PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

F Casafont

Publications and source records attributed to F Casafont.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Role of intestinal bacterial overgrowth and intestinal motility in bacterial translocation in experimental cirrhosis.

BACKGROUND: Intestinal bacterial overgrowth (IBO) is related to small bowel motility and has been involved in the pathogenesis of bacterial translocation (BT) in experimental models, and both overgrowing gut flora and translocating bacteria to mesenteric lymph nodes are common features in cirrhosis. OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to analyze cecal aerobic bacteria and intestinal transit in cirrhotic rats, and their relationship with BT, evaluating the role of intestinal bacterial overgrowth and small bowel dismotility in the development of BT in experimental cirrhosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We included twenty-seven male Sprague-Dawley rats with carbon tetrachloride-induced cirrhosis without ascites and ten controls. Cultures of mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN), peripheral and portal blood, liver, spleen and cecal samples were carried out. Small intestinal transit was determined in ten cirrhotic rats and in ten control rats. RESULTS: The prevalence of bacterial translocation was 56%. Total cecal aerobic bacteria count was significantly higher in cirrhotic rats than in control rats (p < 0.001). Cirrhotic rats with translocated bacteria had higher total aerobic intestinal counts than culture-negative MLN bacteria (p < 0.05). The prevalence of total intestinal bacterial overgrowth in cirrhotic animals was 67%, and 0% in control animals (p < 0.001). According to BT, total IBO was more frequent in cirrhotic rats with BT versus those without BT (93 vs. 33%) (p < 0.001). Of the translocating bacteria, 95.6% were found to be overgrown in the cecum. The small-intestinal transit was slower in cirrhotic rats (60.5 +/- 12.7 cm vs. 81.2 +/- 5.7 cm) than in control animals (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the increase of intestinal aerobic bacteria in experimental cirrhosis is associated with translocation. In addition, IBO is frequent in cirrhotic rats, and is supposed to play an important role in the development of BT. Impaired motility of the small intestine is a common feature in cirrhosis and may be implicated in the pathogenesis of IBO.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed2004

[Triple immunosuppressive therapy in the treatment of severe ulcerative colitis].

INTRODUCTION: Severe episodes of steroid-refractory ulcerative colitis (UC) were considered an indication for surgery until the introduction of new immunosuppressive agents such as cyclosporine. OBJECTIVES: 1) To confirm the efficacy of intravenous cyclosporine in inducing remission in severe episodes of steroid-refractory UC; 2) To analyze the efficacy of triple immunosuppressive therapy with cyclosporine, azathioprine and prednisone in the maintenance of remission induced by intravenous cyclosporine. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Fourteen patients diagnosed with a severe episode of steroid-refractory UC were treated with intravenous cyclosporine at a dose of 4 mg/kg/day. In all patients, after response was induced, this regimen was substituted by oral cyclosporine plus azathioprine at a dose of 2-2.5 mg/kg/day and decreasing doses of corticoids. Neoral cyclosporine was progressively reduced until discontinuation within 3 months, coinciding with a simultaneous decrease of oral steroids. RESULTS: All patients showed response to intravenous cyclosporine with a significant reduction in the Truelove index calculated before and after treatment. After remission was induced, all patients followed triple immunosuppressive therapy for 3 months. In the follow-up for a mean of 24 months (range: 14-34) only two patients required admission for a new episode of UC and colectomy was finally indicated in only one. None of the 14 patients treated with cyclosporine showed severe adverse effects attributable to the drug. CONCLUSIONS: Intravenous cyclosporine is a safe and effective alternative in the treatment of severe episodes of steroid-refractory UC. Early initiation of oral administration associated with azathioprine is useful in maintaining response, reducing subsequent relapses and the need for colectomy during the follow-up of these patients.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Apoptosis mediated by the Fas system in the fulminant hepatitis by hepatitis B virus.

