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Biomedical subjects

M Petermann

Publications and source records attributed to M Petermann.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Leucine and glucose turnover in chronic alcoholics during early abstinence and after an ethanol load.

We studied leucine turnover using a primed infusion of [1-14C]-L-leucine and glucose turnover using a primed infusion of [6-3H]-D-glucose in five alcoholic patients without liver damage and five age-matched controls. Infusions were maintained for 6 hr, and at the end of the 3rd hour, a 0.8 g/kg iv ethanol load was administered in 20 min. Leucine flux, nonoxidative disposal and oxidation rates, and glucose rate of appearance were calculated during the 3rd and 6th hours of infusion. Ethanol disappearance rate and the percentage completely metabolized to CO2 and H2O in 3 hr were also calculated. Compared with controls, alcoholics had significantly higher basal leucine flux (55.6 +/- 12 vs. 37.3 +/- 9.3 microM/m2/min) and nonoxidative disposal (48.7 +/- 8.7 vs. 31.1 +/- 7.5 microM/m2/min). No differences were observed in basal glucose appearance rates in alcoholics and controls (397.6 +/- 115.2 vs. 349.4 +/- 120.6 microM/m2/min). Compared with controls, alcoholics had a higher alcohol disappearance rate (2.72 +/- 0.59 vs. 1.84 +/- 0.43 mM/kg/min) and percentage of ethanol metabolized to CO2 and H2O in 3 hr (40.6 +/- 10.2 vs. 22.9 +/- 6.9%). After the ethanol load, both leucine turnover and glucose rate of appearance decreased significantly only in alcoholics. There was a positive correlation between the change in leucine flux and ethanol disappearance rate and percentage metabolized to CO2 and H2O in alcoholics.

Acetaldehyde↗

[Prediction of histological liver damage in asymptomatic alcoholic patients by means of clinical and laboratory data].

Looking for a noninvasive method to predict liver histologic alterations in alcoholic patients without clinical signs of liver failure, we studied 187 chronic alcoholics recently abstinent, divided in 2 series. In the model series (n = 94) several clinical variables and results of common laboratory tests were confronted to the findings of liver biopsies. These were classified in 3 groups: 1. Normal liver; 2. Moderate alterations; 3. Marked alterations, including alcoholic hepatitis and cirrhosis. Multivariate methods used were logistic regression analysis and a classification and regression tree (CART). Both methods entered gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT), aspartate-aminotransferase (AST), weight and age as significant and independent variables. Univariate analysis with GGT and AST at different cutoffs were also performed. To predict the presence of any kind of damage (Groups 2 and 3), CART and AST > 30 IU showed the higher sensitivity, specificity and correct prediction, both in the model and validation series. For prediction of marked liver damage, a score based on logistic regression and GGT > 110 IU had the higher efficiencies. It is concluded that GGT and AST are good markers of alcoholic liver damage and that, using sample cutoffs, histologic diagnosis can be correctly predicted in 80% of recently abstinent asymptomatic alcoholics.

Adult↗

Nutritional status of surgical patients and the relationship of nutrition to postoperative outcome.

A preoperative nutritional assessment including anthropometry, biochemical indices and global subjective assessment was performed for 127 patients admitted for elective gastrointestinal surgery. Of these, 24 were subjected to minor surgery, 65 to intermediate surgery and 38 to major procedures. Patients were followed postoperatively, recording complications or mortality. Intermediate and major surgery patients had lower triceps skinfold thickness and mid-arm circumference and greater weight loss than did minor surgery patients. Thirty-six percent of the patients suffered complications. No association was found between preoperative nutritional status and incidence of postoperative complications. Six patients died and they showed greater preoperative weight loss (21 +/- 6.5 vs 12 +/- 1.4%) and lower serum albumin levels (25 +/- 4 vs 35 +/- 1 g/l) than patients who survived complications. Global subjective assessment classified 43% of survivors as malnourished, compared to 100% of patients who died.

Anthropometry↗

Isolation of a high-molecular mass glycoprotein from culture supernatant of an arthritogenic strain of the bacteria Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae reacting with "inductive" monoclonal antibodies derived from rats with erysipelas polyarthritis.

A glycoprotein exhibiting a relative molecular mass of about 1000 kDa was purified to homogeneity from culture supernatant of arthritogenic bacteria (Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae, strain T28) by ultrafiltration, ammonium sulfate precipitation, molecular mass exclusion, and ion exchange chromatography. Fractions obtained were analysed for their antigenic content by an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using rabbit immune serum raised against this strain of Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae. Distinct monoclonal antibodies obtained from rats suffering from erysipelas polyarthritis display a unique property by inducing very efficiently protective and regulatory mechanisms while being unable to generate classical "passive immunity". These "inductive" monoclonal antibodies recognize most likely linear epitopes on the purified glycoprotein. This makes it a prime source for analysing the target structure of these in vivo "inductive" antibodies.

Animals↗

Monoclonal antibodies preventing the development of polyarthritis in rats induced by experimental infection with erysipelas bacteria.

