Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts:   Target Concepts:
Query: EC:2.6.1.2 (alanine aminotransferase)
26,722 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Nitric oxide (NO), a recently discovered free radical, is overproduced in liver cirrhosis. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) might increase NO levels via increased inducible NO synthase (iNOS). This work was carried out to study the effect of HCV-induced liver cirrhosis on NO levels among Egyptian patients. The study included 46 patients with liver cirrhosis, and 30 healthy individuals of matched age and sex. NO levels determined as the stable endproduct nitrate, showed a statistically significant increase among patients compared to the control group (P < 0.001). Furthermore, NO levels increased proportionally with the severity of liver cirrhosis as assessed by Child's classification (P < 0.05). Moreover, schistosomial infection enhanced NO levels in cirrhotic patients with HCV infection compared to non-bilharzial patients (P < 0.001). Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and branched DNA assays were used for detection of HCV RNA positivity, and measurement of the virus load, respectively. Both showed a positive correlation with the NO levels (P < 0.001). At a nitrate cutoff value of 70 micromol/L, the sensitivity and specificity were 83.0% and 73.0%, respectively. Chi square analysis showed a significant correlation between ALT levels and both HCV RNA positivity by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) (P < 0.02), and virus load (P<0.05). Interestingly enough, there was a significant positive correlation between HCV RNA and schistosomal antibody titer as measured by hemaglutination inhibition assay (HAI) (P < 0.05). The data presented in this report indicated an association between NO levels and the development and progression of liver cirrhosis. Furthermore, the findings obtained from this study demonstrated that schistomiasis is an important risk factor involved in enhancement of NO levels and virus replication. The latter may aggravate liver cell injury and hence the development of cirrhosis.
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PMID:Evaluation of nitric oxide (NO) levels in hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection: relationship to schistosomiasis and liver cirrhosis among Egyptian patients. 1251 9

The liver-selective nitric oxide (NO) donor, O(2)-vinyl 1-(pyrrolidin-1-yl)diazen-1-ium-1,2-diolate (V-PYRRO/NO), is metabolized by P-450 enzymes to release NO in the liver, and is shown to protect the liver from tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha)-induced apoptosis and D-glactosamine/endotoxin-induced hepatotoxicity. This study was undertaken to examine the effects of V-PYRRO/NO on acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity in mice. Mice were given V-PYRRO/NO via osmotic pumps (1.8-5.4 mg/mL, 8 microL/h) 4 to 16 hours before a hepatotoxic dose of acetaminophen (600 mg/kg, intraperitoneally [ip]). V-PYRRO/NO administration dramatically reduced acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity in a dose- and time-dependent manner, as evidenced by reduced serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity, reduced hepatic congestion, apoptosis, and improved hepatocellular pathology. The protection afforded by V-PYRRO/NO does not appear to be caused by a decrease in the formation of toxic acetaminophen metabolites, which consumes glutathione (GSH), because V-PYRRO/NO did not alter acetaminophen-induced hepatic GSH depletion. Acetaminophen-induced lipid peroxidation, as determined by the concentrations of 4-hydroxyalkenals (4-HNE) and malondialdehyde (MDA), was reduced significantly by V-PYRRO/NO treatment. Although pretreatment was most effective, administration of V-PYRRO/NO simultaneously with acetaminophen also was able to reduce acetaminophen hepatotoxicity. Genomic analysis of the liver samples 10 hours after acetaminophen intoxication showed the enhanced expression of genes associated with stress/oxidative stress, apoptosis/cell death, and DNA damage/repair. Acetaminophen-induced alterations in gene expression were attenuated significantly by V-PYRRO/NO. Real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western-blot analysis confirmed microarray results. In conclusion, V-PYRRO/NO is effective in blocking acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity in mice. This protection may involve the reduction of oxidative stress, the inhibition of apoptosis, and possibly the maintenance of hepatic vasculature to prevent congestion.
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PMID:The nitric oxide donor, V-PYRRO/NO, protects against acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity in mice. 1254 Jul 82

