静脉补铁对维持性血液透析患者微炎症状态的影响

目的 探讨不同方式补充铁剂对维持性血液透析（MHD）患者微炎症状态的影响。方法 选择MHD患者71例,随机分为未补铁组（I组,20例）、口服补铁组（Ⅱ组,27例）、静脉补铁组（Ⅲ组,24例）,观察用药前后血红蛋白（Hb）、红细胞压积（Hct）、血清铁（SI）、血清铁蛋白（SF）、转铁蛋白饱和度（TSAT）以及血清C反应蛋白（CRP）、白介素-1β（IL-1β）、白介素-6（IL-6）、白介素-10（IL-10）、肿瘤坏死因子-α（TNF-α）等炎症指标的变化,并对不良反应进行监测。另设健康对照组（20例）,检测其研究开始时相应的炎症指标。结果 ①纠正贫血的疗效：治疗8周后,Ⅲ组Hb水平较治疗前明显改善（P〈0．01）,与I、Ⅱ组比较均明显升高（P〈0．01）;Ⅱ组Hb水平较治疗前明显改善（P〈0．05）;I组Hb水平较治疗前有改善,但差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）;②纠正缺铁的疗效：治疗8周后,Ⅲ组SF较治疗前显著升高（P〈0．01）,与I、Ⅱ组比较,差异均有统计学意义（P〈0．01）;I、Ⅱ组治疗前后SF与TSAT水平比较,均无统计学意义（P〉0．05）,I、Ⅱ组之间比较,差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）;③对炎症指标的影响：MHD患者血清CRP、IL-1β、IL-6、TNF-α等指标均高于健康对照组（P〈0．01或P〈0．05）;IL-10虽高于健康对照组,但无统计学意义。治疗8周后,Ⅲ组血清CRP、IL-1β、TNF-α均较治疗前显著升高（P〈0．01或P〈0．05）;而I、Ⅱ组各项炎症指标较治疗前无明显改变。结论 MHD患者体内均存在不同程度的微炎症状态。静脉补铁可有效改善患者贫血及缺铁,但也加剧了患者体内的微炎症状态。     

大黄减轻维持性血液透析患者静脉铁剂诱导的微炎症反应

目的探讨大黄对维持性血液透析（MHD）患者静脉铁剂诱导的微炎症反应的影响。方法选择在我院血液净化中心行MHD治疗的患者50例,随机分为静脉铁剂治疗组（A组）和静脉铁剂＋大黄治疗组（B组）。B组给予大黄泡水饮服8周。分别于治疗前后检测各组患者血红蛋白（Hb）、红细胞压积（Hct）、血清铁（SI）、铁蛋白（SF）、转铁蛋白饱和度（TSAT）,C反应蛋白（CRP）,肿瘤坏死因子α（TNF-α）、白细胞介素（IL）-1β、11710等。结果治疗8周后,A组和B组Hb、Hct、SI、SF、TSAT、CRP、TNF-α、IL-1β较治疗前升高;B组CRP、TNF-α、IL-1β均较A组降低（P〈0．01或P〈0．05）;2组IL-10水平差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。结论大黄可以减轻静脉铁剂诱导的微炎症反应。     

抗坏血酸透析液对维持性血透静脉补铁患者hs—CRP、TNF—α、IL-6、MDA、GSH—px因子表达的影响

目的：观察抗坏血酸透析液对维持性血透（MHD）静脉补铁患者的血超敏c反应蛋白（hs—CRP）、肿瘤坏死因子-α（（TNF-α）、白细胞介素-6（IL-6）、血浆丙二醛（MDA）、谷光甘肽过物氧化酶（GHS—px）等因子表达的影响。方法：选择病情稳定、透析时间达3月以上、静脉补铁纠正贫血的MHD患者48例,随机分两组,一组为常规透析液组（A组）,一组为抗坏血酸透析液组（B组）,每组24例,样本一般情况差异无统计学意义。共进行3次血hs—CRP、TNF—α、IL-6、MDA、GSH—px因子的测定,第1次为首次补铁前,第2次为补铁5周,第3次为补铁7周。结果：两组在补铁前上述各项炎症因子差异无统计学意义;补铁5周后,两组之间hs—CRP、TNF—α、GSH—px因子差异有统计学意义（P〈0．01）,IL-6、MDA因子差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）;补铁7周后,两组之间TNF—α、IL-6、MDA、GHS—px因子差异有统计学意义（P〈0．01）,hs—CRP因子差异无统计学意义;抗坏血酸透析液组未见恶心、呕吐、过敏和腹泻等表现。结论：静脉补铁可诱发微炎症反应及加重氧化应激反应,应用抗坏血酸透析液可明显改善静脉补铁MHD患者的微炎症和氧化应激反应。     

