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C Gluud

Publications and source records attributed to C Gluud.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

The Mallory body: theories on development and pathological significance (Part 2 of a literature survey).

Drawing on data from a previously published literature survey on the clinical and experimental epidemiology of the Mallory body, we discuss current theories on its development in a pro et contra manner. Conclusions have been largely left open to the interpretations of the reader because many are still speculative. The main results of this study characterize Mallory bodies as stereotypical histological byproducts to diverse hepatic injuries (mostly alcohol associated) of questionable pathogenic importance. The temporal characteristics of Mallory bodies cast doubt on their role in hepatic neoplasia both as a disease marker and a causative agent, and prognosis studies suggest that they may be considered preterminal markers in some nonalcoholic liver diseases but remain prognostically unimportant in most studies on alcoholic patients. By similar line of inquiry, no consistent relationships may be found with disease severity or duration in alcoholic liver diseases. The roles of vitamin A deficiency and protein-calorie malnutrition are circumstantial. Drugs known to have calcium-antagonist properties and the physiological characteristics of the stress-response protein ubiquitin support the concept of defective protein systems in Mallory body pathogenesis. Disproportionate hepatic copper accumulation seems both epidemiologically and topographically associated with Mallory bodies, but these connections are largely unsupported by exposure studies. Many arguments still downplay the importance of uncoordinated changes in hepatic oxygen delivery and consumption, but ischemia-reperfusion studies suggest a role of oxygen-derived free radicals in the liver injuries under scrutiny. Finally, the role of Mallory bodies in the control system of hepatocyte function is addressed, and indirect evidence lends credence to a cybernetic approach in future study designs. It is reasonable to assume that different elements of a multifactorial setting operate with varying intensity over time as this may account for some of the controversies that exist. In conclusion, the biological significance of Mallory bodies is still mystery. It is not known whether Mallory bodies represent an epiphenomenon or play a role themselves in the initiation and continuation of liver damage.

Animals↗

Liver pathology associated with the use of anabolic-androgenic steroids.

This review examines the liver-damaging side effects of anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS). It seems that AAS can cause development of peliosis hepatis, subcellular changes of hepatocytes, hepatocellular hyperplasia and hepatocellular adenomas. On the other hand, it has not been convincingly proved that AAS can cause development of hepatocellular carcinomas when used in the usual therapeutic doses. Tumours reported as hepatocellular carcinomas caused by AAS seems to be hyperplastic lesions of a benign nature able to regress with withdrawal of the putative agent. The effects of untraditional combinations and high-dose AAS are not yet known, leaving the possibility of a carcinogenic effect in those cases.

Anabolic Agents↗

The contribution of body composition, substrates, and hormones to the variability in energy expenditure and substrate utilization in premenopausal women.

Twenty-four-hour energy expenditure and substrate use were measured by indirect calorimetry in respiration chambers on a fixed physical program and related to body composition and plasma concentrations of various substrates and thermogenic hormones. Fifty premenopausal women with a wide range of body weight were examined in the follicular menstrual phase under weight stable conditions. Most of the variance in the sleeping energy expenditure (82%) was accounted for by two covariates, lean body mass (75%, P less than 0.0001), and fat mass (7%, P less than 0.0001). An additional 6% of the variance in sleeping energy expenditure was accounted for by plasma androstenedione concentration (4%, P = 0.0005) and by free T3 index (2%, P = 0.03). Thus physiological variation among individuals in plasma androstenedione concentration may result in a difference in energy expenditure of 908 kJ/day and the corresponding variation in free T3 index may result in a difference between individuals of 594 kJ/day. Fifty four percent of the variation in carbohydrate oxidation rates was accounted for by 24-h energy balance, and by plasma concentrations of insulin, nonesterified fatty acids, and estradiol. Waist circumference, plasma nonesterified fatty acids, and estradiol concentrations explained 49% of the variance in 24-h lipid oxidation. An obese subgroup of women (n = 27) had significantly higher 24-h energy expenditure, lipid, and carbohydrate oxidation rates than an age-matched normal weight group (n = 16), but the entire group difference in energy expenditure was explained by differences in body composition. We conclude that physiological variations in plasma androstenedione and T3 concentrations contribute to the interindividual variance in energy expenditure of women, and their role is not different in obese women. A positive energy balance and increased insulin action may be mediators of the higher carbohydrate oxidation in obesity, whereas an increased substrate availability seems to bring about the increased lipid oxidation.

