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Biomedical subjects

A Bengtsson

Publications and source records attributed to A Bengtsson.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Isolated hyperthermic liver perfusion with cytostatic-containing perfusate activates the complement cascade.

Eight patients with advanced liver malignancy undergoing isolated hyperthermic liver perfusion with melphalan and cisplatin were studied with regard to complement activation and formation of anaphylatoxins (C3a and C5a) and terminal C5b-9 complement complexes (TCCs). Blood samples for complement variables (C1-INH, C3, C4, C5, C3a, C5a and TCCs) were taken before surgery, 1 min before the start of perfusion, 1, 2 and 3 h after the start of perfusion, and 24 h after operation. Samples were drawn from the perfusate 1 h after the start of perfusion. Activation of complement was observed during perfusion. Raised plasma concentrations of C3a and TCCs were recorded and high levels of C3a and TCCs were found in the perfusate. In vitro tests indicated that melphalan and cisplatin may activate complement. This activation occurred at 37 and 42 degrees C but was more pronounced at 42 degrees C.

Adult

Inspiratory to end-tidal oxygen difference during nitrous oxide anaesthesia.

In order to evaluate the value of the inspiratory to end-tidal oxygen concentration difference (Io2-E'o2) as a monitor during general anaesthesia, we studied 40 orthopaedic patients allocated randomly to four groups: anaesthesia with enflurane or isoflurane in nitrous oxide with either spontaneous or controlled ventilation. (Io2-E'o2) followed an asymptotically increasing curve because of decreasing uptake of nitrous oxide. At 1 h, (Io2-E'o2) approached the end-tidal carbon dioxide concentration (E'o2). During spontaneous ventilation, (Io2-E'o2) correlated best with E'co2. During controlled ventilation, there was a negative correlation between (Io2-E'o2) and nitrous oxide uptake rate. Changes in oxygen uptake rate were reflected in (Io2-E'o2), provided that the total ventilation volume was constant and the nitrous oxide uptake rate approached steady state conditions.

Adult

Living with fibromyalgia. Consequences for everyday life.

The influence of chronic pain on daily life was studied in 58 patients (55 women and three men) with fibromyalgia. The mean age was 45 +/- 11 (SD) years. A mail questionnaire including a 2-day diary was used for data collection. Information was gathered on social background, employment status, symptoms, physical training habits, patients' experience of general health, physical condition, and difficulties in performing motor tasks. The patient reported every half hour in the activity diary the degree of pain and fatigue, whether the activities were difficult to perform, and whether the patient considered them to be enjoyable, valuable, and meaningful. Fifty-five percent of the group had gainful employment. Most were working shorter hours and with changed work tasks. Motor tasks, such as carrying, holding, and running were more difficult to perform than before the onset of the symptoms, and half of the group reported most of their activities as strenuous to perform. Thirty-nine persons (67%) reported no, or very short, pain-free periods during the 2 days. In conclusion, symptoms influenced daily life considerably, and almost all patients reported changes in habits and routines as a consequence of fibromyalgia. An assessment of the patient's total life situation gives valuable information for understanding the patients' ability to handle everyday life.

Activities of Daily Living

Uptake of enflurane and isoflurane during spontaneous and controlled ventilation.

The uptake of enflurane and of isoflurane were studied in forty patients during anaesthesia with nitrous oxide using either spontaneous or controlled ventilation. A Douglas bag method was used in combination with low fresh gas flows to a circle system and constant end-tidal anaesthetic concentration. The mean enflurane uptake rates were between 24 and 14 ml.70kg-1.min-1 between 10 and 60 minutes. Corresponding isoflurane uptake rates were between 15 and 8 ml. 70 kg-1.min-1. The initial uptake rates were lower than expected from "the square root of time concept". During spontaneous ventilation, the anaesthetic uptake rates were similar or even higher than corresponding rates during controlled ventilation in spite of lower minute ventilation volumes.

Adult

Intestinal symptoms and serological response in patients with complicated and uncomplicated Yersinia enterocolitica infections.