Monoclonal IgM-antibodies specific for arthritogenic erysipelas bacteria (Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae, serovar 2, strain T28) were isolated from rats suffering from erysipelas polyarthritis. Four of them (C52, D9, E51, R117) were administered to syngeneic Lewis rats. While D9 and an unrelated rat-IgM-antibody showed no effect, C52 protected partially and R117 as well as E51 fully from all symptoms of erysipelas polyarthritis. Prevention of the disease was associated with a lack of antibody-formation against the erysipelas bacteria. There is evidence that prevention is not due to classical passive immunization, but rather to induction of host mechanisms efficiently activated by "inductive" monoclonal antibodies.

Animals↗

[Muscular strength: an indicator of nutritional status].

A hand dynamometer was used to measure muscle strength in 207 patients admitted to the Gastroenterology service of a general hospital. Validation of international standards in a normal population of both sexes and different ages revealed that our normals perform at the 25% percentile of international values. Results were correlated with other measurements of nutritional status, namely anthropometric measurements, serum albumin level and tuberculin test. Compared to normals, muscle strength was significantly (p < 0.01) lower in patients with body mass index under 19, cutaneous tricipital folding < 85%, brachial circumference < 85%, and serum albumin < 3.5 g/dl. No difference in muscle strength between tuberculin positive or negative subjects was observed. None of the nutritional parameter was helpful to predict complications in patients submitted to surgery. Thus, muscle strength is a useful parameter to evaluate nutritional status but, similar to other measurements, is not predictive of surgical complications.

Adolescent↗

[Controlled study of the effect of silymarin on alcoholic liver disease].

A controlled trial on the use of Silymarin in patients with alcoholic liver disease was performed. Seventy two patients were admitted to the trial and randomly assigned to an experimental or controls group. Experimentals received 280 mg/day of Silymarin and controls an equal number of placebo tablets. Three patients on placebo and nine on Silymarin were lost from control (p = 0.035), remaining in control 34 patients receiving placebo and 25 patients receiving the drug. Both groups did not differ in their initial laboratory assessment and were followed up for an average of 15 months. Ten patients died during the follow up (5 in placebo and 5 in Silymarin); life table analysis did not show significant differences in mortality. Patients who died had lower serum albumin and prothrombin time and higher total bilirubin, alkaline phosphatases and CCLI on the initial clinical and laboratory assessment. Final laboratory values and their changes in those who survived did not differ between Silymarin and placebo. Twenty two patients on placebo (65%) and 14 on Silymarin (58%) recognized alcohol ingestion or had a positive urine sample analysis for alcohol during follow up. Those who abstained from alcohol had a significant fall in gamma glutamyl transferase during follow up. No other significant differences were observed between these two groups. It is concluded that in this trial, Silymarin did not change the evolution or mortality of alcoholic liver disease.

Double-Blind Method↗

[Treatment of chronic renal failure: effects of a supplemented diet with essential amino acids].

We evaluated the results of essential amino acids supplementation added to a protein restricted diet (0.6 g/kg/day) in patients with advanced renal failure (creatinine clearance under 20 ml/min). A diet containing food with high biologic value was used as control. Diets were tested during 7 months. Anthropometric and nutritional (serum albumin and transferrin) values were normal in both groups both at the beginning and at the end of the treatment period. A slight increase in weight in the natural diet group and in serum phosphorus level in the amino acid supplemented group was observed. Two patients in each group required chronic dialysis, renal function remaining stable in the rest. We conclude that both forms of diet supplementation were effective in preserving nutritional status possibly in delaying deterioration of renal function in patients with advanced renal failure.

Amino Acids, Essential↗

Glucose turnover rate and peripheral insulin sensitivity in alcoholic patients without liver damage.

Glucose intolerance is frequently found in alcoholic patients and an impaired insulin response has been documented in them. To look for alternative mechanisms that could explain this intolerance, a glucose turnover using tritiated glucose and an euglycemic glucose clamp were performed to measure the glucose production rate and peripheral insulin sensitivity, respectively. Two groups of recently abstinent chronic male alcoholic patients without evidence of liver damage were studied. The glucose turnover technique showed a higher basal glucose production rate in alcoholics, compared with normal volunteers (2.83 +/- 0.29 vs. 1.84 +/- 0.22 mg/kg/min); an intravenous ethanol load significantly increased this rate. The euglycemic glucose clamp did not show peripheral insulin resistance in alcoholics, compared with controls.

Adult↗

Nutritional support in hospitalized patients with alcoholic liver disease.

