PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

J Rodés

Publications and source records attributed to J Rodés.

At least 235 records · Page 13Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

Anemia increases gastric blood flow in noncirrhotic and cirrhotic patients.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies in rats have demonstrated that anemia induces a significant increment in gastric mucosal blood flow. In the present study, we investigated whether chronic anemia induces similar changes in gastric blood perfusion in humans, and if this effect is also present in cirrhotic patients in whom gastric blood flow is usually increased in basal conditions. METHODS: Gastric mucosal blood perfusion was assessed by means of laser-Doppler flowmetry and reflectance spectrophotometry applied through the endoscope. RESULTS: Anemia significantly increases laser-Doppler signal in cirrhotic (2.3 +/- 0.11 vs 2.9 +/- 0.22 volts, p < 0.05) and noncirrhotic patients (1.71 +/- 0.15 vs 2.24 +/- 0.17, p < 0.05). In anemic patients the index of hemoglobin concentration of the gastric mucosa, assessed by reflectance spectrophotometry, was significantly decreased in cirrhotic patients (107.6 +/- 4.7 vs 95.5 +/- 3.3, p < 0.05) and noncirrhotic patients (93.9 +/- 4.1 vs 76.1 +/- 4.2, p < 0.01), whereas the index of oxygen saturation was increased (36.7 +/- 0.7 vs 40.4 +/- 1.4, p = 0.05; and 36.4 +/- 1.1 vs 43.2 +/- 1.9, p < 0.01, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, chronic anemia is associated with an enhanced gastric blood perfusion reflected by an increased laser-doppler signal and gastric mucosal oxygen index despite a decrease in gastric hemoglobin concentration. In cirrhotic patients, anemia promotes a further increment in its basal gastric hyperemia.

Anemia↗
PubMed1995

Persistent hepatitis C viremia after acute self-limiting posttransfusion hepatitis C.

Persistent viremia after clinical or subclinical hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is believed to occur in patients with chronic hepatitis C, but little is known about the duration of HCV replication in patients with acute hepatitis who have recovered or the relation of HCV viremia with the kinetics of antibodies to HCV (anti-HCV). We tested HCV-RNA and anti-HCV in serial serum samples from 41 patients with posttransfusion non-A, non-B hepatitis, followed for an average of 6 years after transfusion. Serum HCV-RNA was measured by nested polymerase chain reaction, which used primers from the 5' untranslated region of the HCV genome. Anti-HCV were tested with first- and second-generation enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA 1 and ELISA 2), and with a second-generation recombinant immunoblot assay. Of the 41 patients, 10 recovered and 31 progressed to chronic liver disease. HCV-RNA was detected in serum before or simultaneously with the onset of hepatitis in all cases, and lasted between 2 and 6 weeks in 5 of the 10 patients who recovered, whereas it persisted for the entire follow-up period in every case with chronic hepatitis and in the remaining 5 patients with self-limiting hepatitis. Anti-HCV were detected with ELISA 2 in the first serum sample, with raised serum transaminases in 57% of patients, but in only 6% with ELISA 1. In the sample obtained 1 month after the onset of hepatitis, anti-HCV were detected with ELISA 2 in 94% of patients, but in 34% with the ELISA 1.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatic injury is associated with global DNA hypomethylation and homocysteinemia: effect of S-adenosylmethionine treatment.

Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) administration to rats produces hepatic cirrhosis and supplementation with S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) can partially prevent CCl4-induced liver injury. These effects are thought to be caused by oxidative stress and the subsequent formation of free radicals, but the mechanism whereby this occurs and the accurate nature of the mechanisms by which SAM exerts its protective action are not well understood. The effect of short-term administration of CCl4 on hepatic DNA methylation and on SAM and S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH) were assessed. CCl4 administration to rats for 3 weeks resulted in hypomethylation of liver DNA, determined by comparing the extent to which DNA from livers of control or treated animals could be methylated in vitro using [3H-methyl] SAM as methyl donor. This CCl4 effect on DNA methylation was corrected by the administration of SAM (10 mg/kg/d, intramuscularly), with values of methyl groups incorporation comparable with those observed in the control animals. hepatic SAM was decreased by CCl4 (65.3 +/- 5.27 vs. 102.2 +/- 4.89 nmol/g; P < .05) and SAH was increased (69.5 +/- 14.6 vs. 29.4 +/- 3.83 nmol/g; P < .05). This led to a marked reduction of the SAM/SAH ratio (the methylation ratio) from 3.47 in control rats to 0.94 in CCl4-treated animals (P < .05). SAM treatment partially prevented (P < .05) the reduction of the ratio SAM/SAH induced by CCl4. CCl4 also induced a marked elevation of serum homocysteine levels (more than 20-fold; P < .001), which was partially prevented by SAM administration.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Effects of bolus injections and continuous infusions of somatostatin and placebo in patients with cirrhosis: a double-blind hemodynamic investigation.

