Hepatocyte transplantation. Treatment of hepatic encephalopathy. An experimental study in the rat

The aim of this work was to assess the effect of intrasplenic liver cell transplantation (ILCT) on hepatic insufficiency induced by a terminolateral portocaval shunt (PCS) in rats. Thirty syngenic Wistar Furth rats were divided up into three groups: (a) rats with PCS (n = 10); (b) rats with PCS then ILCT of 10(7) liver cells isolated from the livers of syngenic rats (n = 10); (c) operated control rats (n = 10). Double-blind behavior tests were carried out two weeks, two months and six months after surgery. The spontaneous motor activity and the exploring activity of each rat were studied in automated cages fitted with infrared diodes. Each interruption of the infrared beam was automatically recorded by a computer and converted into an activity score (number/hour). The spontaneous motor activity and the exploring activity were poor in the rats with PCS. The ILCT significantly increased the spontaneous motor activity and the exploring activity 2 months and 3 weeks after transplantation, respectively. Three months after transplantation, the spontaneous motor activity and the exploring activity in the PCS/ILCT group were not significantly different from those of the control rats. This study shows that ILCT can correct the neurological signs of hepatic encephalopathy in an experimental model of chronic hepatic insufficiency, and suggests that ILCT may produce therapeutic benefits in chronic hepatic insufficiency.     

Interhemispheric steal. An experimental study

In 21 cats the pressure in the occluded middle cerebral artery (MCA) was recorded by way of a catheter, introduced in the most proximal portion of this artery by way of the transorbital approach. The effect of temporary occlusion of the ipsilateral and contralateral common carotid artery on the pressure in the occluded MCA was studied. The results seem to prove the existence of the so-called "interhemispheric steal" syndrome.     

Catheter-associated bacteriuria. An experimental study

A bacteriologically-stressed catheterized animal model was developed to evaluate the comparative importance of the intraluminal versus the extraluminal route of catheter-acquired urinary tract infections. This study indicated that in short-term catheterization (less than 7 days), contamination of the drainage spout or accidental disconnection of the drainage tube resulted in bacteriuria within a short time (32-48 hours). If a strict sterile closed drainage system was maintained, the extraluminal route assumed more importance in the development of bacteriuria, however this pathway was considerably slower (72-168 hours). It appeared that catheter-associated bacteriuria results from ascending bacterial colonization within glycocalyx-enclosed biofilm on the inside and/or outside surfaces of the catheter and drainage systems. Development of a biomaterial that inhibits bacterial adherence and does not allow upstream colonization of bacteria on the catheter drainage system would significantly influence the rate of catheter-acquired urinary tract infection.     

乳果糖对急性胆道梗阻并内毒素血症患者肾功能的保护作用

目的　探讨乳果糖对急性胆道梗阻患者肾功能的保护作用及其机制。方法　 5 5例急性胆道结石梗阻患者随机分为乳果糖组 (L组 ,n =2 8)和对照组 (C组 ,n =2 7) ,分别于术前 3d连续口服 5 0 %乳果糖 (L组 )或 10 %葡萄糖 (C组 ) ,定期测定外周静脉血及术中门静脉血内毒素 (ET )浓度 ,血尿素氮 (BUN )及内生肌酐清除率 (Ccr)。结果　 (1)L组在第 4天 (手术当天 ) ,第 9天 (手术后第 5天 )时外周血ET水平及BUN浓度均显著低于C组 (P <0 .0 1,P <0 .0 5 ) ;Ccr显著高于C组(P <0 .0 1)。与第 1天 (服药前 )相比 ,外周血ET水平在第 4天 ,第 9天均显著降低 (P <0 .0 5 ) ,Ccr在第 4天 ,第 9天均显著升高 (P <0 .0 1,P <0 .0 5 ) ,BUN在第 4天显著下降 (P <0 .0 1)。和第 4天相比 ,外周血ET在第 9天显著下降 (P <0 .0 5 )。 (2 )在C组 ,和第 1天相比 ,外周血ET在第4天显著升高 (P <0 .0 5 ) ,Ccr在第 4天及第 9天显著下降 (P <0 .0 5 ,P <0 .0 1) ,BUN则无明显改变 (P >0 .0 5 ) ;和第 4天相比 ,外周血ET及Ccr在第 9天均显著下降 (P <0 .0 1)。 (3 )L组门静脉血ET水平显著低于C组 (P <0 .0 1) ,第 4天两组门静脉血ET水平均显著高于外周血ET水平　 (P <0 .0 1)。 (4 )L组第 4天肾滤过及肾小管功能受损发生率明显低于     

Immunostimulation with ibuprofen in chronic osteitis. An experimental study

The present investigation shows that chronic posttraumatic osteitis is associated with markedly elevated prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) serum levels. Synthesis of PGE2 is inhibited by nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen, which block cyclooxygenase. Osteitis patients showed significantly decreased PGE2 serum levels during treatment with ibuprofen (1200 mg/day). In addition, a significant increase in soluble interleucin-2 receptor serum levels was observed. PGE2 has significant immunosuppressive effects on cell-mediated immunity. On the other hand, soluble interleucin-2 receptor is a reliable indicator of immune system activation. Ibuprofen seems to be a potent immunostimulating agent for the treatment of chronic posttraumatic osteitis, which is characterized by depression of cell-mediated immunity.     

Ninety-five percent duodenectomy. An experimental study

Subtotal excision of the duodenum with preservation of the pancreas and bile and pancreatic ducts was achieved in five dogs without complications. Reconstruction was performed by direct anastomosis of the jejunum to the duodenal strip remaining attached to the head of the pancreas. Radiologic, metabolic, and histologic parameters 4 months postoperatively documented the success of this procedure. We suggest that this technique may be used to further investigate the role of the duodenum in digestive physiologic functions and may have clinical applications for benign diseases of the duodenum.     

Discitis following chemonucleolysis. An experimental study

Although infection following intradiscal injections has been recognized as a distinct entity, discitis following chemonucleolysis has been often attributed to a chemical reaction from chymopapain. In the first part of this study the effect of chymopapain and Conray 280 on a wide range of bacteria was measured in vitro. Chymopapain was found to have a bactericidal effect on all bacteria tested, which was more pronounced with gram positive organisms, whereas Conray 280 showed very little if any antibacterial effect after 48 hours. The aim of the second part of the study was to test the hypothesis that discitis following intradiscal chymopapain injection is due to infection and not to a chemical reaction. Multiple level lumbar intradiscal injections were carried out in eight mature sheep. Sixteen discs in four sheep were injected with a mixture of reconstituted chymopapain and a Staphylococcus epidermidis suspension. Sixteen discs in another four sheep were injected with reconstituted chymopapain only. All sheep were sacrificed at 6 weeks and the discs and end-plates were examined radiologically, and by histopathology and nuclear material was cultured for bacteria. None of the controls showed any evidence of discitis, whereas all sheep injected with bacteria had typical radiologic and histopathologic changes of discitis. However, in most cases in which end-plate lesions were well established there was no evidence of bacteria at sacrifice. These findings support the opinion that discitis following intradiscal injection is always due to infection introduced by the needle tip.