慢性肾衰患者褪黑素水平、氧化应激、炎症水平与骨密度相关性研究

目的研究慢性肾功能衰竭维持性血液透析(MHD)中褪黑素(MT)水平、氧化应激和炎症状态与骨密度(BMD)的关系。方法选择我院收治的94例慢性肾功能衰竭患者,于2016年5月至2019年2月接受MHD治疗3个月以上;按照BMD分为骨质疏松组(观察组,n=49)和非骨质疏松组(对照组,n=45)。通过酶联免疫吸附试验检测患者血清高级氧化蛋白产物(AOPP),MT水平和炎症因子[肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α),白细胞介素-6(IL-6)和IL-1](ELISA)。此外,通过硫代巴比妥酸(TBA)测定法检测血清中的丙二醛(MDA)水平,并检测腰椎BMD,然后进行相关性分析。结果观察组MT水平显着低于对照组,但AOPP和MDA水平显着高于对照组(P<0.05)。观察组炎症因子(TNF-α,IL-6和IL-1)水平明显高于对照组(P<0.05)。此外,观察组腰椎BMD和T值明显低于对照组(P<0.05)。Pearson相关分析显示AOPP、MDA、TNF-α、IL-6和IL-1水平与BMD呈负相关,但MT与BMD呈正相关(P<0.05)。结论MHD患者容易发生骨质疏松症;氧化应激和炎症程度与BMD呈负相关,但MT与BMD呈正相关。     

冬虫夏草通过抗氧化抗炎抑制细胞凋亡改善顺铂肾损伤

目的:观察顺铂(cisplatin,CP)小鼠肾损伤后肾组织氧化应激、炎症及细胞凋亡情况以及冬虫夏草干预的影响,探讨冬虫夏草的肾保护作用机制。方法:用腹腔注射cisplatin的方法建立顺铂肾损伤模型,28只8周龄C57BL/6小鼠随机分为空白对照组、CP组、冬虫夏草组、冬虫夏草+CP组,每组7只。72 h后处死小鼠,检测各组小鼠血清尿素氮(BUN)和血肌酐(Scr),肾组织超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、丙二醛(MDA),HE染色观察小鼠肾小管间质病理变化,TUNEL法检测肾小管上皮细胞凋亡情况; ELISA的方法测定组织中TNF-α、IL-1β、IL-6。结果:与对照组及冬虫夏草相比,CP组与冬虫夏草+CP组小鼠的BUN、Scr及肾组织MDA水平增高(P0.01),肾组织SOD降低(P0.01),肾小管病理半定量计分显示小管间质损伤明显加重(P0.01),TUNEL阳性细胞表达增多(P0.01),TNF-α、IL-1β、IL-6明显增加(P0.01);与CP组相比较,冬虫夏草+CP组的血清BUN、Scr及肾组织MDA水平下降(P0.01),肾组织SOD上升(P0.05),肾小管病理半定量计分显示冬虫夏草+CP组较CP组小管间质损伤明显改善(P0.01),TUNEL阳性细胞表达明显减少(P0.01),TNF-α、IL-1β、IL-6明显减少(P0.01)。结论:顺铂肾损伤肾组织中MDA明显增高,SOD活性降低,TNF-α、IL-1β、IL-6及凋亡细胞显著增加,提示顺铂至急性肾损伤与其诱导氧化应激、炎症及细胞凋亡有关。冬虫夏草干预后肾组织中MDA明显降低,SOD活性升高,TNF-α、IL-1β、IL-6及凋亡细胞显著减少,提示冬虫夏草可能通过抑制氧化应激、炎症及肾小管上皮细胞凋亡而达到肾保护作用。     