The present double-blind study was aimed at investigating the hemodynamic and humoral effects of somatostatin or placebo in patients with cirrhosis. Patients were randomly assigned to receive either an injection of 250 micrograms of somatostatin followed by a constant infusion of somatostatin at 250 micrograms/h (n = 13), an injection of 250 micrograms of somatostatin followed by a 500 micrograms/h continuous infusion (n = 10), or an injection of placebo followed by a placebo infusion (n = 9). Placebo had no effect. Somatostatin bolus markedly decreased the hepatic venous pressure gradient: by 52% at 1 minute; P < .001; 19% at 3 minutes, P < .01; and by 13% at 5 minutes, P < .04. Azygos blood flow decreased similarly by 45% at 1 minute, P < .001; 16% at 3 minutes, P < .02; and 9.5% at 5 minutes, P = .05. Mean arterial pressure increased by 25% (P < .001). Continuous somatostatin infusions (250 or 500 micrograms/h) had no systemic effects, but significantly reduced hepatic venous pressure gradient (250 micrograms/h: -6.1%, P < .05 and 500 micrograms/h: -15%, P < .01) and hepatic blood flow (250 micrograms/h: -10%, 500 micrograms/h: -18%, P < .05). Azygos blood flow was not changed after 250 micrograms/h infusion but was reduced after 500 micrograms/h (-23%, P < .02). Somatostatin but not placebo, suppressed glucagon to normal levels. This study shows that a bolus injection of somatostatin caused an immediate and marked decrease of hepatic venous pressure gradient and azygos blood flow. Continuous infusion of somatostatin had a mild but sustained effect on splanchnic hemodynamics; this effect was more pronounced with the higher dose.

Dose-Response Relationship, Drug↗
PubMed1995

[Hepatic angiosarcoma: a report of a case associated with treatment with arsenic salts and a review of the literature].

Hepatic angiosarcoma is an infrequent neoplasm representing 1-3% of all the primary liver cancers. One fourth of the cases have demonstrated a relation with chemical carcinogens with the most frequent being thorium dioxide (thorotrast) and vinyl chloride. The case of an hepatic angiosarcoma which presented as an intraperitoneal hemorrhage in a patient who had undergone treatment with Neosalvarsán (dioxidiaminoarsenobenzol) 46 years beforehand is reported. The previous published reports include 6 cases of hepatic angiosarcoma related with treatment with arsenic salts and 4 cases in whom exposure was environmental.

Arsenicals↗
PubMed1995

Beneficial effects of intravenous albumin infusion on the hemodynamic and humoral changes after total paracentesis.

The study investigated the hemodynamic and neurohumoral effects of albumin infusion after total paracentesis in 18 patients with cirrhosis and tense ascites. Measurements of systemic and splanchnic hemodynamics, and vasoactive neurohumoral systems were performed before and immediately after total paracentesis. The patients were then randomized to receive albumin or not, and hemodynamic and humoral measurements were repeated at 24 hours. Hemodynamic and humoral changes just after paracentesis were similar in patients later randomized to receive albumin infusion or not. Twenty-four hours after total paracentesis, patients nor receiving albumin had total significant reductions in cardiac index (-13%; P = .005), femoral blood flow (-17%; P = .004), and pulmonary capillary pressure (-16%; P = .02), which were accompanied by significant increases in plasma renin activity (PRA) and plasma aldosterone (PA) and by significant decreases in atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) and plasma sodium. By contrast, there was no significant changes in patients receiving albumin, except for an increase in ANF and a further decrease in PA. In both groups, hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) and azygos blood flow decreased just after paracentesis returning to baseline at 24 hours. This study shows that albumin infusion prevents the impairment in systemic hemodynamics, vasoactive neurohumoral systems, and plasma sodium after a large-volume paracentesis, without detrimental effects on portal pressure and portocollateral blood flow.

