PubMed Health⌕ Search

SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “Liver function”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 469 records · Page 26Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

Urinary sodium balance in patients with cirrhosis: relationship to quantitative parameters of liver function.

The relationship between the impairment in hepatic and renal function in cirrhosis has not been well established. This study investigated urinary sodium excretion in comparison with quantitative parameters of liver function in 75 patients with various degrees of cirrhosis kept on a constant salt diet of 120 mmol/d for 5 days before the start of the study. The aminopyrine breath test (ABT), indocyanine green (ICG) elimination, galactose elimination capacity (GEC), and hepatic sorbitol elimination (HSE) served as quantitative parameters of liver function. Results for the quantitative tests were compared with those for the Child-Pugh score. Urinary sodium excretion showed a significant nonlinear relationship to ABT (r = .70; P < .0001). Less-significant correlations were observed for ICG (r = .60), the Child-Pugh score (r = -.57), GEC (r = .44), and HSE (r = .34). Because a number of significant correlations were observed between the different liver function tests, multivariate analysis was used to further elucidate the relationship between hepatic function and sodium excretion. Only one independent predictor of urinary sodium excretion could be identified, and that was the ABT (P < .02). More than half of the nonascitic patients showed a urinary sodium excretion of less than 80% of dietary sodium intake, indicating impaired renal sodium handling in preascitic cirrhosis. Based on the 95% confidence interval (CI) for ABT of nonascitic patients with normal (mean ABT 0.56% dose x kg/mmol CO2; 95% CI: 0.44 to 0.69) and reduced urinary sodium excretion (mean ABT 0.26% dose x kg/mmol CO2; 95% CI: 0.18 to 0.35), a threshold level of ABT of about 0.4 (% dose x kg/mmol CO2) for conservation of normal urinary sodium excretion in cirrhosis can be defined. This ABT value reflects an approximate 50% reduction in function compared with the mean of cirrhotic patients with normal liver and kidney function (0.81% dose x kg/mmol CO2). The presence of ascites was also associated with a reduction in ABT to below 0.4 (% dose x kg/mmol CO2), while, for all other parameters, either the cut-off point was close to the lower limit of normal or no cut-off level could be detected. In conclusion, the results of the present study provide further evidence that the impairment in urinary sodium excretion in cirrhosis is related to hepatic function. The data suggest a nonlinear relationship. Because ABT has been shown to reflect functional hepatocellular mass, the occurrence of sodium retention and ascites appears to be related to a threshold of an approximate 50% reduction in functional liver cell mass.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Short report: Abnormal liver function in scrub typhus.

Scrub typhus is one kind of rickettsial disease and may cause fever, cough, and skin rashes in infected humans. Regarding liver involvement, it was uncommon to be reported in previous medical literature from Western countries. This study observes the relationship between scrub typhus and liver function. From January 1998 to August 2003 in Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital in Taiwan, we observed 30 patients with scrub typhus, and 29 of them had liver function abnormality. In these patients, we found 89.3% with elevated aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels, 91.7% with elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels, 84.2% with elevated alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels, and 38.5% with elevated total bilirubin levels. In our study, there is a close relationship between scrub typhus and impaired liver function tests. Therefore, if patients are found with fever of unknown origin and abnormal liver function, we should take scrub typhus into consideration.

Female↗
PubMed1967

Diagnostic value of liver function tests and Entamoeba histolytica antibody studies in East Africans.

Liver function tests and Entamoeba histolytica (E.H.) antibody titres have been studied in a variety of tropical and liver diseases. Patients with hepatic amoebiasis had a raised E.H. antibody titre and tended to have a low pseudocholinesterase activity. In two cases of amoebic liver abscess, which were treated by aspiration and emetine, there was a remarkable drop in the E.H. antibody titre. In a number of other hepatic and tropical conditions the E.H. antibody titre was not significantly raised and the liver function tests were typical of the various conditions studied.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

Relationship between serum cortisol, liver function, and depression in detoxified alcoholics.

