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Injured livers regenerate when given vascular endothelial growth factor treatment(Science Letter Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge) Injured livers regenerate when given vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) treatment. "The role of the VEGF, a potent angiogenic factor, in liver regeneration following acute severe liver injury (ALI) has not been elucidated. The aims of the current study were to investigate the role of VEGF, and to find out whether VEGF can improve the outcome of ALI in rats. ALI was induced in male rats by combination of D-galactosamine (Gal-N) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)," investigators in Japan report. According to T. Namisaki and colleagues, Nara Medical University, "The survival rate and several indices were chronologically compared with or without VEGF treatment. The overall survival rate of the VEGF-treated group significantly improved as compared with the untreated group (100% vs. 27%, respectively). "The serum ALT elevation, with a peak at 24 h after Gal-N + LPS intoxication, was markedly attenuated with VEGF treatment. The proliferation of hepatocytes and sinusoidal endothelial cells (SEC) was stimulated by VEGF with a peak at 36 and 96 h, respectively. The immunohistochemical analysis revealed that VEGF drastically prevented destruction of the SEC architecture in ALI." "Our in vitro study showed that VEGF significantly prevented the Gal-N + LPS-induced cytotoxicity and apoptosis of SEC. VEGF treatment significantly reduced the mortality rate of ALI in the rat, and it may provide a new therapeutic strategy for ALI," scientists indicated. Namisaki and colleagues published their study in the Journal of Hepatology (Salvage effect of the vascular endothelial growth factor on chemically induced acute severe liver injury in rats. J Hepatol, 2006;44(3):568-575). For additional information, contact H. Yoshiji, Nara Med University, Dept. Internal Medicine 3, School of Medicine, Shijo Cho 840, Kashihara, Nara 6348522, Japan. The publisher of the Journal of Hepatology can be contacted at: Elsevier Science BV, PO Box 211, 1000 AE Amsterdam, Netherlands. Keywords: Nara, Japan, Acute Severe Liver Injury, Angiogenesis, Apoptosis, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Liver Regeneration, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor, Proteomics, Cytotoxicity. This article was prepared by Science Letter editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2006, Science Letter via NewsRx.com. |