Digestive System Diseases Commons^™

Understanding The Role Of Toxs As A Bile Sensing Component Of The Toxrs Virulence Regulatory System In Vibrio Spp., Minje Kim

Dartmouth College Ph.D Dissertations

Pathogenic Vibrio bacteria, such as V. cholerae and V. parahaemolyticus, colonize in the human small intestine to cause severe gastrointestinal disease. During the infection, these bacteria encounter bile salts, antimicrobial cholesterol metabolites secreted into the intestine. Pathogenic Vibrio species have evolved to utilize bile salts as signals to regulate virulence. The signaling depends in part on ToxRS, a conserved co-component transmembrane transcription regulator. ToxRS consists of the transcription factor ToxR and its membrane-tethered binding partner ToxS. ToxS is required for ToxR stability and full transcriptional activity. Although bile salts are known to influence ToxRS-dependent virulence gene expression, the molecular …

The Role Of Extracellular Vesicles As Diagnostic Tools In Gut-Brain Axis Disorders, Patricia Marçal Da Costa, Paulo Iury Gomes Nunes, Gabriella Cunha Vieira Ciurleo, José Wagner Leonel Tavares Junior, Pedro Braga Neto, Ludmila Belayev, Reinaldo Barreto Oriá

School of Graduate Studies Faculty Publications

The gut–brain axis represents a dynamic two-way signaling network whose dysregulation has been implicated in a wide range of neurogastrointestinal disorders. In this context, extracellular vesicles (EVs) have emerged as critical mediators of intercellular signaling and as promising non-invasive biomarkers. Derived from host and microbial cells, EVs carry bioactive cargo—including proteins, lipids, nucleic acids, and metabolites—that reflect the physiological or pathological state of their cells of origin. Their ability to cross biological barriers, such as the blood–brain barrier, underscores their potential for diagnosing and monitoring gut–brain axis dysfunctions. In this mini-review, we integrate microbial and brain-derived EVs within the framework …

Antagonistic Effects Of Glucagon And Insulin On 5-Fluorouracil Efficacy In Colorectal Cancer, Gabriel M. Randolph, Andrea Florian

SPARK Symposium Presentations

Prior research on the combined effects of insulin and glucagon with low-dose chemotherapy in cancer treatment has yielded contradictory conclusions. Insulin potentiation therapy (IPT), a longstanding but understudied approach, is broadly claimed to enhance chemotherapeutic efficacy; however, it has also been characterized as pseudoscience lacking physiological merit. Adding further complexity, glucagon, insulin's antagonist hormone, has been shown to produce anti-cancer effects when combined with chemotherapeutic agents. The present study aims to observe the individual effects of both hormones on colorectal cancer cells in combination with 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU), to clarify their respective roles in combination therapy. Through the modulation of both …

Investigating The Role Of Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine For Cancer Symptom Management In Older Adults: A Rapid Review, Isabelle C. Karshner

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Background: Patients with cancer often experience symptoms related to disease, complications, and treatment. One potential method of alleviating these symptoms is traditional Chinese herbal medications (TCHM). This rapid review explores the role of traditional Chinese herbal medications in treating cancer-related symptoms in older adults.

Purpose: The purpose of this rapid review is to gain and provide a better understanding of the effects of TCHM on cancer-symptom management in the older adult population. This review explores the association between TCHM and effects on cancer symptoms in older adults, including interactions, toxicity, and signs/symptoms of TCHM use that may be useful information …

Hepatocyte-Specific Lrp1 Silencing Exacerbates Brain Amyloidosis Without Compensatory Ldl Receptor Family Involvement, Brian Carson, Josephine Chu, Devaraj V. Chandrashekar, Jerome Garcia, Rachita K. Sumbria, Derick Han

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Background

LDL receptor related protein 1 (LRP1) is a major hepatic receptor involved in lipoprotein metabolism, protease degradation, transmembrane receptor modulation, and clearance of excess protein, such as Aβ. Decreased expression of LRP1 due to liver injury can impair receptor-mediated clearance, increasing Aβ availability in the periphery. We investigated the effects of hepato-specific silencing of LRP1 on Aβ deposition in the brain. Additionally, other LDL family members (LRP5, LRP6, and LDLR) that may participate in Aβ clearance were monitored in the liver to ensure non-compensatory effects of LRP1 silencing.

