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Biomedical subjects

B J Rowlands

Publications and source records attributed to B J Rowlands.

At least 181 records · Page 10Linked to original sources
PubMed1977

Changes in plasma lactate, phosphate and uric acid during postoperative carbohydrate infusion.

Eighteen patients undergoing elective abdominal surgery had pre- and postoperative carbohydrate infusion tests with glucose, fructose or sorbitol. All three substrates produced significant hyperlactataemia postoperatively, the elevations of plasma lactate with fructose and sorbitol infusion being significantly greater than with glucose. Plasma uric acid was unchanged but there were moderate falls in plasma phosphate postoperatively. Intravenous nutritional regimens containing fructose and sorbitol may potentiate the development of harmful metabolic acidoses in 'at risk' patients and should always be used cautiously. Glucose is the carbohydrate calorie source of choice.

Abdomen↗
PubMed1977

Intestinal injury due to non-penetrating abdominal trauma.

Five cases of intestinal injury alone due to non-penetrating abdominal trauma are presented. The possible mechanisms of intestinal injury are discussed, together with the presentation, investigation and management of these cases.

Abdominal Injuries↗
PubMed1977

Nitrogen-sparing effect of different feeding regimes in patients after operation.

In patients recovering from surgery, water, electrolytes, protein and calories all produce significant nitrogen sparing whether given by i.v. or intraduodenal routes. The nitrogen-sparing effect of protein and calories is greater when given to these patients via the gastrointestinal tract, and nitrogen equilibrium is approached when nutrients are supplied in amounts that satisfy theoretical requirements. I.v. regimes do not achieve nitrogen equilibrium, even when amino acids and calories are supplied in amounts that exceed theoretical requirements.

Adult↗
PubMed1977

Plasma insulin and surgery. I. Early changes due to operation in the insulin response to glucose.

The effects of elective abdominal operation on the disposal of a sustained intravenous glucose load and on the biphasic response of plasma insulin have been examined. During operation, low plasma insulin concentrations were observed despite the high plasma glucose values achieved. On the morning after operation, both phases of the insulin response to glucose were increased. This increase was seen even when subjects were compared at the same plasma glucose value. The response to tolbutamide was also greatly exaggerated. Pre- and postoperative glucose curves were approximately parallel, suggesting that glucose uptake was similar in both situations despite the presence of the postoperative hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia. This is at variance with previous reports based on conventional bolus dose intravenous tests which have suggested reduced postoperative glucose utilization. A new interpretation of the data is proposed.

Abdomen↗
PubMed1977

Plasma insulin and surgery. II. Later changes and the effect of intravenous carbohydrates.

Long-term hyperinsulinemia and improved glucose tolerance were produced postoperatively by intravenous feeding with glucose or sorbitol. Raised immuno-reactive insulin (IRI) values persisted eight hours after carbohydrate infusions although the basal plasma glucose concentrations had returned to control values. Plasma glucose curves were normal at this time but were associated with an increased IRI response. These findings suggest that insulin secretion is modified by glucose not only in the short term but also by a separate effect acting over many hours. The combination of starvation and low dose glucose infusion to simulate the hyperglycemia of operation also produced high IRI values but these were associated with a rapid fall in the plasma glucose curve. Starvation alone reduced basal values of plasma glucose and IRI, and the IRI response to glucose infusion was also reduced, despite the plasma glucose curve being at a higher level. It is suggested that the high values of IRI reported in the postoperative period are mediated by a long-term effect of the small but sustained rise in basal plasma glucose. This specific role of glucose in the long-term potentiation of insulin secretion make it the carbohydrate of choice for the intravenous feeding in postoperative patients.

Abdomen↗
PubMed1976

The relationship of plasma glucagon to the hyperglycaemia and hyperinsulinaemia of surgical operation.

In a controlled metabolic study of 42 patients undergoing abdominal surgery a significant increase in basal values of immunoreactive glucagon (IRG) was found 24 hours postoperatively. No correlation between the onset and duration of hyperglycaemia and the increase of IRG was observed. No increase in immunoreactive insulin (IRI) was seen during operation, but there was a rise 24 hours postoperatively. The infusion of arginine was accompanied by a rise in IRG both pre-and postoperatively, but despite the high values obtained there was no accompanying further increase in basal plasma glucose in the postoperative situation. The pre- and postoperative IRI responses were similar. Our evidence suggests that glucagon is not a primary mediator of the stress response, or of the hyperglycaemia of surgical operation in these patients.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

T-lymphocyte transformation in experimental obstructive jaundice: the role of serum-suppressive factors.

Infective complications are a significant problem in the management of patients with obstructive jaundice, despite the widespread use of prophylactic antibiotics. The cause of this may be suppression of the immune system. This study investigates the effect of serum from an animal model of extrahepatic biliary obstruction (BDL) for 7, 14, and 21 days on the lymphoproliferative response of a single population of T-lymphocytes to the mitogen phytohemagglutinin (PHA). Mean stimulation counts for lymphocytes cultured with 7 days with BDL serum (938 +/- 90 p = 0.04) and for 21 days with BDL serum (844 +/- 253 p = 0.04) are significantly lower than control serum (2382 +/- 1340). The effect of 14 days BDL serum has some suppression of lymphocyte stimulation but this is not significant (1115 +/- 429 p = 0.06). There was no significant correlation with any clinical parameters including bilirubin and the duration of jaundice. We have concluded that serum from animals with obstructive jaundice is immunosuppressive, but further studies are required to identify the factor and its role in vivo.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Selenium depletion in burn patients.

Victims of major burns may be at risk for selenium (Se) depletion because increased postinjury nutrient needs are often met by total parental nutrition and tube feedings which contain little Se. This study compared Se status of 17 burn patients and 191 healthy control subjects. Se intake of burn patients was lower than the intake of control subjects when total parenteral nutrition or tube feedings were used as primary nutrient sources but was comparable to the control intake when burn patients consumed oral diets. Serial determinations each 10 days during recovery showed that burn patients had lower plasma Se, erythrocyte Se, and erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase levels, and lower 24-hr urine Se excretion. These results provide biochemical evidence of Se depletion despite exogenous Se intake within the range recommended for healthy adults. Further studies are indicated to determine if Se depletion in burn patients can be prevented by Se supplementation of total parenteral nutrition and tube feeding solutions.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Hand grip strength--a simple prognostic indicator in surgical patients.

This study evaluates hand grip strength as an indicator of nutritional status and a predictor of postoperative complications. Hand grip strength and other parameters of nutritional status, namely, midarm muscle circumference, forearm muscle circumference, triceps skinfold, percentage ideal body weight, serum albumin, and percent usual weight were determined preoperatively in 205 patients. Complications occurred in 28 patients (14%). Patients with at least one abnormal nutritional parameter had a higher incidence of postoperative complications. Their length of total and postoperative hospitalization was greater by 6.2 and 4.6 days, respectively (p less than 0.01). Grip strength was the most sensitive single parameter, but forearm muscle circumference and percentage ideal body weight were the most specific indices. Hand grip strength is a simple measure of nutritional status and an accurate prognostic indicator that requires further clinical evaluation.

Adult↗