bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Androgen and Estrogen Response to Adrenal and Gonadal Stimulation in Idiopathic Hemochromatosis: Evidence for Decreased Estrogen Formation
Authors: Kley Hans K. , Stremmel Wolfgang , Niederau Claus , Hehrmann Rainer , Shams Omar , Strohmeyer Georg , Krüskemper Hans L. 
Published: March 2007

Gonadal function in idiopathic hemochromatosis (IHC) was evaluated by comparing clinical features and levels of sex hormones in 10 male patients with IHC (cirrhosis, 4; fibrosis, 6), 6 male patients with alcoholic cirrhosis (AC) and 10 healthy, age–matched controls. Impotence was present in 9 IHC and all AC patients and was associated with decreased plasma testosterone levels. However, gynecomastia, a feature in all patients with AC, was not present in IHC, and plasma sex hormone binding globulin was normal. Patients with IHC showed significantly lower basal estradiol levels (17.7 ± 6.3 pg per ml) than did controls (28.5 ± 8.5 pg per ml), and low LH levels (p < 0.01), which were insufficiently stimulated by luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (n = 8) as well as a decrease in prolactin concentration (2.9 ± 1.4 vs. 5.9 ± 1.9 ng per ml in the controls) suggesting pituitary failure. Synthesizing capacity of sex hormones was determined by adrenocorticotropic hormone and human chorionic gonadotropin administration. Basal and stimulated levels of andro–stenedione and cortisol indicated normal function of the adrenals in IHC. However after adrenocorticotropic hormone, estrone levels increased to only 16.2 ± 8.4 pg per ml (controls, 27.3 ± 4.7 pg per ml; p < 0.01). Increments of estrone (12.5 ± 9.2 pg per ml) and estradiol (17.9 ± 11.6 pg per ml) were also lower in IHC following human chorionic gonadotropin administration than in controls (26.0 ± 7.2 and 37.5 ± 11.4 pg per ml, respectively). In contrast, plasma human chorionic gonadotropin raised testosterone levels 3.3–fold in IHC and 2.2–fold in controls. Basal and stimulated levels of testosterone, estrone and estradiol were lower in IHC patients with cirrhosis than fibrosis. Normal estrogen levels in IHC may be due to “normal” conversion from androgens to estrogens, as occurred for androstenedione in four patients with IHC.
In patients with AC, reduced levels of plasma testosterone were associated with increased luteinizing hormone; androstenedione and estrogens were elevated and rose higher after adrenocorticotropic hormone or human chorionic gonadotropin stimulation. High estrogen activity was paralleled by elevated sex hormone binding globulin, and an increase in plasma prolactin.
These findings suggest low estrogen activity in IHC, which appears to correlate with the severity of liver damage. These features are in contrast to AC, where increased conversion of androgens to estrogens was established previously.
Effects of Ioglycamide on the Hepatic Transport of Bilirubin and Its Mono– and Diconjugates in the Rat
Authors: Mesa Vital A. , Fevery Johan , Heirwegh Karel P.M. , De Groote Jan 
Published: March 2007

Bilirubin seems to share the biliary excretion pathway with other organic anions, but not with bile acids. We studied the effects of the organic anion ioglycamide, an iodinated contrast agent, on bilirubin metabolism in Wistar rats. This compound does not undergo conjugation and is characterized by a maximal biliary secretory rate (Tm). The results show that in spite of producing a 3–fold increase in bile flow, ioglycamide excretion under Tm conditions decreased the output of unconjugated bilirubin and its monoconjugate by approximately 90%. Diconjugated bilirubin decreased by only 50% and became by far the predominant pigment in bile (86.5 ± 6.0% of total pigment vs. 61.0 ± 4.0% in basal conditions, n = 12). Unconjugated and monoconjugated bilirubins changed in parallel suggesting that the former arises from the monoconjugates. In serum, dicon–jugated bilirubin augmented from trace amounts to 1.15 ± 0.17 μmole per liter. Total conjugated pigments in serum increased from 5 to 85% of total bilirubin.
Bile acid output remained unchanged. Pretreatment of rats with ioglycamide altered neither the activity of bilirubin UDP–glucuronyltransferase nor the ratio of diconjugate to monoconjugate formed at both low (25 μM) and high (164 μM) bilirubin concentrations. The observed biological effects of ioglycamide were dose–dependent and fully reversible. We suggest that ioglycamide interferes with the excretion of conjugated bilirubins (“bilirubinostasis”). The monoconjugates retained in the hepatocyte might then undergo more efficient transformation to diconjugates, the latter thus becoming the most important bile pigments in serum and bile.
Recovery of Liver Function in Partially Hepatectomized Rats Evaluated by Aminopyrine Demethylation Capacity
Authors: Sendama I. , de Hemptinne B. , Lambotte L. 
Published: March 2007

