Hepatic Macrophage as a Key Player in Fatty Liver Disease

Fatty liver disease, characterized by excessive inflammation and lipid deposition, is becoming one of the most prevalent liver metabolic diseases worldwide owing to the increasing global incidence of obesity. However, the underlying mechanisms of fatty liver disease are poorly understood. Accumulating evidence suggests that hepatic macrophages, specifically Kupffer cells (KCs), act as key players in the progression of fatty liver disease. Thus, it is essential to examine the current evidence of the roles of hepatic macrophages (both KCs and monocyte-derived macrophages). In this review, we primarily address the heterogeneities and multiple patterns of hepatic macrophages participating in the pathogenesis of fatty liver disease, including Toll-like receptors (TLRs), NLRP3 inflammasome, lipotoxicity, glucotoxicity, metabolic reprogramming, interaction with surrounding cells in the liver, and iron poisoning. A better understanding of the diverse roles of hepatic macrophages in the development of fatty liver disease may provide a more specific and promising macrophage-targeting therapeutic strategy for inflammatory liver diseases.

Non-suicidal intentional ingestion of iron tablets and severe intoxication: the result of adolescent boy’s impulsive risky behaviour in the school

Acute iron poisoning is a potentially fatal intoxication in children. As the Iron preparations are commonly administered to pregnant women, lactating mothers, toddlers, it is easily available at home. So younger children are prone to consume it accidently. Although iron is a therapeutic drug in recommended dosages, excessive iron in the free state can produce toxicity by affecting multiple cellular processes by catalysing redox reactions with lipid peroxidation and free radical formation. The severity of intoxication depends on the amount of elemental iron ingested. Serious toxicity is usually associated with a dose of >40 mg/kg of elemental iron. Levels more than 100 mg/kg are almost always fatal. We report a case where a 12-year male child intentionally taken 60 tablets of iron (ferrous fumarate) at his school as a part of competition or bet to other schoolmate and presented with acute iron poisoning with hepatic encephalopathy to us. Important initial laboratory parameters were AST-4,879 U/L, Prothrombin time-60 sec and Iron level-213 microgram/dl. With timely specific management i.e., deferoxamine infusion along with all required intensive care supportive management in PICU the patient was discharged successfully. We chose to report this case to highlight the risky behaviour of adolescence who usually grows physically and emotionally earlier but their prefrontal lobes are yet immature to take proper and correct decision. Thus, impulse activity may prove fatal for them.

Assessment of water management technology on rice productivity on iron poisoning rice fields in Jambi

The study of “Water Management Technology Against Rice Productivity in New wetland Openings of Iron Poisoning Rice” was carried out in Betara District, West Tanjung Jabung Regency from April to October 2018. The research used a randomized block design (RBD) with four replications. The treatment consisted of four intervals of providing irrigation water, namely; (CI) Continuous irrigation, (DWI1) Dry wet irrigation (DWI) 5 day intervals from 1 week to 7 weeks after planting (WAP), (DWI2) DWI with 7 days interval from 1 week to 7 WAP, and (DWI3) DWI 7 days interval from 1 WAP to 65 days after planting (DAP) and inundation 15 days before harvest (DBH). Fertilizer recommendations based on soil nutrient status as a result of analysis with the Swamp Soil Test Kit (SSTK), namely 1.0 tonnes / ha lime, 75 kg ha-1 Urea (basic fertilizer) then based on LCC, 150 kg ha-1 SP 36 (given entirely at planting time) and 125 kg ha-1 KCl (1/3 part at planting, 1/3 part at 3-4 WAP and 1/3 part at plant age 6-7 WAP. Result showed the water supply interval significantly affects the growth and production of rice, the highest yield is obtained with a 7 day water supply interval from 1 to 7 WAP, with rice production 4,29 tonnes ha-1, whereas with the provision of water from 1 WAP until just before harvest, the rice production was 2.06 tonnes ha-1.