Clinical course, serological response and effect of antibiotic treatment were evaluated in 34 patients with uncomplicated enterocolitis and in 27 patients with reactive arthritis (ReA) due to Yersinia enterocolitica. Patients participating in this prospective multicentre trial were randomised to treatment or no treatment with antibiotics. Only 3 (11%) of the patients who later developed ReA asked for medical care because of intestinal symptoms and fever and they all developed arthritis within 2 days after admission to hospital, i.e. before an etiological diagnosis was obtained. Patients with ReA had a history of milder intestinal symptoms than patients with uncomplicated enterocolitis. The peak IgA titer to Y. enterocolitica, as measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay, was higher in ReA patients and it was not affected by the presence of HLA-B27 antigen. On the other hand, untreated patients with uncomplicated enterocolitis had the longest duration of IgG antibodies. The duration of IgG antibody response was shortened in uncomplicated enterocolitis patients treated with antibiotics, but not in ReA patients. Treatment did not influence intestinal or ReA symptoms. It is concluded, that patients with uncomplicated enterocolitis due to Y. enterocolitica differ in intestinal symptoms and serological response, compared with patients who develop ReA. These parameters could however not be used to predict the development of arthritis in individual patients.

Abdominal Pain

Complement, neutrophil, and macrophage activation in women with severe preeclampsia and the syndrome of hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count.

Activation of complement, neutrophils, and macrophages was studied in 14 women with severe preeclampsia, 11 of whom had the syndrome of hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count; in 14 women with normal pregnancies; in seven normal pregnant women undergoing cesarean deliveries; and in 15 healthy nonpregnant women. Activation of complement, neutrophils, and macrophages was measured by plasma determinations of complement split products, polymorphonuclear (PMN) elastase, and neopterin, respectively. Women with severe preeclampsia had increased levels of C5a, terminal complement complex, PMN elastase, and neopterin at delivery and 1 day postpartum as compared with the normal pregnant group. One week postpartum, neopterin remained higher in preeclamptic women, whereas the complement components and PMN elastase had returned to normal. Cesarean delivery after normal pregnancy did not increase the levels of complement split products, PMN elastase (except for one value), or neopterin. The nonpregnant women had normal PMN elastase and neopterin levels. Accordingly, complement, neutrophils, and macrophages are activated in women with severe preeclampsia at delivery. The plasma levels of PMN elastase correlated positively to the formed terminal complement complexes in vivo. An in vitro study was performed to elucidate further the connection between complement and leukocyte activation. Recombinant C5a incubated in whole blood and in a neutrophil cell suspension gave a dose-dependent release of PMN elastase. Both the clinical and the in vitro results indicate that activation of the complement system may affect the function of neutrophils. This study supports the theory that the pathologic manifestations of severe preeclampsia may be explained by complement-induced release of biologically active substances from activated leukocytes.

Biopterins

Fibromyalgia--a clinical entity?

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a syndrome characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain and tenderness at specified sites, fatigue, and unrefreshing sleep. The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) has recently accepted diagnostic criteria for FM. The ACR criteria have high diagnostic specificity, sensitivity, and accuracy. Laboratory investigations show a disturbed microcirculation in painful muscles, a decrease in adenosine triphosphate and phosphocreatine, and a reduced relaxation rate. Pain analyses indicate that the pain is nociceptive. A characteristic physiological sleep disturbance has been described that is correlated to the symptoms. The etiology of FM is not known. The etiology may be different in different patients. FM is a clinical entity, but should be regarded as a syndrome rather than a disease.

Fibromyalgia

Complement activation in relation to development of preeclampsia.

Six hundred eighty-five primigravidas followed as a series had complement activation evaluated by the formation of anaphylatoxins (C3a and C5a) and terminal C5b-9 complement complexes in venous blood. Samples for complement determinations were obtained four times during pregnancy, in pregnancy weeks 12-16, 20-24, 28-32, and 34-36. Seven of the women developed preeclampsia and one of them the syndrome of hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count (HELLP syndrome). Eleven others with uncomplicated pregnancies were selected as a control group. Plasma samples were taken from these 18 women at delivery and 1 and 7 days after delivery. At delivery, plasma C5a levels were significantly greater in the preeclamptics than in controls, and four of the seven preeclamptics had elevated plasma C3a values compared with controls. One week after delivery, these plasma anaphylatoxins had returned to normal. Elevations of the anaphylatoxins could not be detected before the women developed clinical signs of preeclampsia. No alterations in terminal C5b-9 complement complexes could be observed in the women with preeclampsia. However, the women who developed HELLP syndrome had elevated plasma concentrations of C3a, C5a, and terminal C5b-9 complement complex at delivery. These values returned to the normal range 1 week after delivery. We conclude that complement activation in the systemic circulation does not occur early in pregnancy and that plasma concentrations of C3a, C5a, or terminal C5b-9 complement complex cannot be used as predictors of preeclampsia.

