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J C Hafkenscheid

Publications and source records attributed to J C Hafkenscheid.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Primary culture of cryopreserved adult human hepatocytes on homologous extracellular matrix and the influence of monocytic products on albumin synthesis.

Cultured human hepatocytes provide a useful method for studies of specific metabolic functions, such as plasma protein synthesis or drug metabolism in man and specific interaction of microorganisms with the human liver cell. In vitro studies using human hepatocytes are seriously hampered by the limited availability of viable tissue and the lack of suitable methods for preservation of hepatocytes. In addition, normal adult human hepatocytes, under classical culture conditions, do not proliferate in vitro. Recently, we have reported a method for long-term storage of human hepatocytes, using a cryopreservation technique. However, after thawing, the efficiency of cell seeding onto tissue culture plastic and, accordingly, the survival of hepatocytes in primary cultures were decreased as compared to freshly prepared and cultured hepatocytes. In the present study, we report the effects of extracellular matrix (ECM) obtained from normal liver of kidney donors on the attachment efficiency, survival, some metabolic functions and fine structure of human hepatocytes. It was found that the deleterious effect of deep-freeze storage on attachment efficiency and survival of hepatocytes could be significantly reduced by using tissue culture plastic precoated with human liver ECM. Hepatocytes survived for more than 4-6 weeks, without evidence of fibroblast overgrowth. Using this in vitro experimental system, we have also shown that these hepatocytes synthesize several liver-specific acute phase proteins, and monocytic products were able to decrease the hepatocytic synthesis of albumin while total protein synthesis remained unchanged. These results support our previous observations in cultured rodent hepatocytes, indicating the important role of monocytic products in the regulation of liver synthesis of albumin in inflammatory diseases in man.

Albumins↗

The penetration of ofloxacin into lung tissue.

After a single oral 600 mg dose, ofloxacin concentrations were measured in lung tissue, whole blood and plasma in 11 patients undergoing thoracotomy for a bronchial malignancy. To correct for blood contamination in the tissue samples, the tissue haemoglobin content was measured using a method based on the binding of haemoglobin by haptoglobin. Ofloxacin concentrations in plasma and whole blood did not differ significantly. The calculated blood content in the tissue samples was 0.12 +/- 0.05 ml/g lung tissue. After correction for blood admixture, the mean lung tissue concentration 2 h after administration of ofloxacin was 17.7 +/- 9.2 micrograms/g. At the same time the mean plasma concentration was 8.7 +/- 4.2 mg/l (P less than 0.02). The high concentration of ofloxacin obtained in lung tissue does not result from the preparation technique. After a single 600 mg dose the tissue concentrations proved to exceed MIC values for most pathogens frequently involved in respiratory tract infections.

Aged↗

Renal clearance of pancreatic and salivary amylase relative to creatinine clearance in patients with renal disease and proteinuria.

To study the charge-selective properties of the glomerular filter in renal disease, we measured the fractional clearance, relative to creatinine clearance (ECC), of the amylase isoenzymes pancreatic amylase and salivary amylase, which have identical size but different charge. In 63 healthy subjects the mean (and SD) fractional excretion of pancreatic amylase, 4.07% (1.24%), was fourfold that of salivary amylase: 1.02% (0.54%). For 29 patients with renal disease and proteinuria, the mean fractional excretion of pancreatic amylase was significantly lower, 3.31% (1.94%), and that of salivary amylase significantly higher, 2.06% (1.41%), than in controls. In these patients, fractional excretions of both these isoenzymes were negatively correlated with urinary excretion of beta 2-microglobulin and ECC. Evidently, differences in clearances of pancreatic and salivary amylase are a consequence of differences in charge-related glomerular filtration. The relative increase of salivary amylase clearance in patients with renal disease and proteinuria is most probably caused by a loss of the charge-selective properties of the glomerular basement membrane.

Adult↗

Two dry-reagent systems evaluated for determinations of enzyme activities.

We evaluated the Kodak Ektachem DT60/DTSC and the Boehringer Mannheim Reflotron for measuring activity concentrations of six enzymes. The Ektachem CVs for low concentrations of aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase were high. As compared with the Ektachem and a routine "wet-chemistry" system, values for aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase were lower as measured by the Reflotron, because no pyridoxal 5'-phosphate is included in the Reflotron slides. Activity concentrations of gamma-glutamyltransferase and creatine kinase measured with the Ektachem and with the routine procedure did not agree well, possibly because the Ektachem gave too-high results for the enzyme activities. Assays of several commercial test sera indicated that test results by the dry-chemistry and routine procedures are not interconvertible. This contrasts with our previous experience, in which between-test agreement for several analytes was acceptable.

