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Target Concepts:
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Query: EC:2.6.1.2 (
alanine aminotransferase
)
26,722
document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)
Fumonisin B1 (FB1), a potent mycotoxin prevalent in corn, is a carcinogen and causative agent of various animal diseases. Species and sex variations to chronic FB1 toxicity have been reported. Free sphingoid bases and cytokine levels are the two major biochemical alterations of FB1 in vivo and may explain any sex differences in FB1 toxicity. Male and female BALB/c mice (5/group) were injected subcutaneously with either saline vehicle or 2.25 mg/kg/day of FB1 for 5 days. One day after the last injection females showed a greater increase in circulating
alanine aminotransferase
and greater number of apoptotic cells in liver after FB1 treatment than males, indicating greater hepatotoxicity. Peripheral leukocytic counts, including neutrophils, were increased in females only after FB1 treatment. The increased toxicity in females correlated with a greater increase of sphinganine and sphingosine levels in liver after FB1 treatment compared to males. No sex differences in kidney sphinganine or sphingosine levels were observed after FB1 treatment. Previously we have shown the induction of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) in FB1-induced hepatotoxicity. While in males FB1 treatment caused increased expression of TNFalpha, interleukin (IL)-12 p40,
interferon gamma
(IFNgamma), IL-1beta, IL-6 and IL-10, females showed an increased expression of IL-6 only, and a downward modulation of IFNgamma, indicating gender differences in cytokine pathways in liver activated by FB1. The basal expression of TNFalpha, IL-12 p40, IL-1beta and IFNgamma in liver of females was higher compared to males. Gender differences in alterations of free sphingoid bases and cytokine modulation after FB1 treatment suggest their possible involvement in sex-dependent differential hepatotoxicity in mice.
...
PMID:Gender-related differences in subacute fumonisin B1 hepatotoxicity in BALB/c mice. 1152 78
Antigen presenting cells, especially the antigen presenting dendritic cells (DC) in the tissue, regulate the magnitude of antigen-specific immune response. A role of impaired and narrowly focused specific immune response has been implicated in the pathogenesis of chronic hepatitis due to hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus. In order to clarify this role, we studied liver DC from
interferon gamma
(
IFN-gamma
) transgenic mouse (TgM), an animal model of chronic hepatitis. These mice had high serum levels of
alanine transaminase
and histological evidence of chronic hepatitis. Transgene negative offspring (littermate control) with normal serum transaminase levels and without any evidence of hepatitis were used as controls. The stimulatory capacity of the liver DC from
IFN-gamma
TgM in allogenic mixed leukocyte reaction was significantly lower than that of the liver DC from control mouse. The endocytosis capacity was significantly lower in liver DC from
IFN-gamma
TgM than in that from the control mouse. Most importantly, liver DC from
IFN-gamma
TgM were unable to induce antigen-specific proliferation. The impaired function of liver DC from these mice may be attributable to increased production or induction of suppressor cytokines such as interleukin-10 and nitric oxide. Defective capacity of liver DC from mouse with chronic hepatitis (
IFN-gamma
TgM) may be related to impaired magnitude of specific immune response in the liver.
...
PMID:Loss of immunogenecity of liver dendritic cells from mouse with chronic hepatitis. 1174
Silymarin, a mixture of flavonolignans isolated from Silybum marianum, is known for its hepatoprotective properties. We investigated the expression of cytokines in mouse liver following treatment with 0, 10, 50, and 250 mg/kg of silymarin once daily for 5 days. A dose-related but insignificant decrease of circulating
alanine aminotransferase
and aspartate aminotransferase after silymarin treatment was observed, suggesting that silymarin treatment did not induce hepatic damage. Silymarin treatment caused significant increases in the expressions of transforming growth factor (TGF) beta1 and c-myc in liver. No significant difference was detected among these treatments in the expression of hepatocyte growth factor,
interferon gamma
, tumor necrosis factor alpha, and class II major histocompatibility complex. These results suggest that alterations of TGFbeta1 and c-myc expression in the liver may be involved in the hepatoprotective effects of silymarin observed in other studies.
...
PMID:Physiological responses to a natural antioxidant flavonoid mixture, silymarin, in BALB/c mice: I induction of transforming growth factor beta1 and c-myc in liver with marginal effects on other genes. 1222 86
Fumonisin B1 (FB1), a mycotoxin produced primarily by Fusarium veticillioides and related fungi, is a carcinogen and causative agent of various animal diseases. Our previous studies indicated the involvement of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFalpha) in FB1-induced hepatotoxicity. Male B6,129 mice (five/group) were injected subcutaneously with vehicle or 2.25 mg/kg/day of FB1 for 5 days and sampled 1 day after the last treatment. FB1 treatment caused an increased expression of TNFalpha,
interferon gamma
(IFNgamma) and interleukin (IL)-12 p40 in liver without any changes in kidney or spleen, suggesting the localized site of their production. IL-1beta cytokine expression was increased in liver and kidney after FB1 exposure. Cells involved in TNFalpha production after FB1 treatment in liver were identified as Kupffer cells. FB1 increased
alanine aminotransferase
in plasma and increased apoptotic cells in liver. Selective increase in proinflammatory T helper (Th)1-cytokines (IL-12 and IFNgamma) and TNFalpha with no alteration in Th2-cytokines (IL-4, IL-6 and IL-10) suggest the involvement of IL-12, produced by Kupffer cells, in induction of IFNgamma production by natural killer (NK) cells and/or NK1+ T cells, which can undergo a positive amplification loop with TNFalpha produced by macrophages or other hepatic cells to elicit the toxic reaction.