Method

4-month-old male double transgenic (APP/PS1) AD mice were injected with …

The Mitochondria Is The Source Of Hepatic Amyloid Precursor Protein And Peripheral Amyloid Beta: Implications Of Alcohol-Induced Liver Steatosis In Alzheimer's Disease, Josephine Chu, Ross A. Steinberg, Brian Carson, Devaraj Venkatapura Chandrashekar, Rachita K. Sumbria, Derick Han

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Background

Alcohol-induced liver injury occurs in the pericentral region of the liver and can induce mitochondrial remodeling and exacerbate Alzheimer's Disease (AD) progression. Subpopulations of mitochondria: general mitochondria (GM), peridroplet mitochondria (PDM) and endoplasmic reticulum(ER)-bound mitochondria (ERM) maintain cellular homeostasis via energy synthesis, lipid homeostasis, and regulation of intracellular calcium. Hepatic amyloid precursor protein (APP) is a source of peripheral amyloid beta (aB) and affects AD pathology in the brain. Understanding the localization and expression of hepatic APP in mitochondrial subpopulations are critical to understanding aB metabolism and may play a role in identifying a potential mechanism for metabolic dysfunction. …

Aberrant Expression Of A Disintegrin And Metalloproteinase With Thrombospondin Motifs 13 (Adamts13) In Pancreatic Cancer Leads To Dichotomic Functions, Stephanie Allmang, Hagen R. Witzel, Anne Hausen, Simone Marquard, Christoph Eckert, Nicole Marnet, Nina Hörner, Philipp Mayer, Stefan Heinrich, Hien Dang, Wilfried Roth, Matthias M. Gaida

Department of Surgery Faculty Papers

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most aggressive cancers characterized by highly invasive growth into the surrounding peripancreatic fat tissue, where tumor cells can directly interact with adipocytes. Due to poor response to the currently available (radio)chemotherapies, there is an urgent need for advanced therapy concepts. The present study shows that ADAMTS13 (a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs 13), a key factor in blood coagulation, is significantly overexpressed in human PDAC. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that ADAMTS13 expression is associated with prolonged survival and negatively correlated with vascular density. In vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrate its partial …

Atypical Abdominal Pain: Uncovering Malignant Peritoneal Mesothelioma In Suspected Crohn's Disease: A Case Report, Catherine Loehr, Lara Boudreaux, Ann Porter Uhlhorn, Nisha Loganantharaj

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: Malignant peritoneal mesothelioma (MPM) is a rare and aggressive cancer from the serosal membranes of the abdominal cavity. In the United States, MPM accounts for about 10-15% of all mesothelioma cases, and translates into approximately 600 new cases diagnosed annually. It is typically diagnosed in Caucasian individuals, and while asbestos exposure is a well-established risk factor for pleural mesothelioma, its association with peritoneal mesothelioma remains less clear. Clinical symptoms of MPM, such as abdominal pain, bloating, and weight loss, overlap with other gastrointestinal disorders, which often leads to delayed diagnosis. This case report presents a unique instance of MPM …

Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 Receptor Agonists And The Clinical Outcomes Of Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Ahmed B. Bayoumy, Lindsay M. Clarke, Parakkal Deepak, Aakash Desai, Priya Sehgal, Uri Gorelik, Haggai Bar-Yoseph, Marie Villumsen, Chris J. J. Mulder, Dirk J. Stenvers, Maarten E. Tushuizen, Nanne K. H. De Boer

Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Prior studies showed worse outcomes in obese inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients, especially those related to hospitalizations, surgery, and steroid-free remission. Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP1-RAs) have demonstrated significant metabolic benefits for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and obesity. Hence, GLP1-RAs may improve clinical outcomes in patients with IBD, especially those with obesity. The objective was to systematically evaluate the impact of GLP1-RAs on clinical outcomes in patients with IBD.