The pathogenesis of the fulminant hepatitis B is poorly understood and both viral factors and the hosts immune response play a role. Previous studies in liver tissues of patients with chronic hepatitis B showed overexpression of Fas antigen and this was correlated with the activity of the hepatitis. The present study was done to determine the role of Fas in fulminant hepatitis B and the virological characteristics of hepatitis B infection. We studied three patients with fulminant hepatitis B. HBV-DNA was detected by dot-blot hybridization and polymerase chain reaction. The S and C gene were sequenced. Levels of serum soluble Fas antigen were detected by enzymoimmunoassays procedure. Apoptosis was determined by the TUNEL technique. Fas antigen expression was evaluated by a immunoperoxidase method. Ten healthy subjects acted as controls. The three patients showed a high expression of Fas antigen particularly among infiltrating lymphocytes; in these areas we also found many cells with in situ DNA nick labelling signals in the nuclei of most viable hepatocytes. Serum levels of soluble Fas antigen were higher in patients with fulminant hepatitis B than in controls. No specific genome mutations of hepatitis B virus were found. These data suggest that the Fas system involved in the liver injury of patients with fulminant hepatitis B.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Involvement of the Fas system in liver allograft rejection.

OBJECTIVE: Recent studies suggest that apoptosis is an important mechanism of cell death in the rejection of liver allografts and that this process is mediated via Fas. The aim of this study was to analyze the expression of the Fas system during the liver allograft rejection and its evolution after treatment. METHODS: We evaluated 14 patients with liver allograft rejection before and after treatment. Fas immunostaining was performed by the labeled streptavidin-biotin peroxidase method using a 200-fold dilution of a monoclonal antibody. Assessment of apoptosis was determined by the terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick end labeling (TUNEL) technique on deparaffined liver samples. Serum levels of soluble Fas antigen (sFas) were detected by an enzyme immunoassay procedure. Twelve liver transplant patients without allograft rejection were analyzed as a control group. RESULTS: The number of hepatocytes expressing Fas antigen, the percentage of apoptotic hepatocytes, and the sFas levels were higher in patients with liver allograft rejection than in controls (27.9+/-23.1% vs 1.4+/-1.2%, p < 0.001; 2.2+/-0.9% vs 1.0+/-0.1%, p = 0.02; 24.2+/-39.6 vs 2.8+/-4.0 IU/ml, p = 0.03, respectively). There was a correlation between the levels of sFas, AST (r = 0.86, p < 0.001), ALT (r = 0.78, p = 0.02), and gamma-globulin levels (r = 0.86, p < 0.001). After the rejection treatment we found a significant decrease in the Fas antigen expression (18.6+/-13.3%, p < 0.05), TUNEL index (0.2+/-0.4, p < 0.05), and levels of sFas (9.9+/-30.25 IU/ml, p = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: 1) The demonstration of hepatocytes with Fas antigen expression and the labeling of the nuclei by the TUNEL assay suggest that apoptosis mediated by the Fas system plays a role in the pathogenesis of liver allograft rejection. 2) The Fas expression and the sFas levels decreased in patients with treatment response.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Dendroaspis natriuretic peptide in hepatic cirrhosis.

OBJECTIVES: Dendroaspis natriuretic peptide (DNP) is a novel peptide that is structurally similar to atrial, brain, and C-type natriuretic peptides. Many natriuretic peptides are increased in hepatic cirrhosis, but the role of DNP in cirrhosis is unknown at present. The aim of the study was to investigate plasma levels of dendroaspis natriuretic-like immunoreactivity in cirrhosis. METHODS: We measured plasma concentrations of DNP by radioimmunoassay methods in 12 cirrhotic patients without ascites and 44 cirrhotic patients with ascites, and compared these values with 20 age-matched healthy subjects. Renal function, plasma cGMP concentration, plasma renin activity, and plasma endothelin concentration were measured in each patient. RESULTS: Patients without ascites had circulating levels of DNP similar to those of healthy subjects. By contrast, patients with ascites had increased circulating DNP levels compared to both patients without ascites and healthy subjects. In addition, circulating levels of DNP increased in relation to the severity of cirrhosis. Significant positive correlations were also found between DNP levels, endothelin concentrations, and plasma renin activity. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study indicate that plasma DNP is increased in cirrhotic patients with ascites.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Liver transplantation in a case of steatohepatitis and subacute hepatic failure after biliopancreatic diversion for morbid obesity.