Despite the fact that septic shock is characterized by a decrease in systemic vascular resistance, the main cause of death is due to multiple organ failure. The organ dysfunction is usually attributed to cell death caused by overproduction of free radicals derived from inflammation. In the host infected by endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide, LPS), the expression and release of proinflammatory tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) rapidly increases, and the formation of free radicals (e.g., superoxide anion [O2*-] and nitric oxide [NO*] in the present study) are inevitably overproduced. In this study, we present evidence that overall treatment of LPS rats with terbutaline, a beta2-adrenoceptor agonist, attenuates the delayed hypotension and ameliorates the tachycardia. Overproduction of TNF-alpha and NO* (produced by inducible NO synthase [iNOS] examined by Western blot analysis in the lung and the liver) is inhibited by treatment of LPS rats with terbutaline. In addition, treatment of endotoxemic rats with terbutaline also reduces the O2*- levels in the lung and the liver. Terbutaline also improves the liver (assessed by aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, total bilirubin, and albumin/globulin) and kidney (assessed by creatinine and uric acid) dysfunction induced by endotoxin. These findings suggest that the amelioration of circulatory failure and organs injury by terbutaline is associated with its suppression in TNF-alpha, O2*- and NO (via iNOS) production in animals with endotoxic shock.
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PMID:Inhibition by terbutaline of nitric oxide and superoxide anion levels of endotoxin-induced organs injury in the anesthetized rat. 1263 May 30

AIMS: Nitric oxide (NO) has protective effects against ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury and plays an important role in ischemic preconditioning. Type 1 plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1) regulates plasminogen activators, which may have cytotoxic effects in I/R injury. I/R injury is reduced by the inhibition of fibrinolytic enzymes. To clarify the mechanism of ischemic preconditioning, PAI-1 induction and NO generation were studied in hepatic ischemic preconditioning. METHODS: Total hepatic ischemia was achieved by Pringle's maneuver. FK409 was used as an NO donor. Plasma alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and hyaluronic acid (HA) were measured to estimate hepatic damage and serum nitrite (NO(2)(-)) and nitrate (NO(3)(-)) were also determined to assess NO generation. Reserve transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and in situ hybridization were carried out to determine the quantitative changes in the expression of PAI-1 mRNA. Plasma PAI-1 concentration was determined using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) system. RESULTS: No increase in ALT or HA was found with 5 min I/R. NO and PAI-1 in plasma and PAI-1 mRNA in liver were not increased in the ischemic period, but were increased during the reperfusion period. Infusion of FK409 stimulated induction of PAI-1 mRNA dose dependently. In situ hybridization studies indicated that hepatocytes expressed PAI-1 mRNA after I/R treatment. CONCLUSIONS: I/R increased the concentration of plasma PAI-1. Reperfusion following ischemia was needed for the induction of PAI-1 mRNA and increase of plasma NO concentration. FK409 stimulated PAI-1 mRNA induction in the liver. These results indicate that PAI-1 is a component of the ischemic preconditioning mechanisms, which is stimulated by NO generation.
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PMID:Expression of type 1 plasminogen activator inhibitor and nitric oxide generation in ischemic preconditioning of rat liver. 1269 56

Although increased nitric oxide (NO) production may contribute to the pathological changes featuring in some inflammatory diseases, the exact role of NO in viral hepatitis is still unclear. This study has been planned to evaluate the possible correlation between the serum nitric oxide levels and the disease activity, in patients with acute viral hepatitis B. The hepatitis markers were studied by microenzyme immunoassay, the presence of HBV-DNA was searched by polymerase chain reaction, ALT levels were determined by the photometric method in Olympus auto-analyzer, and NO levels were assessed by colorimetric Griess reaction, in the sera of 100 patients. The patients who were positive for HBsAg, anti-HBc total and HBV-DNA, with ALT levels of 5 folds higher than normal values, have been diagnosed as acute hepatitis B. The serum samples of these patients were tested again by means of the above markers six months later, and the ones who were negative for HBsAg, and HBV-DNA, with normal ALT levels were accepted as recovered (group A), while the ones who were still positive for HBsAg and HBV-DNA, with normal and/or high ALT levels, were accepted as chronic cases (group B). The NO levels of patients at the beginning and 6 months later, were compared and it was found that, the NO concentrations of acute hepatitis B patients (96.5 +/- 14.8 muMol/L), were significantly higher than group A (73.5 +/- 15.5 muMol/L) and group B (67 +/- 5.6 muMol/L) (p < 0.05), while there were no statistically significant difference between the groups A and B (p < 0.05). As a result, it was concluded that the increased production of NO, detected in patients with acute viral hepatitis B, would contribute to the immunopathogenesis of the disease, however this data should be confirmed by detailed studies.
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PMID:[Follow-up of nitric oxide levels in acute hepatitis B patients]. 1283 62

