OBJECTIVETo study the effect of liver fatty acid binding protein(L-FABP) and fatty acid transport protein (FATP4) in the development of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in rats.

METHODSThe expression of L-FABP and FATP4 genes was examined in fatty liver rats by reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction amplification and Western blot methods.

RESULTSIn the high fat diet group (F), mRNA and protein expression of L-FABP and FATP4 were increased at 2 weeks, and they increased remarkably at 12 weeks (P < 0.05; L-FABP mRNA F=124.9, protein expression F=92.6; FATP4 mRNA F=602.9, protein expression F=108.8).

CONCLUSIONThe high expression of L-FABP and FATP4 at the early stage is an adaptive reaction of the body, With the advanced expression of the L-FABP and FATP4, it can lead to a fatty acid disequilibrium and then result in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in the rats.

Animals ; Fatty Acid Transport Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Fatty Acid-Binding Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Fatty Liver ; metabolism ; Male ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

OBJECTIVETo evaluation the performance of a heart-type fatty acid-binding protein (H-FABP) ELISA detection kit in the clinical diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

METHODSPlasma or serum samples from 160 suspected ACS patients hospitalized in General Hospital of PLA were examined using Lanzhou H-FABP reagent kit and Holland H-FABP kit. Correlation of the two kits was evaluated and Kappa test was used to examine the consistency of the results of the two products.

RESULTSThe sensitivity of H-FABP diagnosis of ACS detection Lanzhou kit was 91.8%, the specificity was 88.7%, and the total diagnostic rate was 90.42%. The sensitivity of H-FABP diagnosis of ACS detection Holland kit was 90.3%, the specificity was 86.8%, and the total diagnostic rate was 88.75%. The test results showed that two products yielded comparable results (P=0.668, >0.05) with a good consistency (Kappa=0.726, P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONSH-FABP ELISA detection kit produccted by LanZhou biological research institute has a good correlation with H-FABP detection kit produced by HBT company of Holland and has the potential for clinical application.

Acute Coronary Syndrome ; diagnosis ; Biomarkers ; blood ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Fatty Acid Binding Protein 3 ; Fatty Acid-Binding Proteins ; blood ; Humans ; Reagent Kits, Diagnostic ; Reproducibility of Results ; Sensitivity and Specificity

Objective: To explore the performance of a self-made venous-venous bypass (VVB) device for liver transplantation based on the principle of magnetic levitation drive. Methods: Experimental study was conducted from August 2020 to January 2022. Eight Bama minipigs underwent VVB of hepatic portal vein-femoral vein-internal jugular vein after occlusion of hepatic portal vein and inferior vena cava. The animals were divided into two groups according to the VVB devices used during VVB. A self-made VVB device was used in group A(n=5),and an imported VVB device was used in group B(n=3). The hemodynamic changes of the two groups of animals were compared at 6 time points including before vascular occlusion, during vascular occlusion, 30 minutes, 60 minutes, 90 minutes after the start of VVB, and 30 minutes after vascular opening. In addition,the changes of blood compatibility indexes,intestinal injury indexes,kidney injury indexes and internal environment indexes of the two groups of animals at each time point were compared. The independent samples t test was used for the quantitative data between the two groups with non-repeated measures,and the repeated measures analysis of variance was used for the quantitative data between the two groups with repeated measures. Results: During the VVB of the two devices,the venous drainage was sufficient,and the main manifestations were that the color of the intestine of the Bama miniature pig was ruddy, the peristalsis was normal, and the urine output was normal. There were no significant differences in hemodynamics,blood injure indexes,intestinal injury indexes,kidney injury indexes,neutropil gelatinase-associated lipocalin,and internal environment indexes(all P>0.05).The indexes at 30 minutes after vascular opening in the group A and the group B were as follows:mean arterial pressure were (71.0±7.7)mmHg(1 mmHg=0.133 kPa) and (74.0±8.7)mmHg,central venous pressure were (7.0±1.4)cmH₂O(1 cmH₂O=0.098 kPa) and (7.7±0.6)cmH₂O,heart rate were (131±10) beats/minutes and (132±8)beats/minutes; red blood cell count were (6.43±0.89)×10¹²/L and (6.32±0.58)×10¹²/L,hemoglobin were (108.4±5.9)g/L and (110.0±3.5)g/L,free hemoglobin were (78.28±3.96)mg/L and (78.08±4.54)mg/L; intestinal fatty acid binding protein were (2.27±0.49)μg/L and (2.40±0.78)μg/L;creatinine were (68.30±9.77)μmol/L and (79.90±26.91)μmol/L,blood urea nitrogen were (3.94±1.39)mmol/L and (3.45±0.65)mmol/L;neutropil gelatinase-associated lipocalin were (4.02±0.53) μg/L and (3.86±0.23)μg/L;pH value were 7.27±0.04 and 7.23±0.03,lactic acid were (6.18±2.62)mmol/L and (4.30±0.50)mmol/L,concentrations of Na⁺ were (136.3±3.0)mmol/L and (137.6±1.6) mmol/L,concentrations of K⁺ were (3.89±0.42) mmol/L and (3.98±0.17)mmol/L,concentrations of Ca²⁺ were (1.40±0.03)mmol/L and(1.40±0.04)mmol/L;all indexes in the two group had no differences(all P>0.05). Conclusion: The self-made venous bypass device can be safely and effectively applied to VVB of Bama minipigs,and achieves the same performance as the imported venous bypass device.
Animals ; Creatinine ; Fatty Acid-Binding Proteins ; Gelatinases ; Lactic Acid ; Lipocalins ; Liver Transplantation ; Magnetic Phenomena ; Portal Vein/surgery* ; Swine ; Swine, Miniature