BACKGROUND: Biliopancreatic diversion (BPD) was designed to avoid the serious complications of jejunoileal bypass (steatohepatitis and hepatic failure). Although this is today considered a safe and effective procedure, a few reports of patients who developed steatohepatitis and subsequently died in hepatic failure exist. METHODS: We report a morbidity obese patient who developed subacute hepatitis resulting in hepatic failure 1 year after BPD. RESULTS: Because of irreversible liver failure the decision to perform a liver transplantation was made. The patient underwent emergency liver transplant and lengthening of the common limb. The course of liver transplantation and the patient's recovery were uneventful. CONCLUSION: Severe liver disease may rarely follow BPD. Liver transplantation and lengthening of the common bowel may be performed to treat these patients.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Involvement of the fas system in hepatitis C virus recurrence after liver transplantation.

To date, there have been no reports of the involvement of the Fas system in recurrent hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). In 25 patients who underwent OLT for HCV-related liver cirrhosis, we evaluated the expression of the Fas antigen (FasAg) on hepatocytes, apoptic hepatocytes, and serum levels of soluble Fas (sFas). The level of HCV viremia and HCV genotype were determined by polymerase chain reaction. Serum sFas levels were determined by an enzyme immunoassay procedure. DNA fragmentation was determined by the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick end-labeling (TUNEL) technique on deparaffinized liver samples. FasAg expression was evaluated by an immunoperoxidase method. Sixteen patients had evidence of recurrent HCV disease. The number of hepatocytes expressing FasAg and the percentage of apoptotic hepatocytes was greater among patients who developed recurrent hepatitis than among those who did not (P <.01 and P <.0001, respectively). There was a correlation between hepatic expression of FasAg, intensity of lobular inflammation (P =.007), and TUNEL index (P <.001). The levels of sFas were greater among the patients with recurrent HCV hepatitis than those without recurrent hepatitis (P <.04). We conclude that (1) Fas expression is up-regulated in recurrent HCV after OLT and is related to the grading of liver disease; likewise, levels of sFas were greater in the patients with recurrent HCV hepatitis; and (2) the demonstration of hepatocytes with FasAg expression and the labeling of the nuclei by TUNEL assay suggest that hepatic apoptosis mediated by the Fas system may have a role in the pathogenesis of recurrent HCV hepatitis after OLT.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Severe clinical course of de novo hepatitis B infection after liver transplantation.

The aim of this study is to determine the origin, clinical outcome, allograft histological characteristics, and virological outcome of de novo hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). We studied 136 hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-negative liver transplant recipients. HBV DNA was detected by dot-blot hybridization and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The S gene was sequenced. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA was assessed by PCR. The long-term clinical and histological outcome was determined. Six of 136 HBsAg-negative patients (4.4%) became HBsAg positive after transplantation. The source of HBV infection was reactivation of latent HBV infection in 2 patients and was not identified in 4 patients. Two donors had isolated core antibody. Two of these 6 patients developed acute liver failure related to hepatitis B. The 4 other patients had severe chronic hepatitis related to hepatitis B. All patients had high-level HBV replication. No significant mutations in the S gene were found. These data suggest that de novo hepatitis B infection is not a mild disease and might represent a significant cause of graft dysfunction. This is the first report of fulminant hepatitis caused by de novo hepatitis B infection after OLT.

Female↗
PubMed1999

Adrenomedullin in liver transplantation and its relationship with vascular complications.

