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Biomedical subjects

L Berghem

Publications and source records attributed to L Berghem.

15 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1979

Reticuloendothelial function in human renal allograft recipients.

The phagocytic and metabolic functions of the reticuloendothelial system (RES) were determined, by measuring the plasma clearance rate of 125I-labelled microaggregated human serum albumin and the increase in plasma metabolites of this test substance, in patients with chronic renal failure and in renal transplant recipients at different times after transplantation. All transplant recipients received triple immunosuppressive therapy consisting of azathioprine, corticosteroids, and antilymphocyte globulin. The intravascular clearance of microaggregated albumin was significantly depressed in patients when tested at 1 to 12 days (P less than 0.001), 1 to 4 months (P less than 0.02), and 6 to 9 months (P less than 0.001) after transplantation compared to pretransplantation. The 1- to 3-year transplant survivors had a normal RES phagocytosis. Furthermore, the metabolic RES function in all groups of transplant recipients except the group of patients tested at 1 to 4 months after transplantation was significantly impaired compared to pretransplantation. Administration of antilymphocyte globulin and extremely high daily doses of steroids were probably responsible for the significant depression in the RES functions recorded immediately post-transplantation. The further development of the phagocytic ability of the RES was shown to be correlated to the cumulative dose of steroids given over the last 12 months. The azathioprine regime seemed to have no influence on the RES functions.

Adult↗
PubMed1979

Effect of dextran infusion on the phagocytic and metabolic functions of the reticuloendothelial system in man.

The reticuloendothelial system (RES) is part of the host defence and consequently plays an important role in shock and trauma, conditions often requiring volume replacement. Experimental studies have shown that the functions of the RES are hampered by plasma substitutes such as gelatin, starch and dextran. In this study six patients undergoing elective cholecystectomy were given 500 ml dextran just before the operation. At the end of the operation the phagocytic and metabolic functions were tested with microaggregated human serum albumin labelled with I125. The results indicate that there is a significant impairment of the phagocytic activitity of the RES in patients given dextran compared to controls not given dextran but saline. The metabolic activity was not significantly affected by dextran, however, suggesting that moderate dosage of dextran is not of great disadvantage to patients undergoing major surgery.

Cholecystectomy↗
PubMed1979

Human granulocyte function during dextran infusion.

The granulocyte function was determined in healthy persons before and immediately after the infusion of 500 ml of dextran for 4 hours. The nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) reduction reflecting the metabolic activity of these cells was measured both in cells at rest and after stimulation with E. coli, as well as with and without the addition of plasma. In 13 persons, the NBT-reduction was slightly but significantly increased in all four types of experiments after the dextran infusion. When dextran was added in vitro to granulocytes from normal volunteers, the NBT reduction of these cells was increased and the effect was dose-dependent. A surface effect of dextran together with phagocytosis of dextran molecules are the most probable reasons for the elevated NBT-reduction. - In 9 persons tested, the bactericidal capacity was not significantly influenced by dextran infusion. - When dextran was added in vitro to granulocytes neither the bactericidal capacity nor the chemotactic and random migration of the cells were changed. -

Adult↗
PubMed1979

Role of phagocytic cells in host defence in relation to trauma--a brief review.

Present evidence available support a relationship between phagocytic cell function and survival from various types of trauma, e.g. burn, traumatic shock, and haemorrhage. Both polymorphonuclear phagocytes and mononuclear phagocytes (monocytes and macrophages) participating in the body's host defence are of crucial importance in preventing post-traumatic infections by microorganisms. The role of macrophages constituting the reticuloendothelial system (RES) in relation to trauma is paid special attention in this review. Deficit in a humoral opsonic glycoprotein (alpha 2 SB glycoprotein) important for reticuloendothelial phagocytosis is described in various types of traumatic injuries, and the role of RES in relation to pulmonary insufficiency is finally summarized.

Animals↗
PubMed1979

Immunoassay of macrophage stimulating alpha 2 SB (surface binding) glycoprotein in pig plasma following missile trauma.

Pigs were subjected to a standardized missile trauma in the thigh and plasma samples were collected at various times after trauma. The plasma level of an opsonic alpha 2 SB (surface binding) glycoprotein related to macrophage phagocytosis was determined by an agglutination assay using 125I-labelled gelatin particles. The results indicated a transient but significance decrease (p less than 0.01) in the plasma agglutination activity after trauma reflecting a deficiency in plasma alpha 2 SB glycoprotein. One non-surviving animal showed a persistent decrease in the plasma level of alpha 2 SB glycoprotein, while the surviving animals showed a normalization indicating that this agglutination assay may have prognostic value during the course of posttraumatic therapy.

