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Biomedical subjects

C Beglinger

Publications and source records attributed to C Beglinger.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

[Pathophysiology of ulcer disease].

The pathogenesis of ulcer disease is complex. The present outline focuses on four main aspects: 1) The mechanisms governing acid production and the role of acid in ulcer disease. 2) The mechanisms regulating mucosal resistance to injury. 3) The association of ulcer disease with antral gastritis and Helicobacter pylori infection. 4) Ulcer disease and non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). The complex mechanisms underlying maintenance of mucosal integrity in the normal state and in ulcer disease are discussed. Acid/peptic activity as permissive factors are related to impaired mucosal resistance due to Helicobacter infection or NSAID intake.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal

Human gastrin-releasing peptide: biological potency in humans.

Gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) was infused in graded doses (1-27 pmol/kg per h) to healthy human volunteers to study the effects on gastric, pancreatic and gallbladder functions as well as on gastrin, CCK and PP release. The results were compared to equimolar doses of synthetic bombesin. GRP significantly (P less than 0.05) stimulated gastric and pancreatic secretory responses, gallbladder contraction and gastro-enteropancreatic hormone release in a dose-dependent manner. GRP was found to be equipotent to bombesin with respect to gastric acid secretion, pancreatic enzyme output, gallbladder contraction and plasma hormone release. We conclude (a) that human GRP has similar biologic effects as synthetic bombesin; (b) as GRP is localized exclusively in nerve tissue and has potent effects on different organs, it is a likely candidate for peptidergic control of human gastric, pancreatic and gallbladder functions.

Adult

[Sensitivity and specificity of a simplified, standardized 13C-urea breath test for the demonstration of Helicobacter pylori].

A simplified 13C-urea breath test (UBT) for detection of Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection was evaluated in 50 patients. Following upper gastrointestinal endoscopy the patients received 100 ml of a liquid test meal with 100 mg 13C-urea. Breath samples were obtained at baseline and 30 minutes respectively. The UBT was positive (difference of 13CO2 enrichment exceeding 5%) in 33/35 patients with culture-proven Hp infection and negative in 14/15 patients in whom microbiological culture, histology and a urease test (CLO-test) were negative. We conclude that in view of its high sensitivity (94%) and specificity (93%) the UBT is useful for rapid, non-invasive diagnosis of Hp infection.

Adult

Diagnostic relevance of the amino-terminal cleavage peptide of procalcitonin (PAS-57), calcitonin and calcitonin gene-related peptide in medullary thyroid carcinoma patients.

We have identified the amino-terminal cleavage peptide of procalcitonin (PAS-57) in the plasma of normal human subjects and of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) patients together with calcitonin (CT) and CT gene-related peptide (CGRP). Major components on reversed-phase high-pressure liquid chromatography had the retention times of synthetic PAS-57, CT and CGRP as well as of precursor proteins. Plasma levels of PAS-57 (290 +/- 50 pgeq/ml; mean +/- S.E.M.), CT (27 +/- 8 pgeq/ml) and CGRP (8.4 +/- 0.8 pgeq/ml) were respectively 2.3-, 1.6- and 1.5-fold higher in normal men (n = 10) than in women (n = 8). In response to 1 min intravenous calcium infusions (2 mg per kilogram body weight) PAS-57 and CT were increased 3.5- and 2.7-fold (P less than 0.001), respectively, but CGRP remained unchanged. In MTC patients (n = 57) with raised levels of PAS-57 and CT, the molar ratio between PAS-57 and CT was 1.7-times higher than in normal subjects (P less than 0.01). We have found that PAS-57 is a predominant CT/CGRP gene derived product in the circulation of normal subjects and of MTC patients and a potential new MTC tumor marker.

Adult

Relevance of pH dependency on in vitro release of bromocriptine from a modified-release formulation.

Since pH profiles of the dissolution rate are thought to be predictive for the in vivo performance of oral modified-release formulations with respect to bioavailability and dose dumping with food, these pH profiles were established for a new modified-release (MR) formulation for bromocriptine (Parlodel SRO). The results show a marked decrease of bromocriptine dissolution with increasing pH of the dissolution medium. However, when measured in native human duodenal juice (pH 8.1), dissolution was significantly higher than when measured in buffer of comparable pH. In a human pharmacokinetic study, this MR formulation showed good bioavailability and no food effect on the pharmacokinetic profile. Therefore, pH profiles alone seem to have only a limited predictive power for the in vivo performance of this MR formulation for bromocriptine.

