Digestion

Ramsbottom, N.; Hunt, J.N.

doi: 10.1159/000197517pmid: 4847634

Measurements of gastric emptying and secretion were made in six subjects taking severe exercise for 20 min on a bicycle ergometer. At levels of exercise greater than 600 kpm/min gastric emptying was significantly reduced in 4 out of 6 subjects. Gastric secretion of acid fell with increase in exercise, but the relation was complex. A single receptor system responding to changes in exercise could not account for the inhibition of gastric emptying and secretion.

Wolfert, W.; Hartmann, W.; Hotz, J.

doi: 10.1159/000197518pmid: 4847641

The excretory pancreatic function (secretion of volume, bicarbonate, trypsin and amylase), bile output and HCl secretion of the stomach of 18 healthy persons were investigated under conditions of constant infusion of pure natural secretin. Insulin-induced hypoglycemia led to an increased output of pancreatic enzymes, HCl and bile. Simultaneous infusion of glucose counteracted the effects of insulin. On the other hand, atropine did not prevent the stimulatory action of hypoglycemia on enzyme secretion and bile output but did suppress HCl production.

Masseyeff, R.; Bonet, C.; Drouet, J.; Sudaka, P.; Lalanne, C.

doi: 10.1159/000197519pmid: 4136257

A method of radioimmunoassay of human α-fetoprotein (AFP) is described. It allows the assay of this protein in human serum with a sensitivity threshold of 0.1 ng of AFP per ml of serum. 192 normal adult sera were assayed. The average level was 2.6 ng/ml with a standard deviation of 3.6 ng/ml.

Delmont, J.; Kermarec, J.; Lafon, J.; Bonet, C.; Cassuto, J.-P.; Masseyeff, R.

doi: 10.1159/000197520pmid: 4136258

Serum AFP concentrations were determined by radioimmunoassay. Comparison of the levels observed in 117 patients suffering from liver diseases with that of 100 normal subjects shows that in cases of primary liver cell carcinoma negative by immunodiffusion methods, intermediate levels are more often observed than normal rates. Metastatic liver cancer is frequently accompanied by a moderate rise in AFP. A temporary rise in AFP may be observed in cases of virus hepatitis mainly when HB antigen is present. In cases of cirrhosis the AFP levels are 3.5 times higher than in normal subjects.

Levy, M.; Polliack, A.; Lender, M.; Eliakim, M.

doi: 10.1159/000197521pmid: 4847635

The clinical and pathological features of 21 patients with histologically proven hepatic amyloidosis are described. Hepatomegaly, splenomegaly and ascites were commonly found, but the clinical-pathological correlation of these findings was poor. None of the patients had clinical stigmata associated with chronic liver disease. Liver amyloidosis was the cause of death in only one case who had severe cholestatic jaundice. The classi fication of hepatic amyloidosis based on predominantly intralobular or portal amyloid deposition in the liver offers a better correlation between structure and function. Predominantly intralobular involvement was less frequent (24% of the cases), but seemed to be distinct from portal involvement in that it produced massive hepatosplenomegaly and ascites and was more frequently associated with cardiac amyloidosis. In patients with intralobular involvement high serum alkaline phosphatase levels were usually found, and the cases with severe jaundice belong to this group.

Tiscornia, O.M.; Gullo, L.; Sarles, H.; Barros Mott, C.; Brasca, A.; Devaux, M.A.; Palasciano, G.; Hage, G.

doi: 10.1159/000197522pmid: 4847636

The effects of intragastric or intraduodenal instillation of 12% (v/v) ethanol upon exocrine pancreatic secretion were assessed in 9 mongrel dogs provided with pancreatic and gastric fistulae (Thomas cannula) and submitted to a continuous intravenous injection of GIH secretin (1.0 U/kg/h). The experiments were carried out on the same group of dogs either in the conscious state or under very light fluothane anesthesia. Intragastric instillation of ethanol (1.0 g/kg) in anesthetized dogs produced: (1) a significant increase in the flow rate and bicarbonate output equivalent to one quarter of the effect obtained by adding 1.0 U/kg/h of GIH secretin to the hormonal injection; (2) a significant increase in the protein concentration and output equivalent to one third of the effect obtained by adding 1.0 CHR unit of CCK to the secretin injection. Intraduodenal ethanol (0.7 g/kg) only changed protein concentration significantly in anesthetized dogs but did not induce any significant modification in conscious animals. Intraduodenal instillation of HCl (2.5 mmol) at the end of the ethanol infusion revealed that the intestinal mucosa was still able to release secretin and CCK.

Gonciarz, Z.; Trusz-Gluza, M.; Kuśmierski, S.

doi: 10.1159/000197523pmid: 4847637

Human or canine polymorphonuclear leukocytes exposed to the dog gall-bladder bile or to deoxycholate in vitro released proteolytic enzymes. It was also found that neither bile nor deoxycholate exert any inhibitory effect on the proteolytic activity of homogenated leukocytes. It is suggested that leukocytes when penetrating into the gall-bladder may damage its wall.

Gonciarz, Z.; Trusz-Gluza, M.; Kuśmierski, S.; Luciak, M.

doi: 10.1159/000197524pmid: 4847638

Human or dog polymorphonuclear leukocytes injected into the obstructed gallbladder produced acute cholecystitis in dogs. Pathological changes consisted in mucosal membrane lysis and intramural hemorrhage. On the basis of this experimental study we have concluded that polymorphonuclear proteases may be involved in producing inflammatory changes of gallbladder wall.

García-Alvarez, J.; Reverte-Cejudo, D.; Bernaldo-de-Quirós-González, J.; Valle-Jiménez, A.

doi: 10.1159/000197525pmid: 4847639

A case of intestinal lymphangiectasia with intestinal protein loss, chronic diarrhoea, and asymmetrical oedema is reported. The absence of major changes in the abdominal lymphangiography is discussed. The original finding of asymmetrical jaundice, when recovering of a post-transfusional hepatitis, is also stressed.

Grenier, J.F.; Dauchel, J.; Eloy, M.R.

doi: 10.1159/000197526pmid: 4847640

A surgical procedure is described for isolating and artificially perfusing a segment of the dog small bowel with whole blood or a suspension of erythrocytes in a culture medium. Techniques of removal without ischemia and catheterization of the lymphatic vessels are reviewed separately because of their great interest. Such a preparation may be useful for studies of many aspects of the small bowel metabolism, particularly absorptive process and external or internal secretions. This procedure also provides a tool for assessing the electrical and mechanical activities of the intestine and the requirements of its blood flow circulation.