A variety of hepatobiliary abnormalities occur in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs). The role of tight junction (TJ) in hepatobiliary complications have been well described. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of inducible nitric oxide (NOS) in alteration of hepatocyte TJ paracellular barrier and in the rapid transcytotic vesicular pathway modification associated with intestinal inflammation. To address this question, we used an experimental model of colitis, induced by dinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (DNBS). When compared to DNBS-treated iNOS wild-type (WT) mice, DNBS-treated iNOS knock out mice (iNOSKO) mice experienced a significant less rate of the extent and severity of the histological signs of colon injury. Colon levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines tumour necrosis factor, interleukin-1beta and interleukin-6 were also significantly reduced in iNOS-KO mice in comparison to wild-type mice. Liver histology from iNOSKO and wild-type mice iNOSWT did not show any parenchymal and portal tract inflammation at 4 days after DNBS administration. Serum total bilirubin and alanine aminotransferase, were significantly reduced in DNBS-iNOSKO mice vs DNBS-iNOSKO mice. Therefore, we found an increase of tight junctional permeability to lanthanum nitrate (molecular weight, 433) in the livers from DNBS-treated IL-10WT mice, lanthanum accumulated throughout the junctional area up to the most apical region bordering the lumen. Absence of a functional iNOS gene in iNOSKO mice resulted in a significant reduction of apical diffusion of lanthanum after DNBS-induced colitis. Immunofluorescent labeling of frozen liver sections from DNBS-iNOSWT mice showed a significant alteration of the immunolocalization for claudin-1 and zonula occludens (ZO)-1. In contrast, a significant reduced alteration in the localization of the immunosignals for claudin-1 and ZO-1 was observed in the liver from iNOSKO mice after DNBS administration. In conclusion, we suggest that the iNOS may represent an important pathophysiological mechanism of hepatobiliary injuries and cholestasis observed in patients with IBD.
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PMID:Role of iNOS in hepatocyte tight junction alteration in mouse model of experimental colitis. 1283 36

Hyperlipidemia, a condition normally observed in cholestatic liver disease, is also a risk factor for the development of atherosclerosis. The relationship between the elevation of lipoproteins in cholestatic liver diseases and atherosclerosis formation has not been elucidated. In this study, we propose that the impairment of endothelium-dependent relaxation (EDR) of blood vessels in cholestatic liver diseases may lead to the development of atherosclerosis. Using bile duct ligation (BDL) in rats as a model, we examined the liver function, serum lipid profile, EDR and morphologic change of the aorta from both sham operated and BDL rats. Significant increases in liver and spleen weights, serum alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) activities and the bilirubin level were observed in BDL rats. Upon bile duct ligation, the total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were increased but the high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride levels were reduced. Less contractility and lowered response to acetylcholine-induced relaxation were found in aorta segments. In addition, the acetylcholine-induced relaxation was blocked by both L-NAME and 15 mM KCl. Our results suggest that both nitric oxide and endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor are important elements for the impairment of the EDR in BDL rats. In addition, a mild atrophy of the media of the aorta was detected in BDL rats. We conclude that the alterations of lipid profile and the mild atrophy of the media may lead to the impairment of EDR in the aorta in BDL rats, and these factors may potentiate the development of atherosclerosis.
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PMID:Change in lipid profile and impairment of endothelium-dependent relaxation of blood vessels in rats after bile duct ligation. 1285 Feb 41