Bromocriptine

Physiological role of cholecystokinin on postprandial insulin secretion and gastric meal emptying in man. Studies with the cholecystokinin receptor antagonist loxiglumide.

Cholecystokinin was previously proposed to play an important role in the regulation of postprandial insulin secretion either indirectly, by inhibiting gastric meal emptying, or directly, by acting as an incretin promoting the release of insulin. The aim of this investigation was therefore to clarify the role of endogenous cholecystokinin in the regulation of insulin release and gastric emptying applying the highly potent and specific cholecystokinin receptor antagonist loxiglumide. Five healthy volunteers were examined after an overnight fast. Gastric meal emptying was measured by the double indicator technique using a multiple lumen tube in the duodenum and 99mTc-diethylenetriamine pentaacetate as a meal marker and polyethylene glycol 4000 as a duodenal perfusion marker. Postprandial insulin, C-peptide, cholecystokinin and glucose levels were measured after ingestion of two isocaloric meals of a) Ensure (containing fat, protein and glucose), and b) a pure glucose meal (1.11 mol/l). The meals were given either with an intravenous infusion of loxiglumide (22 mumol.kg-1.h-1) or placebo. The infusion of loxiglumide markedly accelerated the gastric emptying of the mixed meal (area under curve, 5576 +/- 352 min vs 3498 +/- 109 min; p less than 0.001) and the pure glucose meal (area under curve 5662 +/- 537 min vs 3551 +/- 534 min; p less than 0.05). Simultaneously, loxiglumide induced a more rapid rise in postprandial insulin levels after both meals resulting in significantly higher (p less than 0.05) insulin levels during the first postprandial hour, but similar insulin levels in the second postprandial hour. Accordingly, we found a close correlation between meal emptying and insulin release (r = 0.748, p less than 0.01).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult

Dissociation of cholecystokinin and pancreaticobiliary response to intraduodenal bile acids and cholestyramine in humans.

The role of intraduodenal bile acids in the regulation of cholecystokinin (CCK), pancreatic polypeptide (PP), and secretin as well as exocrine pancreatic and biliary secretion was investigated by means of a duodenal marker perfusion technique in volunteers. The following solutions were perfused: (1) liquid test meal, (2) test meal with 6 g cholestyramine, (3) test meal with 2 g chenodeoxycholic acid (CDC), (4) test meal with 6 g cholestyramine and 2 g CDC, (5) 6 g cholestyramine alone, and (6) 2 g CDC alone. The test meal caused an immediate increase in CCK and PP plasma levels, whereas secretin was not significantly altered. CCK release was further enhanced by addition of cholestyramine, whereas CDC inhibited release. The stimulatory effect of cholestyramine was abolished by CDC. CDC alone and in combination with the test meal stimulated secretin release. The response of PP to the test meal was not altered by addition of either compound. Cholestyramine and CDC alone caused only a very small increase in CCK levels, whereas PP was stimulated to nearly postprandial values. Meal-stimulated pancreatic and biliary secretion was significantly enhanced by cholestyramine, CDC, and the combination of both. CDC and cholestyramine alone each stimulated enzyme and bile secretion to a greater extent than the test meal. We conclude that intraduodenal bile salts are a modulator of postprandial CCK release. Changes in exocrine pancreatic and biliary and PP secretion do not necessarily parallel CCK concentrations, suggesting that different mediators are involved in the observed bile acid-induced changes in humans.

Adult

Role of cholecystokinin in the regulation of gastric emptying and pancreatic enzyme secretion in humans. Studies with the cholecystokinin-receptor antagonist loxiglumide.

