Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

E Gordis

Publications and source records attributed to E Gordis.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1986

Application of isoelectric focusing in immobilized pH gradients to the study of acetaldehyde-modified hemoglobin.

We applied the technique of isoelectric focusing (IEF) on immobilized pH gradients (LKB) to determine whether acetaldehyde-modified hemoglobins (Hb) prepared in vitro with unphysiological acetaldehyde concentrations have clinical relevance. This technique separates proteins with pl less than 0.01 and provides detail about hemoglobins not otherwise separable. We performed two kinds of studies. In one kind of study, we incubated red cells from control subjects with acetaldehyde. Products of these incubations were applied to IEF gels either directly or after reduction with sodium cyanoborohydride. Incubation of red cells with acetaldehyde in 1-150 mM concentration without cyanoborohydride reduction yielded hemoglobin bands of decreasing pl the appearance of which coincided with the disappearance of Hb A and Hb A1c. When the products of incubation were reduced with cyanoborohydride before IEF, an additional acidic Hb band appeared which we call the "anodal CNBH band." In a second kind of study, we compared IEF patterns of hemolysates from control subjects and alcoholism detoxification patients, without adding acetaldehyde. Again, samples were applied to IEF gels either directly or after reduction with cyanoborohydride. When samples were run on IEF without reduction, no differences were seen between patients and controls. When samples were reduced before IEF, an anodal CNBH band appeared having the same mobility as the band seen after in vitro incubations with acetaldehyde. These bands were often stronger in samples from patients, but not consistently so. Several experiments, including the use of glycolysis inhibitors, indicated that the anodal CNBH band is an adduct of fructose 1,6-diphosphate with hemoglobin. We suggest that in millimolar concentrations, acetaldehyde may function as an inhibitor of glycolysis at or below the aldolase step.

Acetaldehyde↗
PubMed1983

Dietary choices and likelihood of abstinence among alcoholic patients in an outpatient clinic.

Animal experimentation and informal clinical observation both suggest a possible relation between diet and drinking. Sixty-four newly sober out-patients at the Elmhurst Alcoholism Treatment Program were interviewed at each clinic visit using the 24-h dietary recall method. Patients were interviewed an average of 3 times each. We analyzed for calories, carbohydrates, sucrose, sugar added to beverages, protein, fats, vitamins and minerals. Patients were grouped according to the number of days they remained sober from their last drink. Those who stayed sober longer chose diets containing twice as much sugar added to beverages and more overall carbohydrates (P less than 0.05). At this time we cannot say whether longer sobriety increased appetite for sugar or whether the choice of sugar influenced the patients' ability to stay sober.

Alcoholism↗
PubMed1982

Dietary choices of recovering alcoholics.

Nutritional therapy can play an important role in the rehabilitation of an alcoholic. To teach these patients proper eating habits, we need to know what they eat and whether their dietary choices are nutritionally adequate compared to the recommended daily allowances (RDA). We investigated dietary choices of 70 recovering (abstinent) alcoholics who lived in a halfway house but who ate and worked elsewhere everyday. Diets were analyzed for calories, protein, B vitamins, vitamins A and C, calcium, phosphorous, magnesium, iron and zinc. We found that these recovering alcoholics ate adequate amounts of all nutrients except for vitamin B6, magnesium, iron and zinc. With the exception of vitamin B6, the other three nutrients are also found to be low in the diets of the average population. We cannot say at present whether recovering alcoholics need more than the RDA for recovery, but we conclude that their freely chosen diet resembles that of non-alcoholic adult Americans.

Adult↗
PubMed1981

Outcome of alcoholism treatment among 5578 patients in an urban comprehensive hospital-based program: application of a computerized data system.

The Elmhurst Alcoholism Program data system relates fraction of time patients are in remission to length of time they are know, and permits a systematic search for groups of variables which predict greater abstinence rates. Our program (inpatient detoxification ward, multidisciplinary outpatient clinic, and halfway house) sets abstinence as a goal. After initial data collection (social and demographic variables, income, education, residence, drinking and drug history, legal problems, and prior treatment), we collect data at 30 days after admission and at 2- or 3-month intervals thereafter from all patients who remain in contact. Forty-five percent of all patients are lost before 30 days. Only 32% of those still under observation at 1 yr and 27% of those still under observation at 2 yr claim continual abstinence. From among many combinations of variables examined for predictive power, a group of five was chosen as best. Patients who at their first follow-up interview reported attending AA meetings and taking Antabuse and who in addition had a job at admission, were older, and were admitted through the clinic rather than through inpatient detoxification had a greater fraction of time abstinent. Nevertheless, the best cluster of predictor variables did not account for more than 25% of the variation in rates of abstinence. Many social variables are not independent, and some may merely be indicators of duration or severity of alcoholism. Contemporary alcoholism treatment is, at best, of limited effectiveness.

Actuarial Analysis↗
PubMed1969

Lipid metabolites of carbon tetrachloride.

5 min after intravenous injection into rats of (14)C- or (36)Cl-carbon tetrachloride, liver lipids were found labeled. Most of the radioactivity was found in the phospholipid fraction. The metabolites were shown to comprise a heterogeneous group of branched long-chain chlorinated fatty acids, probably containing the trichloromethyl side chain. Surviving liver slices also formed these metabolites. In a simple chemical system which generates trichloromethyl free radicals, carbon tetrachloride added to methyl oleate to form esters which behaved like the metabolites during counter-current distribution and urea adduction. The evidence strongly suggests the formation of these metabolites by free radical attack on unsaturated lipids. The relation of these observations to current theories of carbon tetrachloride intoxication is discussed.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Moderate drinking and cardiovascular health.

Moderate alcohol consumption (1-2 drinks a day) can be beneficial in reducing the risk of coronary artery disease. This article focuses on cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the beneficial effect of moderate drinking, including increased plasma high-density lipoprotein levels, changes in cellular signaling, reduction in platelet function, stimulation of fibrinolysis, and reduction in ischemia-reperfusion injury. While moderate drinking may be protective against coronary artery disease for some individuals, populations such as pregnant women and individuals who are about to operate motor vehicles or heavy machinery should not drink alcoholic beverages. People with family histories of alcoholism should exercise extreme caution in their decision to drink.

Alcohol Drinking↗