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Biomedical subjects

A Berstad

Publications and source records attributed to A Berstad.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources

Antroduodenal motility and movements of luminal contents studied by duplex sonography.

The motility of the gastroduodenal wall, movement of gastric contents, and velocity curves of transpyloric flow can be synchronously visualized by duplex sonography. In eight healthy individuals, 18 +/- 6 (mean +/- SD) peristaltic cycles per person in response to the ingestion of 500 mL of meat soup were recorded. Coordinated antroduodenal contractions were seen in 67% of the cycles. Two types of duodenogastric reflux were observed. One type occurred in the middle of the peristaltic cycle (midcycle reflux), whereas the other followed immediately after antegrade flow at the end of the cycle (end-cycle reflux). End-cycle reflux was significantly more frequent in conjunction with coordinated (70%) than with uncoordinated (17%) antroduodenal contractions (P less than 0.005). Thus, in the fed state, a short gush of duodenogastric reflux normally precedes the peristaltic closure of the pylorus.

Adult↗

Cisapride treatment of patients with non-ulcer dyspepsia and erosive prepyloric changes. A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

One hundred and twenty consecutive outpatients with non-ulcer dyspepsia (NUD) and erosive prepyloric changes (EPC) were, after a 2-week placebo run-in period, randomly allocated to double-blind treatment with either 10-mg cisapride tablets or placebo three times daily for 4 weeks. The patients' global evaluation and total symptom score were significantly in favour of cisapride at 2 weeks (p less than 0.05). At 4 weeks the effect of cisapride was no longer significant (p = 0.22). Similarly, the investigators' global evaluation showed marked to moderate symptom improvement in 47% of the cisapride-treated patients as compared with 30% of the placebo-treated patients at 2 weeks. The 95% confidence interval of the difference (18%) was 0% to 35%. At 4 weeks the intergroup difference was only 10% (cisapride, 50% versus placebo 40%). Pain on awakening was the only symptom improved in favour of cisapride at 4 weeks. Thus, when patients with NUD and EPC are treated with cisapride, the therapeutic gain might vanish after the 2nd week of treatment.

Adult↗

Wide gastric antrum in patients with non-ulcer dyspepsia. Effect of cisapride.

Fasting antral area was examined by ultrasonography in 40 healthy subjects and in 106 patients with non-ulcer dyspepsia (NUD) and erosive prepyloric changes (EPC) before and after treatment with cisapride or placebo. The patients were examined twice, first after a run-in period of 14 days of placebo and then after 14 days of cisapride, 10 mg three times daily, or placebo. The relaxed width of the antral area was measured in two sections: a vertical section in which the antrum, the superior mesenteric vein, and the aorta were visualized simultaneously, and a horizontal section that included the pylorus and the middle of the antrum up to 5 cm proximal to the pylorus. The mean antral area was wider (p less than 0.001), both in vertical and horizontal sections, in patients with NUD and EPC than in controls. The antral area in NUD patients was wider (p less than 0.05) in smokers than in non-smokers. The area tended to decrease during treatment with cisapride (p = 0.08). Bloating was the only symptom significantly associated with a wide antral area (p = 0.01). The results suggest a relationship between a wide fasting antral area and NUD with EPC.

Adolescent↗

Interaction between heparin and acetylsalicylic acid on gastric mucosal and skin bleeding in humans.

The haemorrhagic effect of unfractionated heparin and of the low molecular weight heparin, enoxaparin, on gastric mucosal bleeding induced by acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) and on skin bleeding induced by the Simplate technique was investigated in healthy human volunteers. Endoscopic estimation of gastric bleeding by visual analogue scores was more sensitive than biochemical quantitation of blood in the gastric washing by a modified HaemoQuant method. Contrary to what was expected, the ASA-induced gastric mucosal bleeding was not increased by heparin pretreatment, whereas heparin in combination with ASA, but not ASA alone, significantly increased the skin bleeding time. In the interaction with ASA, enoxaparin and unfractionated heparin appeared to act similarly.

Adult↗

Experimental colitis in animal models.

Colitis may be induced in animals by oral administration of sulfated polysaccharides (carrageenan, amylopectin sulfate, dextran sulfate), chemical irritation by rectal instillation of diluted acetic acid, delayed hypersensitivity reaction after sensitization to DNCB or after one single administration of TNBS, and Arthus reaction induced by intravenous injection of immune complexes after chemical irritation of the colon, and by chemoattractant peptides such as FMLP. It appears that all models of colon inflammation in the rat, mouse, or rabbit produce increased amounts of eicosanoids similar to that found in human colitis. Thus, animal studies provide useful information on the origin, regulation, and function of inflammatory mediators. However, with the possible exception of the cotton-top tamarin, no animal model of induced or spontaneous inflammation of the colon is analogous to human ulcerative colitis in etiology, course of disease activity, or histology (114). The observation that two different immune-mediated models gave similar results suggests that the colitis is not a specific response to delayed-type hypersensitivity or immune-complex-mediated reactions but rather an unspecific, stereotype response (125). The original disturbance may not determine the nature of the lesions ultimately produced but may instead serve as an initiator of a final common immunologic pathway.