The effects of a nutritional support in hospitalized patients with alcoholic cirrhosis and liver failure were studied in a controlled protocol. Thirty-six patients were included, 17 were randomly assigned to an experimental group and the rest to a control group. Experimentals received a diet aiming at 50 kcal (209 kJ)/kg bodyweight/d and 1.5 g protein/kg bodyweight/d (as proteins of high biological value). Controls received the standard diet prescribed by the attending physician. The severity of liver failure and the nutritional status on admission were similar in both groups. The measured energy intake in controls was 1813 +/- 121 kcal/d (7589 +/- 506 kJ/d) and 2707 +/- 71 kcal/d (1131 +/- 297 kJ/d) in experimentals (P less than 0.001). The protein intake in controls was 47 +/- 3.8 g/d and in experimentals 80 +/- 3 g/d (P less than 0.001). There were seven deaths during the study period (two experimentals and five controls). No differences were observed in the evolution of liver failure, hepatic encephalopathy or nutritional status between both study groups. It is concluded that a higher energy and protein intake in these patients does not have adverse effects and is associated with a non-significant reduction in mortality.

Body Weight↗

Nitrogen economy in alcoholic patients without liver disease.

Nitrogen balance was studied in five alcoholic patients during alcohol consumption and after 1 or 2 weeks of abstinence, under metabolic ward conditions. Patients had a history of excessive ethanol intake for five years or more. They were intoxicated and otherwise asymptomatic on admission and had been drinking 150 g or more of ethanol daily, for at least one month. Subjects consumed a diet providing vitamins and minerals exceeding RDA values, 45 kcal/kg of body weight and 0.6 g/kg of proteins (as egg protein), for 33 days. During the first 11 days patients received 200 g of ethanol that were isocalorically substituted later by dietary fat and carbohydrates. The results of this study show that, in alcoholic patients while drinking and after seven days of alcohol withdrawal, nitrogen balance is significantly decreased compared to that performed after two weeks of abstinence. Ethanol metabolic rate was found to be increased, compared to controls. It was lower in four of five patients after the second week of abstinence. These results suggest that alcohol abuse increases protein requirements in chronic alcoholic patients even without histologic liver disease or clinical signs of gastroenterologic disorders.

Adult↗

Glucose tolerance and the insulin response in recently drinking alcoholic patients: possible effects of withdrawal.

To investigate possible effects of withdrawal on carbohydrate metabolism in chronic alcoholic patients, intravenous glucose tolerance tests were performed in three periods in 11 alcoholic patients: early abstinence (less than three days), early abstinence plus ethanol (1 g/kg/BW IV), and late abstinence (three weeks later). According to liver biopsy results and laboratory tests, patients were classified as a group with liver damage (four cases) and a group without it (seven cases). In the group without damage, glucose tolerance expressed as K% and compared to a control group, was significantly decreased in early and late abstinence but not after the infusion of ethanol. Cases with damage also had glucose intolerance at admission. Plasma insulin levels after the glucose load were significantly lower at ten and 30 minutes in the group without damage, in early or late abstinence. They were normal in the presence of ethanol. Patients with liver damage presented higher basal and postglucose plasma insulin concentrations. It was concluded that glucose intolerance in alcoholic patients is a common finding that occurs in the presence or absence of liver damage. In cases with liver damage it seems to be due to peripheral insulin resistance. In those without damage it is related to low peripherovenous insulin levels.

Acute-Phase Proteins↗

Effects of ethanol on hepatic blood flow in the rat.

Hepatic blood flow measured by indocyanine green clearance was studied in rats after an acute intoxicating dose of ethanol (2 g/kg) or after chronic ethanol administration by feeding with alcohol liquid diets. Acute intoxication to normal animals did not modify hepatic blood flow. In chronically alcohol-fed rats, hepatic blood flow was significantly decreased when measured after 15 hr of abstinence. If ethanol was not withdrawn and an acute dose of ethanol was given before the indocyanine green clearance, a decreased hepatic blood flow was not observed. It is suggested that the reduction of hepatic blood flow in recently abstinent chronically alcohol-treated animals is related to the withdrawal syndrome.

Alcoholic Intoxication↗

Effect of epinephrine and alprenolol on ethanol metabolism, liver cell respiration and mitochondrial function.

Chronic administration of epinephrine to adult male rats resulted in a significant increase in the rate of ethanol elimination, when given alone or together with the beta-adrenergic blocker alprenolol. This effect was observed concomitantly with an increased hepatic oxygen utilization and no changes in mitochondrial respiratory functions. Epinephrine given acutely did not modify the rate of ethanol metabolism. Blood glucose levels were enhanced in these conditions, but were unaffected in rats treated with epinephrine plus alprenolol. These results suggest that chronic epinephrine treatment induces an increased oxidative capacity in the liver characterized by enhanced rates of oxygen uptake and ethanol metabolism, which is not related to its beta-adrenergic actions.

Alprenolol↗

Protein digestion and jejunal dipeptidase activity in rats fed a normal protein alcohol diet during 6 months.

Protein digestion was studied in pair-fed rats receiving an adequate (protein 12% and alcohol 35% of calories) diet during 24 weeks. No differences in fecal nitrogen excretion were observed between the alcohol-treated and control rats. At the 24th week the rats were sacrificed and jejunal mucosa dipeptidase activity was studied. No differences were found either between controls and alcohol-treated animals.

Animals↗