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Biomedical subjects

T Scherstén

Publications and source records attributed to T Scherstén.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Isolated hepatic perfusion with extracorporeal oxygenation using hyperthermia, tumour necrosis factor alpha and melphalan.

AIMS: To determine the toxicity and efficacy of isolated hepatic perfusion with tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and melphalan (Alkeran) under mild hyperthermic conditions. METHODS: A phase I trial was performed. Eleven patients with unresectable metastatic malignancies in the liver were pre-treated with 3 x 10(6) U leukocyte IFN daily 2 days before the perfusion. The liver was isolated and inflow catheters inserted in the hepatic artery and the portal vein. The hepatic veins were drained via a catheter in the retrohepatic caval vein. The venous blood flow from the lower extremities and the splanchnic circulation was bypassed to the axillar vein. The liver circuit was perfused with oxygenated blood and 30-200 microg TNF-alpha was added. At 39 degrees C in the liver circuit 0.5 mg/kg melphalan was added and the perfusion was continued for 1 h. RESULTS: Six patients underwent re-operation due to post-operative bleeding. Two patients died of coagulopathy or multiple organ failure within the first post-operative month. Three of six patients with liver metastases from malignant melanoma or leiomyosarcoma showed a partial response while no patients with liver metastases from colorectal cancer showed any response. The mean survival time was 20 months, which is within the same range as seen in previous isolated hepatic perfusion (IHP) studies. CONCLUSIONS: IHP with this drug regimen is a method with a considerable toxicity, though it is hard to distinguish between toxicity from TNF-alpha and that from the perfusion procedure itself. The method was not effective in patients with colorectal liver metastasis, but the results in melanoma and leiomyosarcoma patients warrant further studies.

Adult↗

Indication for isolated hyperthermic liver perfusion: a surgeon's view.

Isolated hyperthermic liver perfusion is a transitional therapy, i.e. a therapy between evidence based, standard therapy and experimental therapy. It appears to provide distinct benefits in a number of situations but the scientific evidence is still incomplete. In our view the present indications for use of isolated hyperthermic perfusion of the liver are: to gain more knowledge; nonresectable liver metastases without proven extrahepatic growth from: uveal melanoma, colorectal carcinoma, and ovarian cancer; symptoms related to hepatic metastases from endocrine tumors. A multicenter study aimed at gaining more knowledge is recommended.

Chemotherapy, Cancer, Regional Perfusion↗

In vivo 31P NMR OSIRIS of bioenergetic changes in rabbit kidneys during and after ischaemia: effect of pretreatment with an indeno-indole compound.

Changes in energy phosphates of rabbit kidneys subjected to ischaemia-reperfusion have been measured in vivo with volume selective 31P NMR spectroscopy. The effects of pretreatment with a new lipid peroxidation inhibitor (indeno-indol derivate--code name H290/51) on the bioenergetic changes were analysed. The left kidney was moved to a subcutaneous pocket to facilitate exact positioning over the surface coil. A 1H NMR image was acquired and a 3.5-mL cube selected for 31P NMR spectra. 31P NMR spectra were recorded before occlusion of the left renal artery, during 1 h of ischaemia and 2 hours of reperfusion. Ischaemia induced drastic changes in the levels of inorganic phosphates and ATP as well as intracellular acidosis. A normalization was observed during reperfusion. Two hours after reperfusion significantly higher values for beta-ATP/Pi and intracellular pH were recorded in the animals pretreated with H290/51. The present technique allows quantitative analyses of changes in kidney bioenergetics in vivo during different experimental conditions. The importance of ischaemia-reperfusion induced lipid peroxidation for mitochondrial function is emphasized.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Treatment of primary liver cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate treatment of patients with primary liver cancer. DESIGN: Prospective protocol including subsets of randomised studies. SETTING: University hospital, Sweden. SUBJECTS: 123 patients with primary liver cancer. INTERVENTIONS: 64 patients underwent hepatic resection, 25 were included in a trial of adjuvant chemotherapy. 24 further patients whose tumours were not resectable were included in a trial of intra-arterial infusion of doxorubicin. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Survival and postoperative morbidity. RESULTS: The median survival time for patients who had had resections was 11 months (range 0-111). Twelve per cent survived more than 5 years. No prognostic factor had any significant effect on outcome. The postoperative mortality was 11% (7/64). The patients allocated to adjuvant chemotherapy survived a median of 10 months (range 1-47) and the controls 29 months (range 8-111) (p=0.04). Patients with unresectable liver cancer treated with intra-arterial doxorubicin lived no longer than untreated controls (median 8 months (range 1-56) compared with 7 months (range 1-28)). CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of patients with primary liver cancer is still an unsolved problem. Adjuvant chemotherapy with doxorubicin had no beneficial effect on survival.