High levels of serum cortisol or abnormal dexamethasone suppression tests may be helpful in diagnosing major depressive disorder. However, a controversy exists as to whether abnormal liver function associated with alcohol abuse may negate the diagnostic value of the dexamethasone suppression test in alcoholics. We investigated the value of the dexamethasone suppression test in alcoholics by analyzing the liver function, cortisol levels, and psychiatric status of inpatients from an alcohol detoxification treatment center. The subjects met the DSM III criteria for alcohol dependence but took no chronic medication and had negative screening for substance abuse. They had routine blood screening to evaluate liver function, the afternoon cortisol test and dexamethasone suppression test to study glucocorticoid activity, and a structured evaluation to determine psychiatric diagnoses. The blood chemistry findings demonstrated a lack of significant liver synthetic dysfunction in this group, although 43% of the subjects had some elevation of their liver enzymes. We did not find differences in the liver function between patients with normal and abnormal cortisol levels. However, subjects with endogenous depression did have significantly elevated afternoon cortisol levels, and they tended to have more normal liver tests. These results indicate that modest liver dysfunction does not contaminate the validity of the plasma cortisol tests or the dexamethasone suppression test as diagnostic tools for assessing depression in this group of detoxified alcoholics. In addition, they demonstrate an association between depression and plasma cortisol levels and suggest a correlation between depression and better liver function in alcoholics who seek detoxification.

Adult↗
PubMed1980

Liver function in some common rheumatic disorders.

Liver function was studied primarily by determination of serum gamma glutamyl transferase and alkaline phosphatase. In subsamples of patients the investigation was extended by determination of serum amino-transferases, isoenzyme analysis of alkaline phosphatase, 99mtechnetium scintigraphy, and liver biopsy. In 183 in-patients with rheumatoid arthritis, the serum gamma glutamyl transferase level was elevated in 47% and serum alkaline phosphatase (of liver origin) in 24%. A concomitant increase in serum aminotransferases was found in 15% of patients with elevated gamma glutamyl transferase level. A closely similar pattern was found in 45 patients with non-rheumatoid arthritis (ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, reactive arthritis, and undefined arthritis), and in 5 patients with polymyalgia rheumatica. In 23 patients with non-rheumatic inflammation (pneumonia), liver dysfunction was common, though the pattern of serum enzyme changes was different. In rheumatoid arthritis, liver scanning showed irregular or low uptake, but biopsy only indicated reactive hepatitis. Hepatotoxicity could not be traced to any single drug or combination of drugs given. On the contrary, chloroquine appeared to reduce serum gamma glutamyl transferase, and corticosteroids had a similar effect on serum alkaline phosphatase. In patients not treated with corticosteroids, both serum gamma glutamyl transferase and alkaline phosphatase were weakly to moderately correlated with laboratory indices of disease activity (ESR and serum orosomucoid). The frequently occurring isolated increase of serum gamma glutamyl transferase and/or serum alkaline phosphatase in arthritis may be an unspecific reaction to inflammation.

Alanine Transaminase↗
PubMed1999

Hepatic and renal extraction of circulating type I procollagen aminopropeptide in patients with normal liver function and in patients with alcoholic cirrhosis.

The circulating level and splanchnic and renal extraction of serum type I procollagen aminoterminal propeptide (PINP) was studied in 20 patients with normal liver function and in 15 patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis. In patients with alcoholic cirrhosis, the concentration of PINP in the femoral artery blood was significantly higher than in the group of patients with normal liver function (median 145 microg/l, 95% CI 98-195 versus 57 microg/l, 95% CI 42-92, p<0.001). A significant decrease in the concentration of PINP between the femoral artery (median 57 microg/l, 95% CI 42-92) and the hepatic vein (median 45 microg/l, 95% CI 40-70, p<0.001) was found in patients with normal liver function. In this group we also observed a significantly higher concentration of PINP in femoral artery blood (median 60 microg/l, 95% CI 45-87) as compared with that in renal vein (median 50 microg/l, 95% CI 40-65, p<0.001). In contrast, serum-PINP did not differ between arterial and hepatic or venous venous blood in patients with alcoholic cirrhosis. Size-chromatography revealed no significant change in the ratio of the high and low molecular forms of PINP following extraction in liver and kidney. It is concluded that circulating PINP is extracted in the normal liver and kidney, and that the serum concentration of PINP is significantly higher in patients with alcoholic cirrhosis than in patients with normal liver function. Both the hepatic and the renal clearance of PINP are seriously impaired/reduced in patients with alcoholic cirrhosis.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

Physical activity in liver disease and liver function in sportsmen.