Animals↗

Haemorrhagic effect of enoxaparin, a low molecular weight heparin. Comparison with unfractionated heparin in humans.

The haemorrhagic effects of unfractionated heparin (UFH) and the low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) enoxaparin were investigated and compared in the gastric mucosa (haemorrhage induced by biopsy) and skin (haemorrhage induced by Simplate) of 12 healthy volunteers. Administration of UFH and LMWH (given in a dose of 75 anti-Xa U/kg intravenously) increased median gastric bleeding time (3.5 min) and geometric mean blood loss (11.5 microliters) to 19 min (p = 0.00003) and 54.1 microliters (p = 0.0021) after UFH and to 13 min (p = 0.008) and 29.0 microliters (p = 0.275) after LMWH. Median skin bleeding time (4.25 min) increased to 6.0 min after UFH (p = 0.003) and to 6.75 min after LMWH (p = 0.0008). Mean heparin activity in plasma was 20% higher after LMWH than after UFH. The calculated gastric bleeding time to heparin activity ratio was significantly lower for LMWH than for UFH (p < 0.05).

Adult↗

Biometric evaluation of gastric urease activity in man.

The 14C-urea breath test is claimed to be the best test for detection of Helicobacter pylori infection. We present a procedure for estimating its cutoff value on the basis of biometric evaluation only, without involving other diagnostic methods. Cumulative gastric urease activity (CA) was determined during the first 30 min after oral administration of 14C-urea (92.5 kBq) in 56 random volunteers and 49 consecutive patients with peptic ulcer disease. The distribution of CA in random volunteers was positively skewed. Logarithmic transformation yielded two separate populations, each normally distributed. Their normal probability density functions intercepted at log cutoff value. A bimodal distribution of log CA was confirmed in patients with peptic ulcer disease before and after treatment aimed at H. pylori eradication. Cutoff values were determined for both random volunteers and patients with peptic ulcer disease. By application of the present procedure for determination of cutoff value, the 14C-urea breath test distinguishes between individuals who have an increased gastric urease activity and individuals who do not, with the smallest possible arbitrariness.

Adult↗

Is there a place for antacids in the treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection?

Two pilot studies were performed to determine whether aluminium-containing antacids may have a place in the treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection. The urease activity of H. pylori is cytopathic to gastric epithelium, and inhibition of this enzyme may have therapeutic potential. In the first study 24 subjects, 12 of which were infected with H. pylori, were given 1 tablet of chewable aluminium hydroxide-containing antacids 10 min before a 14C-urea breath test. Gastric urease activity was suppressed by 33.3% (p = 0.02) in the H. pylori-positive subjects (none became negative) within 40 min after administration of the tablet. Gastric H. pylori infection can be effectively eradicated by triple regimens containing bismuth salts, tetracycline, and metronidazole. Owing to adverse effects of this treatment and concern for possible neurotoxicity of bismuth, a bismuth substitute is warranted. Hence, in the second study, 20 subjects infected with H. pylori were treated with 1 antacid tablet 4 times daily between meals, plus 500 mg oxytetracycline and 200 mg metronidazole 4 times daily with meals for 2 weeks. Individual H. pylori status was assessed by the 14C-urea breath test. Four weeks after cessation of treatment, H. pylori was eradicated in 45% (9 of 20) of the subjects (95% confidence interval, 23.1-68.5%). Thirty per cent (6 of 20) observed one or more adverse effect regarded as moderate or severe, of which loose stools and headache were the most common.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

Eosinophil cationic protein and phospholipase A2 activity in human gastric juice. With emphasis on Helicobacter pylori status and effects of antacids.

To elucidate possible new effects of antacids, gastric juice from 15 volunteers with known Helicobacter pylori status were analysed for eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), phospholipase A2 (PLA2) activity, phosphatidylcholine (PC), and bile acids (BA) before and after administration of one tablet of antacid or placebo in a double blind cross-over design. Geometric mean ECP concentrations were more than 13 times higher in gastric juice from H. pylori-positive (12.9 micrograms/l) than from H. pylori-negative (0.97 micrograms/l) subjects (p = 0.0032). Geometric mean PLA2 activity was 1.31 U/l for the negative subjects and 4.02 U/l for the positive subjects (p = 0.13). There were no differences between positive and negative subjects with regard to either PC or BA concentration. Regardless of H. pylori status, mean PC concentration increased significantly after antacids as compared with placebo (p = 0.024). The effect of antacids did not differ significantly from placebo for ECP, PLA2 activity, or BA concentration. Hence, antacids may not act by binding 'toxic' H. pylori-associated gastric juice components like ECP or PLA2. Increased concentration of PC may indicate an increased protective capacity induced by antacids.

