OBJECTIVES: Urotensin II [U-II] plasma levels are increased in liver cirrhosis [LC] and are discussed as an important mediator of portal hypertension since the U-II antagonist palosuran has beneficial effects on portal hypertension by increasing splanchnic resistance. Nevertheless, no data are available on the intrahepatic expression of U-II and its receptor [UT] in humans. METHODS: U-II and UT expression were analyzed in the livers of patients with LC, fulminant hepatic failure [FHF], and normal controls [NC] using immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Both U-II and UT were expressed in the liver on endothelial cells from arteries, veins, and bile ducts as well as on Kupffer cells. In LC, the total number of U-II-expressing cells was 20% lower compared to NC (P < 0.001), while expression of UT did not differ between LC and NC. In contrast, significant enhanced number of U-II and UT positive cells were found in FHF compared to LC and NC (P < 0.001). U-II and UT expression was also found in portal veins, without differences between LC and NC. CONCLUSIONS: Our data demonstrate that U-II and UT are not elevated in human cirrhotic livers but are in livers of patients with FHF.
OBJECTIVES:Urotensin II [U-II] plasma levels are increased in liver cirrhosis [LC] and are discussed as an important mediator of portal hypertension since the U-II antagonist palosuran has beneficial effects on portal hypertension by increasing splanchnic resistance. Nevertheless, no data are available on the intrahepatic expression of U-II and its receptor [UT] in humans. METHODS:U-II and UT expression were analyzed in the livers of patients with LC, fulminant hepatic failure [FHF], and normal controls [NC] using immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Both U-II and UT were expressed in the liver on endothelial cells from arteries, veins, and bile ducts as well as on Kupffer cells. In LC, the total number of U-II-expressing cells was 20% lower compared to NC (P < 0.001), while expression of UT did not differ between LC and NC. In contrast, significant enhanced number of U-II and UT positive cells were found in FHF compared to LC and NC (P < 0.001). U-II and UT expression was also found in portal veins, without differences between LC and NC. CONCLUSIONS: Our data demonstrate that U-II and UT are not elevated in human cirrhotic livers but are in livers of patients with FHF.
Authors: S A Douglas; A C Sulpizio; V Piercy; H M Sarau; R S Ames; N V Aiyar; E H Ohlstein; R N Willette Journal: Br J Pharmacol Date: 2000-12 Impact factor: 8.739
Authors: Thomas Dschietzig; Cornelia Bartsch; Rainer Pregla; Heinz Robert Zurbrügg; Franz Paul Armbruster; Christoph Richter; Michael Laule; Elfrun Romeyke; Charlotte Neubert; Wolfgang Voelter; Gert Baumann; Karl Stangl Journal: Regul Pept Date: 2002-12-31
Authors: Douglas G Johns; Zhaohui Ao; Diane Naselsky; Christopher L Herold; Kristeen Maniscalco; Lea Sarov-Blat; Klaudia Steplewski; Nambi Aiyar; Stephen A Douglas Journal: Naunyn Schmiedebergs Arch Pharmacol Date: 2004-09-30 Impact factor: 3.000