Adolescent↗

Physician's information about alcohol problems at hospitalisation of alcohol misusers.

Information was gathered on recognition and treatment of alcohol problems in the primary and secondary health sectors, the latter represented by a department of hepatology. The general practitioner finds in most cases (18/26, 69%) that it is relevant to advise about a patient's alcohol misuse on admission forms when the patient previously has been discharged from another department with this diagnosis. However, if the patient has not previously been hospitalised due to alcohol misuse, information on the diagnosis is only rarely (30/114, 26%) available. This difference is highly significant (P = 0.0001). The case-recording hospital physician at admission recognises 73% of alcohol misusers who are admitted with a non-alcohol-related diagnosis. When the patient had been evaluated by both the admitting physician and the case-recording hospital physician, information on the alcohol problem occurred significantly less often in female compared to male patients (75% vs. 94%; P < 0.002). Only 42 of 208 (20%) of alcohol misusers were under treatment with thiamine/B-vitamins and/or disulfiram before admission. There was a significant difference (P < 0.003) as to whether the patient was treated when the general practitioner wrote alcohol misuse on the admission form and when he did not (37% vs. 10%). At admission, treatment was begun in 54%, and by the discharge 78% were under treatment. Further quality assurance in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with alcohol problems is needed.

Adult↗

Menopausal age and sex hormones in postmenopausal women with alcoholic and non-alcoholic liver disease.

In order to evaluate age at menopause and serum sex hormone profiles in postmenopausal women with stable chronic liver disease, six non-cirrhotic alcoholics, 13 with alcoholic cirrhosis, eight with non-alcoholic cirrhosis, and 46 healthy controls were studied. In all three groups, patients were significantly (p less than 0.05) younger at the time of natural menopause than controls. Compared to controls, non-cirrhotic alcoholic women had significantly (p less than 0.05) reduced levels of DHAS, significantly (p less than 0.05) more alcoholic cirrhotic women had detectable oestradiol concentrations, elevated concentrations of oestrone and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) and reduced levels of 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone (DHT), while women with non-alcoholic cirrhosis had significantly elevated concentrations of SHBG and reduced levels of oestrone sulphate, DHT, androstenedione and dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHAS) (p less than 0.05). The observed changes may be a consequence of liver disease since similar changes were observed in patients with alcoholic and non-alcoholic liver disease, but an additional effect of alcohol cannot be excluded.

Aged↗

Hepatic effects of dietary weight loss in morbidly obese subjects.

This prospective study was carried out in order to evaluate the influence on liver morphology and function of a very-low-calorie formula diet. Fourty-one morbidly obese, non-alcoholic subjects had liver biopsy performed before and after a median weight loss of 34 kg. Fatty change improved (p less than 0.001), but 24% of the patients developed slight portal inflammation (p = 0.039) or slight portal fibrosis (p = 0.063). Patients developing portal fibrosis had a higher degree of fatty change at entry (p = 0.029), a more pronounced reduction of fatty change (p = 0.014) and a faster weight loss (p = 0.026). Liver biochemistry, which was of no individual diagnostic value, improved. It is concluded that morbidly obese subjects with a high degree of hepatic fatty change are at risk of developing portal inflammation and fibrosis when undergoing very fast dietary weight reductions.

Adult↗

Enzyme immunoassay of oestrogen receptors in needle biopsies from human liver.

For quantitative assessments of sex hormone receptors in liver tissue, ligand binding assays are inconvenient, as they require large biopsies (0.5-1.0 g). The present study shows that it is possible to measure oestrogen receptors (ER) quantitatively in needle biopsy specimens as small as 10 mg by modifications of a commercial enzyme immunoassay employing monoclonal antibodies. Sucrose gradient centrifugation and the dextran charcoal method served as reference methods. A consecutive series of needle biopsies from patients suspected of liver disease were investigated. The biopsies (n = 37) had a median weight of 14 mg and cytosolic protein concentrations greater than 1 mg/ml (median 1.28 mg/ml). The median ER concentration was 20 fmol/mg cytosolic protein (range 5 to 57 fmol/mg). The intra-assay coefficient of variation was 8.9%, the inter-assay 13.2%, and the detection limit 2.7 fmol/ml cytosol. Women had significantly higher ER concentrations (median 22 fmol/mg) compared to male patients (median 16 fmol/mg) (P = 0.007). The enzyme immunoassay measures ER in liver specimens as small as 10 mg, compared to the large tissue specimens necessary for the conventional DCC assay, and the method is a convenient tool for further studies of ER in routine needle biopsies from the liver.