Adrenomedullin (AM) is a potent vasodilating peptide that increases rat platelet cyclic adenosine monophosphate levels and acts on endothelial cells to stimulate nitric oxide release. Both mechanisms inhibit platelet function. Considering these effects, AM may have a role in cardiovascular regulation after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) and could have an antithrombotic effect. The aim of the present study is to investigate plasma AM levels in the early postoperative period after OLT and their relationship with vascular complications in OLT. We measured plasma AM levels in 35 patients with cirrhosis who underwent OLT at baseline and 1, 7, and 15 days postoperatively. We found that AM levels were significantly greater in patients with cirrhosis compared with healthy subjects. Of the 35 patients, 10 had vascular complications. In these 10 patients, AM concentrations were significantly greater than those observed in the nonthrombotic group in the early postoperative period. In addition, we also noticed in the nonthrombotic group a significant increase in AM levels from baseline to day 1, then a decrease to baseline levels in the early postoperative period. Our study shows that AM might act as a new humoral factor involved in the response to surgery in OLT and is significantly associated with vascular thrombosis in OLT.

Adrenomedullin↗
PubMed1999

Granulocyte elastase in cirrhotic patients with spontaneous bacterial peritonitis.

Granulocyte elastase (GE) is a powerful proteolytic enzyme that is released by PMNs when degranulated in infectious processes. The aim of this study was to measure GE in ascites and plasma of cirrhotic patients with spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP). We studied 29 cirrhotic patients, 17 of them having SBP (group A). Twelve patients with noninfected ascites formed the control group (group B). At the time of diagnosis of SBP, GE levels in ascites (183.17 +/- 86.11 microg/liter) and plasma (114.6 +/- 35.99 microg/liter) were higher in group A than in group B (27.41 +/- 11.54 microg/liter, P < 0.00001 and 82.54 +/- 20.52 microg/liter, P = 0.01, respectively). Levels of GE in ascites had a high value for discriminating between patients with and without SBP. In the patients who responded to the initial antibiotic treatment, these values significantly decreased in ascites (67.69 +/- 54.22 microg/liter, P = 0.003) and plasma (67 +/- 22.39 microg/liter, P = 0.01) 48 hr after therapy was started, in parallel with the decrease of PMN in ascites. In patients who did not respond, the production of GE remained elevated. Patients who developed renal insufficiency following SBP had more marked elevation of GE in plasma (144.8 +/- 33.43 microg/liter) than those with normal renal function (99.5 +/- 27.53 microg/liter, P = 0.02). These results suggest that the measurement of GE may be helpful for the diagnosis of SBP in patients with cirrhosis and for assessing the efficacy of therapy. In addition, the release of GE into plasma may contribute to the impairment of renal function that follows SBP in some patients.

Ascites↗
PubMed1998

Alcoholic recidivism after liver transplantation for alcoholic cirrhosis.