Patients with liver disease are often incorrectly restricted in their physical activity. Several studies have shown that physical activity is not detrimental to acute viral hepatitis but it is customary to advise rest in the initial phase of nausea, abdominal pain and fatigue. As soon as these symptoms decline the patient can take part in physical activity. As regards chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis there are divergent views. No restrictions are placed upon patients with chronic active hepatitis in remission. This is also true for the early stage of cirrhosis, while muscle atrophy in more prolonged cases will set a natural limit to the patient's performance. The effect of physical activity on patients with a porto-caval shunt has not been studied. In well trained sportsmen there is no evidence that physical activity within the limits of human performance has an unfavourable effect on liver function.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1981

Serum "prealbumin" as an index of liver function in human hepatobiliary disease.

Serum prealbumin concentrations have been studied, by a quantitative immunological procedure, in patients with secondary carcinoma of the liver, chronic active hepatitis, alcoholic hepatitis, cryptogenic cirrhosis, obstructive jaundice, inflammatory bowel disease, and myocardial infarction. The results showed that prealbumin concentration is significantly decreased when liver function is impaired. In diseases not associated with liver damage the concentrations of prealbumin were within the normal range. The advantage of this biochemical procedure is that serum prealbumin concentration is a true index of liver function, whereas serum enzyme activities signify only the degree of hepatocellular damage, which may not always quantitatively reflect liver function. Determination of serum prealbumin is therefore valuable in the diagnosis of liver disease and in the monitoring of treatment.

Biliary Tract Diseases↗
PubMed1978

Abnormal liver function tests in acute cholecystitis; the predicting of common duct stones.

In a prospective series of 155 patients with acute cholecystitis preoperative liver function tests were determined with the aim of predicting the presence of common duct stones. Elevated serum bilirubin, aminotransferases and alkaline phosphatase levels were observed in 32, 34 and 22% of cases, respectively. The frequency of common duct stones was 17.4%. The sensitivity of bilirubin and aminotransferases with regard to ductal stones was higher (70-81%), but alkaline phosphatase showed the best predictive values (46%). The probability of common duct stones increased with higher degrees of elevation in the case of alkaline phosphatase, but not in the case of bilirubin or aminotransferases, A frequency of 31-67% of choledocholithiasis was found when one or all of the tests were positive. After random assignment the patients were operated on early or after delay. In the delayed surgery group more failures occurred in the conservative treatment of acute cholecystitis if the tests were elevated (36%) than if normal (15%, p less than 0.05). The frequencies of common duct stones were 11 and one in these groups (p less than 0.001). There was no increase in postoperative morbidity after early surgery (15%) compared with delayed surgery (22%, p greater than 0.1), when liver function was disturbed. Liver function tests thus allow patients with common duct stones to be selected for early surgery in acute cholecystitis.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1997

[The general practitioner and abnormal liver function tests].

In case of abnormal liver function tests, it's necessary to distinguish different situations, starting from this first data. We will successively consider: the high and moderate acute increases of aminotransferase, the chronic increases of aminotransferase, the isolated cholestase picture and the isolated increases of gamma GT or of bilirubine. We will finish with a partial survey about drug-induced liver diseases.

Alanine Transaminase↗
PubMed1960

An assessment of the value of serum cholinesterase as a liver function test and in the diagnosis of jaundice.

This report assesses the value of cholinesterase (ChE) activity as an indicator of liver function and analyses its usefulness in the diagnosis of jaundice. A rapid method of determination has been used, and alterations in ChE activity in conditions other than liver disease have been studied to permit a fuller and more accurate survey of its value as a liver function test. The level of serum cholinesterase activity remains constant under normal circumstances, and follows the pattern of protein metabolism, falling in catabolism and rising in anabolism.In hepatocellular disease cholinesterase activity is lowered. Very low levels in cirrhosis with jaundice indicate a grave prognosis. Normal levels are usual in post-hepatic jaundice unless complicating factors are present, such as cholangitis or liver metastases. Serum cholinesterase is useful both as a liver function test and in the diagnosis of jaundice provided consideration is given to the other factors which affect the level of activity of the enzyme.