METHODS: A comprehensive literature search was performed using the databases PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library from inception to March 15, 2025. Studies reporting outcomes …

Immunotherapy For Precision Medicine In Colorectal Cancer, Miao Cao, Michael Xu, Zinah Bairmani, Babar Bashir, Scott A. Waldman, Adam E. Snook

Department of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Cancer Biology Faculty Papers

INTRODUCTION: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the fourth most common cancer and second leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States. The implementation of CRC screening has decreased CRC incidence in adults older than 65 years. However, among young adults who experience more aggressive disease progression, CRC incidence has been increasing for decades. Immunotherapy represents a collection of innovative and promising approaches with greater efficacy and safety. In this review, we discuss modalities and selected targets of immunotherapies for CRCs that are guided by precision medicine.

AREAS COVERED: The following review focuses on immunological approaches for CRCs, including therapeutic monoclonal …

Effects Of Liver Surgery On Drug Transporters In The Liver And Remote Organs, Reza Mehvar

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Alterations in drug transporters in acute liver failure and chronic liver diseases, such as cirrhosis, have been reviewed before. However, there is a lack of comprehensive reviews on how liver surgery, including transplantation and partial hepatectomy, affects drug transporters. Because ischemia–reperfusion (IR) injury is a hallmark of liver transplantation and most other surgical procedures of the liver, this review focuses on the effects of IR injury, in addition to liver resection, on the expression and function of transporters in the liver and remote organs. Most of the reported studies in this area are carried out in animal models of liver …

An Integrative Genomics Approach For The Discovery Of Potential Clinically Actionable Diagnostic And Prognostic Biomarkers In Colorectal Cancer, Mark Fertel, Duaa Mohammad Alawad, Chindo Hicks

School of Graduate Studies Faculty Publications

Background: Despite remarkable progress in clinical management of patients and intensified screening, colorectal cancer remains the second most common cause of cancer-related death in the United States. The recent surge of next generation sequencing has enabled genomic analysis of colorectal cancer genomes. However, to date, there is little information about leveraging gene expression data and integrating it with somatic mutation information to discover potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Here, we integrated gene expression data with somatic mutation information to discover potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers and molecular drivers of colorectal cancer. Methods: We used publicly available gene expression and somatic …

Transient Small Bowel Intussusception In An Adult Patient: A Rare Complication Of Glp-1 Receptor Agonist Therapy, Shmilah Choudhary, Alisha Vincent, Majid Michael, Sagar Acharya, Christopher Bader

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RA) are widely used to treat type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and obesity due to their benefits in glycemic control, weight loss, and cardioprotection. However, their effects on gastrointestinal (GI) motility raise concerns about potential complications, including bowel obstruction and, in rare cases, intussusception. We present a case of a 34-year-old male on semaglutide for weight loss who developed transient small bowel intussusception. The patient has no prior gastrointestinal surgeries or structural abnormalities, but he had a history of baseline slow bowel motility and was also diagnosed with influenza A during his hospitalization. His condition improved …

The Role Of Ucp2 In Pancreatic Cancer Metabolism And Its Potential As A Radiosensitizer, Emily Rieff

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) is a mitochondrial protein that regulates the flow of protons down the gradient established by the electron transport chain (ETC) without generating ATP, thus uncoupling the proton gradient from ATP generation. In tumors, specifically pancreatic cancer (PDAC), the ETC is highly stimulated to generate the copious ATP needed by the tumor to grow. However, extended ETC use increases reactive oxygen species (ROS), and if left unchecked, results in cell death. To evade this, PDAC employs antioxidant strategies, including upregulating UCP2 in tumor cells. In addition to its uncoupling function, UCP2 indirectly controls ROS levels by maintaining …

A Case Of Turmeric-Induced Hepatotoxicity With Hyperferritinemia, Nina R. Spitofsky, Albert A. Huang, Aria Jalalian, Stefanie Gallagher, Scott Fink

Department of Medicine Faculty Papers

Introduction: We present the first published case of turmeric-associated drug-induced liver injury (DILI) accompanied by significant ferritin elevation. Case Presentation: Our patient, a 59-year-old female with DILI caused by long-term ingestion of oral turmeric supplements, presented with painless jaundice on an annual exam. The patient’s liver function tests exhibited a hepatocellular pattern and hyperferritinemia (>2,000 ng/dL). Additional testing was negative except for heterozygosity for the H63D allele associated with hemochromatosis. A liver biopsy indicated acute hepatitis without fibrosis or stainable iron. Conclusion: Upon discontinuation of the supplement, liver enzymes normalized within a month. This case highlights the potential for …

