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Biomedical subjects

C Degott

Publications and source records attributed to C Degott.

At least 217 records · Page 12Linked to original sources

Methoxsalen decreases the metabolic activation and prevents the hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity of chloroform in mice.

The effects of methoxsalen, a potent inhibitor of cytochrome P-450, on the hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity of chloroform have been determined in mice. Hepatic and renal monooxygenase activities and the in vitro covalent binding of chloroform metabolites to hepatic and renal microsomal proteins were decreased by 20-70% in microsomes from mice killed 2 hr after the administration of methoxsalen (250 mumol.kg-1ip) alone. Administration of methoxsalen (250 mumol.kg-1ip), 30 min before [14C]chloroform (1 ml.kg-1ip), did not modify blood levels of [14C]chloroform (and metabolites) but decreased the in vivo covalent binding of [14C]chloroform metabolites to hepatic and renal proteins 4 hr after the administration of [14C]chloroform. This pretreatment markedly decreased serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase activity, blood urea nitrogen, glucosuria, liver and kidney lesions, and mortality 24 hr after the administration of chloroform (0.125-1.5 ml.kg-1ip). Other cytochrome P-450 inhibitors (SKF 525-A or piperonyl butoxide), given at the same molar dose (250 mumol.kg-1ip), exerted no protective effect. Pretreatment with methoxsalen appears to decrease the metabolic activation of chloroform and essentially prevents its hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity in mice. Methoxsalen may have use as a tool to determine the role of metabolic activation by cytochrome P-450 in the hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity of drugs and chemicals.

7-Alkoxycoumarin O-Dealkylase↗

Chronic active hepatitis caused by benzarone.

We report a case of chronic active hepatitis caused by benzarone, a benzofuran derivative used in Europe for the treatment of peripheral venous disorders. Jaundice and serum alanine aminotransferase activity increased while drug administration was continued, but promptly decreased when it was eventually interrupted. Liver lesions were those of chronic active hepatitis. Anti-smooth muscle antibodies were present at a titer of 1:500 and disappeared 8 months after withdrawal of benzarone.

Alanine Transaminase↗

Prolonged cholestasis after troleandomycin-induced acute hepatitis.

We report the case of a patient in whom troleandomycin-induced hepatitis was followed by prolonged anicteric cholestasis. Jaundice occurred after administration of troleandomycin for 7 days and was associated with hypereosinophilia. Jaundice disappeared within 3 months but was followed by prolonged anicteric cholestasis marked by pruritus and high levels of alkaline phosphatase and gammaglutamyltransferase activities. Finally, pruritus disappeared within 19 months, and liver tests returned to normal 27 months after the onset of hepatitis. This observation demonstrates that prolonged cholestasis can follow troleandomycin-induced acute hepatitis.

Acute Disease↗

Sequences of hepatitis B virus DNA in the serum and liver of patients with acute benign and fulminant hepatitis.

We investigated hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA in liver samples from 22 patients with acute benign hepatitis (AH) and 26 with acute fulminant hepatitis (FH) and compared the results with those obtained by detection of serum HBV DNA and HBV serological markers. Free HBV DNA forms were detected in 11 patients with AH and one with FH, a reflection of active HBV DNA replication in three patients and the end of viral multiplication in nine. Free monomeric HBV DNA was present in three patients with AH and six with FH, and free oligomers were identified in three patients with AH. Results from two patients with AH and seven with FH suggested the presence of dimeric or multimeric HBV DNA. Thus, the various forms of HBV DNA previously described in chronic HBV carriers may be observed at the acute stage of the viral infection. After comparing serological and hybridization data, we found that nine of 19 patients (one with AH and eight with FH) lacking serum HBV surface antigen might have had acute hepatitis related to infection with HBV or HBV variants.

Acute Disease↗

Prolonged cholestasis after cyproheptadine-induced acute hepatitis.

We report a patient in whom cyproheptadine-induced hepatitis was followed by prolonged cholestasis marked by elevation of serum alkaline phosphatase levels, gammaglutamyltransferase and bile acid levels, and disappearance of small bile ducts. Chlorpromazine and imipramine, which can induce a similar acute hepatitis followed by protracted cholestasis, have a close chemical structure (i.e., a tricyclic ring). We suggest that this structure might be involved in this type of hepatotoxicity.