The role of cholecystokinin (CCK) in the regulation of gastric emptying and pancreatic enzyme secretion was evaluated by infusing the CCK-receptor antagonist loxiglumide. Gastric emptying rates and pancreatic secretory outputs were measured in five healthy volunteers by the double-indicator perfusion technique using a multiple-lumen tube in the duodenum. Placebo or loxiglumide (22 mumol.kg-1.h-1) was infused throughout each experiment. Five hundred-milliliter liquid intragastric meals of (a) fat, protein, and glucose (Ensure; Abbott, Chicago, IL); (b) glucose, 20 g/dL; and (c) guar gum, 1.1 g/dL, were given in random order. In addition, the effect of a physiologic CCK-8 dose (20 pmol.kg-1.h-1) after an intragastric 500-mL saline meal (0.154 mol/L) was tested. Intravenous CCK-8 induced a marked retardation of the gastric emptying rate of the saline solution (P less than 0.05) while stimulating pancreatic secretory outputs; both effects were completely abolished by the infusion of loxiglumide. Loxiglumide markedly accelerated the gastric emptying rates (by approximately 40%) and simultaneously diminished lipase (by approximately 75%) and trypsin (by approximately 50%) outputs of both the mixed meal (P less than 0.01) and the pure glucose meal (P less than 0.05). Additional experiments using gamma camera scintigraphy confirmed the accelerating effect of loxiglumide on gastric emptying of the mixed meal (P less than 0.01). The gastric emptying rate of the guar meal, which did not release CCK, was not influenced by the infusion of loxiglumide. Loxiglumide distinctly augmented plasma CCK levels after the mixed (2.6 times) and the pure glucose (2.1 times) meals while markedly reducing (approximately 76%) pancreatic polypeptide release (P less than 0.02). It is concluded that endogeneous CCK exerts a major role in the regulation of both gastric liquid emptying and pancreatic secretion in humans.

Adult

Interaction of the cholinergic system and cholecystokinin in the regulation of endogenous and exogenous stimulation of pancreatic secretion in humans.

Pancreatic enzyme secretion is regulated in humans by the cholinergic system and by cholecystokinin (CCK). The interaction between both regulatory systems in response to exogenous and endogenous stimulation was analyzed in the present study using the cholinergic antagonist atropine and the CCK antagonist loxiglumide. A dose-dependent stimulation of pancreatic enzyme output was achieved either by duodenal perfusion of graded caloric loads or by IV infusion of increasing doses of cerulein. Prestimulated pancreatic secretion was inhibited by atropine and loxiglumide. Atropine furthermore almost completely blocked meal-stimulated pancreatic secretion, whereas loxiglumide caused 60% inhibition. The enzyme response to graded doses of exogenous CCK was significantly inhibited by atropine and loxiglumide. Plasma levels of CCK were not altered by atropine but increased with infusion of loxiglumide. This study supports the concept that pancreatic enzyme secretion is predominantly dependent on a cholinergic tone and that CCK modulates the enzyme-secretory response.

Adult

Hormonal control of pancreatic secretion by intrajejunal HCl: studies in dogs with an autotransplanted entire jejunoileum.

To elucidate the role of hormones in the control of pancreatic secretion, we developed, in seven dogs, a model of total extrinsic denervation of the jejunoileum by autotransplanting this segment of bowel. A Thomas-like cannula was placed into the stomach, the duodenum (to collect pure pancreatic juice), and the proximal part of the jejunum. Thus, intestinal stimulants could only stimulate the pancreas via release of humoral (= hormonal) mediators. Seven control dogs received only the three fistulas. After recovery, dose-response curves of pancreatic bicarbonate and protein response to perfusion of the extrinsically denervated or innervated jejunoileum with HCl (1.5 to 48 mmol h-1) were performed with and without atropine (14 nmol kg-1 h-1 i.v.). Plasma levels of secretin were determined by radioimmunoassay. The maximal bicarbonate output occurred in response to 24 mmol h-1 of HCl and was significantly (p less than 0.05) higher in intact as compared to denervated animals. Atropine only significantly depressed the bicarbonate response to HCl in dogs with a denervated jejunoileum. HCl caused a dose-dependent increase in plasma levels of secretin, which was not altered by denervation and/or atropine. Irrespective of the innervation of the small bowel, pancreatic protein output was only significantly stimulated above basal when high loads (12-48 mmol h-1) of HCl were given. Atropine significantly reduced these responses.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals

Helicobacter pylori infection in healthy people: a dynamic process?

Epidemiological studies using serological tests have shown that a large proportion of healthy people have antibodies against Helicobacter pylori (anti-Hp). It is uncertain whether the presence of anti-Hp indicates active infection or only past exposure to the micro-organism. In this study we determined anti-Hp with a specific enzyme linked immunosorbent assay in 100 healthy volunteers who were at the same time investigated for active H pylori infection by means of the 13C-urea breath test. Forty nine per cent had a high anti-Hp titre, but only 24% had active H pylori infection. Our study suggests that a considerable number of healthy people previously infected with H pylori have spontaneously eliminated this microorganism. We suggest that the inability of ulcer patients to eliminate H pylori may be important in the pathogenesis of peptic ulcer disease.