Alanine Transaminase↗

Some thermodynamic parameters and temperature-conversion factors for determining alpha-amylase concentration in serum.

We measured the relationship between measured activity concentration and temperature for alpha-amylase (EC 3.2.1.1), using 10 different substrates. At 25-37 degrees C the Arrhenius plot was linear. The activation energy ranged from 33.3 kJ.mol-1 with maltoheptaose as substrate to 54.4 kJ.mol-1 with the Blue-Starch method. Activation energy was lowest for substrates having seven glucose moieties, the ones most suitable for determining alpha-amylase--i.e., the presence of more or fewer glycosyl units increased the activation energy. Substrates with blocked groups at the nonreducing end of the oligosaccharide chain were not considered here, because the relative reaction rates obtained with these substrates were less than those obtained with nonblocked substrates. We also determined temperature-conversion factors for alpha-amylase reaction with the various substrates. The results are discussed in relation to thermodynamic parameters of some other enzymes, e.g., creatine kinase and alkaline phosphatase.

Enzyme Activation↗

Apoenzyme content of serum aminotransferases in patients with a renal allograft treated with cyclosporine A and azathioprine.

In 16 patients with a renal allograft the activity concentrations of aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase and the percentage stimulation of both enzymes were investigated. After the transplantation the patients received prednisone and cyclosporine A as immunosuppressive therapy, while exactly 3 months after the date of transplantation prednisone and azathioprine were given as immunosuppressives. In the first period, the percentage increase of the activity concentration of aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase upon supplementation of pyridoxal-5'-phosphate in vitro were similar to that of healthy individuals. In the second period, however, the percentage increase of the activity concentration of alanine aminotransferase was much higher than that of aspartate aminotransferase. Cyclosporine A given during a period of about 400 days did not influence the percentage increase of both enzymes. It is concluded that the high stimulation of alanine aminotransferase in the second period depends on the presence of azathioprine or its metabolites in serum.

Adult↗

Study of the molecular mechanism of decreased liver synthesis of albumin in inflammation.

Hypoalbuminemia in inflammatory disorders is not an infrequent finding. However, little is known about albumin synthesis in these patients. In the present study we have measured the albumin synthesis in four patients with inflammatory diseases using the [14C]carbonate technique. Because inflammation causes a decreased albumin synthesis and this decreased synthesis could not be related to a reduced amino acid supply, we have also examined the possible molecular mechanisms of reduced albumin synthesis during inflammation using in vivo and in vitro experiments in rats. In rats with turpentine-induced inflammation, serum albumin concentration and liver albumin mRNa level were markedly decreased. These changes could not be reproduced by administration of fibrinogen-, or fibrin-degradation products, or several hormones, such as corticosteroids, growth hormone, and adrenaline. However, monocytic products, especially interleukin 1, postulated to be important mediators of the inflammatory response, reduced albumin synthesis and liver albumin messenger RNA content but not total protein synthesis in rats in vivo and in primary cultures of rat hepatocytes. These findings suggest that monocytic products play an important role in reduced albumin synthesis during inflammation.

Adult↗

Influence of ambient temperature on the Ektachem DT60 results for total bilirubin and total protein.

We evaluated the Kodak Ektachem DT60 analyzer with the DTE module in a two-month clinical trial before its introduction in the Netherlands. At ambient temperatures that differed from that at which the DT60 was calibrated, aberrant behavior for total bilirubin and total protein assays was observed. At subnormal temperatures the former gave higher results than expected, and the latter, lower results. We found a similar effect for total protein determined by the manual biuret reaction at different temperatures, when results were calculated from calibration at a fixed temperature. Total bilirubin assayed by the manual diazobilirubin method showed no such effect. Although the DT60 analyzer is equipped with a temperature-regulated incubator, we conclude that the manufactures's recommended room temperature range for these assays should be narrowed and the three-month calibration period adjusted according to external circumstances.

Autoanalysis↗

Effects of temperature on measurement of aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase in commercial control sera.

The catalytic activity concentrations of aspartate aminotransferase (EC 2.6.1.1) and alanine aminotransferase (EC 2.6.1.2) in several commercial control sera were determined at three different temperatures. Although these sera were of various biological origins, the temperature-conversion factors calculated are nearly identical to those for native human sera. The proportional increase of the activity concentration caused by adding pyridoxal-5'-phosphate to the reaction mixture is independent of the reaction temperature. Arrhenius plots and some thermodynamic activation parameters of both enzymes are independent of the presence of the coenzyme pyridoxal-5'-phosphate.

