Does hSC-specific inhibition of Rho-kinase reduce portal pressure in cirrhotic rats without major systemic effects?
Activated hepatic stellate cells are crucially involved in portal hypertension in cirrhosis. Targeting of Rho-kinase in hepatic stellate cells not only decreased fibrosis, as previously shown, but also lowers portal pressure acutely without major systemic effects as demonstrated in this study.
The ACEIs/ARBs in combination with gemcitabine might improve clinical outcomes in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer. Prospective trials are needed to test this hypothesis.