PubMed HealthSearch

Biomedical subjects

N Wardle

Publications and source records attributed to N Wardle.

15 recordsLinked to original sources

Understanding leukotrienes.

The leukotrienes of white cells are powerful pharmacological mediators that are implicated in many immunological reactions. The most powerful effects (bronchoconstriction and mucus secretion) are seen in asthma. The circulatory effects are local, except perhaps in endotoxin shock. Apart from corticosteroids, there are as yet no inhibitors in use in therapeutics.

Animals

Kupffer cell phagocytosis in relation to BSP clearance in liver and inflammatory bowel diseases.

Experience using microaggregated human serum albumin for a Kupffer cell phagocytic capacity "stress test" in patients with liver and inflammatory bowel diseases is described. Each result has been related to a 1-hr BSP clearance in order to account for variations in liver blood flow. Kupffer cell clearances are reduced in proportion to BSP clearance in obstructive jaundice and in secondary biliary cirrhosis but are increased in patients with chronic hepatocellular inflmmation. Conversely Kupffer cell phagocytosis is often depressed in patients with alcoholic hepatitis. In Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis RES function is normal unless patients are receiving corticosteroid suppression.

Colitis, Ulcerative

Reticuloendothelial cell dysfunction in diabetes and hyperlipidemia.

Using clearances of microaggregated iodinated human serum albumin in a serial 'stress test,' defective phagocytosis by the Kupffer cells has been demonstrated in diabetic patients with K.W. nephropathy and proliferative retinopathy. This indicates a disturbance of phagocytic cell function that has implications for the cellular pathology of microangiopathy. The effect is not due to uremia, but could be due to T3 deficiency or lipid deposition. In hypothyroidism, there is defective RES phagocytosis, and alcoholics with hyperlipidemia can have impaired clearances. Hence, patients with advanced diabetes, hypothyroidism, and some alcoholics are at risk from infection.

Diabetes Mellitus

Study of reticuloendothelial phagocytic capacity in patients with cholestasis.

The phagocytic capacity of the reticuloendothelial system was studied by the clearance from the plasma of microaggregated iodinated human serum albumin. About half of the patients with cholestasis showed impaired Kupffer-cell phagocytosis. The finding may be relevant to the occurrence of surgical complications in patients with obstructive jaundice.

Cholestasis

Altered reticuloendothelial function in long-term renal allograft recipients.

Using the clearance of microaggregated iodinated human serum albumin reticuloendothialial system (RES) phagocytic function was tested in 48 long-term renal allograft recipients and was found to be defective at the time of testing in 70%. Depression of RES phagocytosis could be related to total steroid dosage in the previous year and to the patients liability to bacterial infections. Evidence from this test does not suggest an immunosuppressive effect of cytomegalovirus. However, three patients are discussed who have developed chronic active hepatitis that is not due to type B virus.

Female

Reticuloendothelial function in renal allograft recipients.

The phagocytic capacity of the reticuloendothelial system (R.E.S.) was assessed in patients with chronic renal failure and in renal transplant recipients. R.E.S. phagocytosis was increased in the former group. Soon after transplantation R.E.S. phagocytosis was moderately reduced (through levels were comparable with those of normal controls) but was particularly reduced after high-dose corticosteroid treatment for rejection. In long-term allograft recipients R.E.S. phagocytosis was also depressed though steroid maintenance doses were small.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones

Letter: Endotoxaemia.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation