The in vivo effects of interieukin-6 (IL-6) and dexamethasone (Dex) on amino acid transport in rat liver were studied employing hepatic plasma membrane vesicles (HPMVs). Adult rats were treated with Dex (0.5 mg/kg) and subsequently with varying concentrations if IL-6 (10, 50, or 150 $uMg/kg). The HPMVs were prepared by Percoll density gradient centrifugation. The activities of System A, System N and System Y4 transport proteins were evaluated by tritiated uptake of their respective amino acids (methyl-aminoisobutyric acid [MeAIB], glutamine, and arginine). System A activity was increased in response to low doses of IL-6. Dex alone increased System A and had an additive effect to enhance transport in response to IL-6. System N was stimulated by higher doses of IL-6 in a dose-dependent manner. Dexamethasone had no effect by itself on System N activity but worked synergistically to enhance the effect of IL-6 even at low doses. System Y+ activity was increased by Dex but IL-6 did not alter arginine transport. Kinetic analysis of the increases in System A and N showed the increases to be related to an increase in the Vmax (maximal transport velocity) for the carrier with no significant change in Km, carrier affinity We conclude that IL-6 and glucocorticoids work in a coordinated fashion to enhance hepatic amino acid uptake.
Percutaneous irreversible electroporation (IRE) of lung tumors is a new minimally invasive technique which has recently been used in the treatment of soft tissue tumors.The case histories are presented of two patients with unresectable malignancies in the lung, who underwent irreversible electroporation as a treatment attempt. The procedure was performed under CT guidance and was uneventful.At follow up 6 months later, the tumors both appeared to have recurred. To our knowledge, no similar cases have previously been reported in the literature.
