Increased expression of LTC4 synthesis enzymes may partly contribute to the accumulation of cys-LTs in a rat fulminant hepatic failure (FHF) model. Microsomal glutathione-S-transferase (mGST) 2 and LTC4 synthase (LTC4S) contribute to the pathological process of liver injury.
This research led by Dr. Yi-Jia Lou from Zhejiang University has been published on May 7, 2008 in the World Journal of Gastroenterology, which tells us a story about FHF, a severe liver injury accompanying hepatic encephalopathy, leads to multiple organ failure with a high mortality rate, even if intensive care is provided. Its pathogenesis is extremely complicated. Inflammatory response and microcirculatory disturbance contribute to FHF and Cys-LTs, an inflammatory factor, are implicated in the development of FHF. LTC4 synthesis enzymes catalyze LTA4 to generate LTC4. Like LTC4S, mGST2 catalyzes LTC4 synthesis. The expression and activity of LTC4S and mGST2 are up-regulated, which is at least partly responsible for the accumulation of cys-LTs in liver. These findings indicate that the expression and activity of LTC4 synthesis enzymes responsive to the accumulation of cys-LTs in rats with FHF should be further studied.
The study is interesting and will provide useful information for the readers in their daily management of patients with viral hepatitis.
World Journal of Gastroenterology