Terlipressin-Induced Hyponatremic Seizures In A Patient With Congenital Hepatic Fibrosis, Luca Gauci, Jorge Gafa, Suzanne Cauchi, Jurgen Gerada

HCA Healthcare Journal of Medicine

Introduction

Acute variceal bleeding from portal hypertension is one of the most serious complications with a mortality rate of 15% to 25%. Terlipressin is a vasopressor that controls variceal bleeding by lowering the portal pressure and reducing blood flow to the varices.

Case Presentation

We report a case of a patient with acute variceal bleeding, treated endoscopically and with terlipressin, who developed severe hyponatremia and seizures requiring admission to intensive care. Clinical and biochemical improvements were noticeable upon the cessation of terlipressin, with an eventual discharge from the hospital.

Conclusion

Prompt management of acute variceal bleeding with both endoscopic and …

Silencing Faf2 Mitigates Alcohol-Induced Hepatic Steatosis By Modulating Lipolysis And Pcsk9 Pathway, Nazmul Huda, Praveen Kusumanchi, Yanchao Jiang, Hui Gao, Themis Thoudam, Ge Zeng, Nicholas J. Skill, Zhaoli Sun, Suthat Liangpunsakul, Jing Ma, Zhihong Yang

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: Chronic alcohol consumption leads to lipid accumulation, oxidative stress, cellular damage, and inflammation in the liver, collectively referred to as alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD). FAF2/UBXD8/ETEA (Fas-associated factor 2) is a ubiquitin ligase adaptor protein that plays a crucial role in the ubiquitin-mediated degradation of misfolded proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum. A recent genome-wide association study indicated an association between FAF2 and ALD; however, the exact contribution of FAF2 to ALD pathogenesis remains unclear. METHODS: FAF2 was knocked down using AAV-delivered shRNA in C57/BL6 mice. Mice were subjected to a chronic-plus-single binge ethanol feeding (NIAAA) model. Nine hours after gavage, …

Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists Improve Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease Outcomes, Brandon Havranek, Rebecca Loh, Beatriz Torre, Rachel Redfield, Dina Halegoua-De Marzio

Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Faculty Papers

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is the leading cause of chronic liver disease and is associated with significant cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. This study aims to investigate the association of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists with major cardiovascular events, clinically significant portal hypertension events, and all-cause mortality in patients with MASLD. A large, population-based retrospective cohort study was conducted using the TriNetX platform, which provided real-time access to electronic health records of 634,265 adult patients with MASLD/MASH. Propensity score matching (PSM) was employed to create two cohorts: A GLP-1 agonists group and a control group without GLP-1 agonists usage. Hazard …

Vonoprazan Vs. Lansoprazole In The Healing & Maintenance Phase Of Erosive Esophagitis, Sushil Rayamajhi, Syed Hasham Ali, Hareesha Bharadwaj, Ali Tariq

North Florida Division GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

Chronic Administration Of A Cannabis-Derived Mixture At An Antihyperalgesic Dose Does Not Significantly Enhance Hepatotoxicity Or The Development Of Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis In Male Mice, Kim B. Pedersen, Tomislav Jelesijevic, Tamara M. Morris, Sarah M. Melton, Ashley S. Henderson, John F. Glenn, Gregory J. Davenport, Martin J.J. Ronis, Peter J. Winsauer

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Cannabis and cannabinoid mixtures have been linked to a variety of health benefits including pain mitigation, suppression of nausea produced by chemotherapeutic agents, anti-inflammatory effects, and effects on energy homeostasis, glucose, and lipid metabolism. The latter properties have led to the suggestion that these products could have therapeutic effects on the development of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) - a severe type of liver pathology in obese and diabetic patients. However, varying agonist and antagonistic properties of different cannabinoids on the endogenous cannabinoid system make prediction regarding hepatic effects and diet interactions difficult. The current study was designed to examine hepatic …

