Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

B Michel

Publications and source records attributed to B Michel.

At least 199 records · Page 11Linked to original sources

Vesicular pemphigoid.

Seven patients had a chronic eruption of small vesicles that was initially considered to be atypical dermatitis herpetiformis. Histopathologic studies disclosed a subepidermal bulla that was compatible with either bullous pemphigoid or dermatitis herpetiformis. Immunofluorescence studies demonstrated deposition of IgG or C3, Or both, at the basement-membrane zone (BMZ) in six of seven patients. In four patients, circulating BMZ antibodies were detected also. We belive that these cases represent a vesicular form of bullous pemphigoid.

Adult↗

[Are maltose infusions suitable for infusion therapy].

The suitability of maltose for parenteral nutrition was investigated in metabolically healthy volunteers. A solution containing 20% of maltose was infused intravenously for four hours using three different doses (0.125 g/kg; 0.25 g/kg; 0.5 g/kg BW/h). Following cessation of the infusions the laboratory controls were carried on for four more hours. The infusions of maltose were tolerated without any complications. However, only when using the lowest dosage a steady state in blood concentration of maltose was reached, i.e. in the case of 0.125 g/kg BW/h. The results show that in humans the metabolic capacity for maltose is limited. The glucose concentration in blood remained almost unaltered during maltose infusion, while the serum insulin concentration was slightly elevated. A further sign for metabolism of maltose was the decrease in free fatty acid concentration. Because of the low metabolic capacity for maltose the urinary loss (in the form of maltose and glucose) is high with greater infusion rates and amounts to 20-30% of the intravenous load. A greater part of the sugar excreted in the urine consists of glucose, despite an almost normal blood glucose concentration. Considering the results of the experiments with volunteers it is concluded that maltose is not suited for intravenous therapy. Because of the low metabolic capacity of the human organism the renal losses are too great.

Adult↗

Lithostathine and pancreatitis-associated protein are involved in the very early stages of Alzheimer's disease.

According to one of the theories formulated to explain the etiology of Alzheimer's disease (AD), amylosis may reflect a specific inflammatory response. Two inflammatory proteins, lithostathine and PAP, were evidenced by immunohistochemistry in senile plaques and neurofibrillary tangles of patients with AD. In addition, lithostathine and PAP were significantly increased in the cerebrospinal fluid of patients with AD when compared to patients with multiple sclerosis, another inflammatory disease, and to normal control subjects. However, no correlation was observed with age of occurrence. Furthermore, lithostathine and PAP were increased even at the very early stages of AD, and their level remained elevated during the course of the AD unlike TNFalpha whose level, very high at very early stages, regularly decreased. Finally, if part of lithostathine and PAP are synthesized in the brain, a large part comes from serum by passage over the blood-brain barrier. These results indicate (i) the existence of an acute phase response followed by a chronic inflammation in AD, and (ii) that lithostathine and PAP are involved even at the first pre-clinical biochemical events of AD. In addition, because lithostathine undergoes an autolytic cleavage leading to its precipitation and the formation of fibrils, we believe that it may be involved in amyloidosis and tangles by allowing heterogeneous precipitation of other proteins.

Acute-Phase Proteins↗

Phagocytic cell function in aged subjects.

In order to study the activity of phagocytic cells in normal and pathological aging, we compared normal young and aged subjects and patients with Alzheimer's (AD) or Parkinson's (PD) disease. Blood granulocytes and monocytes were separately assayed for ingestion of three different particle species (opsonized zymosan, immunoglobulin-coated sheep red cells (IgG-SRC) and glutaraldehyde-treated sheep red cells (G-SRC]. The superoxide anion production induced by these particles was also measured. All granulocyte responses to zymosan and IgG-SRC were depressed in the three aged groups as compared to young controls. Hence, only functions involving a specific receptor (Fc or C3b receptor) seemed affected. Monocyte activity was slightly decreased in the same groups. No difference was found between AD or PD patients and normal aged subjects. Hence the phagocytic and oxidative defects we found were a consequence of aging.

Adult↗