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Biomedical subjects

J Bommer

Publications and source records attributed to J Bommer.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Apolipoprotein E phenotypes and hyperlipidemia in patients under maintenance hemodialysis.

Apolipoprotein E phenotypes and gene frequencies were determined in 560 patients receiving long-term hemodialysis. In addition, fasting plasma lipid- and apolipoprotein-concentrations were evaluated in 245 of these individuals. The distribution of the three major apolipoprotein E alleles (epsilon 4, epsilon 3, and epsilon 2) and that of the six common apolipoprotein E phenotypes (E4/4, E3/3, E2/2, E4/2, E4/3, and E3/2) in the dialysis group was nearly identical to that of healthy controls. Patients with the apolipoprotein E phenotypes E2/2, E4/4 and E4/3 (comprising 24% of the whole group) had higher mean plasma cholesterol- and triglyceride-concentrations than those with the apolipoprotein E phenotypes E3/3 and E3/2 (72% of the whole group). Thus, the genetic polymorphism of apolipoprotein E may contribute to the individual risk of accelerated atherosclerosis in patients under maintenance hemodialysis.

Adult

[Vitamin D metabolism in kidney insufficiency: disorders of an endocrine regulatory zone].

The vitamin metabolite 25(OH)D is transformed into the active secosterole 1.25(OH)2D3 in the proximal tubular epithelium of the kidney. This transformation is disturbed in patients with renal insufficiency. However, this review shows that presumably not all vitamin D dependent disturbances in patients with renal insufficiency are explicable merely as the consequence of reduced renal synthesis of 1.25(OH)2D3 secondary to nephronal loss. In incipient renal failure, vitamin D dependent functions (calcemic action of PTH, intestinal absorption of Ca) are disturbed. Yet, circulating 1.25(OH)2D3 levels are slightly elevated. This finding is compatible with an inadequate response of the renal 1-alpha-hydroxylase system to activating stimuli (hyperparathyroidism, hypocalcemia, fasting hypophosphatemia) and/or end-organ resistance to the action of 1.25(OH)2D3. Osteomalacia in renal insufficiency cannot entirely be explained as the consequence of a reduction of the serum-concentration of any of the known vitamin D metabolites [25(OH)D3; 1.25(OH)2D3; 24.25(OH)2D3]. The relatively poor response of osteomalacia of uremic patients to the administration of 1.25(OH)2D3 leads to the question of whether other vitamin D metabolites or non-vitamin D related factors are important in its genesis. Critical information is lacking with respect to 1.25(OH)2D3 receptors, post receptor events and interaction between vitamin D metabolites and PTH in bone cells of such patients. A specific action of 1.25(OH)2D3 on longitudinal growth of uremic children has been described. However, several clinical and experimental studies failed to provide evidence of normalization of growth by 1.25(OH)2D3 and failed to show differences in this respect between vitamin D and 1.25(OH)2D3. Currently, it remains undecided whether vitamin D metabolites affect PTH secretion, and if so which vitamin D metabolite is involved. Clarification of this problem is of paramount importance for the therapeutic suppression of the parathyroids of uremic patients. Vitamin D metabolites play an important role in some organ functions unrelated to homeostasis of Ca-Pi-metabolism (e.g. muscle, testis, pancreas, etc). The loss of such function is of potential importance in the genesis of the uremic syndrome and its imcomplete reversal by hemodialysis.

Absorption

Improved sexual function in male haemodialysis patients on bromocriptine.

The effect of bromocriptine on sexual activity was studied in male haemodialysis patients in a single-blind placebo controlled trial with random cross-over. At a dose of 2.5 mg bromocriptine twice day, plasma-prolactin concentrations were consistently reduced, while sexual function as assessed by a questionnaire was markedly improved. At the doses used, side-effects, particularly hypotension, were common, but bromocriptine helped to restore sexual function in dialysed patients.

Bromocriptine

Urinary matrix calculi consisting of microfibrillar protein in patients on maintenance hemodialysis.

In seven patients on maintenance hemodialysis, de novo recurrent renal stone formation was observed. In all patients, the underlying disease was glomerulonephritis, with or without the nephrotic syndrome. All patients had considerable persistent proteinuria. The stones consisted predominantly of protein, as revealed by amino acid analysis, and had a negligible carbohydrate and lipid content. Only in some specimens, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy revealed the presence of small amounts of whewellit (calcium oxalate monohydrate) and/or uric acid. In semithin sections, the stones had a laminated texture and exhibited structural anisotropy under polarized light. With transmission electron microscopy, they were found to consist of peculair microfibrils. The proteinaceous material differed from fibrin or Tamm-Horsfall-protein, as indicated by ultrastructure, carbohydrate analysis, and amino acid analysis. Symptomatic de novo matrix stone formation constitutes another complication of dialyzed patients which has not been reported so far.

Adult

Skeletal X-ray findings and bone histology in patients on hemodialysis.

