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Biomedical subjects

E Faist

Publications and source records attributed to E Faist.

68 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

The immune-enhancing effect of perioperative thymopentin administration in elderly patients undergoing major surgery.

The effects of perioperative administration of thymopentin (TP-5) on in vivo and in vitro measurements of cell-mediated immunity in elderly patients undergoing major surgery were investigated. A placebo-controlled study was conducted in 25 patients (mean age, 67 years) with congenital or acquired heart disease undergoing surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. Patients were divided into three groups: Group 1 patients were given 50 mg of TP-5 subcutaneously two hours preoperatively. Group 2 patients were given 50 mg of TP-5 subcutaneously two hours preoperatively and 48 hours postoperatively. Group 3 patients were given placebo at corresponding times. Cell-mediated immunity measurements were the in vivo delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) response on day 0 and on day 7 to an antigen skin test battery. The in vitro studies included antigen cocktail-induced lymphocyte proliferation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells. The DTH response on day 7 after surgery was significantly suppressed in group 3 patients compared with the preoperative baseline value, while it remained unaltered in group 1 and 2 patients. There was a considerable difference of DTH measurements (number of positive antigen responses and sum of their mean diameters) between group 2 and 3 patients. Antigen cocktail-induced lymphocyte proliferation, following initial suppression in the majority of patients, was significantly different between the placebo group and patients in group 2 on day 7 after surgery. The data indicate that perioperative administration of TP-5 might be of considerable clinical utility in preventing a defective cellular immune response.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2)-dependent suppression of interleukin alpha (IL-2) production in patients with major trauma.

The depression of interleukin-2 synthesis represents a major dysfunction within the cascade of immunologic defects induced by mechanical and thermal trauma. This study was undertaken to elucidate the negative control mechanisms that were responsible for the deficiency of IL-2 production in polytraumatized patients. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC's) from 29 patients (average age, 35.8 years; average ISS, 35) were separated on post-trauma days 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, 14, and 21 and cultured as untreated cells (C), cells treated with indomethacin (C + INDO), and cells depleted of adherent cells (C-AC). Cell cultures were assayed for proliferative responses to PHA, IL-2 synthesis, PGE2 production, gamma-interferon levels, and phenotyping studies. On all days post-trauma there was found a marked reduction of IL-2 production compared to controls with a highly significant nadir from day 5 to day 10 with an almost 80% inhibition of IL-2 (p less than 0.005). C + INDO cells showed increases of IL-2 synthesis over untreated cells ranging from 48% (Day 1) to 220% (Day 7). Removal of adherent cells (C-AC) did not reverse the suppression of IL-2 production. gamma-interferon levels were depressed in parallel with IL-2 levels but did not increase with C + INDO. The phenotyping of the PBMC's showed highly significant suppression of OKT3+, OKT4+, and IL-2R+ lymphocytes as well as a highly significant elevation of the monocyte (p less than 0.005) count. There was a highly significant increase of PGE2 synthesis from monocytes, due to the monocytosis and to a higher capacity of synthesis of the individual cells following trauma. PGE2 levels peaked on Day 5 and 7 post-trauma at 400% of control (p less than 0.005). These data suggest that the suppression of IL-2 synthesis post trauma is caused mainly by two factors: the excessive PGE2 output of inhibitory monocytes and inadequate function in immature and/or blocked lymphocytes. The partial restoration of IL-2 synthesis by indomethacin suggests that blockade of the cyclo-oxygenase pathway as an immunomodulating therapy may reverse some of the immunologic abnormalities in multiple trauma patients.

Adult↗

Influence of thymopentin on postsurgical immune deficiency: a clinical pilot study.

The effect of a single dose (50 mg) of thymopentin, administered subcutaneously, on antigen-induced proliferation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was investigated in 25 volunteers (all over 50 years of age) and in nine patients undergoing major surgery. Blood samples from another nine patients having the same type of surgery were used as control in the second trial. A statistically significant increase in the proliferative response was observed in the group of volunteers two hours after thymopentin administration. This increment was not demonstrable as significant 24 h later. In contrast to this observation, the surgical procedure-induced significant decrement in the proliferation of PBMCs observed on the first and third postoperative days did not occur in the thymopentin-treated patients on the first postoperative day. This preventive effect of the single dose of thymopentin administered two hours before surgery was no longer demonstrable on the third postoperative day. Further studies are ongoing in order to establish a treatment regimen with thymopentin for the therapy of trauma-induced immune deficiencies.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

Depression of cellular immunity after major injury. Its association with posttraumatic complications and its reversal with immunomodulation.

This study examined a group of surgical patients with respect to the ability of their peripheral blood mononuclear cells to respond to phytohemagglutinin (PHA). Depression of the PHA response of more than 30% below baseline five to seven days after injury was found in 11 of 19 patients, and eight of them developed infectious complications. The addition of indomethacin to in vitro cultures resulted in an average enhancement of the PHA response of 37% baseline. Improvement at five to seven days with in vitro indomethacin was from 34% to 74% in infected patients. These data suggest that major injury can lead to depression of the PHA response, which correlates with the subsequent development of infectious complications. Indomethacin in vitro seems to be able to reverse or decrease this immunologic defect and deserves further study.

Adult↗

Multiple organ failure in polytrauma patients.