Liver transplantation (LT) for alcoholic cirrhosis remains controversial. This controversy surrounding LT in alcoholics focuses on the risk of alcohol recidivism and on potential noncompliance with the immunosuppressive regimen, both of which result in graft failure. Our study examined alcohol recidivism after LT by measuring alcohol in urine and its repercussion on the allograft. Forty-four consecutive alcoholic patients and a comparison group of 17 patients receiving LT were included in this study and followed up for a mean of 39.5 +/- 19.6 months. Seven percent (3 of 44) of patients with alcoholic liver disease and 0% of patients in the comparison group admitted to having used alcohol after LT. Alcohol in urine, however, was detected in 18% (8 of 44) of the alcoholic group; therefore the true recidivism rate was higher than the rate admitted. All patients in both groups were compliant with the medications, because the cyclosporine levels were within the therapeutic range in all. On histologic examination the only alcohol-induced lesion found in three of the eight recidivistic patients was steatosis. Therefore, although alcoholic recidivism occurs, it does not seem to affect compliance to treatment profoundly or to compromise graft function. Therefore, LT seems justified for end-stage alcoholic cirrhosis.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Liver transplantation in hepatitis C. A Spanish multi-centre experience.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this retrospective survey was to determine the prevalence and outcome of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in cirrhotic patients undergoing liver transplantation (OLT) in Spain in 1992. METHODS: Post-OLT HCV infection was defined by anti-HCV (second-generation ELISA) and/or PCR. Patients were divided into groups A (HCV-positive pre-OLT: n = 124, 46%) and B (HCV-negative pre-OLT: n = 145, 54%). RESULTS: HCV infection was more prevalent in patients originally diagnosed as having non-A non-B cirrhosis (97%) and cryptogenic cirrhosis (79%) than in patients with cholestatic or metabolic diseases. Group A patients were older (53.3+/-7.9 versus 47.6+/-9.7; P< 0.05) and had a higher prevalence of hepatocellular carcinoma (22% versus 4%, P< 0.05). Post-OLT HCV infection was 99% in group A versus 4% in group B (P< 0.05). Histological hepatitis developed in 39% (66% in group A versus 14% in group B, P< 0.05) with similar follow-up. Chronic rejection occurred in 6% (3% in group A versus 8.5% in group B, P= 0.07). Retransplantation rate (overall 8%) and two-year patient survival did not differ between groups (79% versus 72%). Graft survival was higher in group A (74% versus 65% at 2 years, P= 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: HCV-cirrhosis represented the most frequent indication for OLT in Spain in 1992. While HCV recurrence was universal, de novo acquisition was rare. HCV accounted for most post-OLT hepatitis (87%), but was not associated with chronic rejection, nor with a higher retransplantation rate. Patient survival was not different in HCV patients compared to a control group after a follow-up of 2-3 years. Therefore, at present, HCV-cirrhosis is an acceptable indication for OLT.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

[Recurrence of hepatitis caused by hepatitis c virus in patients receiving a liver transplant].

BACKGROUND: Liver disease due to hepatitis C virus (HCV) is an increasingly frequent indication for liver transplantation. We performed a clinical and virological study of 20 HCV-infected liver transplant recipients to correlate virological markers with histological recurrence of disease. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In ninety-four patients who were given transplants for end-stage cirrhosis, IgG and IgM antibodies to HCV and IgM to HCV tested by ELISA; all samples were further examined in a four-antigen recombinant immunoblot assay (2-RIBA). HCV viremia was measured by the conventional nested PCR, HCV genotype was determined by PCR amplification using type-specific primers. We have analyzed de novo infection by HCV, HCV recurrence and the influence of genotype in these recurrence. RESULTS: Nineteen of 20 antibody-positive patients (95%) had HCV RNA before transplantation. All 19 patients who were viremic before transplantation had persistent infection after LT. HCV genotype 1b was the predominant type before and after LT (75%). Ten of the 20 (50%) patients developed histological findings of chronic hepatitis (CH) in liver allografts. HCV recurrent liver disease after LT was not related with HCV genotype. Of 4 deaths after transplant in hepatitis C group, only one was related to recurrent disease. We have not found de novo hepatitis C. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate the general persistence of hepatitis C virus infection and the excellent short-term prognosis after liver transplantation. Chronic hepatitis by HCV in liver transplant was not related with HCV genotype.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Influence of malnutrition on the prevalence of bacterial translocation and spontaneous bacterial peritonitis in experimental cirrhosis in rats.

Bacterial translocation (BT) has been involved in the pathogenesis of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) in experimental cirrhosis. Because malnutrition is a common feature in cirrhosis, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of nutrition on BT and SBP. We induced cirrhosis in 44 Sprague-Dawley rats by administration of oral CCl4, and, afterward, 26 animals were maintained with dietary restriction. Cultures of mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN), peripheral and portal blood, liver, and spleen were performed. SBP occurred in 48% of the rats with ascites, this being more frequent in the malnourished animals (80%) than in control rats (29%). BT appeared in all the rats with SBP (100%) but only in 57% without it. In the malnourished animals, the BT rate was 95%, while it was 30% in the control group. These results suggest that malnutrition increases the BT rate and the risk of developing SBP in experimental cirrhosis, and that BT is frequent in cirrhosis and may play a role in the development of SBP.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Value of endothelin in cellular rejection after liver transplantation.