Aged↗
PubMed1995

Role of nitric oxide and prostacyclin in the control of renal perfusion in experimental cirrhosis.

Nitric oxide (NO) and prostacyclin (PGI2) are two important modulators of renal function under normal conditions; however, little is known on their contributory role in cirrhosis with ascites. In this study, mean arterial pressure, renal hemodynamics, and sodium excretion were measured in 15 rats with cirrhosis and ascites and 16 control rats. Animals were studied in normal conditions, after inhibiting the synthesis of NO (N omega-nitro-L-arginine, 50 micrograms.kg-1.min-1) or prostaglandins (lysin acetylsalicylate, 15 mg.kg-1).min-1 and following the concomitant inhibition of both systems. Cirrhotic rats showed increased systemic pressure sensitivity and blunted renal vasoconstrictor response to nitric oxide inhibition as compared with control rats. As a consequence, the glomerular filtration rate increased in cirrhotic rats but not in control rats. In both groups of animals, NO inhibition was associated with significant increased urinary sodium and fractional sodium excretion. The only significant effect observed after prostaglandin biosynthesis inhibition was a decrease in renal plasma flow in cirrhotic rats. The concomitant inhibition of both systems reduced renal plasma flow and did not change glomerular filtration rate, with no differences between control and cirrhotic rats. Prostaglandin inhibition did not prevent the natriuretic effect of the NO inhibitor in both groups of animals. These results indicate that in experimental cirrhosis both NO and PGI2 play an important role in the maintenance of renal perfusion within normal limits.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Influence of zinc intake on hepatic lipid peroxidation and metallothioneins in alcoholic rats: relationship to collagen synthesis.

Hepatic lipid peroxidation, metallothioneins, collagen and proline hydroxylase activity were investigated in 16 ethanol-fed rats and in 16 control animals. The rats were further divided into three groups to receive either a standard diet, a zinc-deficient diet or a zinc-supplemented diet. The animals were sacrificed at week 12 of the experiment for histological and biochemical assessments. Hepatic tissue examination indicated that oral zinc supplementation was associated with a decrease in lipid peroxidation, collagen deposition and proline hydroxylase activity together with an increase in metallothionein concentration in alcoholic rats. There were no significant differences in lipid peroxidation in the control group in relation to the diet. Zinc supplementation was associated with increased concentrations of hepatic metallothioneins together with decreased concentrations of proline-hydroxylase and collagen but to a lesser degree than in alcoholic animals. These results indicate that zinc is an efficient hepato-protective agent against lipid peroxidation in alcoholic rats and its effect may be, in part, mediated by the activation of metallothionein synthesis. Also, lipid peroxidation may be related to changes in hepatic collagen synthesis.

Alcoholism↗
PubMed1995

Noninvasive measurement of femoral blood flow and portal pressure response to propranolol in patients with cirrhosis.

This study investigated the correlation between changes in hepatic and systemic hemodynamics and femoral blood flow (FBF), measured by dual-beam pulsed wave Doppler, in 58 portal hypertensive patients receiving propranolol (0.15 mg/Kg intravenously; n = 44) or placebo (n = 14) under double-blind conditions. Placebo administration had no effects. Propranolol caused significant reductions (P < .0001) in hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG; from 19.1 +/- 4.1 to 16.2 +/- 4.2 mm Hg), azygos blood flow (from 563 +/- 204 to 387 +/- 176 mL/min), cardiac index (CI; from 4.4 +/- 1.0 to 3.3 +/- 0.8 L/m2/min), and FBF (from 237 +/- 79 to 176 +/- 58 mL/m2/min). In 17 patients HVPG decreased below 12 mm Hg and/or more than 20% of the baseline value (good response; mean change, -26 +/- 8%); in the remaining 27 patients (poor response) the mean change in HVPG was less: -9 +/- 6%. Patients with a good response had bled less often from varices, had significantly higher FBF (272 +/- 73 vs. 215 +/- 76 mL/m2/min) and lower baseline HVPG (16.8 +/- 3.9 vs. 20.6 +/- 3.6 mm Hg) than those with poor response in HVPG. The good response was also associated with greater decreases in FBF (-33 +/- 12 vs. -19 +/- 13% in poor responders), CI (-30 +/- 9 vs. -19 +/- 12%), and heart rate (-19 +/- 5 vs. -16 +/- 6%). A decrease in FBF of > 20% predicted a good response in 16 of 28 patients (positive predictive value, 57%).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aged↗
PubMed1995