To determine limitations in survival and problems of single and multiple organ failure (SOF, MOF) following trauma in Bavaria, we reviewed 433 consecutive patients with multiple injuries treated at the Klinikum Grosshadern from 1978 through 1982. Most patients were young and were injured in traffic accidents. The overall mortality was 18% (78 deaths): 38 deaths were due to CNS injuries (49%), six from miscellaneous causes (7%), 15 associated with SOF (19%), and 19 associated with MOF (25%). There were 50 patients with SOF and 34 with MOF. Two MOF patterns were found: a rapid single-phase (15 patients) due to trauma and shock; and a delayed two-phase MOF (19 patients) due to trauma, shock, and sepsis. Mortality for the MOF group was 56%. The lung was the predominant organ to fail represented in all SOF and MOF cases. Cimetidine and pirenzipin prevented stress bleeding in all but four patients. Significant factors leading to MOF were shock, massive blood transfusions, sepsis, and errors in treatment. The temporal sequence of organ failure was lung, clotting system, kidney, and liver. Sepsis was ultimately the cause of death in eight MOF patients (42%). Earlier pulmonary and cardiovascular support beginning at the scene of the accident, and prevention and better treatment of head injury, respiratory failure, and sepsis are critical factors for increasing survival after injury.

Abdominal Injuries↗

[Fractures of the proximal femur in patients over 70 years--choice of procedure and results].

From 1978 till oct. 1981 110 patients between 70 and 99 years old were operated upon fractures of the proximal femur. Out of those 43 presented with fractures of the femoral neck, 46 with pertrochanteric, and 17 with subtrochanteric. In fractures of the femoral neck we generally perform alloplastic replacement of the femoral head or total hip arthroplasty. By means of a 24 hour preparing period (volume and electrolyte replacement, digitalis) and intraoperative administration of dopamine the systemic reaction to bone cement could be avoided. Pertrochanteric fractures are treated by Ender- rods immediately. Subtrochanteric fractures are the greatest technical problem. We now use long-stem-prosthesis as compound-osteosynthesis. Physiotherapy is applied aggressively. The patients are trained to walk from the second day p.op. on. Perioperative lethality rated 17%. Within the group of age 70 till age 80 only four died (7,5%), over 80 years 15 (30% of this group). Following hip-replacement there were 13 deaths, after Ender-rods only 4 lethalities. 83% of all patients could be discharged after a mean of 19 days, 86% of those ambulatory.

Aged↗

[Treatment of the polytraumatized patient in a clinic].

433 patients (mean age 33.3 years) with multiple injuries were treated from 1978 to 8/1982. Classification of the injuries was done according the S(skeleton)A(abdomen)T(thorax)scheme. The overall mortality was 18%. The cause of death were CNS-injuries in 50% of the patients. Besides CNS-injuries single and multiple organ failure were limiting the prognosis. In all cases of organ failure the lung was affected. Two patterns of multiple organ failure were found. Significant factors were shock, massive blood transfusions and abdominal trauma--but as well as errors in the treatment. Still improvement of the survival rate of the polytraumatised patients must be achieved in the future. Besides aggressive shock therapy and prevention of posttraumatic pulmonary insufficiency through earliest respiratory support we emphasize a strict strategy of treatment priorities. Based upon an intensive training especially in trauma care the surgeon will be able to recognize complications earlier and thus increase the chance of survival of the polytraumatised patient.

Adolescent↗

[Multiple organ failure--the most important complication in polytraumatized patients].

In 4 1/2 years 78 out of 433 polytrauma-patients came to death in our hospital ( = 18%), half of them because of their brain-trauma. 15 fatalities occurred in connection with pulmonary failure only, 19 in multiple organ failure. Pulmonary failure is of central importance in MOF. Two types of MOF are described: the rapid pattern directly following severe shock with slightly better prognosis and a delayed pattern caused by concomitant sepsis. The hope of further improving these results is connected with five demands: 1. an elaborate scheme of treatment: taking the priorities into account; 2. sufficient treatment of shock; 3. controlled use of the respirator as early as possible and as long as necessary; 4. avoiding any sepsis; 5. close monitoring of system function.

Adolescent↗

[Pathophysiology of lung resections (author's transl)].

Changes of adaptation and complications which may appear after extended lung operations must be known both to the surgeon and to the doctor responsible for the after-treatment. They are divided into pulmonary, cardiac, and intestinal early and late sequelae. Pathophysiology, clinical aspects and therapy of the most frequent changes are briefly demonstrated in this paper, sometimes with the aid of our own illustrations and experimental results.

Animals↗

Kinetics of soluble interleukin-2 receptor after mechanical and burn trauma.

Extended trauma causes a failure of T-lymphocyte function due to suppressed interleukin-2 synthesis; however, the role of IL-2 receptor, especially its soluble form (sIL-2R), needs to be further evaluated. It was the objective of the study to assess the kinetics of sIL-2R within different settings of trauma and to define its clinical value and possible predictive role. Three groups of patients with trauma were included in the study. Groups 1 and 2 consisted of multiply injured patients (injury severity score 35 +/- 4 and 32 +/- 4, respectively); burned patients formed group 3 (injury severity score 38 +/- 9). Serum samples were collected at the site of the accident (group 1) and during the posttrauma course in the hospital (group 2, daily; group 3, weekly) and sIL-2R was measured in these samples. sIL-2R was within the normal range in groups 1 and 2, but was significantly increased in group 3. There was no correlation between serum concentrations of this mediator and susceptibility to infectious complications or outcome.

Adult↗

Interleukin-1 and T cell function following injury.

Sepsis is responsible for 75% of late deaths after major thermal or traumatic injury. In the clinical setting, efforts to prevent or control sepsis, or both, should include an understanding of normal host resistance, proper resuscitation techniques, and nutritional support. Previous studies have identified T suppressor cell abnormalities following thermal injury and have suggested macrophage defects after traumatic injury. Although major thermal injury is easier to quantify than mechanical trauma, both insults can stress patients' host resistance to a maximal degree, leading to profound and often fatal immunosuppression. Recent studies summarized in this paper have suggested that the macrophage and the interleukin system may play a major role in initiating some of these immune abnormalities following injury.

Animals↗