Biomedical subjects

R Aderjan

Publications and source records attributed to R Aderjan.

58 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

PubMedDate not supplied

Helicobacter pylori infection decreases gastric alcohol dehydrogenase activity and first-pass metabolism of ethanol in man.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Ethanol is metabolized by alcohol dehydrogenase in the human stomach. This metabolism contributes to the so-called first-pass metabolism of ethanol which is affected by gender, medication, and morphological alterations of the gastric mucosa. Recently, it has been shown that Helicobacter pylori is capable to oxidize ethanol to acetaldehyde in vitro. Since H. pylori also injures gastric mucosa, the present study examines the effect of this bacterium on gastric alcohol dehydrogenase activity and systemic availability of ethanol in vivo. METHODS: Thirteen volunteers (7 men and 6 women, aged 18-52 years) with gastric H. pylori infection diagnosed by a positive CLO test and positive gastric histology received ethanol (0.225 g/kg) either orally or intravenously before and after H. pylori elimination to determine systemic availability of ethanol. In addition, gastric biopsy specimens were taken from all subjects before and after H. pylori elimination for histological assessment of mucosal alterations and determinations of gastric alcohol dehydrogenase activity and phenotype of the enzyme. RESULTS: In the presence of H. pylori the first-pass metabolism of ethanol was found to be significantly reduced (625 +/- 234 vs. 1,155 +/- 114 mg/dl/min, p = 0.046). This reduction of first-pass metabolism of ethanol was associated with a significant decrease in alcohol dehydrogenase activity (4.8 +/- 1.5 vs. 12.1 +/- 2.3 nmol/mg protein x min, p < 0.05) and an increase in the severity of mucosal damage as determined by a histological score (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: H. pylori infection leads to gastric mucosal injury which is associated with a decrease in gastric alcohol dehydrogenase activity and first-pass metabolism of ethanol. Ethanol metabolism by H. pylori does not play an important role in vivo. However, gastric morphology is one important factor determining systemic availability of ethanol in man.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Distribution of morphine and morphine glucuronides in body tissue and fluids--postmortem findings in brief survival].

An intoxication following administration of morphine, tramadol and atracurium in a suicide case is reported. The route of administration and the amount of the particular drug were known from the investigation of the death scene and the findings of the postmortem examination. Tramadol was present in the gastric contents as well as in blood, liver, kidney and brain samples, whereas the drug could not be detected in muscle. All body fluids and tissues investigated contained morphine as well as its 3- and 6-glucuronides with the exception of muscle tissue. The concentrations of morphine and its glucuronide metabolites were determined by LC/MS following solid phase extraction. Interestingly, the concentration of M6G in brain, liver and kidney were close to the concentration of M3G in the particular tissue. This phenomenon might be explained by a preferential hydrolysis of M3G or by a preferential formation of M6G postmortem. Measurement of morphine and M6G in femoral blood and cerebrospinal fluid may be a useful indicator in rapid deaths.

Autopsy↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Fatal sodium azide poisoning in a hospital: a preventable accident].

A case of fatal sodium azide poisoning is reported. From the hospital staff, a 57 year old patient had obtained 1 g of sodium azide in order to put it as a preservative, in his 24 hour urinal. Probably due to an error, he swallowed the total dose. A cardiovascular collapse was cause of the death after five hours of intensive treatment and reanimation. Azide anions were found in blood (traces, less than 0.5 mg/L), vitreous (10 mg/L) and cerebrospinal fluid (20 mg/L). The use of sodium azide for disinfection of urine samples should be regarded as obsolete. Less toxic substances for disinfection are available. To avoid chemical disinfection, urine samples can be kept at 4-8 degrees C prior to rapid analysis.

Azides↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Fatal poisoning with clozapine and perazine. A case report].

An intoxication following an apparent overdose of clozapine (Leponex) and perazine (Taxilan) is reported. There was a wide range of variation in postmortem blood and tissue concentrations of clozapine, desmethyclozapine and perazine. Clozapine/norclozapine blood and tissue ratios and perazine-pill-fragments in the gastric content could be used as a sign of suspected acute clozapine and perazine overdose.

Adult↗