Aminopyrine demethylation was investigated in rats after a 70% hepatectomy to assess possible parallelism between the recovery of mass and function. Tests were performed by analyzing 14CO2 exhalation from 0.1 μCi per 100 gm of body weight of [dimethylamine–14C]aminopyrine given intraperitoneally with incremental doses of unlabeled drug.
Early after 70% hepatectomy, Vmax was reduced by 52%. This discordance between mass and function was not due to extrahepatic aminopyrine demethylation, since liver exclusion reduced demethylation of aminopyrine to nearly nil. Whether it results from increased liver blood flow in the remnant liver is less clear: portacaval anastomosis provoked an identical fall in Vmax and liver blood flow, but aortal–portal fistula which increased liver blood flow by 70% did not modify Vmax, The early increase in Vmax could be related to a “hepatotrophic” factor of splanchnic origin which increased after partial hepatectomy and decreased after portacaval shunt.
After the early period, Vmax, expressed per gram of actual liver weight, returned to control range. Throughout regeneration (4 to 144 hr), no modification was observed in Km nor in cytochrome P–450 concentration. Enzymatic induction with phenobarbital increased the demethylation capacity more than liver weight in intact and regenerating liver. Except for the first hours after partial hepatectomy or after enzymatic induction, the aminopyrine demethylation capacity directly correlated with liver mass and may be useful in evaluating liver regeneration in vivo.
Mitochondrial Antibodies in Primary Biliary Cirrhosis: Species and Nonspecies Specific Determinants of M2 Antigen
Authors: Lindenborn-Fotinos Jutta , Baum Harold , Berg Peter A. 
Published: March 2007

Sera from patients with primary biliary cirrhosis reacted with four major bands in beef heart mitochondria and ATPase extract when analyzed by immunoblot after sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. These four immunologically reactive bands corresponded to protein bands with molecular weights of about (a) 80,000; (b) 63,000; (c) 56,000; and (d) 43,000 to 46,000. An additional immunoreactive band was found with some high–titered primary biliary cirrhosis sera at 36,000. No association with any ATPase subunits was found, except for band c which migrated between the α– and β–subunit of ATPase. Most ATPase fractions did not contain this band c, indicating that M2 determinants, as defined by immunoblot, are not identical with any ATPase subunit.
Species and nonspecies–specific determinants of M2 were identified using mitochondria from rat liver and human heart and liver. Antigenic bands a, c and d were nonspecies–specific. Band b and e occurred only in beef heart. An additional determinant at about 38,000 was detected using human heart and liver mitochondria. Primary biliary cirrhosis sera showed a typical reaction with two protein bands of Escherichia coli, one at about 85,000 to 90,000 and the other at 60,000. Antibodies against both determinants could be absorbed with submitochondrial particles of beef heart showing that E. coli shares cross–reacting determinants with mitochondria.
Sera from 56 primary biliary cirrhosis patients were tested using beef heart mitochondria. Fifty–four sera reacted positively with the M2 antigen in the ELISA, and these sera reacted with at least 1 of the 4 major antigenic bands: 85% were positive with band a and/or band b; 15% detected exclusively band c and none of the latter fixed complement. Antimitochondrial antibodypositive sera possessing other specificities (anti-M1, -M3, -M5, -M6 and -M7) were negative. A correlation with the precipitating antimitochondrial antibody system was not found.
Hepatitis B Virus Dna, Hbeag and Delta Infection During the Course From Acute to Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection
Authors: Krogsgaard Kim , Aldershvile Jan , Kryger Peter , Andersson Poul , Nielsen Jens Ole , Hansson Bengt Göran 
Published: March 2007

