Results: In response to hypotonic stimulation (30%), control mouse BECs exhibited bulk ATP release and point-source release from confluent monolayers; and, in individual cells, an increase in the rate of exocytosis, trafficking and release of ATP-V as expected. In contrast, interruption of SNARE

complex formation by NEM blocked both Selleck MLN8237 bulk ATP release and point-source ATP bursts from monolayers, as well as decreased the rate of exocytosis and exocytosis of ATP-V in individual cells. Mouse BECs expressed STX -1A, -2, and -3A. STX -1B and -3B were not expressed. Immunostaining revealed strong STX-1A and -3A signal on the apical BEC membrane. In individual studies, transfection with specific siRNAs significantly decreased protein expression of each STX, though only the STX -1A and -3A knock-down was associated with inhibition of ATP release. Conclusion: Together, the findings

demonstrate that syntax- in-1A and -3A play an important role in ATP-V exocytosis and release of ATP by BECs. Targeting STXs may represent a novel therapeutic option to augment release of ATP into bile, increase biliary secretion, and promote bile formation for the http://www.selleckchem.com/products/OSI-906.html treatment of cholestatic liver diseases. Disclosures: The following people have nothing to disclose: Razan Bader, Qin Li, Charles Kresge, Abhijit Bugde, Matthew A. Lewis, Andrew P. Feranchak Introduction: Hepatobiliary excretion of bile acids is an essential liver function which is not accessible by conventional means of measurements. We examined

whether PET/CT using the radio-labeled conjugated bile acid analogue [N-methyl-11C]cholyl-sarcosine (11C-CSar) as tracer allowed quantitative assessment of this function in human subjects. Methods: Ten healthy subjects and ten patients with varying degrees of cholestasis each underwent two 60 minutes dynamic PET/CT recordings of the liver using intravenous bolus injection check details and continuous infusion of 11C-CSar. Blood concentrations of 11C-CSar were measured in samples collected from a radial artery and a hepatic vein. Concentrations of 11C-CSar in the liver tissue and common hepatic bile ducts were recorded by PET. Hepatic blood flow was measured using intravenous infusion of indocyanine green and Fick’s principle. Hepatic extraction fraction of 11C-CSar was calculated from the arterial and hepatic venous concentration measurements. Fractional biliary excretion at a given time point was calculated as the ratio between 11C-CSar excreted into bile and 11C-CSar supplied to the liver. Results: The 11C-CSar concentration in liver tissue showed an initial rapid rise, which was similar in patients and healthy subjects. The subsequent elimination of 11C-CSar from liver tissue to bile was significantly reduced in patients with cholestasis. In the common hepatic bile duct, the arrival of 11C-CSar was delayed and reached a lower peak concentration in the patients than in the healthy subjects.