Nitric oxide production in arterial vessels of cirrhotic rats.

Indirect evidence exists implicating vascular nitric oxide in the pathogenesis of arterial vasodilation in cirrhosis. In the current study, a coincubation assay to estimate the vascular nitric oxide production was developed and the nitric oxide production by arterial segments of cirrhotic and control rats was assessed. In the assay, measurement of reporter monolayer cell-associated cGMP levels allows the influence of nitric oxide released by arterial segments to be determined. RFL-6 cells served as reporter cells. Nitric oxide production was determined in thoracic aorta and mesenteric arteries of 22 control rats, 10 cirrhotic rats without ascites, and 12 cirrhotic rats with ascites. Basal and bradykinin-stimulated (10(-6) mol/L) intracellular content of nitric oxide-dependent cGMP was significantly higher in RFL-6 cells coincubated with aortic segments of cirrhotic rats with (21.3 +/- 3.6 pmol/10(5) cells, P < .05 and 44.7 +/- 7.0 pmol/10(5) cells, P < .025) and without ascites (15.3 +/- 3.0 pmol/10(5) cells, P < .05 and 43.2 +/- 7.6 pmol/10(5) cells, P < .05) than in those incubated with aortic segments of control rats (9.7 +/- 1.3 and 19.5 +/- 2.5 pmol/10(5) cells). RFL-6 cells exposed to bradykinin-stimulated mesenteric arterial segments of cirrhotic rats also showed increased cGMP content (ascitic: 2.73 +/- 0.31 pmol/10(5) cells, P < .005; nonascitic: 2.58 +/- 0.51 pmol/10(5) cells, P < .025) compared with cells exposed to control mesenteric arterial segments (1.28 +/- 0.15 pmol/10(5) cells). No differences between cirrhotic and control vessels were observed after endothelium denudation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1995

[A functioning carcinoid tumor with liver involvement without the associated carcinoid syndrome].

The carcinoid tumor, the most frequent variety of the neuroendocrine or amine precursor uptake and decarboxylation (APUD) tumors, typically produces biogenic amines and polypeptide hormones and occasionally gives rise to a striking clinical presentation called carcinoid syndrome. The severity of this syndrome is directly related to the tumor bulk draining into the systemic circulation. This implies almost always hepatic metastases. We present a case in which a carcinoid tumor with extensive hepatic involvement and remarkable biologic activity did not produce any clinical features of the carcinoid syndrome. We believe that such a case enlightens the clinical and biochemical complexity of this entity.

Aged↗
PubMed1994

[Seroepidemiology of hepatitis C virus infection in pregnant women in Catalonia].

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in a population of pregnant women in Catalonia and the sociodemographic variables and risk factors associated to this prevalence. METHODS: A representative sample of the pregnant women in Catalonia (n = 4,551) randomly selected by clusters (hospitals with maternity clinics) was studied. Detection of antiHCV antibodies was performed by the third generation ELISA test. Reactive cases were confirmed with RIBA 3 and MATRIX. RESULTS: The prevalence of antiHCV was found to be 1% and was not significantly associated with any of the sociodemographic variables studied (age, social and cultural level, origin and residence). A history of blood transfusion, intravenous drug consumption and hepatitis in the sexual partner were the only risk factors associated with the prevalence of infection found on univariate analysis although these were only present in 47% of the antiHCV positive cases detected. The association between the positivity of antiHCV and the history of hepatitis in the partner was lost on stratification of the cases according to the possible existence of history of drug addiction. CONCLUSIONS: A high proportion of young asymptomatic people (1%) were found to have hepatitis C virus infection with the possible mode of infection not being detected in approximately half of these subjects. In the other half of these cases the infection was found to have been acquired by an intravenous mechanism: blood transfusion or drug use.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Reduction of gastric hyperemia by glypressin and vasopressin administration in cirrhotic patients with portal hypertensive gastropathy.