The miniature pig is a very suitable donor species in xenotransplantation of human organs. Lipid metabolism is an important process that involves the creation and degradation of lipids, which is associated with the function of the gastro-intestinal tract. However, the distribution of lipid metabolism related molecules in the gastro-intestinal tract in the miniature pig is unclear. The present study examined the expression of farnesoid X-receptor (FXR), liver X- receptor (LXR), retinoid X-receptor (RXR), liver fatty acid binding protein (L-FABP), fatty acid synthase (FAS) mRNA in the digestive organs of miniature pigs. FXR and LXR mRNA were not expressed in the stomach but were expressed at high and low density in the small and large intestines, respectively. RXR mRNA was expressed in stomach with moderate density, small intestine with high density and in the large intestine with low density. L-FABP and FAS mRNA were expressed in the stomach and large intestine with low density and in the small intestine with high density. L-FABP mRNA was expressed in the liver and kidney with high density, and in pancreas with low density. FAS mRNA was expressed in the liver with high density, and in pancreas and kidney with low density.
Fatty Acid Synthetase Complex ; Fatty Acid-Binding Proteins ; Humans ; Intestine, Large ; Intestine, Small ; Intestines ; Kidney ; Lipid Metabolism ; Liver ; Pancreas ; RNA, Messenger ; Stomach ; Swine ; Tissue Donors ; Transplantation, Heterologous

The miniature pig is a very suitable donor species in xenotransplantation of human organs. Lipid metabolism is an important process that involves the creation and degradation of lipids, which is associated with the function of the gastro-intestinal tract. However, the distribution of lipid metabolism related molecules in the gastro-intestinal tract in the miniature pig is unclear. The present study examined the expression of farnesoid X-receptor (FXR), liver X- receptor (LXR), retinoid X-receptor (RXR), liver fatty acid binding protein (L-FABP), fatty acid synthase (FAS) mRNA in the digestive organs of miniature pigs. FXR and LXR mRNA were not expressed in the stomach but were expressed at high and low density in the small and large intestines, respectively. RXR mRNA was expressed in stomach with moderate density, small intestine with high density and in the large intestine with low density. L-FABP and FAS mRNA were expressed in the stomach and large intestine with low density and in the small intestine with high density. L-FABP mRNA was expressed in the liver and kidney with high density, and in pancreas with low density. FAS mRNA was expressed in the liver with high density, and in pancreas and kidney with low density.
Fatty Acid Synthetase Complex ; Fatty Acid-Binding Proteins ; Humans ; Intestine, Large ; Intestine, Small ; Intestines ; Kidney ; Lipid Metabolism ; Liver ; Pancreas ; RNA, Messenger ; Stomach ; Swine ; Tissue Donors ; Transplantation, Heterologous