Endothelin-1 is a vasoconstrictor peptide released by the vascular endothelium by various chemical and mechanical factors. Cellular rejection is one of the most common complications following orthotopic liver transplantation, endotheliitis being its most specific and consistent histological feature. To assess the role of endothelin in cellular hepatic rejection, we studied 21 cirrhotic patients undergoing elective liver transplantation. These patients were divided in two groups: Group I comprised 10 patients without cellular rejection, and Group II comprised 11 patients with cellular rejection. Endothelin was measured on day 7 after transplantation, on the day of liver biopsy, and after treatment for rejection. We found a significant increase in the plasma endothelin levels in the early postoperative period in the patients with moderate or severe cellular rejection compared with the non-rejection group. It remained significantly elevated until the clinical diagnosis of rejection was made. This value returned to baseline with successful treatment. So, the monitorization of this peptide may be of help in the diagnosis of rejection, its severity, and the evaluation of its resolution.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Hepatitis C virus recurrence after liver transplantation: relationship to anti-HCV core IgM, genotype, and level of viremia.

OBJECTIVES: Factors that determine the severity of hepatitis C virus (HCV)-recurrent disease in patients undergoing orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) for HCV cirrhosis have not been clearly identified. To address this issue, we evaluated the histological and virological outcome in 25 patients who underwent OLT for HCV cirrhosis. METHODS: HCV-RNA was detected by qualitative and quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The HCV genotype also was determined by polymerase chain reaction. Anti-HCV core IgM was tested by ELISA. Disease severity was expressed as a histological score. RESULTS: Sixteen patients had evidence of HCV-recurrent disease. HCV-RNA levels before transplantation (p = 0.029) and after transplantation (15 days, p = 0.004; 90 days, p = 0.040; 360 days, p = 0.010) were significantly higher among patients who subsequently developed recurrent hepatitis than among those who did not. The presence of anti-HCV core IgM before (p = 0.044) and after OLT (15 days, p = 0.017; 90 days, p = 0.037; and 360 days, p = 0.040) was significantly related to recurrence of hepatitis. The genotype was not related to the level of viremia, to the prevalence of recurrent hepatitis, to the presence of anti-HCV core IgM, or to disease severity. CONCLUSIONS: The recurrence of HCV hepatitis in patients undergoing OLT for HCV cirrhosis is related to higher levels of viremia and the presence of anti-HCV core IgM, but not to the HCV genotype. However, disease severity is not related to viremia levels, HCV genotype, or positivity of anti-HCV core IgM.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Plasma adrenomedullin levels in patients with hepatic cirrhosis.

OBJECTIVE: The role of adrenomedullin in cirrhosis is at present unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate plasma levels of adrenomedullin in cirrhosis. METHODS: We measured plasma adrenomedullin concentrations using radioimmunoassay in 43 patients with cirrhosis (17 in Child-Pugh's class A, 13 in Child-Pugh's class B, and 13 in Child-Pugh's class C) and compared these values with those in 24 age-matched healthy subjects. Renal function, plasma cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) concentration, plasma renin activity, and plasma aldosterone concentration were measured in each patient. RESULTS: Plasma adrenomedullin levels were increased significantly in patients with cirrhosis compared with healthy subjects. In addition, plasma adrenomedullin values were higher in patients with cirrhosis and ascites than in those without ascites. Moreover, plasma adrenomedullin levels increased in relation to the severity of cirrhosis. Significant positive correlations also were found between adrenomedullin and cAMP concentrations and plasma renin activity or plasma aldosterone concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: Plasma adrenomedullin is increased in patients with cirrhosis compared with healthy subjects. The increase in plasma adrenomedullin levels is related at least in part to the severity of cirrhosis and may contribute to the arteriolar vasodilation in patients with cirrhosis. These effects are related in part to a cAMP-dependent pathway.

Adrenomedullin↗