维持性血液透析患者氧化应激水平多因素分析

目的 探究维持性血液透析(MHD)患者的氧化应激水平,并分析其影响因素,为干预提供依据.方法 选取MHD患者152例(HD组),选取健康人群30例(对照组),分别检测各组的血浆丙二醛(MDA)、总抗氧化能力(TAC)、C反应蛋白(CRP)、血浆白蛋白(ALB)、肌酐(Scr)、尿酸(UA),并统计MHD患者的透析龄、是否应用静脉铁剂、促红细胞生成素(EPO)用量等信息,运用多重线性回归法分析微炎症状态、透析龄、血浆白蛋白、肌酐等因素对MHD患者氧化应激状态的影响.结果 HD组的MDA水平高于对照组(P＜0.05),而TAC水平低于对照组(P＜0.05),微炎症状态、静脉补铁、透析龄、Scr与MDA呈正相关,其中微炎症状态的标准化偏回归系数最大.ALB、UA、EPO与MDA呈负相关、与TAC呈正相关.结论 MHD患者的氧化应激水平高于正常人群,且微炎症状态对氧化应激的影响高于其他因素.     

乌司他丁改善维持性血液透析患者微炎症及氧化应激状态

目的观察乌司他丁对维持性血液透析（MHD）患者微炎症和氧化应激状态的影响。方法选取我院行MHD治疗的患者51例，随机分为MHD对照组（M组）和乌司他丁治疗组（U组），U组患者于每次透析结束后静脉滴注乌司他丁20万U，共12周。同时设立健康对照组（C组）。分别于治疗前后检测患者血清高敏C反应蛋白（hs—CRP）、肿瘤坏死因子-α（TNF-α）、白介素-6（IL-6）以及血浆丙二醛（MDA）、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶（GSHPx）。结果①与C组相比，M组和U组治疗前hs—CRP、TNF-α、IL-6和MDA水平均明显升高（P〈0．01）；GSHPx水平下降（P〈0．01）；②U组治疗12周后与治疗前相比，hs—CRP、TNF-α、IL6和MDA水平均明显下降（P〈0．05或P〈0．01），GSHPx水平增高（P〈0．01）；③在治疗12周后，U组hs—CRP、TNF-α、IL-6和MDA水平较M组降低（P〈0．05或P〈0．01），而GSHPx水平增高（P〈0．01）。结论以上结果提示乌司他丁可改善MHD患者微炎症及氧化应激状态。     

胸腺肽α_1对血液透析患者微炎症状态的影响

目的:探讨胸腺肽α1对维持性血液透析患者(maintenance hemodialysis,MHD)微炎症状态的影响。方法:60例维持性血液透析患者,随机分为治疗组30例和对照组30例,两组均进行规律血液透析,治疗组加用胸腺肽α1皮下注射,每次1.6mg,每周2次,共用4周;监测用药前后两组血清炎症因子[高敏C-反应蛋白(hs-CRP)、白细胞介素-6(IL-6)及肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)]水平的改变。同时选择30例体检健康者监测血清炎症因子水平,作为健康对照组。结果:与健康对照组比较,长期血液透析患者hs-CRP、IL-6及TNF-α水平均显著升高(P<0.01);在给胸腺肽α1治疗4周后,治疗组血清hs-CRP水平(3.45±2.60)mg/L、IL-6水平8.07±4.30)pg/ml、TNF-α水平(13.89±5.0)ng/ml均较治疗前[分别依次为(5.36±4.12)mg/L、(16.31±5.12)pg/ml、(21.50±9.06)ng/ml]明显下降,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。对照组hs-CRP、IL-6及TNF-α水平治疗前后比较,差异无统计学意义。结论:维持性血液透析患者普遍存在微炎症状态,胸腺肽α1可改善MHD患者微炎症状态。     

