Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts:   Target Concepts:
Query: UMLS:C0023890 (cirrhosis)
 42,195 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

An impaired host defense mechanism is well known in patients with liver cirrhosis (LC). Using a sinusoidal lavage method, lymphocytes were obtained from LC rats that were administered thioacetamide, and natural killer (NK) activity was measured by 51Cr-release assay. The NK cell count was measured by flow cytometric analysis using monoclonal antibody (Mab) 3.2.3 and/or CD 3-8+ as markers for NK cells, and by immunohistochemical staining using Mab 3.2.3. Furthermore, interferon (IFN) alpha was administered to LC rats and the subsequent changes in hepatic NK activity and NK cell count were observed. In the large granular lymphocyte (LGL)-rich fraction (Fr.1, LGLs: 60-90%), the NK activity was significantly lower in the LC rats (40.0 +/- 3.8%) compared to that in the control rats (48.4 +/- 4.3%) (P < 0.005). In addition, the number of NK cells in the liver tissues of the LC rats was significantly lower compared to that in the liver tissues of the control rats by morphometric analysis (P < 0.05). For LC rats, NK activity of the Fr.1 24 hr after IFN alpha administration (5 x 10(4) IU/100 g body weight) increased significantly (P < 0.005). Hepatic NK activity and NK cell count were reduced in the LC rats, and recovered following IFN alpha administration. The results obtained in this study may give clues to better understanding the impaired host defense mechanism in LC patients.
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PMID:Liver-associated natural killer activity in cirrhotic rats. 957 43