organs. It is possible that prejudice arises from ignorance and distrust in the health policy of the Republic of Serbia. However, besides negative attitude, nurses have expressed interest in learning and professional development in the area of transplantation.

Time-dependent changes and association between liver free fatty acids, serum lipid profile and histological features in mice model of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Methionine-choline deficient (MCD) diet duration necessary for development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and the dynamic of lipid profile and fatty acids are not completely established. The study examined dynamics and association between liver free fatty acids (FFA), serum lipid profile and liver morphological changes on MCD diet-induced NAFLD in mice. METHODS: Male C57BL/6 mice (n = 28) were divided into four groups (n = 7 per group): control: fed with standard chow, MCD diet-fed groups: 2, 4 or 6 weeks. After treatment, liver and blood samples were taken for histopathology, serum lipid profile, and liver FFA composition. RESULTS: Hepatic FFA profile showed a decrease in saturated acids, arachidonic and docosahexaenoic acid, whereas proportions of docosapentaenoic, oleic and linoleic acid were increased. Total cholesterol, HDL and triglycerides progressively decreased, whereas LDL level progressively increased. Focal fatty change in the liver appeared after 2 weeks, whereas diffuse fatty change with severe inflammation and ballooned hepatocytes were evident after 6 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: Six-week diet model may be appropriate for investigation of the role of lipotoxicity in the progression of NAFLD. Therefore, supplementation with n-3 polyunsaturated acid like DHA, rather than DPA, especially in the initial stage of fatty liver disease, may potentially have preventive effects and alleviate development of NAFLD/NASH and may also potentially reduce cardiovascular risk by moderating dyslipidemia.

Assessment of metabolic syndrome in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis.

BACKGROUND: Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is a chronic, progressive liver disease with elevated serum lipids. It remains unclear if hyperlipidemia increases the risk for atherosclerosis in PBC patients. Metabolic syndrome (MS) promotes the development of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease due to abdominal obesity and insulin resistance. AIMS: The aim of this study was to assess incidence and parameters of MS, as well as subcutaneous and visceral fat using noninvasive ultrasonographic measurement in patients with PBC in our population. METHODS: We included 55 patients with PBC and 44 age- and sex-matched healthy controls (CG-control group). Anthropometric measurements (weight, height, and waist circumference), age, sex, and body mass index were recorded for patients and controls. Laboratory tests for assessing MS and liver function tests were analyzed. We used ultrasonography to determine subcutaneous and visceral fat diameter and area (SF, VF and SA, VA, respectively), as well as perirenal fat diameter (PF). RESULTS: Patients with PBC had significantly higher levels of cholesterol and liver function tests. There were no statistically significant difference in serum insulin and HOMA levels, as well as incidence of MS was diagnosed in 30.9 % (17/55) PBC patients and 43.2 % (19/44) controls. We registered lower amount of VF (PBC:10.92 ± 3.63 mm, CG:16.84 ± 5.51 mm,p < 0.001), VA (PBC:403.64 ± 166.97 mm(2), CG:720.57 ± 272.50 mm(2),p < 0.001), and PF (PBC:7.03 ± 1.82 mm, CG 10.49 ± 2.70 mm,p < 0.001) in patients with PBC. CONCLUSION: MS is not more frequent in patients with PBC compared with healthy volunteers in our population. Lower amount of VF could be related to lower risk for cardiovascular events in PBC patients.

The effects of cold-induced stress on liver oxidative injury during binge drinking.

The aim of our study was to evaluate the effects of cold stress on hepatic oxidative damage during binge drinking in rats. Male Wistar rats were divided into the following groups: group 1: control; group 2: ethanol-treated; group 3: stress-exposed; group 4: stress-exposed and ethanol-treated group. Oxidative and nitrosative stress parameters in the liver were determined spectrophotometrically, 12 h after treatment. Liver malondialdehyde concentration was significantly higher in group 4 when compared with groups 2 and 3. The highest increase in nitric oxide concentration was demonstrated in group 4 in comparison with groups 2 and 3. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was significantly lower in group 4 when compared with groups 2 and 3. Ethanol administration induced a larger decrease in the activity of copper-/zinc-SOD in group 4 in comparison with group 2. Activity of manganese-SOD (Mn-SOD) was significantly higher in groups 3 and 4, when compared with control values, but the greatest increase in the activity of Mn-SOD was demonstrated in group 2. We also evaluated statistically significant decrease in the level of reduced gluthatione in the liver of group 4 in comparison with group 3. Based on our study, it can be concluded that cold-exposed stress and binge ethanol drinking have additive effects in imbalance between pro-oxidant and antioxidant defense system in liver.

[Distal splenorenal shunt with partial spleen resection].

INTRODUCTION: Hypersplenism is a common complication of portal hypertension. Cytopenia in hypersplenism is predominantly caused by splenomegaly. Distal splenorenal shunt (Warren) with partial spleen resection is an original surgical technique that regulates cytopenia by reduction of the enlarged spleen. OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to present the advantages of distal splenorenal shunt (Warren) with partial spleen resection comparing morbidity and mortality in a group of patients treated by distal splenorenal shunt with partial spleen resection with a group of patients treated only by a distal splenorenal shunt. METHOD: From 1995 to 2003, 41 patients with portal hypertension were surgically treated due to hypersplenism and oesophageal varices. The first group consisted of 20 patients (11 male, mean age 42.3 years) who were treated by distal splenorenal shunt with partial spleen resection. The second group consisted of 21 patients (13 male, mean age 49.4 years) that were treated by distal splenorenal shunt only. All patients underwent endoscopy and assessment of oesophageal varices. The size of the spleen was evaluated by ultrasound, CT or by scintigraphy. Angiography was performed in all patients. The platelet and white blood cell count and haemoglobin level were registered. Postoperatively, we noted blood transfusion, complications and total hospital stay. Follow-up period was 12 months, with first checkup after one month. RESULTS: In the first group, only one patient had splenomegaly postoperatively (5%), while in the second group there were 13 patients with splenomegaly (68%). Before surgery, the mean platelet count in the first group was 51.6 +/- 18.3 x 10(9)/l, to 118.6 +/- 25.4 x 10(9)/l postoperatively. The mean platelet count in the second group was 67.6 +/- 22.8 x 10(9)/l, to 87.8 +/- 32.1 x 10(9)/l postoperatively. Concerning postoperative splenomegaly, statistically significant difference was noted between the first and the second group (p < 0.05). Comparing the postoperative platelet count between the first and second group, we found that there was a very significant statistical difference, too (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Distal splenorenal shunt (Warren) with partial spleen resection is a very reliable surgical technique in treatment of hypersplenism and decompression of oesophageal varices caused by portal hypertension and has advantage in treatment of hypersplenism over the distal splenorenal shunt method.