多囊卵巢综合征合并妊娠期糖尿病患者铁代谢与胰岛素抵抗的关系

目的分析多囊卵巢综合征(polycystic ovary syndrome,PCOS)合并妊娠期糖尿病(gestational diabetes mellitus,GDM)患者铁代谢改变及与胰岛素抵抗(insulin resistance,IR)的关系。方法选择2017年1月至2018年2月在烟台毓璜顶医院常规产检,妊娠24~28周的孕妇为筛查对象。确诊为GDM的孕妇60例为GDM组,既往诊断为PCOS且合并GDM的孕妇60例为多囊卵巢合并妊娠期糖尿病(polycystic ovary syndrome with gestational diabetes mellitus,PGDM)组,同时按年龄段进行1∶1∶1匹配,选择正常孕妇60例为正常对照(NC)组。检测3组患者血糖、胰岛素、血红蛋白(Hb)、铁代谢(血清铁、铁蛋白、转铁蛋白饱和度)水平,并评估患者氧化应激损伤及炎症水平的改变,利用多元线性回归法分析铁代谢指标与炎症指标及IR的关系。结果与NC组相比,PGDM组Hb水平降低,铁蛋白(SF)、转铁蛋白饱和度(TS)升高(F=3.55、8.24、5.10,均P<0.05);丙二醛(MDA)水平升高,超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)水平降低(F=11.11、7.24,均P<0.01);肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)、白介素-6(IL-6)水平升高(F=4.02、19.06,均P<0.05);与GDM组相比,PGDM组Hb水平降低,SF、TS升高,HOMA-IR、MDA、TNF-α、IL-6水平均升高(均P<0.05)。MDA、TNF-α、IL-6与SF呈正相关(r=0.42、0.43、0.56,均P<0.05),与TS呈正相关(r=0.61、0.42、0.52,均P<0.01);SF、TS与胰岛素抵抗指数呈正相关(r=0.39、0.41,均P<0.01)。结论PGDM患者铁沉积状况导致机体氧化应激损伤程度升高,炎症反应增加,从而加重了IR程度。铁代谢紊乱可能与PGDM患者血糖升高机制有关。     

乌司他丁影响严重脓毒症大鼠IL-10、TNF-α、IL-1β水平的研究

目的探讨乌司他丁(UTI)对细菌性严重脓毒症大鼠血清IL-10、TNF-α、IL-1β水平的调控作用。方法将SD大鼠随机分为生理盐水对照组、氧氟沙星抗感染组、UTI-氧氟沙星抗炎抗感染组和UTI组。每组15只。经腹腔内注射创伤弧菌建立脓毒症模型,15 h后取单侧颈总动、静脉血标本测定血清IL-10、TNF-α、IL-1β的水平。结果UTI-氧氟沙星抗炎抗感染组较氧氟沙星抗感染组、UTI组及生理盐水对照组的TNF-αI、L-1β水平显著降低(P<0.01),IL-10水平差别无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论UTI能下调致炎因子TNF-α、IL-1β,并对IL-10有一定的上调作用,从而减轻组织器官炎症反应的病理损害而起保护作用,避免全身炎症反应综合征进一步向MODS发展。     

Vasopressor hormone response following mesenteric traction during major abdominal surgery

Background : We investigated the vasopressor hormone response following mesenteric traction (MT) with hypotension due to prostacyclin (PGI₂) release in patients undergoing abdominal surgery with a combined general and epidural anesthesia. Methods : In a prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled study we administered 400 mg ibuprofen (i.v.) in 42 patients scheduled for abdominal surgery. General anesthesia was combined with epidural anesthesia (T4-L1). Before as well as 5, 15, 30, 45, and 90 min after MT we recorded plasma osmolality, hemodynamics and measured 6-keto-PGFlα (stabile metabolite of PGI₂), TXB₂ (stabile metabolite of thromboxane A₂) active renin, and arginine vasopressin (AVP) plasma concentrations by radioimmunoassay. Catecholamine levels were assessed by high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) with electrochemical detection. Results : Following MT, arterial hypotension occurred along with a substantial PGI₂ release. This was completely abolished by ibuprofen administration. Although plasma levels of 6-keto-PGF_1α (1133 (708) vs. 60 (3) ng/L, median (median absolute deviation), P=0.0001, placebo vs. ibuprofen) remained significantly elevated, blood pressure was restored within 30 min after MT in the placebo group. At the same point in time plasma concentrations of TXB² (164 (87) vs. 58 (1) ng/L, P=0.0001), epinephrine (46 (33) vs. 14 (6) ng/L, P=0.001), AVP (41 ± (18) vs. 12 (7) ng/L, P=0.0004), and active renin (27 (12) vs. 12 (4) ng/L, P = 0.001) were significantly higher in placebo-treated patients. Conclusion : Under combined general and epidural anesthesia arterial hypotension following MT due to endogenous PGI₂ release is associated with enhanced release of AVP, active renin, epinephrine and thromboxane A₂, presumably contributing to hemodynamic stability within 30 min after MT.     

