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Acute pancreatitis (AP) is one of the most common gastroenterological disorders leading to hospitalization. It has long been debated whether biliary AP, about 30% to 50% of all cases, is induced by bile acids (BAs) when they reach the pancreas via reflux or via the systemic blood circulation. Besides their classical function in digestion, BAs have become an attractive research target because of their recently discovered property as signaling molecules. The underlying mechanisms of BAs have been investigated in various studies. Bile acids are internalized into acinar cells through specific G-protein–coupled BA receptor 1 and various transporters. They can further act via different receptors: the farnesoid X, ryanodine, and inositol triphosphate receptor. Bile acids induce a sustained Ca2+ influx from the endoplasmic reticulum and release of Ca2+ from acidic stores into the cytosol of acinar cells. The overload of intracellular Ca2+ results in mitochondrial depolarization and subsequent acinar cell necrosis. In addition, BAs have a biphasic effect on pancreatic ductal cells. A more detailed characterization of the mechanisms through which BAs contribute to the disease pathogenesis and severity will greatly improve our understanding of the underlying pathophysiology and may allow for the development of therapeutic and preventive strategies for gallstone-inducedAP.

Objectives Kasai portoenterostomy (KPE) is the primary treatment for biliary atresia (BA) with subsequent liver transplantation in failed cases. The aim of this work was to study the outcome of KPE in children with BA and identify the factors predicting a successful KPE. Methods Children diagnosed with BA and undergoing KPE between January 2010 and January 2018 were included in the study. A successful KPE was defined as decrease in bilirubin to less than 2 mg/dL at 6 months after KPE. Factors affecting the outcome (successful KPE and survival with native liver [SNL] at 2 years) were evaluated by logistic regression. Results A total of 79 children with post-KPE BA were included. Successful KPE was achieved in 29 (36.7%) of 79 children undergoing KPE. The data for survival with native liver at 2 years were available for 61 children as 9 were lost to follow up before 2 years and another 9 were aged less than 2 years at the time of analysis. Twenty-seven (44.3%) of these 61 survived with their native liver at 2 years. On logistic regression analysis, lower age at KPE, use of postoperative steroids and absence of cholangitis were significant predictors of a successful KPE. A successful KPE at 6 months was the lone independent predictor of SNL at 2 years in these children. Conclusion Early age at KPE, use of postoperative steroid and prevention of cholangitis can result in successful KPE. Those with successful KPE are likely to survive with their native liver at 2 years.

Giant-cell hepatitis (GCH) is characterized by parenchymal inflammation with formation of large multinucleated hepatocytes in response to a variety of insults to the liver. Although it is commonly described in neonates, it rarely occurs in adults. Here we report a case of GCH because of herbal medicine intake.

The gas chromatographic separation of the DMAS ether derivatives of ten bile acid methyl esters, namely DMES, DMnPS and DMiPS ethers, have been studied by use of an open tubular glass capillary column, coated with SE-30. The DMAS ether derivatives were eluted in sequence according to the number of hydroxyl groups except for 12-KCDCA, and separated. This contrasts with the poorly resolved gas chromatographic peaks produced by the TMS ether derivatives. The DMES ether derivatives were resolved with baseline separation in 30 min, but those of HCA and 12-KCDCA had similar methylene unit values.