Adult↗

Effects of pretreatment with an indeno-indole compound on lipid peroxidation in the cortex and medulla of rabbit kidneys after ischaemia-reperfusion.

The effects of 60 min of ischaemia with or without reoxygenation in vivo or in vitro on lipid peroxidation in cortical and medullary tissue from rabbit kidneys were measured as production of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS). Lipid peroxidation was more pronounced in medullary tissue compared with cortical tissue. The highest TBARS production was found in medullary slices subjected to reoxygenation in vitro immediately after 1 h of ischaemia. Reperfusion in vivo before reoxygenation in vitro attenuated the TBARS formation during subsequent in vitro incubation. Pretreatment of the rabbits with an indeno-indole compound (code name H 290/51) reduced the TBARS formation after 60 min of ischaemia and reoxygenation in vitro towards control values.

Animals↗

Purine nucleotides and phospholipids in ischemic and reperfused rat skeletal muscle: effect of ascorbate.

The effect of intravenously administered ascorbate on the ischemic and reperfused rat skeletal muscle was investigated. Purine nucleotides and phospholipids in skeletal muscle from rats subjected to 4 h of ischemia followed by 1-h reperfusion were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography. In addition, ATP, phosphocreatine (PCr), Pi, and phosphomonoesters (PME) were analyzed by 31P-nuclear magnetic resonance at 202.4 MHz, and individual PME such as glucose-6-phosphate and IMP were quantified. PCr and ATP were exhausted after 4 h of ischemia and recovered poorly upon reperfusion in the soleus and tibialis muscle of untreated rats. Postischemic reperfusion resulted in significant loss of cardiolipin. Treatment with 55 mM ascorbate resulted in total restoration of PCr during reperfusion, and ATP recovered to 42% of control in the soleus. Recovery was improved in the tibialis as well, and the cardiolipin decrease was limited. A lower ascorbate concentration (5 mM) did not enhance postischemic recovery. Our findings show that a high dose of ascorbate improves the energetic state of rat skeletal muscle during postischemic reperfusion, probably due to its antioxidant function.

Animals↗

Treatment of liver metastases of carcinoid tumors.

Liver metastases imply a major problem in patients with carcinoid tumors. Patients with localized disease should always undergo resection for cure. Patients with distant metastatic disease can also undergo resection for potential cure or symptom palliation because of the slow growth rate of many carcinoid tumors. In patients with the midgut carcinoid syndrome and bilobar hepatic disease we have performed primary surgery to relieve such symptoms as intestinal obstruction and ischemia, followed by successive embolizations of the hepatic arteries to reduce functional tumor burden in the liver. For optimal palliation, all patients with residual tumor were treated by octreotide. In a consecutive series of 64 patients with the midgut carcinoid syndrome we thus attained a 5-year survival rate of 70%. Fourteen of the patients underwent intentionally curative surgery (e.g., primary surgery followed by liver surgery). Of these patients, none died from their tumor disease during the period of study. The value of adjunctive interferon therapy is currently under evaluation.

Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal↗

Survival of patients with disseminated midgut carcinoid tumors after aggressive tumor reduction.

Sixty-four consecutive patients with disseminated midgut carcinoids were treated during an 8-year period according to a single clinical protocol aimed at aggressive tumor reduction by surgery alone or with subsequent hepatic artery embolization. All patients had markedly elevated urinary 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) levels (581 +/- 79 micromol/24 h) and hormonal symptoms. Fourteen patients (22%) reached anatomic and biochemical cure by surgery alone. At follow-up, the mean 5-HIAA levels were still normal after 69.0 +/- 6. 2 months; two patients had died from unrelated causes. With the introduction of somatostatin receptor scintigraphy, subclinical disease was diagnosed in 7 of these 14 patients. Forty patients with bilobar hepatic disease underwent embolization in combination with octreotide. In this group, 5-HIAA levels were still reduced by 55% after 71 +/- 11 months of follow-up, and the 5-year survival was 56%, estimated from the total death hazard function. After embolization, two subgroups could be identified with marked differences in their long-term response to treatment. Ten patients were not embolized owing to complicating diseases. The 5-year survival for the entire series was 58%. A significantly increased risk of cardiovascular deaths was seen, which underlines the importance of total survival analysis in a disease with multiple hormonal effects. It is concluded that an active surgical approach must be recommended to patients with the midgut carcinoid syndrome. In patients with bilobar hepatic disease, embolization combined with octreotide treatment markedly reduced the 5-HIAA excretion and suggested a prolonged 5-year survival.

Adult↗

Effect of a new inhibitor of lipid peroxidation on kidney function after ischaemia-reperfusion. A study on rat and rabbit kidneys.