BACKGROUND: Adipocyte-specific fatty acid-binding protein (A-FABP) is a cytoplasmic protein expressed in macrophages and adipocytes and it plays a role in insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome. Recently, the fatty liver index (FLI) was introduced as an indicator of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between baseline serum A-FABP levels and FLI after 4 years in apparently healthy subjects. METHODS: A total of 238 subjects without a past history of alcoholism or hepatitis were recruited from a medical check-up program. The NAFLD state was evaluated 4 years later in the same subjects using FLI. Fatty liver disease was diagnosed as diffusely increased echogenicity of the hepatic parenchyma compared to the kidneys, vascular blurring, and deep-echo attenuation. NAFLD was defined as subjects with fatty liver and no history of alcohol consumption (>20 g/day). RESULTS: Baseline serum A-FABP levels were significantly associated with FLI after adjustment for age and sex (P<0.001). The subjects with higher A-FABP levels had a higher mean FLI (P for trend=0.006). After adjusting for age and sex, serum A-FABP levels at baseline were shown to be significantly associated with FLI as a marker of development of NAFLD after 4 years (odds ratio, 2.68; 95% confidence interval, 1.24 to 5.80 for highest tertile vs. lowest tertile; P=0.012). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that higher baseline serum A-FABP levels were associated with FLI as a predictive indicator of NAFLD after 4 years of follow-up in healthy Korean adults.
Adipocytes ; Adult ; Alcohol Drinking ; Alcoholism ; Carrier Proteins* ; Cytoplasm ; Fatty Acid-Binding Proteins ; Fatty Liver* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hepatitis ; Humans ; Insulin Resistance ; Kidney ; Macrophages ; Ultrasonography

BACKGROUND: Adipocyte-specific fatty acid-binding protein (A-FABP) is a cytoplasmic protein expressed in macrophages and adipocytes and it plays a role in insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome. Recently, the fatty liver index (FLI) was introduced as an indicator of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between baseline serum A-FABP levels and FLI after 4 years in apparently healthy subjects. METHODS: A total of 238 subjects without a past history of alcoholism or hepatitis were recruited from a medical check-up program. The NAFLD state was evaluated 4 years later in the same subjects using FLI. Fatty liver disease was diagnosed as diffusely increased echogenicity of the hepatic parenchyma compared to the kidneys, vascular blurring, and deep-echo attenuation. NAFLD was defined as subjects with fatty liver and no history of alcohol consumption (>20 g/day). RESULTS: Baseline serum A-FABP levels were significantly associated with FLI after adjustment for age and sex (P<0.001). The subjects with higher A-FABP levels had a higher mean FLI (P for trend=0.006). After adjusting for age and sex, serum A-FABP levels at baseline were shown to be significantly associated with FLI as a marker of development of NAFLD after 4 years (odds ratio, 2.68; 95% confidence interval, 1.24 to 5.80 for highest tertile vs. lowest tertile; P=0.012). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that higher baseline serum A-FABP levels were associated with FLI as a predictive indicator of NAFLD after 4 years of follow-up in healthy Korean adults.
Adipocytes ; Adult ; Alcohol Drinking ; Alcoholism ; Carrier Proteins* ; Cytoplasm ; Fatty Acid-Binding Proteins ; Fatty Liver* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hepatitis ; Humans ; Insulin Resistance ; Kidney ; Macrophages ; Ultrasonography

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Loss of liver fatty acid binding protein (LFABP) expression by immunohis-tochemistry is a useful marker for the identification of hepatocyte nuclear factor 1alpha (HNF1alpha)-inactivated hepatocellular adenomas; however, the expression status of LFABP in hepatocel-lular carcinomas (HCCs) is still unclear. We aimed to investigate the expression status of LFABP in HCCs and examine the clinicopathological characteristics of LFABP-negative HCCs. METHODS: Immunohistochemical stains LFABP, K19 (mouse monoclonal, Dako, Glostrup, Den-mark) and EpCAM (mouse monoclonal, Calbiochem, Darmstadt, Germany) were performed on tissue microarray sections from 188 surgically resected HCCs, and the association between LFABP expression status and the clinicopathological features, survival and "stemness"-related marker expression status were analyzed. RESULTS: Loss of LFABP expression was noted in 30 (16%) out of 188 HCCs. LFABP-negative HCCs were associated with a decreased recurrence-free survival (LFABP-negative: 17.0 +/- 4.84 months [95% confidence interval [CI]: 7.5-26.5 months] versus LFABP-positive: 51.0 +/- 8.7 months [95% CI: 34.0-68.0 months]; P=0.004). HCCs with LFABP expression loss were more frequently larger and showed more frequent vascular invasion, although not statistically sig-nificant; and an inverse correlation was seen between LFABP expression and K19 expression status (P=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Loss of LFABP expression is seen in HCCs, and is associated with a decreased recurrence-free survival.
Adenoma, Liver Cell ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* ; Coloring Agents ; Fatty Acid-Binding Proteins* ; Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor 1-alpha ; Liver* ; Prognosis

OBJECTIVETo observe the relationship between serum and monocyte-derived-macrophages secreted adipocyte fatty acid binding protein (A-FABP), adiponectin (or A-FABP/adiponectin ratio) and coronary artery disease.