Acute Disease↗

Fulminant hepatitis in renal transplant recipients. The role of the delta agent.

In a series of about 300 renal transplant patients followed from 1972 to 1983, 3 cases of fulminant hepatitis were observed in HBs Ag-positive patients. In the liver biopsies of 2/3 of them, the delta antigen was detected by direct immunofluorescence with a specific anti-delta serum. This result demonstrates the responsibility of the delta agent for the development of fulminant hepatitis, and emphasizes the possibility of delta infection in HBs Ag-positive transplant patients with severe hepatitis.

Antigens, Viral↗

Cholangitis in the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome: report of two cases and review of the literature.

We report the cases of one patient with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome as a result of human immunodeficiency virus type 1/lymphadenopathy associated virus type 1/human T-cell lymphotrophic virus type III (HIV-1/LAV-1/HTLV-III) infection and of another patient with AIDS related complex caused by human immunodeficiency virus type 2/lymphadenopathy associated virus type 2 (HIV-2/LAV-2) infection, who were suffering from cholangitis. The manifestations and possible mechanisms for cholangitis in these patients and in 10 previously reported similar cases are reviewed.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Inhibition of mitochondrial beta-oxidation of fatty acids by pirprofen. Role in microvesicular steatosis due to this nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug.

Administration of pirprofen may produce microvesicular steatosis of the liver in humans. The effects of pirprofen on the mitochondrial beta-oxidation of fatty acids have been investigated in mice. In vitro, addition of 2 mM pirprofen decreased by 50% the formation of [14C]acid-soluble beta-oxidation products, and decreased by 70% the formation of [14C]CO2 upon incubation of hepatic mitochondria with [14C]palmitic acid, ATP, carnitine and coenzyme A. In vivo, administration of pirprofen (2 mmol . kg-1 i.p.), 1 hr before that of [U-14C]palmitic acid, decreased by 70% the exhalation of [14C]CO2 during the next 6 hr. Administration of pirprofen (2 mmol . kg-1 i.p.), 1 hr before the measurement, decreased plasma beta-hydroxybutyrate by 60%, plasma acetoacetate by 30% and blood glucose by 40%. Administration of pirprofen (2 mmol . kg-1 i.p.) 6 hr before sacrifice, doubled hepatic triglycerides content and produced microvesicular steatosis of the liver. We conclude that pirprofen inhibits the mitochondrial beta-oxidation of fatty acids in mice, thus explaining the microvesicular steatosis observed in mice and in some human subjects.

Animals↗

Hepatic sarcoidosis with portal hypertension. A report of seven cases with a review of the literature.

We have reviewed the clinical, histological and hemodynamic features of sarcoidosis complicated by portal hypertension in seven patients and in 40 previously reported cases. Young black patients of either sex and white females over 40 years were selectively affected. In 12 of these 47 patients, portal hypertension appeared to be a consequence of cirrhosis due to longstanding intrahepatic cholestasis; in white patients, this condition was clinically, histologically, and serologically indistinguishable from primary biliary cirrhosis. In most of the other patients, portal hypertension was the predominant and often the presenting symptom of hepatic sarcoidosis; in these patients portal hypertension was due to a presinusoidal block probably determined by portal granulomas, with or without superimposed sinusoidal block determined by fibrosis. Corticosteroids did not prevent the development of portal hypertension.

Adult↗

[Alcoholic foamy steatosis: study of 3 cases].

Alcoholic foamy degeneration is a recently recognized type of alcohol related liver disease. We report 3 cases occurring in men aged 40, 51 and 38 years. All 3 patients had marked elevation of serum aminotransferases which decreased rapidly after withdrawal of alcohol intake. In each case, the diagnosis of alcoholic foamy degeneration was made on microscopic examination of a liver specimen. The lesion is similar to that found in other diseases in which microvesicular steatosis is a main finding, such as acute fatty liver of pregnancy and Reye's syndrome. This condition, when isolated, is a rare form of alcoholic liver disease. A milder form probably exists, more commonly associated with other alcoholic liver injuries. The diagnosis of alcoholic foamy degeneration must be suspected when marked elevation of serum aminotransferases is observed in alcoholic patients, and it must be confirmed by microscopic examination.

Adult↗

Prolonged cholestasis after ajmaline-induced acute hepatitis.

