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  • Title: Increased severity of alcoholic liver injury in female rats: role of oxidative stress, endotoxin, and chemokines.
    Author: Nanji AA, Jokelainen K, Fotouhinia M, Rahemtulla A, Thomas P, Tipoe GL, Su GL, Dannenberg AJ.
    Journal: Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol; 2001 Dec; 281(6):G1348-56. PubMed ID: 11705739.
    Abstract:
    Alcoholic liver injury is more severe and rapidly developing in women than men. To evaluate the reason(s) for these gender-related differences, we determined whether pathogenic mechanisms important in alcoholic liver injury in male rats were further upregulated in female rats. Male and age-matched female rats (7/group) were fed ethanol and a diet containing fish oil for 4 wk by intragastric infusion. Dextrose isocalorically replaced ethanol in control rats. We analyzed liver histopathology, lipid peroxidation, cytochrome P-450 (CYP)2E1 activity, nonheme iron, endotoxin, nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappa B) activation, and mRNA levels of cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) and COX-2, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), and macrophage inflammatory protein-2 (MIP-2). Alcohol-induced liver injury was more severe in female vs. male rats. Female rats had higher endotoxin, lipid peroxidation, and nonheme iron levels and increased NF-kappa B activation and upregulation of the chemokines MCP-1 and MIP-2. CYP2E1 activity and TNF-alpha and COX-2 levels were similar in male and female rats. Remarkably, female rats fed fish oil and dextrose also showed necrosis and inflammation. Our findings in ethanol-fed rats suggest that increased endotoxemia and lipid peroxidation in females stimulate NF-kappa B activation and chemokine production, enhancing liver injury. TNF-alpha and COX-2 upregulation are probably important in causing liver injury but do not explain gender-related differences.
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