METHODSThree hundred and forty subjects underwent coronary angiography (CAG) were classified into CAD group (n = 211) and non-CAD group (n = 129) according to the CAG results. The severity of coronary artery stenosis was assessed by the numbers of involved coronary artery branches and the sum of the Gensini scores. Fasting venous blood was collected from all subjects and peripheral monocytes were isolated from 20 subjects (10 selected from each group with age-, gender-, and BMI-matched). Peripheral blood monocytes were obtained and stimulated into macrophages with PMA, cell culture supernatant was collected. The concentration of serum/supernatant A-FABP and adiponectin levels were assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays.

RESULTS(1) A-FABP levels tended to be higher in CAD patients compared to non-CAD subjects [18.3(13.2, 22.8) µg/L vs. 16.4(13.5, 20.4) µg/L, P = 0.088]. The concentration of adiponectin in CAD group was significantly lower than those in non-CAD group [13.9 (9.8, 17.1) mg/L vs. 19.7 (14.5, 27.6) mg/L, P < 0.05]. (2) The A-FABP levels increased and the adiponectin levels decreased as the number of stenotic vessels increased. Gensini scores were positively correlated with serum A-FABP (r = 0.120, P = 0.043) and inversely correlated with adiponectin (r = -0.405, P = 0.007). (3) The difference in A-FABP/adiponectin ratio was more prominent between subjects with CAD and subjects without CAD [(1.51 ± 0.79) µg/mg vs. (0.89 ± 0.30) µg/mg, P < 0.01] and there was a stronger positive correlation of Gensini score to A-FABP/adiponectin ratio(r = 0.531, P = 0.000). (4) Monocyte-derived-macrophages from patients with CAD had higher A-FABP/adiponectin ratio than that in patients without CAD [(0.51 ± 0.19) µg/mg vs. (0.36 ± 0.11) µg/mg, P < 0.05].

CONCLUSIONSIncreased levels of serum A-FABP and reduced levels of adiponectin in CAD patients serves as a novel biomarker for the severity of the coronary stenosis. A-FABP/adiponectin ratio is superior to A-FABP or adiponectin alone on predicting CAD risks.

Adipocytes ; metabolism ; Adiponectin ; blood ; Aged ; Coronary Artery Disease ; blood ; Fatty Acid-Binding Proteins ; blood ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical value of intestinal fatty acid-binding protein (I-FABP) in full-term newborn infants with necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC).

METHODSForty-one full-term infants with a confirmed diagnosis of NEC from February 2012 to January 2014 were recruited as case group (stage I: 24 cases; stage II-III: 17 cases). Sixty-two children diagnosed with non-digestive diseases in the same period were recruited as the control group. Serum levels of I-FABP and C-reactive protein (CRP) were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The diagnostic value of I-FABP for NEC was assessed using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve.

RESULTSStage I and stage II-III cases in the case group had significantly higher serum I-FABP levels than the control group (P<0.05), and stage II-III cases had significantly higher serum I-FABP levels than stage I cases (P<0.05). The area under the ROC curve for serum I-FABP was 0.85 (95% CI: 0.78-0.92), with the optimal cut-off point of 2.25 ng/mL. Under this cut-off point, the sensitivity and specificity were 80.49% and 70.19%, respectively. There was no significant difference in serum CRP level between the case and control groups (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONSIn newborn infants with NEC, serum I-FABP level increases significantly in stage I , and it is correlated with the disease severity. Therefore, serum I-FABP can be used as a biomarker for the diagnosis of NEC.

C-Reactive Protein ; analysis ; Enterocolitis, Necrotizing ; blood ; diagnosis ; Fatty Acid-Binding Proteins ; blood ; Humans ; Infant ; ROC Curve