The presence of hepatitis B virus DNA in serum was determined in 57 unselected patients during the course from acute to chronic hepatitis B infection. Forty–six (81%) patients were hepatitis B virus DNA–positive in the first available serum sample. Generally, hepatitis B virus DNA was cleared before or at the same time as HBeAg, but in two patients (4%), hepatitis B virus DNA could be demonstrated after HBeAg clearance. One of the latter patients had hepatitis B virus DNA in the presence of anti–HBe. Both patients became hepatitis B virus DNA–negative. Seven of the hepatitis B virus DNA–positive patients received long–term treatment with prednisone, and three of them continued to be hepatitis B virus DNA positive for more than 10 years. Among the untreated patients hepatitis B virus DNA could be detected for up to 7 years, and 10 patients were hepatitis B virus DNA–positive for three years or more.
Twenty–four patients (42%) showed serological signs of delta agent infection. Hepatitis B virus DNA clearance was observed in a significantly higher proportion (87%) of delta–infected patients as compared to patients with no delta infection (45%) (p < 0.05). In addition patients with delta infection had a significantly increased hepatitis B virus DNA clearance rate as compared to patients without delta markers in their serum (p < 0.01). In one (8%) delta–infected patient, hepatitis B virus DNA clearance was followed by a fall in transaminases into the normal range as opposed to results in 86% of patients with pure hepatitis B (p < 0.002).
Measurement of Fibrosis in Needle Liver Biopsies: Evaluation of A Colorimetric Method
Authors: Jimenez Wladimiro , Parés Albert , Caballería Joan , Heredia Daniel , Bruguera Meguel , Torres Miguel , Rojkind Marcos , Rodés Joan 
Published: March 2007

Collagen content was measured in 38 needle liver biopsies (8 steatosis, 8 chronic hepatitis, 7 fibrosis and 15 cirrhosis) by a new colorimetric method based on the selective capacity of Sirius red and Fast green to bind to collagen and noncollagenous proteins, respectively. The values were compared with those obtained after determination of the degree of fibrosis by morphometry in the same tissue.
In biopsies with cirrhosis and fibrosis, there was a higher amount of collagen than in biopsies with chronic hepatitis and steatosis. Furthermore, there was a highly significant direct correlation between the collagen content measured colorimetrically and the degree of fibrosis determined morphometrically (r = 0.77, p < 0.001), suggesting that this new colorimetric method is useful in measuring the degree of fibrosis in needle liver biopsies.
Pathogenesis of Steatorrhea in Primary Biliary Cirrhosis
Authors: Lanspa Stephen J. , Chan Albert T.H. , Bell Sumner J. , Go Vay Liang W. , Dickson Rolland E. , Dimagno Eugene P. 
Published: March 2007

To investigate the pathophysiology of steatorrhea in primary biliary cirrhosis, the severity of steatorrhea, small bowel histology and function, cholestasis, exocrine pancreatic secretion and liver histology were studied. Twenty–four primary biliary cirrhotic patients had a quantitative stool fat collection, serum bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase and liver biopsies. From this group, ten had further studies: a small bowel biopsy (n = 7); a D–xylose test (n = 9); measurement of pancreatiobiliary concentrations and outputs after intravenous cholecystokinin (n = 10); essential amino acid perfusion of the duodenum (n = 9), and eating a test meal (n = 7).
D–xylose absorption was normal, and only one patient had a minimal small bowel mucosal abnormality. Pancreatic lipase outputs in response to cholecystokinin were low in two primary biliary cirrhotic patients, but were greater than 10% of normal. Postprandial lipase outputs were normal except in one patient who had abnormal duodenal acidification. Mean enzyme outputs in primary biliary cirrhotic patients were normal in response to essential amino acid perfusion; but 6 had low lipase and 5 had low trypsin outputs which were associated with decreased bile acid outputs (p < 0.03). Severity of steatorrhea was associated with reduced bile acid outputs and concentrations (r = 0.82; p < 0.0001), degree of cholestasis (serum bilirubin; r = 0.88; p < 0.001) and advanced histologic stages (p < 0.005). Severe intraluminal bile acid deficiency combined with a submaximal intraluminal stimulus (essential amino acids) may be associated with decreased exocrine pancreatic secretion in primary biliary cirrhosis. However, mild and severe steatorrhea is explained by severely reduced intraluminal bile acid content rather than decreased lipase secretion.
Polycythemia and the Budd–Chiari Syndrome: Study of Serum Erythropoietin and Bone Marrow Erythroid Progenitors
Authors: Levy Victor Georges , Ruskone Agnès , Baillou Claude , Thierman-Duffaud Diana , Najman Albert , Boffa Georges Albert 
Published: March 2007

The mechanism of polycythemia associated with the Budd–Chiari syndrome is unknown. Erythropoiesis in 10 patients with Budd–Chiari syndrome was studied in an attempt to distinguish prior unrecognized polycythemia vera from secondary polycythemia.
Serum erythropoietin was assayed using a mouse fetal liver erythroblast assay. High concentrations of serum erythropoietin were observed in 6 of 7 patients with acute primary Budd–Chiari syndrome. Levels were normal in four patients who were investigated during the chronic phase and were increased in one with persisting polycythemia. In one patient, erythropoietin concentration in the hepatic vein was twice the level measured in peripheral, caval and renal venous blood.
Bone marrow erythroid progenitors developed in vitro in the absence of exogenous erythropoietin in all polycythemia vera cases studied in acute and chronic phases, whether polycythemia persisted or not.
These findings indicate that hepatic erythropoietin production occurs in the acute phase of Budd–Chiari syndrome and suggest that, in some cases of Budd Chiari syndrome, polycythemia which resolves after the acute phase may be secondary to liver disease.
Prognostic Value of Thyroid Hormone Levels in Patients Evaluated for Liver Transplantation
Authors: Van Thiel David H. , Udani Mahendra , Schade Robert R. , Sanghvi Agit , Starzl Thomas E. 
Published: March 2007

