Procollagen III peptide (PIIIP): Can it reflect hepatic fibrosis?

Joseph Alcorn, Mario Chojkier – 1 September 1987 – Immunolocalization of type III collagen and procollagen in cirrhotic human liver was studied using monoclonal antibody specific for the helical determinant of type III collagen extracted from human placenta. Deparaffinized, trypsin‐treated cirrhotic liver sections from 8 autopsy cases were examined by the unlabeled peroxidase‐antiperoxidase and immunofluorescence techniques.

Inhibition of human cationic glutathione S‐transferase by nonsubstrate ligands

Thomas D. Boyer, Donald A. Vessey – 1 September 1987 – Inhibition of a major hepatic form of human cationic glutathione S‐transferase by bilirubin, biliverdin, indocyanine green and chenodeoxycholic acid was investigated as a function of pH (range = 6.5 to 9.1). Changes in pH had little effect on the extent of inhibition by indocyanine green. However, inhibition by bilirubin, biliverdin and chenodeoxycholic acid was found to be pH‐dependent, with markedly less inhibition at the high values of pH.

Treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma by simultaneous embolization of the hepatic artery and the portal veins

Charles J. Lightdale – 1 July 1987 – Transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) is an effective means of treatment in primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, in many cases of HCC the tumor recurs after treatment. In an attempt to obtain complete tumor necrosis, the authors studied the clinical and histologic effect of simultaneous embolization of both the hepatic artery and portal vein in ten patients with HCC.

Acidifying enemas (lactitol and lactose) vs. nonacidifying enemas (tap water) to treat acute portal‐systemic encephalopathy: A double‐blind, randomized clinical trial

Misael Uribe, Octavio Campollo, Florencia Vargas, Gian Paolo Ravelli, Fernando Mundo, Laura Zapata, Sofia Gil, Guillermo Garcia‐Ramos – 1 July 1987 – A double‐blind, controlled trial to study the efficacy of acidifying enemas of lactitol, a new galactoside‐sorbitol disaccharide, and lactose vs. nonacidifying tapwater enemas was performed in 45 episodes of acute portal‐systemic encephalopathy. At the time of randomization, all patients had encephalopathy of at least Grade 2+ severity, delay in the performance of number connection tests and hyperammonemia.

Partial portal decompression–‐partially proven

Bernard Langer – 1 July 1987 – In a serial analysis of splanchnic hemodynamics, we compared partial with total portal decompression in 16 alcoholic cirrhotic patients who underwent portacaval shunts for variceal hemorrhage. Partial decompression was achieved with 8 or 10 mm polytetrafluoroethylene portacaval H grafts and aggressive collateral ligation. Total decompression was achieved with larger diameter H grafts (12 or 14 mm).

Dietary sodium restriction during diuresis of ascites

Sheila Sherlock – 1 July 1987 – To compare the effect of diet, cirrhotic patients with ascites were randomised into two treatment groups: (1) a low sodium diet (21 mmol) per day or (2) an unrestricted sodium intake. Both groups received effective doses of diuretics (spironolactone or, if necessary, spironolactone and furosemide. One hundred and forty patients from 12 liver units were included according to well defined criteria (group 1: 76; group 2: 64). After an initial four to seven day period of bed rest and salt restriction (21 mmol sodium pd), randomisation was done in each centre.

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