Correction of vitamin E deficiency in children with chronic cholestasis. II. Effect on gastrointestinal and hepatic function

Ronald J. Sokol, James E. Heubi, Catherine McGraw, William F. Balistreri – 1 November 1986 – Although secondary vitamin E deficiency causes a reversible neurologic disorder in children with chronic cholestasis, the effect of this deficiency state on other organ systems is unknown. We studied the effects of vitamin E therapy on selected gastrointestinal and hepatic functions in five children with chronic cholestasis and well‐documented biochemical and neurologic evidence of vitamin E deficiency.

Somatostatin analogues: Treatment for portal hypertension?

Andres T. Blei – 1 November 1986 – The effects of a somatostatin analogue, SMS 201‐995 on hepatic haemodynamics were studied in rats with dimethylnitrosamine‐induced cirrhosis. An intravenous infusion of 1, 2 or 4 μg kg−1 body wt h−1 SMS 201‐995 produced a rapid and sustained decrease in portal pressure, portal venous flow and liver blood flow without significantly altering arterial blood pressure or pulse. The reductions in portal pressure, portal venous flow and liver blood were accompanied by an increase in splanchnic vascular resistance. Portal venous resistance was not affected.

Hepatic α1‐antitrypsin mRNA content in cirrhosis with normal and abnormal protease inhibitor phenotypes

Sarah Jane Schwarzenberg, Harvey L. Sharp, Robin D. Manthei, Steven Seelig – 1 November 1986 – We quantitated α1‐antitrypsin mRNA in normal, α1‐antitrypsin‐deficient cirrhotic and biliary cirrhotic livers using two‐dimensional electrophoretograms of [35S] methionine‐labeled translational products of total hepatic RNA and RNA/DNA hybridization. α1‐antitrypsin precursor product was identified by immunoprecipitation.

Effects of metoclopramide and domperidone on azygos venous blood flow in patients with cirrhosis and portal hypertension

Ricardo Mastai, Luis Grande, Jaime Bosch, Jordi Bruix, Joaquim Rigau, David Kravetz, Miguel Navasa, Cristobal Pera, Joan Rodés – 1 November 1986 – The effects of pharmacological manipulation of the lower esophageal sphincter pressure on the esophageal circulation in patients with cirrhosis and portal hypertension were investigated in 33 patients by measuring the azygos venous blood flow, which is an index of blood flow through esophageal varices and periesophageal collaterals draining into the azygos venous system.

Transient neonatal hyperammonemia: Squeezing an iceberg into a pigeon hole

Yugen Edward Hsia – 1 November 1986 – Transient neonatal hyperammonemia (TNH) was reviewed in six cases seen by the authors and in 27 selected from the literature. These 33 cases were compared with 13 infants with urea cycle enzyme deficiencies (UCED). The two groups were similar in sex distribution, routes of delivery, time of onset of seizures, Apgar scores and in the prevalence of perinatal complications. Patients with TNH had significantly lower birth weights (2,282±78 gm vs. 3,336±222; mean±SEM; P < 0.001) and gestational ages (35±0.5 vs. 40±0.5 weeks; p e 0.001).

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