Alanine Transaminase↗

Physiological plasma concentrations of cholecystokinin stimulate pancreatic enzyme secretion and gallbladder contraction in man.

The present study was undertaken to determine whether infusion of cholecystokinin (CCK) to plasma concentrations comparable to those found after a meal stimulates pancreatic enzyme secretion and gallbladder contraction. Plasma CCK concentrations were measured by radioimmunoassay using antibody T204, which binds to all carboxyl-terminal CCK-peptides containing the sulfated tyrosine region. Ingestion of a standardized test meal in 7 normal subjects induced significant increases in plasma CCK from 2.0 +/- 0.2 pmol/l to levels between 4.6 +/- 0.6 and 7.3 +/- 1.0 pmol/l (p less than 0.05-p less than 0.0005). Infusion of 2.5 pmol/kg X h CCK 33 resulted in significant increases in plasma CCK from 2.0 +/- 0.2 to 3.9 +/- 0.3 pmol/l (p less than 0.0005). This infusion of CCK induced significant increases in trypsin secretion from 0.5 +/- 0.1 to 1.4 +/- 0.2 KU/15 min (p less than 0.005) and in bilirubin output from 1.6 +/- 0.7 to 30.3 +/- 8.0 mumol/15 min (p less than 0.05). It is concluded that physiological plasma concentrations of CCK stimulate pancreatic enzyme secretion and gallbladder contraction in man.

Adult↗

Measurement of pancreatic and salivary alpha-amylase in serum: comparison of methods with five different substrates.

Pancreatic and salivary alpha-amylase in human serum have been determined with the inhibitor method with 5 different substrates. An end concentration of 60 inhibitor units per liter reagent is sufficient for inhibition of the salivary alpha-amylase. The recovery of known amounts of pancreatic and salivary alpha-amylase was excellent. A mean +/- SD of 53.1 +/- 3.8% of pancreatic alpha-amylase as percentage of total alpha-amylase in serum has been observed for the 5 different substrates used. Moreover, it seems that standards obtained from crude saliva or duodenal fluid can be used as well as pure enzymes obtained from a commercial supplier.

Glucosides↗

A continuous method for the determination of leucine aminopeptidase in human serum with L-leucinamide as substrate.

A continuous procedure for the determination of leucine aminopeptidase is described. L-leucinamide is used as substrate and the liberated ammonia is determined with the glutamate dehydrogenase reaction. The enzyme is Mn2+-activated and 30 mumol/l MnCl2 is necessary for an optimal activity measurement. Influence of buffer type, buffer concentration and pH are reported together with the apparent Km values of leucine aminopeptidase for L-leucinamide and of glutamate dehydrogenase for 2-oxoglutarate. Amastatin, a potent inhibitor, inhibits the reaction of leucine aminopeptidase completely, whereas it has no inhibitory effect on the reaction with glutamate dehydrogenase. The normal reference interval for leucine aminopeptidase is 12-65 U/l at 37 degrees C. The properties of the enzyme are discussed.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗

The determination of alpha-amylase with 2-chloro-4-nitrophenyl-beta-D-maltoheptaoside as substrate: comparison with other methods.

The determination of alpha-amylase with 2-chloro-4-nitrophenyl-beta-D-maltoheptaoside as substrate was evaluated. The molar lineic absorbance of the liberated product, 2-chloro-4-nitrophenol, depends on the concentration of the protein present in the test. The catalytic activity concentrations obtained with human native sera, urines and commercial test sera were compared with activity concentrations determined using substrates with the same carbohydrate chain length. The analytical agreement is acceptable for human sera and urines. The relative reaction rates measured with alpha-amylase of various origins and 7 different substrates are presented. The advantages of the new test are discussed.

Animals↗

Relationship between plasma pyridoxal-5'-phosphate concentration and the apoenzyme content of serum aminotransferases in patients with a renal allograft.

In 76 patients with a renal allograft the plasma concentration of pyridoxal-5'-phosphate, the activity concentrations of aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase and the percentage stimulation of both enzymes have been investigated. Generally, the concentration of the coenzyme was decreased in the patient group compared to normal individuals. The percentage increase of aspartate aminotransferase is the same for the patients as for the normal group. However, the stimulation of alanine aminotransferase is greatly increased for the patient group except for those patients who received cyclosporine A instead of azathioprine. The highly significant inverse correlation between the plasma pyridoxal-5'-phosphate concentration and the percentage stimulation of the enzymatic activity of aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase observed before for a normal group, is not present in our patient group. The percentage increase is independent on the activity concentration of the enzymes. It is concluded that the high stimulation of alanine aminotransferase depends on the administration of azathioprine.

Adult↗