Lipid peroxidation of mitochondrial and cell membrane structures is the final step in the oxygen radical-induced damage observed at reperfusion of kidneys after ischaemia. We compared the ability of an indeno-indol compound (code name H290/51) with that of alpha-tocopherol to inhibit lipid peroxidation in reoxygenated isolated rat renal tissue in vitro measured as production of TBARS (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances). H290/51 was 100 times more efficient than alpha-tocopherol. Treatment of rats in vivo with H290/51 in a dosage giving a plasma concentration of 500 nmol L-1 inhibited TBARS production measured in vitro by 80%. Treatment of rabbits with H290/51 almost completely inhibited radical production at reperfusion after 60 min of ischaemia measured with spin trap technique using OXANOH (2-ethyl-3-hydroxy-2,4,4-trimethyloxazolidine) as a spin trap. Furthermore, such pretreatment significantly improved kidney function and survival of rabbits subjected to 60 min of ischaemia to the left kidney and contralateral nephrectomy. These studies stress the importance of inhibiting lipid peroxidation to prevent the ischaemia-reperfusion damage and furthermore suggest a role for treatment with antioxidants like H290/51 in clinical practice, e.g. at reconstructive renal surgery and transplantation.

Animals↗

In vivo 31P nuclear magnetic resonance evidence of the salvage effect of ascorbate on the postischemic reperfused rat skeletal muscle.

The effect of 32 mM ascorbate on the time courses of phosphocreatine (PCr), inorganic phosphate (Pi), adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and intracellular pH in rat skeletal muscle during ischemia and reperfusion was investigated in vivo using 31P nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Ascorbate was administered intravenously prior to induction of ischemia and at the time of reperfusion. The changes in PCr/(PCr+Pi), ATP and pH were similar in the non-treated and in the treated groups during ischemia. PCr/(PCr+Pi) fell to < 10% and ATP to approximately 30% of the preischemic values after 4 hours of arrested circulation, and pH decreased considerably. Postischemic reperfusion was followed continuously for 150 minutes. At the time of reflow, treatment with ascorbate had an immediate, positive effect on the recovery of high energy phosphates and pH. The level of PCr/(PCr+Pi) was 86% higher (p < 0.001) and the ATP level was 40% higher (p < 0.001) in the treated group than in the control group by the end of the reperfusion period. The results provide in vivo evidence for a salvaging effect of ascorbate on ischemia-reperfusion injury in skeletal muscle, probably owing to its antioxidant function and other ancillary effects, mainly its provision of additional buffer capacity.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Coenzymes Q9 and Q10 in skeletal and cardiac muscle in tumour-bearing exercising rats.

Physical exercise increases metabolic rate, and induces both adaptational biogenesis of mitochondria in skeletal muscle and an increase in antioxidant capacity. The onset of experimental anorexia and cachexia can be delayed by voluntary exercise. As skeletal muscle is the main target for cancer cachexia, we determined the levels of coenzymes Q9 and Q10 in skeletal muscle from tumour-bearing exercising rats, and compared them to those of sedentary tumour-bearers and controls. Both tumour-bearing groups had increased levels of coenzymes Q9 and Q10 in the anterior tibial muscle (P < 0.05 for exercised animals). In the soleus muscle, only the tumour-bearing exercising animals demonstrated an increase in the levels of both coenzymes (P < 0.05). In cardiac muscle, the presence of tumour and exercise reduced the levels of coenzymes below that of sedentary controls. Exercise counteracted the anaemia in the tumour-bearing host (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the increase in antioxidant capacity in skeletal muscle indicates a defence mechanism in the tumour-bearing hosts which is augmented by physical exercise.

Animals↗

Disturbed energy balance in skeletal muscle of patients with untreated primary hypertension.

OBJECTIVE: It has been shown that the distribution of Na+ and Ca2+ in various cells is abnormal in patients with untreated primary hypertension, indicating an altered membrane permeability in these cells. This would activate certain ion pumps and thereby enhance ATP turnover. We investigated possible alterations in energy economy of skeletal muscle tissue. DESIGN: Skeletal muscle energetics were studied in vitro and in vivo in patients with untreated primary hypertension. Phosphocreatine (PCr), energy charge (EC) and total adenylate values were assessed. SETTING: The study was performed at the outpatient clinic of a general hospital and at a university clinical chemistry department and at a specialized bioenergetic laboratory. SUBJECTS: Altogether, 17 patients with untreated primary hypertension were examined together with matched, healthy and normotensive controls with normal body-mass index. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Skeletal muscle biopsies were obtained from 10 patients and 10 controls for analysis of high energy phosphate compounds. Another seven patients were enrolled for in vivo NMR spectroscopy. RESULTS: We found a decrease of 30% (P < 0.01) of PCr content in the patients, whilst EC and total adenylates were unchanged. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy showed an abnormal decrease of PCr during exercise followed by a markedly slower regeneration of PCr during post-exercise recovery parallelled by a slower recovery of pH. This phenomenon was mirrored by a more pronounced decrease of ATP/Pi in patients during exercise and a slower recovery of ATP/Pi. CONCLUSION: The data are compatible with an increased ATP turnover in skeletal muscle cells of patients with untreated primary hypertension although ATP was favoured and kept at a normal resting level at the expense of the PCr store.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Effect of pre-treatment with desferrioxamine and mannitol on radical production and kidney function after ischaemia-reperfusion. A study on rabbit kidneys.