A comparison of the inhibitory effects of four volatile anaesthetics on the metabolism of chlorzoxazone, a substrate for CYP2E1, in rabbits

Background: Halothane inhibits in vitro and in vivo activity of cytochrome P-450 (CYP) 2E1. There are several fluorinated volatile anaesthetics besides halothane, and most of them are defluorinated by CYP2E1. It is unclear whether other fluorinated anaesthetics inhibit the in vivo activity of CYP2E1.
Methods: We compared the inhibitory effects of therapeutic concentrations of four inhalational anaesthetics, halothane, enflurane, isoflurane, and sevoflurane, on chlorzoxazone metabolism in rabbits receiving artificial ventilation.
Results: All four inhalational anaesthetics decreased arterial blood pressure and increased plasma chlorzoxazone concentration. However, no significant differences in the plasma chlorzoxazone concentration were found between the four anaesthetics. The estimated chlorzoxazone clearance increased after beginning inhalation with all four agents, but no significant difference in clearance was noted between agents.
Conclusions: At therapeutic concentrations, the in vivo inhibitory effect on chlorzoxazone metabolism was similar for all four inhalational anaesthetics examined, even though their chemical characteristics and extent of hepatic metabolism differ considerably.     

A Teaspoon Pump for Pumping Blood with High Hydraulic Efficiency and Low Hemolysis Potential

Abstract: Virtually all blood pumps contain some kind of rubbing, sliding, closely moving machinery surfaces that are exposed to the blood being pumped. These valves, internal bearings, magnetic bearing position sensors, and shaft seals cause most of the problems with blood pumps. The original teaspoon pump design prevented the rubbing, sliding machinery surfaces from contacting the blood. However, the hydraulic efficiency was low because the blood was able to "slip around" the rotating impeller so that the blood itself never rotated fast enough to develop adequate pressure. An improved teaspoon blood pump has been designed and tested and has shown acceptable hydraulic performance and low hemolysis potential. The new pump uses a nonrotating "swinging" hose as the pump impeller. The fluid enters the pump through the center of the swinging hose; therefore, there can be no fluid slip between the revolving blood and the revolving impeller. The new pump uses an impeller that is comparable to a flexible garden hose. If the free end of the hose were swung around in a circle like half of a jump rope, the fluid inside the hose would rotate and develop pressure even though the hose impeller itself did not "rotate"; therefore, no rotating shaft seal or internal bearings are required.     

Microspheres Based Detoxification System: A New Method in Convective Blood Purification

Abstract: A variety of protein-bound or hydrophobic substances, accumulating as a result of pathologic conditions such as exogenous or endogenous intoxications, are removed poorly by conventional detoxification methods because of low accessibility (hemodialysis), insufficient adsorption capabilities (hemosorption), low efficiency (peritoneal dialysis), or economic limitations (high-volume plasmapheresis). Combining advantages of existing methods with microspheric technology, a module-based system was designed. Major operating parameters of the latter can be modified to allow for adjustment to individual clinical situations. An extracorporeal blood circuit including a plasmafilter is combined with a secondary high-velocity plasma circuit driven by a centrifugal pump. Different microspheric adsorbers can be combined in one circuit or applied in sequence. Thus, a prolonged treatment can be tailored using specially designed selective adsorber materials. Comparing this system with existing methods (high-flux hemodialysis, molecular adsorbent recycling system), results from our in vitro studies and animal experiments demonstrate the superior efficiency of substance removal.     