Agglutination Tests↗
PubMed1978

The effect of combination chemotherapy on the reticuloendothelial system in man.

The effect of adjuvant combination chemotherapy (vincristine, CCNU/MeCCNU, 5-fluorouracil) on the phagocytic and catabolic properties of the reticuloendothelial system (RES) was studied in 4 patients before and during the anticancer treatment. The results indicate a transient impairment of both these functions, more prolonged with regard to phagocytosis. No significant changes were noted in the mobile macrophage system. This suggests that chemotherapy induces a depression especially of the stationary macrophage populations in the liver, spleen and bone-marrow.

Aged↗
PubMed1978

Adsorption of insulin by infusion materials.

Doubt about insulin adsorption has been an obstacle to rational insulin treatment by i.v. infusion. The influence of several factors on adsorption was therefore studied using a radioimmunoassay technique to determine insulin levels. When 8 to 128 IU of insulin were added to 500- and 1,000-ml containers, a linear relationship was found between the amount added and the amount delivered to the patient, permitting the design of a practical nomogram. In other experiments, 32 IU of insulin was added to 1,000 ml containers. The type of insulin did not influence adsorption. Half of the 32 IU added to soda-glass and siliconized bottles were adsorbed, while plastic containers adsorbed less. Neither the type of infusion solution (except for 60% glucose), nor the type of infusion set infuenced adsorption. Human serum albumin prevented adsorption only incompletely.

Adsorption↗
PubMed1978

Human granulocyte and reticuloendothelial system function during intralipid infusion.

In six patients, the phagocytic and catabolic functions of the RES (reticuloendothelial system), as measured by using 125I-microaggregated human serum albumin as a test substance, were not affected by Intralipid infusion. The nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) reduction of granulocytes, the NBT reduction and the bacplasma, was significantly lower in eight patients during Intralipid infusion than before this treatment. When heat-killed E. coli were added for phagocytic stimulation in vitro, the same result was obtained only in the absence of plasma. The bactericidal capacity of granulocytes was significantly decreased in six patients during Intralipid infusion. When Intralipid was added in vitro to granulocytes, the NBT reduction, and the bactericidal capacity of these cells were decreased and the effect was mainly dose-dependent. Electron micrographs show that granulocytes phagocytize Intralipid. The loading of granulocytes with lipid particles may block the engulfment of bacteria and may be a reason for the decreased bactericidal capacity of these cells. An influence exerted by the lipid on the cell membrane is the most conceivable reason for the decreased NBT reduction.

Adult↗
PubMed1976

Preparation of cross-linked human serum albumin labelled with 125I for studies of reticuloendothelial system function.

A method is described to prepare a new test substance for reticuloendothelial system (RES) function studies. Glutaraldehyde was used for the cross-linking of human serum albumin. The polymeric product was fractionated by repeated chromatography on Sepharose 6B. Cross-linked material with a particle size of approximately 18 nm, as evidenced by electron microscopy, was pooled and labelled with 125I. The surface charge of the albumin polymers, determined by agarose gel electrophoresis, was not significantly changed compared with that of the original albumin monomer. Cross-linking takes place almost entirely between the epsilon-amino groups of lysine in the albumin molecules, as confirmed by amino acid analysis. Preliminary biological tests on mice indicate that the cross-linked polymers are phagocytosed mainly by RE cells of the liver and spleen. The disappearance rate was similar to that of other RE test substances. Intravenous administration of more than 50 times the usual dose caused no deaths, indicating a very low toxicity. Trace amounts of glutaraldehyde were not detectable by gas chromatography. Judging from these experiments, this new preparation of cross-linked albumin fulfils many of the criteria stated for an ideal RES test substance.

Animals↗
PubMed1976

Effect of low-dose heparin on the phagocytic and catabolic function in the reticulo-endothelial system in man during surgery.

The effect of subcutaneous low-dose heparin prophylaxis on the phagocytic and catabolic functions of the reticuloendothelial system (RES) was studied in 10 patients undergoing elective cholecystectomy. The patients were divided into two groups; 5 patients receiving 5 000 units of heparin preoperatively and every 12 hours following the operation and 5 patients given saline at the corresponding time. Each patient served as his own control, when the RES function was tested twice with microaggregated human serum albumin labelled with 125I as a test substance. There was an enhanced phagocytic activity and a correspondingly raised catabolic activity of the RES in patients treated with heparin. The reasons for this are discussed. The results indicate that heparin in low doses has a favourable effect on the RES.

Heparin↗