The effects of pre-treatment with mannitol and the iron chelator desferrioxamine on oxygen radical formation and glomerular and tubular function after ischaemia in the rabbit kidney were studied. Radicals were measured with ESR and spin trapping. At reperfusion after 60 min of renal ischaemia there was a significant increase in the production of free radicals in the venous effluent from the kidney. Administration of either mannitol or desferrioxamine given before ischaemia and before recirculation reduced the radical production significantly. The iron chelator appeared to be more effective. Glomerular function measured 48 h after reperfusion was significantly better after pretreatment with desferrioxamine and mannitol compared with mannitol alone. Tubular function did not differ between the two pre-treatment groups.

Animals↗

Purine metabolism during microsurgical transfer of human skeletal muscle.

The effect of ischaemia followed by reperfusion on energy metabolism was studied in human skeletal muscle after microsurgical free transfer. Muscle biopsy specimens from 11 patients treated by free muscle transfer for facial palsy, injury to an extremity, or scalp defect were studied. The biopsy specimens were taken during ischaemia and after one hour of reperfusion, respectively. They were analysed for ATP to uric acid and creatine phosphate by high pressure liquid chromatography. Ischaemia lasting one or two hours affected the energy metabolism of the muscle cell as evidenced by a 50% reduction in creatine phosphate; a 20% reduction in ATP and in the energy charge; a 100% increase in inosine monophosphate, and a 700% increase in hypoxanthine and xanthine. Reperfusion for one hour improved these figures somewhat, and induced the production of uric acid. Skeletal muscle can therefore tolerate ischaemia for up to two hours in the clinical situation without permanent damage to the tissues.

Adolescent↗

The effect of postoperative intravenous feeding (TPN) on outcome following major surgery evaluated in a randomized study.

Three hundred patients undergoing major general surgical procedures were randomized by means of a computer-assisted algorithm to receive either total parenteral nutrition (TPN) from the first postoperative day or only prolonged glucose administration (250-300 g/day) up to 15 days after operation. All patients receiving TPN were treated individually based on daily measurements of energy and nitrogen balances. The treatment goal was to keep the patients in positive energy balance (+20%) and close to nitrogen balance. The effects of the two "nutrition regimens" on outcome such as mortality rate, complications, the need of additional medical support and patient-related functional disabilities were investigated. No selection of patients was made, that is, malnourished patients were also randomized. There were no differences among TPN versus glucose treatment when results were analyzed according to intent to treat. Approximately 60% of all patients were able to start eating within 8 to 9 days after operation. No differences were observed between such patients regardless of being treated with TPN or glucose only. Patients on glucose treatment during 14 days had a significantly higher mortality rate (p < 0.05) than patients on either continuous and uncomplicated TPN treatment or short-term glucose treatment. Similar results for mortality rates also were seen with regard to severe complications (cardiopulmonary problems, sepsis, and wound-healing insufficiencies), functional disturbances, the need of additional medical support, and abnormalities in nutritional state. Twenty per cent of the patients randomized to TPN treatment showed a statistical trend (p < 0.10) toward a higher mortality rate (36%) compared with patients randomized to prolonged glucose treatment (21% mortality rate). These patients could not be identified by evaluation of preoperative factors. Thus, the overall evaluation of the results makes it likely that a fraction of high-risk patients (approximately 20%) were not doing well on immediate postoperative intravenous feeding, and it is possible that TPN to such patients accentuated their morbidity rate. Although patients (20%) on prolonged semi-starvation (14 days glucose treatment) had increased mortality rate and severe complications, it was possible that undernutrition induced a slightly different complication scenario than induced by TPN in the high-risk patients. The results demonstrate that in most surgical patients (60%), postoperative semi-starvation is not a limiting factor for outcome. In remaining 40%, inadequate nutrition was associated with both increased morbidity and mortality rates. In this sense, inadequate nutrition represents both too much and too little, whereas overfeeding seemed to be a larger problem than underfeeding.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Algorithms↗