Cholangitis↗
PubMed1993

Cholic acid and ursodeoxycholic acid therapy in primary biliary cirrhosis. Changes in bile acid patterns and their correlation with liver function.

We treated 6 patients with Stage II primary biliary cirrhosis with cholic acid (CA) 10 mg.kg-1 per day for 3 months and then with the same dose of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA). A matching group of 6 patients was observed for 3 months without any therapy. Liver function tests and serum and stool bile acids were investigated before, during and at the end of CA and UDCA therapy. The results of liver function tests deteriorated after 6-8 weeks of CA therapy and the changes were correlated (r = 0.92) with an increase in alpha-dihydroxy-bile acids (chenodeoxycholic acid and deoxycholic acid) in the serum. The 24 h excretion of DCA in 24 h faeces was markedly increased. Ursodeoxycholic acid treatment improved liver function tests; after 4 weeks glutamate dehydrogenase (GLDH) had decreased. After 8-12 weeks of therapy ursodeoxycholic acid had increased to 50-60% of the total serum bile acids whereas the more apolar bile acids were significantly decreased. No changes in liver function tests or bile acid metabolism were found in the untreated group. Since CA and UDCA are non-toxic in man, this trial indicates that the apolar bile acids chenodeoxycholic acid and deoxycholic acid may be responsible for the deterioration of liver function in primary biliary cirrhosis. However, the therapeutic effect of UDCA cannot be explained merely by the decrease in alpha-dihydroxy-bile acids in the serum, since the laboratory results had improved prior to the decrease in the serum apolar bile acids.

Bile Acids and Salts↗
PubMed1986

Effect of oral contraceptive on liver function tests of women with schistosomiasis in the Philippines.

A prospective study was undertaken to determine the effect on liver function tests of a combined oral contraceptive containing norethisterone 1 mg and mestranol 0.05 mg, in women with schistosomiasis japonica in Leyte, Philippines. Women who volunteered and met the standard criteria for oral contraception, with and without infection, were followed for six months of pill intake. Concurrently, non-pill users, both infected and uninfected, were similarly followed. Baseline and six-month liver function tests were compared. Of the 466 subjects admitted in the study, 383 completed six months, and 83 discontinued. At the start of the study, there were no significant differences among the four groups in liver function tests except that the infected women had a higher total protein and alkaline phosphatase, and lower alanine aminotransferase levels. After six months, the only statistically significant finding was a lesser decrease in total protein among the infected pill users compared to the uninfected pill users. This finding was not clinically significant since there was no associated clinical complications; there were fewer number of subjects with abnormal values at the sixth month; and the mean values of this variable remained within normal limits. Our findings show that the use of low dose progestin and estrogen oral contraceptive in the presence of mild schistosomiasis japonica infection does not appear to have adverse effect on liver function tests of young women after six months of contraceptive use.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Serum liver function profiles in coking workers.

Coking workers are regularly exposed to coke oven emissions (COE), which consist mainly of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and volatile organic compounds. In a previous cross-sectional study, we found that coking and by-product workers with heavy exposure to COE in the older of two coke operation areas in Taiwan had higher serum activities of hepatic aminotransferase than the controls. In this study, we further examine the relationship of exposure to COE with liver function profiles in coking workers. Liver function profiles included serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and total bilirubin (BIL). The exposed group included 88 workers working 3 months or more in the older coke oven plant. Fifty-nine referents, not visiting the coke operation areas in the last 3 months, came from the administrative area in the same company. Each participant wore a personal monitor that was used to measure benzene soluble fraction (BSF) of total particulates, as a surrogate of COE, for 3 consecutive days between August 1995 and February 1996. Serum liver function profiles, hepatitis B surface antigens, and anti-hepatitis C antibodies were examined in the morning following the exposure measurements. Exposure levels were categorized by exposure situations (high, medium, low) among coking workers. The high exposure group (n = 23) worked topside of the oven. The medium exposure group (n = 44) worked at the sideoven for more than 4 hr/day, whereas the low exposure group (n = 21) worked at the sideoven for less than 4 hr/day and mostly remained in the control rooms. The low exposure group was used as an internal comparison group. The median BSF concentrations for various exposure situations were as follows, high exposure group: 372 micrograms/m3, medium exposure group: 61 micrograms/m3, low exposure group: 49 micrograms/m3, and referents: 10 micrograms/m3. The coking workers (n = 88) did not significantly differ from the referents (n = 59) in any of the liver function profiles. Excluding the referents, workers in the high exposure group had a mean AST level that was 31% higher (95% confidence interval (CI) = 9-57%) and a mean ALT level that was 46% higher (95% CI = 7-98%) than those in the low exposure group after adjusting for appropriate confounders in multivariate models. The prevalence of an abnormal hepatocellular pattern (AST > 37 IU/L or ALT > 39 IU/L) was more common in the high exposure group than in the low exposure group (adjusted odds ratio = 4.4; 95% CI = 0.9-22.6). However, these associations were not found in GGT, ALP, or BIL. After controlling for the possible effects of nonoccupational factors on serum activity of AST and ALT, we conclude that increased AST and ALT levels among topside coking workers may be caused by heavy inhalation exposure to COE. Additionally, the adverse hepatic effect seems to be caused by a mixture of hazards, rather than a unique identifiable chemical.