Gastric mucosal perfusion is increased in portal-hypertensive gastropathy, and this may contribute to gastric bleeding from these lesions. Therefore drugs reducing gastric mucosal perfusion may be beneficial in the treatment of overt bleeding from portal-hypertensive gastropathy. In this study gastric mucosal perfusion was assessed in 28 cirrhotic patients with portal-hypertensive gastropathy under basal conditions and after double-blind intravenous administration of vasopressin (0.4 U/min), glypressin (2-mg injection) or placebo, with laser-Doppler flowmetry and reflectance spectrophotometry. Vasopressin and glypressin induced a significant increase in blood pressure and a decrease in heart rate. These effects were more pronounced in the vasopressin group. Both vasopressin and glypressin induced a sustained and similar reduction in gastric mucosal perfusion as assessed by laser-Doppler flowmetry (-36% +/- 8% and -34% +/- 6%, respectively; p < 0.05 with respect to basal values and with respect to the control group), whereas placebo had no effect. Both drugs significantly reduced the oxygen content of the gastric mucosa; however, the impairment in mucosal oxygenation was greater (p < 0.05) in the vasopressin group (-17% +/- 3%) than in the glypressin group (-6% +/- 0.1%). We conclude that the increased gastric perfusion in cirrhotic patients with portal-hypertensive gastropathy may be reduced by either vasopressin or glypressin. These findings support the use of these drugs in clinical trials treating bleeding portal-hypertensive gastropathy. The lower reduction in gastric mucosal oxygen content observed with glypressin could decrease the incidence of ischemic adverse events associated with the use of vasopressin.

Double-Blind Method↗
PubMed1994

Circadian variations of portal pressure and variceal hemorrhage in patients with cirrhosis.

This study was aimed at investigating whether portal pressure, which is usually measured in the morning, is subject to circadian variations in patients with cirrhosis. Furthermore, a possible circadian variation for the occurrence of variceal bleeding was also investigated. Ten patients with alcoholic cirrhosis and portal hypertension had serial measurements of portal pressure, evaluated by the hepatic venous pressure gradient (the difference between wedged and free hepatic venous pressures), during a 24-hr period. In addition, a survey of the hour of occurrence of variceal hemorrhage was performed in 101 consecutive cirrhotic patients with hematemesis, in whom the precise moment of onset of bleeding could be determined, and the origin of bleeding was confirmed by emergency endoscopy. Statistical evaluation with the population-mean cosinor method allowed detection of a circadian variation in portal pressure. Portal pressure progressively declined during the afternoon and evening (from 17.9 +/- 5.3 mm Hg at 12 PM to a nadir of 16.8 +/- 4.9 mm Hg at 7 PM (p < 0.05). Thereafter, portal pressure increased during the night, returning to baseline values at 9 AM (18.1 +/- 5.1 mm Hg). The acrophase was at 8:32 AM (+/- 100 min) with an amplitude of 3.45 +/- 1.1 (% of mean +/- S.E.) (rhythm detection: p < 0.03). Similarly, the analysis of the time of occurrence of variceal hemorrhage with the use of a multiple-components rhythmometry test disclosed two peaks in the prevalence of esophageal bleeding.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Predictive factors of early postoperative graft function in human liver transplantation.