Biopsy, Needle↗

Prevalence of hepatobiliary dysfunction in a regional group of patients with chronic inflammatory bowel disease.

A regional group of outpatients with chronic inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis, n = 396, and Crohn's disease, n = 125) was biochemically screened to estimate the prevalence of hepatobiliary dysfunction. Among the 396 patients with ulcerative colitis, 69 (17%; 95% confidence limits, 14-22%) had at least 1 abnormal laboratory value. Serum bilirubin was elevated in 5%, alkaline phosphatases in 8%, aspartate aminotransferases in 4%, and alanine aminotransferases in 8% of the patients. Two per cent had decreased plasma coagulation factors (2.7 and 10) and serum albumin. Further diagnositc evaluation consisting of ultrasonography, liver biopsy, and endoscopic retrograde cholangiography was performed in patients who had biochemical values more than twice the upper normal limit in two consecutive blood tests within a fortnight. Six patients (1%) fulfilled this criterion. Three patients had primary sclerosing cholangitis, of whom two were primarily diagnosed; one patient had cholangiocarcinoma also primarily diagnosed; and two patients were found to have alcoholic hepatic damage. Among the 125 patients with Crohn's disease, 38 (30%; 95% confidence limits, 23-38%) had at least 1 abnormal laboratory value. Serum bilirubin was elevated in 2%, alkaline phosphatases in 18%, asparetate aminotransferases in 3%, and alanine aminotransferases in 10% of the patients. One per cent had decreased plasma coagulation factors (2.7 and 10) and serum albumin concentrations. Three patients (2%) fulfilled the criteria for further evaluation as described above. One patient appeared to have epithelioid granuloma in the liver and one patient had alcoholic liver disease, whereas one patient refused further examination.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗

Sex hormones in postmenopausal women with primary biliary cirrhosis.

To evaluate serum sex hormone profiles in nonalcoholic postmenopausal women with liver disease, 25 women with primary biliary cirrhosis (11 in cirrhotic stage) and 46 healthy controls were studied. The patients had significantly (p less than 0.05) elevated serum concentrations of estrone and androstenedione and significantly (p less than 0.05) lower concentrations of estrone sulfate, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate and 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone compared with the 46 controls. Serum concentrations of sex hormone binding globulin, testosterone, non-sex hormone binding globulin-bound testosterone and non-protein-bound testosterone did not differ significantly (p greater than 0.05) between primary biliary cirrhosis patients and controls. Patients in the cirrhotic stage had significantly (p less than 0.05) higher concentrations of sex hormone binding globulin than did controls. Patients in the cirrhotic stage had significantly (p less than 0.05) higher sex hormone binding globulin and estrone sulfate levels compared with noncirrhotic patients with primary biliary cirrhosis. Otherwise, no significant differences were observed between cirrhotic and noncirrhotic patients. The observed changes in steroid concentrations may be a consequence of hepatic dysfunction.

Aged↗

An international study of the relationship between alcohol consumption and postmenopausal estradiol levels.

Because of the beneficial effect of estrogens on the risk of cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis in postmenopausal women, the factors which influence endogenous postmenopausal estrogen levels are of substantial importance. The major source of postmenopausal estrogen is the aromatization of androgens to estrogens. Because alcohol is reported to increase aromatization rates, the relationship between serum estradiol and moderate alcohol consumption was examined in a group of 128 healthy Pittsburgh postmenopausal women, and a significant direct association was found. In order to address the generalizability of this finding, 3 comparable study populations of healthy postmenopausal women were recruited: 62 in Copenhagen, 34 in Lisbon and 20 in Madrid. Although no association was detected in the Madrid study sample, in both the Copenhagen and Lisbon study populations, not only were estradiol levels significantly increased in alcohol users as compared to abstainers, but also estradiol levels were significantly correlated with total weekly drinks consumed. Based on these findings in study samples of healthy postmenopausal women from Pittsburgh, Copenhagen and Lisbon, we conclude that the increase in estradiol levels seen with moderate alcoholic beverage consumption is not an isolated finding and speculate that moderate alcohol consumption by healthy postmenopausal women may have beneficial effects.

Alcohol Drinking↗

Branched chain enriched amino acid versus glucose treatment of hepatic encephalopathy. A double-blind study of 65 patients with cirrhosis.

