Biomaterial Database

Distribution of hepatic nerve fibers in liver diseases. 1994

K Jaskiewicz, and M D Voigt, and S C Robson

Department of Pathology, UCT Medical School, Cape Town, South Africa.

Autonomic hyperactivity with increased cardiac output and other manifestations occurs in patients with both cirrhosis and noncirrhotic portal hypertension. The role of the disordered hepatic autonomic innervation in the mediation of these abnormalities is unknown. We have studied the hepatic nerve network and associated extracellular matrix proteins in patients with portal hypertension (alcoholic cirrhosis, extrahepatic portal vein obstruction, idiopathic portal hypertension), and in patients without portal hypertension (alcoholic hepatitis, psoriasis before and after treatment with methotrexate, a potentially hepatotoxic drug) by immunohistochemical methods. Histologically normal liver biopsies from patients undergoing abdominal surgery served as normal controls. Hepatic parenchymal nerves were absent in cirrhotic nodules and were depleted in the fibrotic strands of alcoholic cirrhotic livers. In alcoholic hepatitis, where clinical and histological features associated with portal hypertension were absent, nerve fibers were increased around the portal vein branches. Similar increase was also noted in liver biopsies from patients with noncirrhotic portal hypertension. Increased numbers of nerve fibers around portal veins were demonstrated in psoriatics, particularly those treated with methotrexate. Immunohistochemical studies of extracellular matrix proteins revealed apparent inverse relationships between innervation and fibronectin deposition with direct relationships to laminin staining. The association of nerve network with portal hypertension and cellular inflammation was inconsistent.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D006975	Hypertension, Portal	Abnormal increase of resistance to blood flow within the hepatic PORTAL SYSTEM, frequently seen in LIVER CIRRHOSIS and conditions with obstruction of the PORTAL VEIN.	Cruveilhier-Baumgarten Disease,Cruveilhier-Baumgarten Syndrome,Cruveilhier Baumgarten Disease,Cruveilhier Baumgarten Syndrome,Disease, Cruveilhier-Baumgarten,Portal Hypertension,Portal Hypertensions,Syndrome, Cruveilhier-Baumgarten
D007797	Laminin	Large, noncollagenous glycoprotein with antigenic properties. It is localized in the basement membrane lamina lucida and functions to bind epithelial cells to the basement membrane. Evidence suggests that the protein plays a role in tumor invasion.	Merosin,Glycoprotein GP-2,Laminin M,Laminin M Chain,Chain, Laminin M,Glycoprotein GP 2,M Chain, Laminin
D008099	Liver	A large lobed glandular organ in the abdomen of vertebrates that is responsible for detoxification, metabolism, synthesis and storage of various substances.	Livers
D008104	Liver Cirrhosis, Alcoholic	FIBROSIS of the hepatic parenchyma due to chronic excess ALCOHOL DRINKING.	Alcoholic Cirrhosis,Hepatic Cirrhosis, Alcoholic,Alcoholic Hepatic Cirrhosis,Alcoholic Liver Cirrhosis
D008107	Liver Diseases	Pathological processes of the LIVER.	Liver Dysfunction,Disease, Liver,Diseases, Liver,Dysfunction, Liver,Dysfunctions, Liver,Liver Disease,Liver Dysfunctions
D008727	Methotrexate	An antineoplastic antimetabolite with immunosuppressant properties. It is an inhibitor of TETRAHYDROFOLATE DEHYDROGENASE and prevents the formation of tetrahydrofolate, necessary for synthesis of thymidylate, an essential component of DNA.	Amethopterin,Methotrexate Hydrate,Methotrexate Sodium,Methotrexate, (D)-Isomer,Methotrexate, (DL)-Isomer,Methotrexate, Dicesium Salt,Methotrexate, Disodium Salt,Methotrexate, Sodium Salt,Mexate,Dicesium Salt Methotrexate,Hydrate, Methotrexate,Sodium, Methotrexate
D009412	Nerve Fibers	Slender processes of NEURONS, including the AXONS and their glial envelopes (MYELIN SHEATH). Nerve fibers conduct nerve impulses to and from the CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM.	Cerebellar Mossy Fibers,Mossy Fibers, Cerebellar,Cerebellar Mossy Fiber,Mossy Fiber, Cerebellar,Nerve Fiber
D011169	Portal Vein	A short thick vein formed by union of the superior mesenteric vein and the splenic vein.	Portal Veins,Vein, Portal,Veins, Portal
D011565	Psoriasis	A common genetically determined, chronic, inflammatory skin disease characterized by rounded erythematous, dry, scaling patches. The lesions have a predilection for nails, scalp, genitalia, extensor surfaces, and the lumbosacral region. Accelerated epidermopoiesis is considered to be the fundamental pathologic feature in psoriasis.	Palmoplantaris Pustulosis,Pustular Psoriasis of Palms and Soles,Pustulosis Palmaris et Plantaris,Pustulosis of Palms and Soles,Psoriases
D005353	Fibronectins	Glycoproteins found on the surfaces of cells, particularly in fibrillar structures. The proteins are lost or reduced when these cells undergo viral or chemical transformation. They are highly susceptible to proteolysis and are substrates for activated blood coagulation factor VIII. The forms present in plasma are called cold-insoluble globulins.	Cold-Insoluble Globulins,LETS Proteins,Fibronectin,Opsonic Glycoprotein,Opsonic alpha(2)SB Glycoprotein,alpha 2-Surface Binding Glycoprotein,Cold Insoluble Globulins,Globulins, Cold-Insoluble,Glycoprotein, Opsonic,Proteins, LETS,alpha 2 Surface Binding Glycoprotein