Adult↗

Antroduodenal motility studied by real-time ultrasonography. Effect of enprostil.

Transabdominal real-time ultrasonography was used to investigate antroduodenal motility effects of the prostaglandin E2 analogue enprostil. Ten healthy subjects were studied on two separate days, once after oral administration of one capsule of enprostil 35 micrograms 1 hour before the ingestion of 500 mL of meat soup and once without drug administration before the meal. The ultrasound probe was positioned at the level of the transpyloric plane to visualize the antrum, pylorus, and proximal duodenum simultaneously and thereafter vertically to visualize the antrum, superior mesenteric vein, and aorta simultaneously. The motility was videotaped for 15 minutes. The antroduodenal coordination, frequency and amplitude of antral contractions, and size of antral area were reduced, whereas the time during which the pylorus was wide open (greater than 5 mm) was increased after enprostil. It is concluded that antroduodenal motility can easily be visualized by ultrasonography. Therapeutic doses of enprostil impair antroduodenal peristalsis and coordination and open the pylorus in healthy subjects.

Adult↗

Haemorrhagic effects of unfractionated and two low molecular weight heparins, enoxaparin and fragmin, in rats.

The effects on primary haemostasis of unfractionated heparin and of the two low molecular weight heparins, enoxaparin and fragmin, were compared in two rat models, one employing the gastric mucosa and the other the tail skin. All three heparin preparations prolonged the bleeding time and increased the blood loss dose dependently. The prolongation of the bleeding time per unit dose caused by unfractionated heparin was significantly greater than the prolongation caused by either one of the two low molecular weight heparins. In the gastric mucosa, but not in the tail skin, enoxaparin prolonged the bleeding time significantly less than fragmin (p less than 0.05).

Animals↗

Incomplete reversal of enoxaparin-induced bleeding by protamine sulfate.

The neutralizing effect of protamine sulfate on enoxaparin-induced bleeding was compared in two rat models: one employing the gastric mucosa, and the other the tail skin, using a 2:1 ratio of protamine sulfate to enoxaparin on a weight basis. Whereas protamine sulfate reduced the median bleeding time (from 20 to 9.5 min) and blood loss (80%) in the gastric mucosa, and apparent 'all-or-none' response was seen in the tail skin, in agreement with a different hemostatic mechanism in the two bleeding models. In both models, protamine sulfate incompletely reversed the bleeding induced by enoxaparin.

Animals↗

Effectiveness and acceptability of three bowel cleansing regimens.

The effectiveness and acceptability of three colon cleansing regimens for colonoscopy were compared in a prospective study in 271 patients stratified as in- and out-patients and randomly assigned to either I) a diet and Senna laxative (X-prep), combined with a saline enema (n = 88); II) 41 of a polyethylene glycol electrolyte lavage solution (Golytely) (n = 90); or III) a combined regimen of Cascara-Salax laxative (PicoSalax) and 1.51 Golytely (n = 93). Patients and colonoscopists indicated independently their overall impression of palatability and convenience and the completeness of the preparation, respectively, on 0- to 10-cm visual analogue scales. No differences were found between the regimens, either for the patients' impression of palatability or for the convenience of the preparation. A significantly cleaner colon was obtained with regimen II in outpatients than with regimen I (p = 0.02), whereas no differences were found either between regimens I and III or between regimens II and III. With regimen I, II, and III, 14%, 8%, and 12% of the patients, respectively, had scores indicating inadequate preparation. Outpatients (n = 175) had significantly cleaner colon than inpatients (n = 96) (p less than 0.001). In conclusion, no clinically important differences were found between the three bowel preparation regimens. An oral irrigation regimen is acceptable to the patients and may be preferable because it provides more flexibility to the endoscopic laboratory.

Adult↗

[Local procoagulant activity--an important pathogenic mechanism in Crohn disease?].

The etiology of Crohn's disease is unknown. Observations suggest that some sort of luminal agent enters the intestinal mucosa and elicits the special inflammatory reaction. Immunological mechanisms seem to be important. A related but so far largely unrecognised reaction is local activation of the external coagulation system by induction of thromboplastin (tissue factor) activity on the surface of endothelial cells and macrophages. This local procoagulant activity might initiate the formation of thromboses in small arteries in the intestinal wall. Recent studies indicate that microinfarcts due to arterial thromboses at the level of the muscularis propria may be an important pathogenetic mechanism in Crohn's disease.

Crohn Disease↗