Adult↗
PubMed1979

Protein supplementation in the management of degenerating liver function after jejunoileal bypass.

Five patients who began to have signs of degenerating liver function develop after jejunoileal bypass were treated with protein supplementation, either on an outpatient or inpatient basis, making use of preparations orally and intravenously. Subjective as well as objective evidence of improving liver function was obtained, and all patients have survived. It is important to maintain a high protein intake postoperatively. The most useful tests for assessing the status of liver function in these patients have been serum albumin, serum bilirubin and prothrombin time.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with liver cirrhosis using liver function assays.

Sex, age and 21 routine liver function assays were analyzed by stepwise selection and the best-of-all-possible-combinations method to identify a small group of assays valuable in establishing which liver cirrhosis (LC) patients have a high risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), when alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is not elevated. Data was obtained from 115 HCC and 122 LC patients on admission. Tumor size correlated with AFP (0.73), alkaline phosphatase (ALP, 0.47), leucine aminopeptidase (LAP, 0.42), lactic dehydrogenase (LDH, 0.42), and the glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT)/glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT) ratio (GOT/GPT, 0.41). The mean of the correct diagnosis rates (CDR) of HCC and LC utilizing AFP as the sole parameter (89%) was markedly higher than those of the other parameters. The best-of-all-possible-combinations method presented a more powerful combination than stepwise selection. The best combination of 7 parameters (LAP, GOT/GPT, choline esterase, one-hour erythrocyte sedimentation rate, age, albumin/globulin ratio, and total bilirubin) presented a mean CDR of 80%, HCC CDR of 77%, and false positive rate of 18%. LC patients statistically diagnosed as having HCC by these 7 parameters are proposed as high risk patients. Fourteen (78%) of 18 HCC patients who were AFP-negative were statistically diagnosed. This analysis can be applied to LC patients to distinguish those that should be followed closely by imaging diagnostic techniques.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Ornithine breath test as a method to evaluate functional liver volume.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the functional liver volume can be measured from changes in expiratory 13CO2 levels after intravenous administration of L-[1, 2-13C] ornithine, using a rat model of hepatectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Under pentobarbital anesthesia, 30%, 70%, or 90% hepatectomy was performed. In the control group, simple laparotomy was performed. Then, 20 mg/kg L-[1, 2-13C] ornithine was administered to rats via the femoral vein. A breath test was conducted 20 min after laparotomy. We examined the correlation of the sum of 13CO2 output (S) or a single point of 13CO2 level (SP) with liver weight/body weight (LW/BW) (%) every 15 min. RESULTS: In all of the groups, the ornithine breath test (OBT) graph reached a plateau level at about 6 min. The correlation coefficient between S15 and LW/BW was highest 0.952 (P <0.0001). The correlation coefficient between SP14 and LW/BW was highest, 0.944 (P <0.0001). The severity of hepatic injury could be evaluated, with significant differences in S5-15 and SP5-15 in all comparisons between groups. CONCLUSION: In the breath test with intravenously administered L-[1, 2-13C] ornithine, functional liver volume could be evaluated accurately in a short period.

Animals↗