...
PMID:Fumonisin B1-induced localized activation of cytokine network in mouse liver. 1238 13
Mercury is a well-recognized health hazard and an environmental contaminant. Mercury modulates immune responses ranging from immune suppression to autoimmunity but the mechanisms responsible for these effects are still unclear. Male BALB/c mice were exposed continuously to 0, 0.3, 1.5, 7.5, or 37.5 ppm mercury in drinking water for 14 days. Body weight was reduced at the highest dose of mercury whereas the relative kidney and spleen weights were significantly increased. The dose range of mercury used did not cause hepatotoxicity as indicated by circulating
alanine aminotransferase
and aspartate aminotransferase levels. Circulating blood leukocytes were elevated in mice treated with the highest dose of mercury. Mercury ranging from 1.5 to 37.5 ppm dose-dependently decreased CD3(+) T lymphocytes in spleen; both CD4(+) and CD8(+) single-positive lymphocyte populations were decreased. Exposure to 7.5 and 37.5 ppm mercury decreased the CD8(+) T lymphocyte population in the thymus, whereas double-positive CD4(+)/CD8(+) and CD4(+) thymocytes were not altered. Mercury altered the expression of inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor alpha,
interferon gamma
, and interleukin-12), c-myc, and major histocompatibility complex II, in various organs. Results indicated that a decrease in T lymphocyte populations in immune organs and altered cytokine gene expression may contribute to the immunotoxic effects of inorganic mercury.
...
PMID:Oral exposure to inorganic mercury alters T lymphocyte phenotypes and cytokine expression in BALB/c mice. 1292 68
The pathogenesis of liver cell injury during chronic hepatitis C (CHC) is poorly understood. The cellular immune response is thought to play a key role in both inhibition of viral replication and liver pathology. However, little is currently known about which lymphocyte populations and which immune effectors contribute to or control liver damage. We investigated a panel of 15 phenotypic and functional markers of intrahepatic T-lymphocyte subsets irrespective of their antigen specificity in 48 hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected patients and 8 healthy control subjects. Lymphocyte characteristics were evaluated from liver biopsy specimens both at gene expression level by real-time quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and by immunochemistry, in relation with the degree of liver injury and with intrahepatic HCV-RNA levels. As compared with controls, we found major changes in T-lymphocyte subsets in HCV-infected patients, with a significant decrease of T-cell antigen receptor (TCR) delta and CD56 gene expression, associated with a concomitant increase of TCRalpha and CD8beta that were correlated with cytotoxic factors, proinflammatory chemokines, and chemokine receptors including peforin,
interferon gamma
(
IFN-gamma
), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), RANTES, and CXCR3. The gene expression of CD8beta, a specific marker for conventional TCRalpha+CD8+ lymphocytes, was correlated by multivariate analysis with both
alanine aminotransferase
(
ALT
) serum levels and histologic activity index. Furthermore, CD8 staining was observed by immunochemistry in the areas of lobular and piecemeal necrosis. In contrast, no lymphocyte marker was correlated with viral load, measured both in serum and in liver. In conclusion, these results strongly suggest key roles for CD8+ T cells as effectors of liver damage during chronic HCV infection and for their inability to control viral replication.
...
PMID:Phenotypic and functional characterization of intrahepatic T lymphocytes during chronic hepatitis C. 1451 70
BACKGROUND/AIM: Concanavalin A (Con A) activates T cells and causes T cell-mediated liver injury in mice. Since autoimmune diseases predominantly occur in women, female is considered to have enhanced immune responses and T cell functions. We investigated the presence of gender-related differences on Con A-induced liver injury and cytokine production in mice. METHODS: Male and female BALB/c mice were given Con A (15mg/kg) intravenously at 7 weeks of age. Plasma
alanine aminotransferase
(
ALT
), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha),
interferon gamma
(
IFN-gamma
), interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-10 levels were determined 0, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 24h after Con A administration. To investigate the effects of sex hormones on liver injury and cytokine production, female and male mice were castrated at 3 weeks of age and were administered Con A 4 weeks after the operation. RESULTS: Plasma
ALT
level of females was significantly higher at 8 and 24h after Con A administration than those of males. Plasma levels of TNF-alpha and
IFN-gamma
at 2, 4, 6 and 8h, IL-4 at 2h, but not IL-10, after Con A administration were significantly elevated in females than those of males. Furthermore, the elevated plasma
ALT
, TNF-alpha and
IFN-gamma
levels decreased significantly by an ovariectomy. In contrast, those markers were exacerbated by an orchiectomy compared with sham operation. CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that Con A induces more severe liver injury in female mice than in male mice, and suggest that the effect of sex hormones on cytokine production may play a role in gender-related difference on Con A-induced liver injury.