We studied the effects of infusion of a branched chain enriched amino acid mixture versus glucose on acute hepatic encephalopathy in patients with cirrhosis. Sixty-five patients were randomly treated with 1 g/kg per day of an amino acid mixture with 40% branched chain contents (32 patients), or isocaloric glucose (33 patients) for a maximum of 16 days. The regimens further included glucose infusion to a total of 26.5 kcal/kg per day and lactulose. The patients took part in the study for 5-6 days. In each group 17 patients woke up. In the amino acid group eleven died and four developed renal failure. In the glucose group ten died, three developed renal and two respiratory failure, and one remained encephalopathic. The coma score worsened in three of the patients who died in the amino acid group, but in all patients who died in the glucose group. The negative nitrogen balance on entry reversed in the amino acid group, but not in the glucose group. Thus, the branched chain enriched amino acid supplement did not change the prognosis for wake-up, but had other effects on the cerebral state and on nitrogen homeostasis.

Adult↗

Surecut 0.6 mm liver biopsy in the diagnosis of cirrhosis.

Liver biopsy with the 0.6 mm (23 gauge) Surecut needle was compared to conventional Menghini biopsy in the diagnosis of cirrhosis. Seventy-seven consecutive patients (mainly alcoholics) with a clinical indication for liver biopsy had both biopsies performed simultaneously. In 71 patients sufficient material for a morphological diagnosis concerning liver architecture was obtained with both biopsy techniques (Surecut insufficient in 5 cases and Menghini insufficient in 2 cases). The biopsies were classified as cirrhosis or non-cirrhosis. There was agreement in 69 cases (97%, confidence limits 90-100%). Using the result of the Menghini biopsy as the final diagnosis, the predictive values for a positive and negative diagnosis for the Surecut needle were 96% and 98%, respectively. There were no complications to either of the biopsies. It is suggested that the 0.6 mm Surecut biopsy may be used in the diagnosis of cirrhosis in cases where conventional Menghini needle biopsy is contraindicated.

Biopsy, Needle↗

Acyclovir in the prevention of duodenal ulcer recurrence.

This study tests the hypothesis that reactivation of a latent herpes simplex virus infection may be a cause of recurrent duodenal ulceration. Patients with recently healed duodenal ulcer were entered into a double blind, randomised study of maintenance treatment with the antiviral drug acyclovir (400 mg bid) versus placebo, to determine if suppression of herpes virus infection would influence the natural history of the ulcer disease. One hundred and fifteen patients entered the trial and 76 patients completed it according to the protocol. Endoscopy was performed when ulcer symptoms recurred and at the end of the 25 week trial period. In the acyclovir group the cumulated relapse rate was 63% compared with 56% in the placebo group (NS). This result suggests that reactivation of herpes simplex virus is not a cause of recurrent duodenal ulcer.

Acyclovir↗

[The effect of anabolic androgenic steroids on muscle strength, body weight and lean body mass in body-building men].

A review of the effects of anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) on muscle strength, body weight and lean body mass in body-building men is presented. In about half of the placebo-controlled studies, a significant effect on the above mentioned response variables is found. In all cases where an effect was achieved, the drug used was methandrostenolone or stanozolol. Whether this is connected with a special quality of these AAS or whether the negative results achieved with the other AAS are caused by type 2 error is not yet known. The use of AAS as ergogenic drugs must be deprecated because of their marginal effects, the risks of side effects and the unsporting, unethical aspects.

Adult↗

Menstrual disturbances and fertility in chronic alcoholic women.

Data on menstrual pattern, gynecological disorders and infertility were obtained from 51 chronic alcoholic women aged 20--42 years attending an outpatient clinic for alcoholics, using 51 randomly drawn age-matched healthy women as controls. A higher variability (P less than 0.05) in the duration of both menstrual cycle and menstrual flow was recorded in the chronic alcoholic women during active alcoholism. A higher frequency (P less than 0.05) of menstrual disturbances (70% vs. 55%) and uterine curettages (38% vs. 16%) were found in the alcoholic women. The latter reported more abortions (63% vs. 28%, P less than 0.001) and miscarriages (23% vs. 8%, P less than 0.05) than controls, but due to a higher number of pregnancies in the alcoholic group the proportion of abortions and miscarriages did not differ significantly. No differences existed between the groups regarding frequency of difficult conception. Social classification had no independent influence on the results. The study shows that chronic alcoholic women are more prone to menstrual abnormalities and are at greater risk of gynecological interventions, while they do not seem to have reduced fertility.

Adolescent↗