Is the recovery profile of mivacurium independent of the rate of decay of its plasma concentration in patients with normal plasma cholinesterase activity?

Background: The duration of action of muscle relaxants is poorly correlated to the rate of decay of their plasma concentration. The plasma concentration of mivacurium may rapidly decrease below its active concentration because of the extensive hydrolysis of mivacurium. By inflating a tourniquet on one upper limb for 3 min after the administration of atracurium, mivacurium or vecuronium, we studied the influence of the initial decline of their plasma concentration on their effect. Methods: In 50 patients anaesthetised with thiopental, isoflurane and fentanyl, the effect of bolus doses of 0.15 or 0.25 mg . kg^?1 mivacurium (MIV 15, MIV 25), 0.3 or 0.5 mg . kg^?1 atracurium (ATR 30, ATR 50) and 0.06 or 0.1 mg . kg^?1 vecuronium (VEC 06, VEC 10) were measured on both arms (evoked response of the adductor pollicis to train-of-four stimulation every 12 s), a tourniquet being applied on one arm just before and during 3 min after the muscle relaxant bolus. Results: Tourniquet inflation of 3 min almost abolished the neuromuscular effect of mivacurium. In the vecuronium groups and in the ATR 50 group, tourniquet inflation did not modify the maximum degree of depression of the twitch response. Also, the duration of action of vecuronium was unaffected by the tourniquet. In the ATR 30 group, times to return of the twitch response to 25% (duration 25%) and 75% (duration 75%) of control response were significantly shorter in the cuffed arm, 23 min vs 27 min, and 41 min vs 45 min, respectively. In the ATR 50 group, only duration 25% was significantly shorter in the cuffed arm (41 min vs 45 min). Conclusion: The results suggest that the rate of decline of the plasma concentration of mivacurium is so rapid, that a very low and almost clinically ineffective concentration is present as soon as 3 min after its administration. The results also indicate that the recovery from a mivacurium-induced neuromuscular blockade is not influenced by the rate of decay of its plasma concentration in patients with genotypically normal plasma cholinesterase.     

Membranes in Artificial Organs

Abstract: Membrane processes play a pivotal and enabling role in modern replacement therapy for acute and chronic organ failure and in the management of immunologic diseases. In fact, virtually all contemporary extracorporeal blood purification methods employ membrane devices, and the next generation of artificial organs and tissue engineering therapies are almost certain to be similarly grounded in membrane technology. In this short essay, we comment on the similarities and differences among synthetic membranes and their natural counterparts and also provide a critical overview of the demographics and technology of hemodialysis, hemofiltration, apheresis, oxygenation, and emerging membrane technologies and applications.     

Tissue perfusion in relation to cardiac output during continuous positive-pressure ventilation and administration of propranolol or verapamil

Background : Our objective was to determine whether administration of propranolol or verapamil modifies the hemodynamic adaptation to continuous positive-pressure ventilation (CPPV), in particular the regional distribution of cardiac output (CO).
Methods : General hemodynamics and regional blood flows assessed by microsphere technique (15 (μm) were recorded in 16 anesthetized pigs during spontaneous breathing (SB) and CPPV with 8 cm H₂O end-expiratory pressure (CPPV8) before and after intravenous administration of propranolol (0.3 mg · kg⁻¹ followed by 0.15 mg · kg⁻¹ · h⁻¹, n=8) or verapamil (0.1 mg · kg⁻¹ followed by 0.3 mg · kg⁻¹ · h⁻¹, n=8).
Results : CPPV8 depressed CO by 25% without shifts in its relative distribution with the exception of a noteworthy increase in adrenal perfusion. Propranolol increased arterial blood pressure, and due to a fall in heart rate, CO dropped by 25%. The kidneys and, to a lesser extent, the splanchic region and central nervous system received increased fractions of the remaining CO at the expense of skeletal muscle flow. Similar patterns were seen during SB and CPPV8 such that the combination of propranolol and CPPV8 depressed CO by 50%. The circulatory effects of verapamil were less evident but myocardial perfusion tended to increase.
Conclusions : The combination of propranolol or verapamil with CPPV does not result in any specific hemodynamic interaction in anesthetized pigs, except that the combined effect of propranolol and CPPV may severely reduce CO.     