The thyroid hormones T4, T3, rT3 and TSH were assayed in 134 adult patients evaluated and accepted as potential liver transplant candidates at the Universty of Pittsburgh from March, 1981 to December, 1983. The subsequent course of these patients was evaluated with respect to the levels of these hormones obtained at the time of acceptance for transplantation. T4 levels were increased significantly while their T3 levels were reduced (both p < 0.01) in those who survived and were discharged home as compared to either those who died waiting to be transplanted or died following the procedure. As a result, the ratio of T3/T4 was reduced markedly (p < 0.01) in those who were transplanted and survived as compared to those not transplanted or dying following transplantation. Importantly, the rT3 levels clearly separated (p < 0.01) those who would die prior to transplantation from those who would survive to be transplanted. Finally, the ratio rT3/T3 even more clearly separates those who will die prior to transplantation (p < 0.01) from the other two groups.
These data suggest that thyroid hormone levels, particularly rT3 levels, might be useful in setting priorities for which patients referred for a transplantation evaluation should be accepted into the program and in determining who among accepted patients should be operated upon in preference to others also accepted and waiting to be transplanted.
A Comparative Study of the Effects of Insulin/Glucagon Infusions, Parenteral Amino Acids and High Dose Corticosteroids on Survival in A Rabbit Model of Acute Fulminant Hepatitis
Authors: Minuk Gerald Y. , Sherman Thomas A. , Shaffer Eldon A. , Kelly Seamus K. 
Published: March 2007

Acute fulminant hepatitis was induced in 55 healthy adult male rabbits with the potent hepatotoxin galactosamine hydrochloride (3.75 mmoles per kg i.v.). Control rabbits (n = 27) were divided into three groups: Group I (n = 10) underwent sham surgery for placement of an indwelling central venous catheter; Group II (n = 9) received 5% dextrose and water via an indwelling central venous catheter, and Group III (n = 8) received daily intramuscular injections of 0.9% sodium chloride. Treated rabbits (n = 28) also consisted of three groups: Group IV (n = 9) received 12–hr intravenous infusions of insulin (0.029 units per kg per hr) and glucagon (2.86 μg per kg per hr) daily; Group V (n = 10) received a continuous infusion of parenteral amino acids (Travasol), and Group VI (n = 9) received daily intramuscular methylprednisolone (0.69 mg per kg). In each case, treatment was initiated 16 hr following galactosamine injection. Serum aminotransferase activity was determined on Days 0, 1, 4 and 10 of the 10–day study. Liver histology was obtained immediately after death and graded under code on a scale of 1 to 4 for severity of hepatitis. Rabbits surviving 10 days were sacrificed on Day 10 for histologic examination.
The extent of galactosamine–induced hepatic injury was similar in all six groups as manifest by peak mean SGPT(range: 2,662 to 3,568 IU per liter), SGOT (range: 4,435 to 5,625 IU per liter) levels and hepatic histologic findings. The overall survival rate in controls was 6/27 (22%); in insulin/glucagon–treated animals 2/9 (22%), and in the amino acid–treated group 2/10 (20%). The corticosteroid–treated group, however, had significantly improved survival: 6/9 (67%, p < 0.05, Fisher's exact test). No difference between groups was observed in the mean survival times of animals dying prior to Day 10 (range: 30.7 ± 2.7 — 55.5 ± 13.0 hr, mean ± S.E., p > 0.05). In conclusion, the results of this study indicate that in this animal model of acute fulminant hepatitis and withthese doses, insulin/glucagon infusions and parenteral amino acids have no beneficial effect, while high dose corticosteroids significantly enhance survival. On the basis of these results, a reappraisal of the use of high dose corticosteroidsin the treatment of nonviral forms of acute fulminant heptitis in humans would appear to be indicated.
Terlipressin in Bleeding Esophageal Varices: A Placebo–Controlled, Double–Blind Study
Authors: Walker Siegfried , Stiehl Adolf , Raedsch Richard , Kommerell Burkhard 
Published: March 2007