Adult

Early antibiotic treatment of reactive arthritis associated with enteric infections: clinical and serological study.

OBJECTIVE: To find out whether a 10-14 days' course of antibiotics early in the course of reactive arthritis associated with enteric infections could reduce the severity and duration of the disease and whether the antibody response in patients with reactive arthritis associated with yersinia infection differed between those treated and those not treated with the antibiotics. DESIGN: Prospective multicentre trial in which patients were randomised to treatment or no treatment with antibiotics. Patients were seen at three and six weeks and three, six, nine, 12, and 18 months after their first visit. SETTING: Departments of infectious diseases in three hospitals in Linköping, Malmö, and Stockholm, Sweden. PATIENTS: 40 Consecutive patients who had had symptoms of reactive arthritis associated with enteric infection for less than four weeks. INTERVENTIONS: 20 Patients were allocated to treatment with antibiotics and 20 patients did not receive antibiotics. All patients received non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and four also received intra-articular steroid injections after at least six weeks' observation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Arthritic symptoms assessed clinically and by using Ritchies' index; blood measurements reflecting inflammatory activity; serum IgG, IgM, and IgA antibody titres; HLA tissue type. RESULTS: No difference was observed concerning duration of arthritis, grade of inflammation, and number of joints affected between patients treated and those not treated with antibiotics. Furthermore, there was no significant difference between the two groups in erythrocyte sedimentation rate and haptoglobin, IgG, and IgA concentrations. All values had returned to normal within three months. No patient developed chronic arthritis, but sustained slight arthralgia occurred in three patients. The HLA-B27 antigen was found in 23 (58%) of the patients, and its presence did not affect clinical outcome. The IgG, IgM, and IgA antibody responses were similar in patients treated with antibiotics and those not treated. CONCLUSION: Short term antibiotic treatment has no beneficial effect on the clinical outcome of reactive arthritis associated with enteric infection.

Adult

Complement activation and reinfusion of wound drainage blood.

Eighteen patients undergoing total hip replacement (n = 13) or knee arthroplasty (n = 5) due to osteoarthritis or osteoarthrosis were prospectively studied in an investigation of complement activation and anaphylatoxin release in association with reinfusion of aspirated wound blood. Twelve of the patients needed blood transfusions and received an average of 390 +/- 75 ml (+/- SD) of autologous blood within 45 min. Plasma complement components, anaphylatoxins, and inhibitors were studied 1 min before and 15 min after the start of and 15 min after the completion of autologous transfusion. Samples also were taken from the collected blood, before and after passing it through a microporous filter. Blood gases and systemic complement samples were drawn simultaneously. There were no significant changes in systemic complement variables before, during, or after transfusion of autologous blood. However, in the aspirated blood, increased concentration of anaphylatoxins (C3a and C5a) and terminal complement complexes (TCC) were present (P less than 0.001). There were no differences observed between samples drawn before and after filtration of the blood. The concentration of C5 was less in the collected blood than in the systemic blood (P less than 0.05). No changes in blood gases were observed. This study demonstrated that postoperatively salvaged whole blood underwent anaphylatoxin formation and complement activation. However, after reinfusion of this blood, neither systemic complement activation nor clinical complications were observed.

Adult

Accumulation of anaphylatoxins and terminal complement complexes in inflammatory fluids.

The presence of anaphylatoxins (C3a and C5a) and terminal complement complexes (TCC) in different inflammatory fluids and plasma was studied in 33 patients. Anaphylatoxins were assayed using a radioimmunoassay technique, and the terminal complement complexes were determined by an ELISA method. Patients with peritoneal (n = 14), pleural (n = 7), pericardial (n = 6) or burn bullae fluid (n = 6) were studied. High C3a and TCC concentrations were found in all these fluids. Elevated C3a and TCC concentrations in inflammatory fluids were found not only in patients with elevated plasma C3a and TCC concentrations, but also in patients with normal plasma levels. No increases in C5a concentration were observed in pleural or burn bullae fluid. In one patient with pericarditis, and in subjects with acute pancreatitis with ascites, high C5a levels were found in the fluid. However, the high TCC concentration in the fluids suggests that C5a had been formed but was probably removed by leucocytes present in the fluid.

