Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to A Tarnawski.
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Glucagon given as an intravenous injection of 2 mg (0.57 mmol) or as constant intravenous infusion of 1.64 microgram/kg/h (0.47 nmol/kg/h) significantly increased gastric mucosal potential difference (PD) in man. Pentagastrin infusion of 2 microgram/kg/h (2.8 nmol/kg/h) dramatically reduced gastric PD in man. The effect of each of these hormones on PD was reversed by the administration of the other. Changes in PD induced by one hormone were not associated with reductions in blood levels of the other. There was an approximate correlation between changes in PD and pH of gastric aspirates, however, the patterns of PD and pH changes were at times dissimilar. This study indicates that administration of gastrointestinal hormones significantly alters gastric mucosal PD in man.
Transmucosal potential difference in the rat upper gastrointestinal tract is described by a simple in vivo technique. Values for potential difference between blood (reference) and lumen (in millivolts) were the following: esophagus, -13.7 +/- 1.6 (mean +/- SE); forestomach (rumen), -39.2 +/- 0.8; stomach fundus, -39.1 +/- 0.4; pylorus -26.6 +/- 0.6; and duodenum, -9.2 +/- 0.4. These values (excluding rumen) are strikingly similar to those obtained in man. Aspirin, taurocholic acid, and alcohol all produced falls in gastric potential difference very similar to those found in man. The rat appears to be a promising and convenient model for screening gastric effects of certain pharmacological agents before use in man.
The effect of glucagon on aspirin-induced damage to human gastric mucosa and its effect on gastric mucosal potential difference were studied in 27 healthy volunteers. Intragastric instillation of 600 mg of aspirin suspended in 100 ml of isotonic saline caused significant damage to 21 +/- 3% of surface epithelial cells and a marked reduction in gastric potential difference within 15 min of aspirin instillation. Glucagon, 2 mg given intravenously, caused hyperglucagonemia, hypophosphatemia, hyperinsulinemia, increased blood glucose levels and gastric pH, as well as significant prolonged elevation of gastric potential difference. Glucagon injection given 15 min before aspirin instillation effectively prevented surface epithelial cell damage, decreasing percentage of damaged cells to 3.5%. Glucagon did not prevent the drop in gastric potential difference evoked by aspirin, but did, however, prevent potential difference from falling below base line values after aspirin. This study showed in man that glucagon protects gastric mucosa against aspirin damage and suggests possible therapeutic value in clinical situations requiring prevention of aspirin-induced gastric mucosal damage.
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Serum immunoglobulin levels and alpha1-fetoprotein were measured in 49 male alcoholics entering an abstinence program. These parameters were evaluated in relation to liver histology. Of 49 studied alcoholics, 32 had elevated serum immunoglobulin levels, chiefly IgA, which occurred in 29 patients. IgA elevation was also observed in patients with normal histological picture of the liver. Of 17 alcoholics with normal immunoglobulin levels, in 9, i.e. 53%, liver histology was normal. In the group of 32 alcoholics with elevated immunoglobulin levles, normal liver histology was encountered only in 8 patients, i.e. 25%. Two-month abstinence in 18 alcoholics with previously elevated IgA levels caused their decrease in 12 patients, i.e. 66%. A decrease in IgA was noted even in patients with symptoms of histological worsening. Of 49 alcoholics, only 1 showed significantly elevated alpha1-fetoprotein.
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Porcine calcitonin given to guinea pigs in doses causing hypocalcaemia and hypophosphataemia decreased the bilirubin concentration and increased the activity of gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (GGTP) in the hepatic bile. Calcitonin had no effect on bile flow, its pH, electrolyte composition including calcium, or on the concentration of protein, glucose, cholesterol, nonprotein nitrogen (NPN), and bile acids. It also did not affect the activities of alanine aminotransferase (AIAT) and alkaline phosphatase (AP) in the hepatic bile. Calcitonin increased the calcium content in the liver.
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