Opioid Tolerance And Withdrawal In The Mouse Colon, James Fune

Theses and Dissertations

Constipation is a major clinical obstacle associated with opioids, prompting patients to discontinue treatment due to pain, discomfort, and psychosocial stressors. Moreover, chronic users become tolerant to the analgesic effects of opioids, but not to their constipating effects. Upon cessation of long-term treatment, serious diarrhea–among other somatic signs of withdrawal–may ensue. These symptoms become a driving factor for relapse, causing patients to restart opioid treatment. In this study, we aim to understand mechanisms that contribute to opioid tolerance and withdrawal in the colon. Previous findings suggest that constipation occurs partly due to the colon’s lack of tolerance to opioids’ inhibitory …

Diverticulitis—New Evidence To Share With Patients, Nicholas B. D'Alessandro, Tarun Vippa, Edward C. Oldfield Iv, David A. Johnson

Department of Medicine Faculty Publications

Diverticulitis is one of the most common gastrointestinal causes of hospitalization in Western society. While previously characterized as a disease of older patients, new literature highlights an increasing incidence among the younger population. Over the past few decades, the understanding of etiology and management of diverticulitis has changed drastically. New data refute past beliefs while promoting other novel recommendations to mitigate incidence and subsequent complications. Data now confirms the safety and possible protective benefit of particulate food, while highlighting evidence-based approaches for the use of diagnostic imaging and antibiotics. We recognize modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors that are commonly seen …

Could Sigmoid Diverticulitis, Drug-Induced Liver Injury, And Drug-Induced Pancreatitis Co-Occur?, Rutwik Pradeep Sharma, Ryan Tam, Michael Labuzetta, Richard Alweis

Advances in Clinical Medical Research and Healthcare Delivery

Sigmoid diverticulitis is a leading cause of gastrointestinal pathology etiology, which causes hospital admissions in Western society. Recent studies have shown its prevalence to be 1-4%. Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) is a primary cause of acute liver failure in the West^. The incidence of DILI is between 14-19 cases per 100,000 population. The prevalence of drug-induced pancreatitis (DIP) is 2-5%, although this is hard to estimate given the lack of large-scale studies. Sulfasalazine is a disease-modifying antirheumatic drug that is indicated for the treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and ulcerative colitis. It has been associated …

Cd8Α Structural Domains Enhance Gucy2c Car-T Cell Efficacy, Trevor R. Baybutt, Ariana A. Entezari, Adi Caspi, Ross E. Staudt, Robert D. Carlson, Scott A. Waldman, Adam E. Snook

Department of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Cancer Biology Faculty Papers

Despite success in treating some hematological malignancies, CAR-T cells have not yet produced similar outcomes in solid tumors due, in part, to the tumor microenvironment, poor persistence, and a paucity of suitable target antigens. Importantly, the impact of the CAR components on these challenges remains focused on the intracellular signaling and antigen-binding domains. In contrast, the flexible hinge and transmembrane domains have been commoditized and are the least studied components of the CAR. Here, we compared the hinge and transmembrane domains derived from either the CD8ɑ or CD28 molecule in identical GUCY2C-targeted third-generation designs for colorectal cancer. While these structural …

Targeting Ribosome Biogenesis Is A Novel Approach For The Management Of Pancreatic Cancer, Mudassier Ahmad, Haider Ahsan, Carlos Perez, Muhammad Bangash, Andrew Massey, Emmanuel Anning, Manish Tripathi, Dae Kim, Subhash C. Chauhan, Bilal Bin Hafeez

Research Colloquium

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States with limited therapeutic options available. Gemcitabine, a deoxycytidine nucleoside analog is currently considered the most effective therapy for PanCa. However, it shows only a marginal survival benefit of six months. Aberrant ribosome biogenesis occurs in most tumor types. We observed that PanCa cells are addicted to ribosome biogenesis, which supports their highly aggressive metastatic phenotypes. Thus, strategically targeting ribosome biogenesis process could be one of the ideal strategies for the prevention and treatment of PanCa. In this study, we elucidated the molecular mechanisms of POLR1A …

Preventive Effects Of Quercetin On The Leaky Gut By Suppression Of Il-1beta-Induced Transcription Factors Involved In An Inflammatory Pathway In Colonic Epithelial Cells, Wannaporn Chayalak, Sumpun Thammacharoen, Chatsri Deachapunya, Sutthasinee Poonyachoti