Acute Disease

Anaphylatoxin and terminal complement complexes in red cell salvage.

Thirteen patients undergoing elective orthopedic surgery were studied regarding anaphylatoxin (C3a and C5a) and terminal complement complex (TCC) formation in association with red cell salvage. The auto-transfusion equipment gave a centrifuged and washed erythrocyte fraction. The concentrations of C5a and TCC were not increased but elevated C3a levels were found in the suspension. After infusion of the erythrocyte fraction to the patient, no signs of systemic complement activation were observed. Thus, plasma levels of C3a, C5a and TCC were within the normal range in all the patients before and after autotransfusion. This study indicates that the complement system is activated in the cellsaver equipment. The washing procedure, however, seems to eliminate most of the anaphylatoxins and terminal complement complexes. No extensive systemic activation of complement seems to occur in association with autotransfusion to patients undergoing elective surgery.

Aged

Gamma 2-MSH increases during graded exercise in healthy subjects: comparison with plasma catecholamines, neuropeptides, aldosterone and renin activity.

To evaluate the possibility that the proopiomelanocortin (POMC)-derived peptide gamma 2-melanocyte stimulating hormone (gamma 2-MSH) has a role in circulatory regulation in man we studied circulating levels of this peptide at three different stages of physical activity in 10 young healthy subjects. The results were compared to simultaneously measured plasma levels of catecholamines, neuropeptide Y, vasopressin, renin activity, aldosterone and human alpha-atrial natriuretic peptide (alpha-hANP) and of the vasodilatory peptides calcitonin gene-related peptide, substance P and vasoactive intestinal peptide. The plasma levels of gamma 2-MSH-LI (like immunoreactivity) increased from 1009 +/- 101 pmol l-1 at supine rest to 1281 +/- 79 pmol l-1 when measured after 10 min walking (P less than 0.05), and remained at this increased level also after a consecutive further increase of physical activity (4 min stair rush), 1293 +/- 87 pmol l-1 (P less than 0.05 vs. at rest). The increase in circulating gamma 2-MSH-LI levels preceded the elevation of the venous plasma noradrenaline level, but did not rise further with more pronounced activation of the sympathetic nervous system at the highest grade of physical activity examined.

Aldosterone

Absence of autoantibodies in primary fibromyalgia.

Sera from patients with primary fibromyalgia (223 sera, 210 women; 13 men) were analyzed, by immunofluorescence microscopy, for the presence of antibodies directed against cell nuclei (ANA), smooth muscle, mitochondria and other tissue antigens present in cryostat sections of rat organs (liver, kidney and stomach). Sera from blood donors (255 sera, 75 women; 180 men) served as a comparative group. The occurrence of serum autoantibodies in patients with fibromyalgia did not differ significantly from the reference group. Our results differ from those of others, who have suggested a relation between fibromyalgia and inflammatory rheumatic diseases.

Adult

Enhanced anaphylatoxin and terminal C5b-9 complement complex formation in patients with the syndrome of hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count.

Complement activation was studied in ten consecutive pregnant women developing hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count (HELLP syndrome) and ten other women with normal pregnancies. Blood samples for anaphylatoxin (C3a/C3a desArg and C5a/C5a desArg) and terminal C5b-9 complement complex determinations were drawn at delivery and 24 hours and 7 days later. Women developing HELLP syndrome had higher plasma levels of anaphylatoxins with delivery than did women with uneventful pregnancies. The plasma levels of terminal C5b-9 complement complexes at the time of delivery were increased as compared with levels 1 and 7 days after delivery in women with HELLP syndrome. The plasma concentrations of the anaphylatoxins and the terminal C5b-9 complement complexes returned to normal levels within 1 week after delivery in the HELLP group. The formation of C5b-9 complement complex indicates that the terminal part of the complement cascade has been activated and that C5a has been formed and eliminated. Complement activation with release of anaphylatoxins and terminal C5b-9 complement complexes may be one etiologic factor behind the elevated blood pressure, hemolysis, liver insufficiency, and platelet consumption seen in these patients.

Adult