Volatile anaesthetics reduce adhesion of blood platelets under low-flow conditions in the coronary system of isolated guinea pig hearts

Background : Inhibitory effects of volatile anaesthetics on platelet aggregation have been demonstrated in several studies. However, the influence of volatile anaesthetics on intracoronary platelet adhesion has not been elucidated so far.
Methods : Isolated hearts of guinea pigs were perfused with buffer in the absence or presence of volatile anaesthetics (0.5 and 1 MAC) at constant coronary flow rates of 5 ml/min for 25 min, then 1 ml/min for 30 min and again 5 ml/min for 10 min. Before, during and after low-flow perfusion, a bolus of human platelets was applied into the coronary system. To simulate thrombogenic conditions, 0.3 U/ml human thrombin was infused during low-flow perfusion and reperfusion. The number of platelets sequestered to the endothelium was calculated from the difference between coronary in- and output of platelets. The myocardial production of lactate and consumption of pyruvate and coronary perfusion pressure were also determined.
Results : At a flow rate of 5 ml/min only about 3% of the applied platelets did not emerge from the coronary system, in any group. In contrast, 13.1±1.2% (mean±SEM) of infused platelets became adherent in low-flow perfusion in the control group without anaesthetic. The adherence was reduced with each 1 MAC isoflurane (to 6.2±1.2%), sevoflurane (to 4.4±0.9%) or halothane (to 3.2±1.5%) (each P <0.05 vs. control). Volatile anaesthetic, 0.5 MAC, did not inhibit platelet adhesion to a statistically significant extent in any case. Perfusion pressure and metabolic parameters were not statistically different between the control and the hearts exposed to anaesthetics.
Conclusion : Volatile anaesthetics in a concentration of 1 MAC can reduce the adhesion of platelets in the coronary system under reduced flow conditions. This action does not arise from vasodilation or inhibition of ischaemic stress.     

Bariatric Surgery in Some "Central and East-European (former Eastern bloc)"Countries - Current Status and Prediction for the Next Millennium

Background: Obesity is increasing globallly, including in the formerly "Eastern Bloc" countries. Methods: A survey was made of obesity and bariatric surgery. Results: In the 8 East and Central European countries studied, with total population 300 million, roughly 43% of the population was overweight (BMI 25-30), 23% obese (BMI > 30), with about 15 million people morbidly obese (BMI > 40). From 0-10 morbidly obese individuals/100,000/year undergo bariatric surgery. Conclusion: Most countries were found to provide inadequate treatment for obesity.The majority of the morbidly obese are not treated effectively. However, health-care awareness of obesity and bariatric surgeons are slowly increasing.     

Dilemma of Membrane Biocompatibility and Reuse

Abstract: Numerous articles have been published on the multiple use of dialyzers and on the effect of different reprocessing chemicals and techniques on the dialyzer biocompatibility and performance. The results often appear contradictory, especially those comparing standard biocompatibility parameters. Despite this confusion, a discerning review of the published works allows certain limited conclusions to be drawn. Reprocessing of used hemodialyzers changes the biocompatibility profile of a dialyzer as defined by the parameters complement activation. leukopenia, and cytokine release. The effect of reprocessing depends on the chemicals and reprocessing technique applied and also on the type of membrane polymer being subjected to the reprocessing procedure. Reports of pyrogenic reactions indicate that the flux of the membrane also influences how suitable it is for safe reuse. An increased risk of allergic and pyrogenic reactions appears to be associated with dialyzer reuse. Furthermore, there has been a lack of investigations into the immunologic effect of the layer of adsorbed and chemically altered proteins that remains on the inner surface of reprocessed dialyzers. We conclude that the clinical benefit of dialyzer reuse cannot be generally accepted from a biocompatibility point of view.