
-   Compared with non-tumorous liver tissue, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tissues exhibited a significant increases in the expression of AQP3 and a concomitant reduction in the expression levels of AQP7 and AQP9, at both the mRNA and protein levels. High expression of AQP3 was significantly associated with low expression levels of AQP7 and AQP9 while low expression of AQP7 was correlated with tumor grade. A high expression of AQP3 and low expression of AQP7 was significantly associated with the aggressive features of HCC [PMID: 27121567].
-   Recent evidence has suggested that the marked decrease in ovarian secretion of estrogens in postmenopausal women may be associated with the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. In a ovariectomized (OVX) mouse model, marked hepatic steatosis and increased expression of lipogenic genes was observed in the estrogen-depleted mice (tamoxifen and OVX treatment groups), as compared with in the sham operation group. Treatment with E2 significantly improved hepatic steatosis by decreasing the expression of the lipogenic genes. Furthermore, hepatic aquaporin 7 (AQP7) RNA expression was decreased in the estrogen-depleted mice, but was increased in the OVX + E2 treatment group, as compared with in the sham operation group [PMID: 27176782].