Accidental hypothermia is a common companion of trauma/haemorrhage, and several clinical studies have identified reduced body temperature as an independent risk predisposing to increased morbidity and mortality. Accordingly, the majority of trauma care guidelines prescribe early and aggressive rewarming of hypothermic patients. Enzyme reactions are generally downregulated at temperatures below 37 degrees C, including most of those responsible for the inflammatory response. The rationale for adhering to these recommendations uncritically may therefore be questioned. In a rat model of mild hypothermia and haemorrhagic shock we wanted to compare the influence of rapid rewarming with persistently reduced temperature on the synthesis of early inflammatory mediators and organ function. Thirty-four male albino Sprague-Dawley rats were studied. Withdrawal of 2.5 ml blood/100 g body weight was performed over 10 min, with simultaneous reduction of body temperature to 32.5-33.5 degrees C. Seventy-five minutes after initiation of bleeding, two-thirds of the shed blood was retransfused. One group (n=17) was rewarmed to normothermia, the other (n=17) was kept hypothermic. The study was terminated after an observation period of 2 h. At the end of the study the rewarmed animals had a significantly lower mean arterial pressure, higher heart rate, higher synthesis of reactive oxygen species from peritoneal phagocytes, increased circulating levels of nitric oxide, and higher values of the organ markers aspartate aminotransferase and urea. The pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-alpha and IL-6, the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10, the organ markers alanine aminotransferase, alpha-glutathione S-transferase and creatinine, as well as organ injury scores were equal in both groups. Three rewarmed rats died prematurely, versus one hypothermic animal. In conclusion, the results suggest that during the early stages after haemorrhagic shock, rapid rewarming from mild hypothermia may have unfavourable effects both on basic haemodynamic variables, and on the internal inflammatory environment of cells and tissues.
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PMID:Rapid rewarming after mild hypothermia accentuates the inflammatory response after acute volume controlled haemorrhage in spontaneously breathing rats. 1286 16

Nitric oxide (NO) is suggested to play a role in liver injury elicited by acetaminophen (APAP). Hepatic microcirculatory dysfunction also is reported to contribute to the development of the injury. As a result, the role of NO in hepatic microcirculatory alterations in response to APAP was examined in mice by in vivo microscopy. A selective inducible NO synthase (iNOS) inhibitor,l-N6-(1-iminoethyl)-lysine (L-NIL), or a nonselective NOS inhibitor, NG-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), was intraperitoneally administered to animals 10 min before APAP gavage. L-NIL suppressed raised alanine aminotransferase (ALT) values 6 h after APAP, whereas L-NAME increased those 1.7-fold. Increased ALT levels were associated with hepatic expression of iNOS. L-NIL, but not L-NAME, reduced the expression. APAP caused a reduction (20%) in the numbers of perfused sinusoids. L-NIL restored the sinusoidal perfusion, but L-NAME was ineffective. APAP increased the area occupied by infiltrated erythrocytes into the extrasinusoidal space. L-NIL tended to minimize this infiltration, whereas L-NAME further enhanced it. APAP caused an increase (1.5-fold) in Kupffer cell phagocytic activity. This activity in response to APAP was blunted by L-NIL, whereas L-NAME further elevated it. L-NIL suppressed APAP-induced decreases in hepatic glutathione levels. These results suggest that NO derived from iNOS contributes to APAP-induced parenchymal cell injury and hepatic microcirculatory disturbances. L-NIL exerts preventive effects on the liver injury partly by inhibiting APAP bioactivation. In contrast, NO derived from constitutive isoforms of NOS exerts a protective role in liver microcirculation against APAP intoxication and thereby minimizes liver injury.
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PMID:Role of nitric oxide in hepatic microvascular injury elicited by acetaminophen in mice. 1296 30

Overdose of acetaminophen, a widely used analgesic drug, can result in severe hepatotoxicity and is often fatal. This study was undertaken to examine the effects of arabic gum (AG), which is commonly used in processed foods, on acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity in mice. Mice were given arabic gum orally (100 g l(-1)) 5 days before a hepatotoxic dose of acetaminophen (500 mg kg(-1)) intraperitoneally. Arabic gum administration dramatically reduced acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity as evidenced by reduced serum alanine (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activities. Acetaminophen-induced hepatic lipid peroxidation was reduced significantly by arabic gum pretreatment. The protection offered by arabic gum does not appear to be caused by a decrease in the formation of toxic acetaminophen metabolites, which consumes glutathione, because arabic gum did not alter acetaminophen-induced hepatic glutathione depletion. Acetaminophen increased nitric oxide synthesis as measured by serum nitrate plus nitrite at 4 and 6 h after administration and arabic gum pretreatment significantly reduced their formation. In conclusion, arabic gum is effective in protecting mice against acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity. This protection may involve the reduction of oxidative stress.
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PMID:Protective effect of arabic gum against acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity in mice. 1452 29


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