The effect of terlipressin (N–α–triglycyl–8–lysinevasopressin) in bleeding esophageal varices was evaluated in a prospective placebo–controlled study. Fifty bleeding episodes from esophagealvarices in 34 patients were randomized. Standard therapy with transfusions, fluid and electrolyte correction, and lactulose was performed in both groups. Balloon tamponade was used in 20 bleeding episodes in the terlipressin group and in 19 bleeding episodes in the control group.
In the terlipressin group, hemorrhage was controlled in all bleeding episodes (25/25) whereas in the placebo group, only 20 of 25 bleeding episodes could be stopped within 36 hr (p < 0.05). Sclerotherapy was performed in five bleeding episodes in the terlipressin group and in seven bleeding episodes in the placebo group. Treatment failures, including patients who required sclerotherapy, occurred in five bleedings in the terlipressin group and in 12 in the control group (p < 0.05). The hospital mortality rate was 12% (3/25) in the terlipressin group and 32% (8/25) in the control group. Patients in the terlipressin group required fewer transfusions, the balloon needed to be inflated for a shorter time and theduration of bleeding was shorter than in the control group. However, these differences were not significant.
These data do not allow conclusions concerning monotherapy with terlipressin, but they indicate that the addition of terlipressin to standard therapy may increase the control rate in acute variceal hemorrhage.
Assessment of Short–Term Prognosis After Variceal Bleeding in Patients With Alcoholic Cirrhosis by Early Measurement of Portohepatic Gradient
Authors: Vinel J. P. , Cassigneul J. , Levade M. , Voigt J. J. , Pascal J. P. 
Published: March 2007

Seventy–two consecutively admitted patients with biopsy–proven alcoholic cirrhosis and a bleeding episode endoscopically proven to originate from ruptured esophageal varices were studied. Hemodynamic assessment was performedwithin 48 hr of admission using the transjugular approach.
Mean portal pressure was found to be significantly greater in the group of patients who died than in those who survived for 1 week, 2 weeks or 1 month after admission.
We conclude that: The portohepatic pressure gradient and portal pressure have short–term prognostic value in patients with alcoholic cirrhosis bleeding from ruptured esophageal varices. Owing to a high early mortality, any delay between the occurrence of a bleeding episode and the measurement of portal pressure appears to select a sample of survivorswith a significantly lower mean level of portal pressure than in those measured earlier. When evaluating portal pressure, the time of study is one of the most important variables which may affect the conclusions.
Effect of Volume Expansion on Hemodynamics, Capillary Permeability and Renal Function in Conscious, Cirrhotic Rats
Authors: Caramelo Carlos , Fernandez-Muñoz Dolores , Santos Juan C. , Blanchart Alicia , Rodriguez-Puyol Diego , López-Novoa José M. , Hernando Luis 
Published: March 2007

General and splanchnic hemodynamics (radioactive microspheres), renal function, spontaneous and histamine–mediated vasopermeability and albumin distribution space were studied in conscious control and nonascitic cirrhotic rats, before and after a moderate and sustained saline infusion (3% of body weight per 30 min + repletion of urinary losses). In basal conditions, cirrhotic rats showed lower fractional sodium excretion than did control rats (0.09 ± 0.01 vs. 0.15 ± 0.01%, p < 0.005). In addition, cirrhotic animals showed higher cardiac output (161.4 ± 12.8 ml per min) and lower total peripheral resistance (0.63 ± 0.05 mm Hg–min per ml) and mean arterial pressure (102.9 ± 3.9 mm Hg) than did control rats (cardiac output: 89.0 ± 7.6; total peripheral resistance: 1.31 ± 0.11; mean arterial pressure: 117.5 ± 5.11; p < 0.005). No differences in portalsystemic shunt rate or vasopermeability between both groups were observed. After saline infusion, fractional sodium excretion increased to 4.31 ± 0.16% in controls but only 2.11 ± 0.02% in cirrhotic animals. In this group, cardiac output decreased by 49.6 ± 5.1% whereas mean arterial pressure and total peripheral resistance increased by 7.1 ± 0.6 and 112 ± 10%, respectively. In control rats, no significant hemodynamic changes were observed. Blood gases did not change after expansion in any group. Saline infusion induced an increase in histamine–mediated vasopermeability in cirrhotic rats but not in control rats. Also albumin distribution space increased more in cirrhotic than in control animals. Heart weight was higher in cirrhotic rats.
These results suggest that the lack of adequate natriuretic response to saline infusion in cirrhotic animals is a multifactorial phenomenon. An ineffective replenishment of the vascular tree produced by increased vasopermeability and the probable existence of cardiomyopathy in cirrhotic rats could also explain the experimental findings.