We report the cases of 3 patients in whom ajmaline-induced acute hepatitis was followed by anicteric cholestasis persisting for more than 1 year after cessation of administration of the drug. Ajmaline was given for 8-16 days before the onset of acute hepatitis. Jaundice was preceded by fever, chills and abdominal pain, and was associated with hypereosinophilia. The initial lesions included centrilobular cholestasis and portal inflammatory infiltration. Jaundice lasted for 3 weeks to 11 months. In these 3 patients liver tests were still abnormal 17-26 months after ajmaline withdrawal; histological examination, performed 9-26 months after the onset of jaundice, showed a decreased number of interlobular bile ducts, ductular proliferation, and mild portal fibrosis; circulating immune complexes were demonstrated. These observations demonstrate that prolonged cholestasis can follow ajmaline-induced acute hepatitis. Persistence of cholestasis long after the withdrawal of ajmaline suggests some form of autoimmunity.

Acute Disease↗

Identification and transmission of hepatitis B virus-related variants.

We have identified long-incubation viral agents that share epitopes with hepatitis B virus (HBV). During chimpanzee infectivity studies, these agents may be recognized in the liver since they possess complementary nucleic acid sequences with HBV DNA; the genomic size was found to be 3.2 kilobases, identical to that of HBV. Liver injury was produced and there was antigen expression in hepatocytes. Chimpanzees were not protected by prior immunization with hepatitis B surface antigen; conversely, they were still susceptible to HBV after recovery from infection with such agents. These findings suggest that these hepatitis B virus-related variants appear to be immunologically distinct from HBV.

Animals↗

Serial transmission of a human non A-non B hepatitis viral strain to HBV-protected chimpanzees: successive histological and ultrastructural studies.

A NANB agent of human origin was inoculated in HBV-immunized chimpanzees. Infection was proven in two animals and serially passed to two others. The absence of anti-HBc in serum and the absence of HBsAg and HbcAg in liver are arguments against the HBV nature of the transmitted infection. Moreover, the reproducible appearance of the NANBcAg/Ab system at each passage from man to chimpanzee and from chimpanzee to chimpanzee, a response not elicited in control animals, suggests that this reaction may be a specific immunologic marker for the strain. NANB infection was transmitted in all chimpanzees. Distinctive hepatic morphologic features were obtained in the liver biopsies of the human donor and the inoculated chimpanzees: eosinophilic alterations of hepatocytes and numerous inflammatory cells. Inflammation was more prominent than necrosis, appearing earlier and lasting longer, but was not topographically close to the eosinophilic changes. On electron microscopy, particles characteristic of NANB agent were observed in the cytoplasm of the hepatocytes. No particles were demonstrated in the nucleus of these cells.

Animals↗

Effects of pregnancy on the toxicity and metabolism of acetaminophen in mice.

Although acetaminophen is widely used in pregnant women, the effects of pregnancy on its hepatotoxicity remain unknown. We assessed these effects in pregnant mice (17-18 days of gestation). The hepatotoxicity of acetaminophen (300-400 mg X kg-1 i.p.) was increased markedly in pregnant mice, as judged by increased serum glutamic-pyruvic transaminase activity, higher incidence of liver necrosis and greater mortality. In vitro, acetaminophen sulfotransferase activity was increased by 47% in pregnant mice, but acetaminophen glucuronosyltransferase activity was decreased by 54%; the metabolic activation of acetaminophen to covalently bound metabolites was unchanged. Glutathione S-transferase activities were decreased slightly. In vivo, after administration of acetaminophen (300 mg X kg-1 i.p.), the 24-hr urinary excretion of the sulfate conjugate was increased (from 12% of the recovered dose in nonpregnant mice to 21% in pregnant mice), that of the glucuronide was decreased (from 61 to 52%), whereas those of the cysteine and mercapturic acid conjugates and that of acetaminophen were unchanged. Finally, the plasma clearance and the apparent volume of distribution of acetaminophen (both expressed per body weight) remained unchanged. Similarly, in vivo covalent binding to hepatic proteins 4 hr after administration of acetaminophen (300 and 400 mg X kg-1 i.p.) remained unchanged as were in vivo indexes of lipid peroxidation. In contrast, liver glutathione concentration, albeit initially normal, fell to much lower levels after administration of acetaminophen (200-400 mg X kg-1 i.p.) or diethylmaleate (0.5 ml X kg-1 i.p.) in pregnant mice, and recovered more slowly thereafter.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acetaminophen↗