Ameliorative Function of a Probiotic Bacterium, Lactobacillus rhamnosus MR1 on Acute Iron Toxicity in Rats

Overuse of iron supplements can lead to an acute inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. This study investigates the ameliorative and prophylactic effects of a probiotic bacterium, L. rhamnosus MR1, on acute iron poisoning in rats. In this study, a probiotic strain was isolated from yogurt and characterized for its probiotic properties, including antibiotic-resistant, bile salt (BS) and acid resistance, iron tolerance, cell hydrophobicity of the bacterial cells. The anti-inflammatory effect of strain MR1 was studied on the iron exposed-Caco-2 cell line. In vivo experiments were conducted for the assessment of survival in rats overdosed with treatment. These findings indicate high bacterial tolerance in acidic conditions, high concentrations of bile salts, and iron. The anti-inflammatory effects of strain MR1 were confirmed by decreasing the concentration of pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-8 and increasing anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-4 in treated groups. Prophylactic and acute effects of strain MR1 in rats caused a significant reduction in intestinal iron poisoning by 50 % during 6 h. Prophylactic regimen by L. rhamnosus MR1 increased the viability of about 33% in acutely poisoned rats. Since no report is found in the current literature about the effect of probiotic supplements on iron's acute toxicity, these interesting results can provide a useful background for further studies on dietary supplements.

Pengendalian Keracunan Besi untuk Peningkatan Produktivitas Padi di Lahan Rawa Pasang Surut Bukaan Baru

<p><strong>Abstrak</strong>. Kebutuhan beras nasional<strong> </strong>meningkat dari tahun ke tahun akibat pertambahan penduduk, peningkatan kebutuhan energi harian individu, dan masih rendahnya diversifikasi konsumsi sumber karbohidrat serta keinginan untuk menjadi lumbung pangan dunia (LPD) pada tahun 2045. Salah satu upaya untuk meningkatkan produksi padi nasional adalah melalui perluasan areal tanam dengan memanfaatkan lahan rawa pasang surut yang luasnya mencapai 8,92 juta hektare. Peningkatan luas tanam padi di lahan rawa pasang surut diantaranya dapat dilakukan melalui pembukaan lahan baru, baik dengan memanfaatkan lahan sawah terlantar maupun yang belum dimanfaatkan. Akan tetapi pembukaan lahan baru sering dihadapkan pada keracunan besi, sehingga tanaman padi tidak tumbuh dan berproduksi secara optimal. Keracunan besi dapat menurunkan produksi padi 30-100%, tergantung ketahanan varietas, intensitas keracunan, fase pertumbuhan, dan status kesuburan tanah. Keracunan besi merupakan penyakit fisiologis tanaman dengan penyebab utama adalah konsentrasi Fe²⁺ yang tinggi dalam larutan tanah karena kondisi reduktif. Hal itu terkait dengan drainase yang jelek, nilai Eh yang rendah, defisiensi K, Ca, Mg, P, Zn, dan Mn, dan oksigen tanah yang rendah. Pengendalian keracunan besi untuk meningkatkan produktivitas padi di lahan rawa pasang surut bukaan baru dapat dilakukan melalui teknologi pengelolaan air, ameliorasi, pemupukan, pengaturan waktu tanam, dan penggunaan varietas yang toleran.</p><p> </p><p><strong>Abtract</strong>. <em>National rice demand is increasing from year to year due to population growth, increasing individual daily energy needs, and the low diversification of consumption of carbohydrate sources and the desire to become a world food barn (LPD) in 2045. One effort to increase national rice production is through expansion planting area utilizing tidal swamp land which covers an area of 8.92 million hectares. Increasing the area of rice planting in tidal swamps can be done through the opening of new land, either by using abandoned or untapped rice fields. However, new land clearing is often faced with iron poisoning, so that rice plants do not grow and produce optimally. Iron poisoning can reduce rice production by 30-100%, depending on the variety resistance, poisoning intensity, growth phase, and soil fertility status. Iron poisoning is a physiological disease of plants with the main cause being high concentrations of Fe ²⁺ in soil solutions due to reductive conditions. This is related to poor drainage, low Eh values, deficiency of K, Ca, Mg, P, Zn, and Mn, and low soil oxygen. Control of iron poisoning to increase rice productivity in the new openings tidal swamps can be done through water management technology, amelioration, fertilization, planting time management, and the use of tolerant varieties.</em></p>