Adult

Regulation of postprandial mesenteric blood flow in humans: evidence for a cholinergic nervous reflex.

Duplex ultrasound was used to investigate superior mesenteric artery haemodynamics in humans in order to determine the physiological importance of postprandial blood concentrations of cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK8), gastrin 17, secretin, and glucagon and to study whether a nervous cholinergic reflex mechanism has a role in the postprandial mesenteric blood flow response. Duplex parameters of vessel diameter, mean velocity, and flow volume were determined serially in the basal state and after stimulation. Changes were compared with baseline values. Superior mesenteric artery parameters were significantly increased over baseline values after a liquid test meal, but ingestion of saline did not cause any changes. Hormones infused simultaneously at postprandial concentrations did not change mesenteric blood flow. When they were infused at pharmacological doses, however, a significant increase in flow parameters was observed. Pretreatment with atropine significantly (p less than 0.05) reduced the mesenteric blood flow response to meal stimulation (57%). These data suggest that the four hormones tested are not of quantitative importance in regulating postprandial superior mesenteric artery blood flow. A cholinergic nervous reflex, however, participates in the control of food induced mesenteric artery flow changes.

Adult

Effect of a cholecystokinin antagonist on meal-stimulated insulin and pancreatic polypeptide release in humans.

A cholecystokinin (CCK) receptor antagonist, loxiglumide, was used to investigate the potential regulating role of CCK in the entero-insular axis in humans. Ingestion of a mixed liquid meal stimulated plasma CCK, insulin, and pancreatic polypeptide (PP) release in the control experiment. With iv loxiglumide (22 mumol/kg.h), mean plasma insulin and glucose levels did not differ between placebo and loxiglumide treatment. The area under the plasma concentration for PP was reduced to 6,060 +/- 1,706 (P less than 0.05) compared to that during placebo treatment (12,266 +/- 4,748). Administration of loxiglumide failed to change insulin secretion in response to perfusion of the same meal or perfusion of a 10-amino acid solution into the duodenum. However, PP secretion in response to the intraduodenal meal or amino acid mixture was abolished after loxiglumide (P less than 0.05). Intravenous administration of the 10-amino acid mixture stimulated insulin from a mean basal level of 7 +/- 3 microU/mL to a peak level of 16 +/- 4 microU/mL. Infusion of a CCK octapeptide (CCK-8) at 8.6 pmol/kg.h, which produced a plasma concentration of 3.3 pmol/L, which is within the postprandial range, augmented amino acid-stimulated insulin and PP output (P less than 0.05). When CCK-8 was infused with loxiglumide, the insulin and PP responses were similar to the values found with loxiglumide alone. We conclude that CCK receptor blockade with iv loxiglumide does not affect postprandial insulin secretion. CCK is, therefore, not a major incretin. However, it is involved in the postprandial PP response, especially during the intestinal phase stimulation. These data suggest that CCK has a role in the human enteroinsular axis.

Adult

Cholecystokinin is a regulator of intestinal phase-stimulated PP release.

The purpose of this study was to determine the role of CCK during the intestinal phase of pancreatic polypeptide (PP) release in man. We first compared the PP response to exogenous caerulein infusion in the presence or absence of either loxiglumide (a specific CCK antagonist) or atropine in six healthy subjects. In the second part of the study, a meal was perfused to the duodenum with and without either loxiglumide or atropine. Both loxiglumide and atropine completely abolished the PP response to exogenous or endogenous stimulation (P less than 0.05). We conclude that CCK participates in the intestinal phase of PP secretion.

Adult

[A year experience with extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy of gallstones].

43 patients with symptomatic gallbladder stones were treated by extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy and oral bile acids. In all patients the stones were successfully fragmented during the first lithotripsy session. 33 patients underwent 2-4 treatment sessions. In 16 out of 43 patients the stones disappeared within 7.9 months. The rate of stone dissolution was dependent on the number and size of stones. 3 patients required surgery because of frequent colic in one case, cholecystitis in one case and lack of cooperation in one case. No important side effects were noted except mild pancreatitis 3 weeks after lithotripsy in one patient. Results at this center of extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy combined with oral bile acids indicate that this treatment may become an alternative to cholecystectomy in patients with a small number (less than 3) of stones not exceeding 30 mm in diameter.

Adult