To identify factors predictive of early postoperative graft function, we analyzed 54 variables--including easily available clinical and laboratory data prospectively obtained from organ donors, transplant recipients and surgical procedures in 168 consecutive liver transplantations. Early postoperative graft function was classified into three groups according to a scoring system ranging from 3 to 9 based on peak serum ALT values, mean bile output and lowest prothrombin activity measured during the 72 hr after transplant: group 1 (score 3 to 4, good graft function; n = 73), group 2 (score 5 to 6, moderate dysfunction; n = 50) and group 3 (score, 7 to 9, severe dysfunction; n = 45). In univariate analyses, 8 of the 54 variables analyzed were statistically significant (p < 0.05) predictors of severe graft dysfunction: high serum sodium concentration and brain death caused by cranial trauma in organ donors, advanced age and low prothrombin activity in transplant recipients, prolonged total ischemia time and large transfusions of red blood cells, fresh frozen plasma and platelets during surgery. After introduction of these eight variables in a multivariate analysis, only four were found to independently predict early postoperative graft function: donor serum sodium concentration, total ischemia time, platelet transfusion during surgery and recipient prothrombin activity. In 52 liver transplantations, in which the predictive value of liver tissue adenine nucleotide concentration and several biochemical sensitive markers of donor nutritional status was also analyzed, only the ATP level in liver tissue obtained at the time of organ reperfusion was identified as an independent predictor of initial graft function.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adenine Nucleotides↗
PubMed1994

Diagnosis of functional kidney failure of cirrhosis with Doppler sonography: prognostic value of resistive index.

Time-velocity wave-form analysis of Doppler signals from small intrarenal arteries allows estimation of intrarenal arteriolar vascular resistance. Among the various indexes proposed, the resistive index is the most widely used for this estimation. To investigate whether the resistive index is useful in the diagnosis of functional kidney failure and prediction of survival in cirrhotic patients with ascites, we measured resistive index, kidney and liver function and plasma levels of renin, aldosterone and antidiuretic hormone in 10 healthy subjects, 12 patients with compensated cirrhosis and 32 patients with cirrhosis and ascites (17 with kidney failure). A total of 28 clinical and laboratory variables were analyzed for prognostic value. Resistive index was significantly increased in patients with kidney failure (0.74 +/- 0.01) compared with those in the other three groups (0.64 +/- 0.01, 0.64 +/- 0.02 and 0.67 +/- 0.01) and correlated significantly with glomerular filtration rate, arterial pressure, plasma renin activity and free water clearance in the cirrhotic patients. The sensitivity and specificity of the resistive index in detecting kidney failure in patients with ascites were 71% and 80%, respectively. Nine variables were correlated with survival in the univariate analysis, including resistive index, age, hepatomegaly, blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, plasma sodium concentration, glomerular filtration rate, plasma renin activity and plasma concentration of antidiuretic hormone. Multivariate analysis disclosed only three independent predictors of survival: plasma renin activity, plasma concentration of antidiuretic hormone and serum sodium concentration. In conclusion, resistive index is a sensitive method to assess intrarenal hemodynamics in patients with cirrhosis and ascites. It also has predictive value for survival in these patients.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1994

Renal effects of natriuretic peptide receptor blockade in cirrhotic rats with ascites.

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of HS-142-1, a recently discovered specific antagonist of endogenous natriuretic peptides, on systemic hemodynamics, renal function, and the renin-aldosterone system in rats with cirrhosis and ascites. The study consisted of three protocols, each including 10 conscious control rats and 10 conscious rats with carbon-tetrachloride-induced cirrhosis with ascites. In protocol 1, HS-142-1 administration (by intravenous bolus of 20 mg.kg-1.body weight in all protocols) was not associated with significant changes in mean arterial pressure, heart rate, cardiac output or total peripheral resistance in the two groups of animals. In protocol 2, HS-142-1 induced a significant reduction in glomerular filtration rate (from 4.2 +/- 0.5 to 2.6 +/- 0.3 ml/min, p < 0.025) in control animals. A decrease in renal plasma flow and an increase in renal vascular resistance also occurred, but these changes were not statistically significant. In cirrhotic rats, HS-142-1 resulted in a significant decrease in renal plasma flow (from 10.9 +/- 0.7 to 4.3 +/- 0.6 ml/min, p < 0.001) and a significant increase in renal vascular resistance (from 6.0 +/- 0.6 to 16.3 +/- 2.7 mm Hg.min.ml-1, p < 0.025). Glomerular filtration rate decreased more in cirrhotic rats with ascites than in control rats (from 3.8 +/- 0.3 to 1.3 +/- 0.2 ml/min, p < 0.001). Changes in urine flow rate and urinary sodium excretion rate paralleled those of glomerular filtration rate in both groups of animals.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Analysis of Variance↗