RESUMO
Purpose: The objective of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of the curcumin analogue L6H4 in attenuating liver fibrosis and alleviating insulin resistance in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed a high-fat diet to induce insulin resistance, followed by streptozotocin injection to induce diabetes. The rats were then treated with L6H4 for eight weeks. Body weight, metabolic parameters, liver function, and liver histopathology were evaluated. Immunohistochemistry was performed to assess the expression of TGF-ß1, TIMP-2, and MMP-2 in liver tissues. Statistical analysis was conducted using one-way ANOVA and Spearman rank correlation test. Results: L6H4 treatment effectively reversed the weight gain associated with a high-fat diet and improved metabolic parameters in diabetic rats. Liver function markers, such as ALT and AST, were reduced after L6H4 treatment. Histological analysis showed improved liver morphology and reduced fibrosis in L6H4-treated rats. Electron microscopy revealed improved ultrastructural features of hepatocytes. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated downregulation of TGF-ß1 and TIMP-2 expression and restoration of MMP-2 expression in the liver tissue of L6H4-treated rats. Correlation analysis showed a significant positive correlation between TGF-ß1 and TIMP-2 expression. Conclusion: The findings suggest that L6H4 has therapeutic potential in attenuating liver fibrosis and alleviating insulin resistance in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. The hepatoprotective effect of L6H4 may be attributed to its anti-inflammatory properties and its ability to target molecules involved in fibrosis. Further research is warranted to explore the potential of L6H4 as a treatment option for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and type 2 diabetes.
RESUMO
OBJECTIVES: The study aims to compare retrospectively three clinically applied methods for the diagnostic performance of cystic renal masses (CRMs) by contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) and contrast-enhanced computer tomography (CECT) with Bosniak classification system. METHODS: A total of 52 cases of Bosniak II-IV CRMs in 49 consecutive patients were diagnosed from January 2013 to July 2022 and their data were analyzed. All patients had been subjected to CEUS and CECT simultaneously. Pathological diagnoses and masses stability were used as standard references to determine whether lesions were malignant or benign. Then 49 CRMs only with pathologic results were classified into group 1 and 2. RESULTS: A total of 52 CRMs in 49 enrolled patients were classified into 8 category II, 16 category IIF, 15 category III, and 13 category IV by CEUS (EFSUMB 2020), 10 category II, 13 category IIF, 16 category III, and 13 category IV by CEUS (V2019), while 15 category II, 9 category IIF, 13 category III, and 15 category IV by CECT (V2019). Pathological results and masses stability longer than 5 years follow-up performed substantially for CEUS (EFSUMB 2020), CEUS (V2019), and CECT (V2019) (kappa values were 0.696, 0.735, and 0.696, respectively). Among 49 pathologic approving CRMs, wall/septation thickness ≥4 mm, wall/septation thickness, presence of enhancing nodule and the diameter were found to be statistically significant for malignancy. Twenty-two malignant masses were correctly diagnosed by CEUS (V2019), while 21 malignant masses were both correctly diagnosed by CEUS (EFSUMB 2020) and CECT (V2019), and 1 mass was misdiagnosed. CONCLUSIONS: Bosniak classification of EFSUMB 2020 version might be as accurate as version 2019 CEUS and version 2019 CECT in diagnosing CRMs, and CEUS is found to have an excellent safety profile in dealing with clinical works.