...
PMID:Gender-related differences in concanavalin A-induced liver injury and cytokine production in mice. 1458 99
Endothelial cells (ECs) are believed to be an important component in the protection from lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced endotoxic shock. However, the cellular and molecular mechanism is not well defined. Here, we report that signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) 3 is an essential regulator of the antiinflammatory function of ECs in systemic immunity. Because STAT3 deficiency results in early embryonic lethality, we have generated mice with a conditional STAT3 deletion in endothelium (STAT3E-/-). STAT3E-/- mice are healthy and fertile, and isolated ECs initiate normal tube formation in vitro. Conditional endothelial but not organ-specific (i.e., hepatocyte or cardiomyocyte) STAT3 knockout mice show an increased susceptibility to lethality after LPS challenge. The LPS response in STAT3E-/- mice shows exaggerated inflammation and leukocyte infiltration in multiple organs combined with elevated activity of serum
alanine aminotransferase
and aspartate aminotransferase, indicating organ damage. Concomitantly, proinflammatory cytokines are produced at an exaggerated level and for a prolonged period. This defect cannot be explained by lack of antiinflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin 10 and transforming growth factor beta. Instead, we have shown that a soluble activity derived from endothelia and dependent on STAT3 is critical for suppression of
interferon gamma
. These data define STAT3 signaling within endothelia as a critical antiinflammatory mediator and provide new insight to the protective function of ECs in inflammation.
...
PMID:Endothelial cells require STAT3 for protection against endotoxin-induced inflammation. 1462 7
Fumonisin B(1) (FB(1)) is a mycotoxin produced by Fusarium verticillioides found on corn and corn-based foods. It causes equine leukoencephalomalacia, porcine pulmonary edema, and liver and kidney damage in most animal species. Fumonisin B(1) perturbs sphingolipid metabolism by inhibiting ceramide synthase activity, leading to the production of cell signaling factors including tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha). The signal pathways of TNF-alpha are important factors in the pathogenesis of FB(1) hepatotoxicity. In the present study, female BALB/c mice were treated daily with 750 mg/kg silymarin by gavage and 2.25 mg/kg FB(1) subcutaneously for 3 days. Then, 1 day after the last FB(1) injection, the mice were euthanized and blood and tissues were sampled for analyses. Silymarin significantly diminished FB(1)-induced elevation of plasma
alanine aminotransferase
and aspartate aminotransferase activities and the number of apoptotic hepatocytes, while it augmented hepatocyte proliferation indicated by an increase in proliferating cells. Silymarin dramatically potentiated FB(1)-induced accumulation of free sphinganine and sphingosine in both liver and kidney. Silymarin itself slightly increased expression of hepatic TNF-alpha; however, it prevented the FB(1)-induced increases in TNF-alpha, TNF receptor 1, TNF receptor-associated apoptosis-inducing ligand, lymphotoxin beta, and
interferon gamma
. The induction of transforming growth factor beta1 expression in liver following FB(1) treatment was not affected by silymarin. These findings suggest that silymarin protected against FB(1) liver damage by inhibiting biological functions of free sphingoid bases and increasing cellular regeneration.
...
PMID:Silymarin protects against liver damage in BALB/c mice exposed to fumonisin B1 despite increasing accumulation of free sphingoid bases. 1510 51
To study determinants of clinical outcome following HCV infection, viral kinetics, immune events, and intrahepatic cytokine markers were compared in 10 naive chimpanzees. Four of the animals cleared HCV; 6 developed persistent infections. All animals developed similar acute infections with increasing viremia from 1 to 2 weeks, followed by
alanine aminotransferase
(
ALT
) elevations and seroconversion. This viremia pattern consisted of a biphasic increase, a rapid slope (mean doubling time [t(2)] = 0.5 days) followed by a slower slope after the second week (t(2) = 7.5 days). This slowing of virus replication correlated in all animals with increased intrahepatic 2'5' oligoadenylate synthetase 1 (2OAS-1) messenger RNA (mRNA) levels and was independent of disease outcome. An effective control of virus replication was observed following increases in intrahepatic
interferon gamma
(
IFN-gamma
) mRNA and
ALT
levels. Although this control was associated in all animals with a 2-log decrease in virus titer, the timing occurred approximately 2 weeks later in the chronic group (P <.05). Additionally, while cleared infections were characterized by a continual decrease in virus titer, the titers in the persistent infections reached a steady state level of 10(4) to 10(5) RNA copies/mL. This inability of the immune response to sustain viral clearance in the persistent infections was associated with a reduced intrahepatic CD3e and monocyte-induced protein 1alpha (MIP-1alpha) mRNA induction. In conclusion, these data indicate that, regardless of outcome, chimpanzees generate responses that control HCV replication during the early and late acute phase. However, the pathogenesis of HCV may be determined by a more rapid onset of the induced response and the cell population that migrates to the liver.
...
PMID:Hepatitis C virus kinetics and host responses associated with disease and outcome of infection in chimpanzees. 1572 17
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