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

Flavonol quercetin (Q), found in vegetables and fruits, demonstrates the most potent anti-inflammatory effect. The preventive effect and cellular mechanisms of Q (Q1, Q10, and Q100 µM) on IL-1β induced leaky gut via the signaling molecules of inflammatory pathway, NF-κB p65-iκB/or p38/ERK1/2/MLCK/phospho(p)-MLC were investigated in Caco-2 cells. The cytotoxic effect of Q was initially determined by MTT assay. Transepithelial electrical resistance (TER) and apical-to-basolateral fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled dextran (FD-4) flux were used to determine paracellular permeability. The protein expression of signaling molecules was examined by Western blot analysis, and their target MLCK mRNA expression was determined using real-time PCR. All Q …

Dense Colon Scarring After Infliximab For Acute Severe Ulcerative Colitis, Rahul Patel, Sriya Vutukuru, Neethi Dasu, Charles Snyder

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Introduction: Infliximab is a monoclonal antibody against tumor necrosis factor alpha used in the treatment of ulcerative colitis. It has been shown to be efficacious in patients with moderate to severe ulcerative colitis and/or those who have failed intravenous steroids. We present a unique finding of profoundly dense colonic scarring after a year of infliximab therapy in a patient with acute severe ulcerative colitis.

Case: A female in her early 60s presented to the hospital with a three month history of rectal bleeding and intermittent fevers. A colonoscopy was done which demonstrated severe Mayo 3 left-sided colitis, consistent with a …

Odevixibat: A Novel Bile Salt Inhibitor Treatment For Pruritus In Progressive Familial Intrahepatic Cholestasis, Farrah E. Flattmann, Farhan S. Mohiuddin, Anjuni Singh, Anamika Tandon, Stewart J. Lockett, Jon D. Hirsch, Chizoba N. Mosieri, Adam M. Kaye, Giustino Varrassi, Shahab Ahmadzadeh, Sahar Shekoohi, Alan D. Kaye

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Chronic pruritus is defined as an itch lasting greater than six weeks. It can manifest from a wide variety of etiologies, as many different substances can act as pruritogens, such as steroids, histamine, progesterone, endogenous opioids, and serotonin. In the setting of cholestatic liver disease, increased bile acids play a major role in chronic pruritus. The itching in cholestatic liver disease is worsened in intensity at night and localized frequently to the palms, soles, knees, and other pressure sites. It can be hard to manage, affecting the quality of sleep and causing irritability, poor attention, and, in some cases, depression. …

The Effect Of Ethanol Treatment On The Protein Content Of Difi Exosomes, Kenzie Rushing

[Archive] Belmont University Research Symposium (BURS)

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most common cause of cancer death in the United States in both men and women combined, second only to lung cancer.1 CRC metastasis is the primary cause of mortality largely due to therapy resistant cancer cells.2 Therefore, detection before metastasis is of great importance and could potentially lead to earlier detection and decreased mortality. Extracellular vesicles (EVs), including exosomes, are lipid bound vesicles secreted by cells3 that are involved in cell-cell communication and have been found to promote CRC progression and metastasis.4 The proteome of exosomes is thought to reflect that of the originating …

Effects Of Chronic Cirrhosis Induced By Intraperitoneal Thioacetamide Injection On The Protein Content And Michaelis–Menten Kinetics Of Cytochrome P450 Enzymes In The Rat Liver Microsomes, Devaraj Venkatapura Chandrashekar, Barent N. Dubois, Mamunur Rashid, Reza Mehvar

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Chronic intraperitoneal injection of thioacetamide (TAA) in rats has been used as an animal model of human cirrhosis to study the effects of the disease on drug metabolism. However, TAA inhibits P450 enzymes directly and independently of cirrhosis. We investigated the effects of chronic cirrhosis in rats, induced by 10 weeks of intraperitoneal TAA, on the P450 enzymes after a 10-day washout period to eliminate TAA. Liver histology and serum biomarkers of hepatic function confirmed cirrhosis in all animals. Microsomal total P450 content, P450 reductase activity and ethoxycoumarin O-deethylase activity, a general marker of P450 activity, were significantly reduced by …