X-ray films of the hand skeleton (mammography technique), serum chemistry, and quantitative bone histology (micromorphometry of undecalcified sections, iliac crest spongiosa) were compared in 25 patients on maintenance hemodialysis. The X-ray findings correlated better with serum PTH levels than with bone histology. Of all radiological signs of renal osteodystrophy, pronounced subperiosteal resorption (radial aspect, second finger, middle phalanx) and periosteal new bone formation (middle phalanx) correlated best with histological indicators of osteitis fibrosa. These signs were never seen in control patients. Acroosteolysis (endphalanx) and intracortical or endosteal resorption (middle phalanx) were less specific (i.e., seen even in the absence of metabolic bone disease) and correlated less with bone histology. Osteosclerosis in iliac cancellous bone was paralleled by abnormal texture of spongy bone in the proximal metaphysis of the middle phalanx (second finger).

Adult

Vascular calcifications under maintenance hemodialysis.

In a cross-sectional study X-rays of the forefoot and the pelvis of 101 adult dialysis patients were taken. Vascular calcifications (forefoot) were observed in 20 patients. The incidence was higher in patients who had been started on dialysis several years ago. However, in a longitudinal prospective study de novo appearance of vascular calcificaitons was observed only in 1 out of 50 dialysed patients, although hyperparathyreoidism and moderate hyperphosphatemia persisted. Vascular calcifications were seen only once in 138 uremic children (56 uremic children without dialysis; 82 uremic children on maintenance hemodialysis). However at autopsy visceral calcifications of the lung were found in three (out of 11) children who did not have vascular calcificaitons on X-rays.

Adolescent

[Raynaud's phenomenon in dialysed patients (author's transl)].

In 158 uraemic patients on haemodialysis complaints resembling Raynaud's disease were observed more frequently (85 patients = 54%) than in an equal number of age and sex matched control persons (10 probands = 6%). The complaints were also registered in the arm without the fistula. Triggering causes were exposure to cold or isometric muscular exercise. The complaints were slightly more frequent in women and occurred in 28% prior to dialysis in the terminal stage of renal insufficiency. They were improved only in a minority of those treated with haemodialysis, however they disappeared after successful renal transplantation. Veno-occlusive plethysmographic investigations showed that in asympatomatic patients the resting perfusion at room temperature, the perfusion in reactive hyperaemia, and perfusion at 0 degrees C were not different from control persons. Patients with Raynaud's phenomenon had on average a diminished resting perfusion and a normal perfusion after reactive hyperaemia. The perfusion at 0 degrees C was lower than in asymptomatic patients but still higher than in patients with Raynaud's disease. Increased cooling of the skin and delayed rewarming were objectively measured by using skin temperatures. There was not correlation between the complaints or perfusion values and the vibration threshold.

Adolescent

[Management of slipped epiphyses in renal osteodystrophy (author's transl)].

Epiphyseal slipping in uraemia differs strikingly from juvenile epiphyseal slipping with respect to pathology and therapy. Based on our own experience with the treatment of 8 uraemic children with epiphyseal slipping, an effort was made to establish the respective indications for conservative and surgical treatment. Mechanical stabilization of slipped epiphyses was achieved within a few weeks without any surgery and usually without parathyreoidectomy by vitamin D3 alone. The initial dose was 10,000 to 30,000 I.U./day, the total curative dose 1.8 to 5.6 millions I.U. Prolonged immobilization was unnecessary. Rising urinary calcium excretion was a valuable indicator of vitamin D intoxication even in advanced renal failure. In one case, pronounced metaphyseal deformations (distal femur, distal tibia) required surgical correction before the ability to walk normally was restored. - The following therapeutical approach is recommended: metabolic bone disease must be cured by vitamin D therapy with or without parathyreoidectomy. Osteotomy to correct metaphyseal deformities or coxa vara epiphysaria never should be performed before metabolic bone disease is healed.

Adolescent

The influence of immobilization on osteocyte morphology: osteocyte differential count and electron microscopical studies.

Differential counts and electron microscopical studies of osteocytes were performed on rats immobilized by spinal cord severing, plaster cast and ischiatic nerve dissection. In undecalcified ground sections of tibia and femur (100 micron) stained with basic fuchsin, osteocytes were differentiated into small (metabolically inactive) osteocy es enlarged (metabolically activated) osteocytes and empty lacunae. In rats (immobilizedfor' three weeks) with functioning parathyroid glands, but not after parathyroidectomy, the number of activated cells is markedly increased, whereas the number of small osteocytes is reduced. In animals with spinal cord severing the number of empty lacunae is also increased. Electron microscopical studies of undecalcified tibiae taken from rats immobilized for ten days showed a periosteocytic osteolysis with destruction of the lacunar wall, fragmentation of collagen fibres and loss of mineral crystals. The cytoplasmic seams of osteocytes were broadened, mitochondria were enlarged, and the cytoplasma showed vacuoles containing amorphous material which could be found in the pericellular space. Deep invaginations of the cytoplasma and an increase of the cell processes were typical findings. The results of the investigation point to an activation of osteocyte metabolism by immobilization. The osteocytes thus play an important part at the onset of immobilization osteoporosis. Periosteocytic osteolysis can be inhibited by parathyroidectomy. Therefore, the response of osteocytes to endogenous parathyroid hormone must be altered under conditions of immobilization.

Animals