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M Büchler

Publications and source records attributed to M Büchler.

242 records · Page 14Linked to original sources

Met enkephalin-like immunoreactivity in Merkel cells.

The Merkel cells from sinus hair follicles of rats were investigated by immunohistochemistry using different antisera against neuropeptides and gastroenteropancreatic (GEP)-hormones. For the first time it has been demonstrated that Merkel cells exhibit an immunoreactivity towards metenkephalin (methionine-enkephalin). The met-enkephalin immunoreactivity was restricted to Merkel cells and was not found in associated nerve axons or terminals. Denervation of Merkel cells did not affect the met-enkephalin immunoreactivity. Antisera leu-enkephalin (leucine-enkephalin) and other polypeptides did not produce an immunoreaction. The demonstration of met-enkephalin-like immunoreactivity supports the concept that the Merkel cell is a member of the paraneuronal system and a potential neuroreceptor cell.

Animals↗

The penetration of antibiotics into human pancreas.

In order to analyse the penetration of two antibiotics (mezlocillin and metronidazole) which cover the spectrum of microorganisms involved in pancreatic infection, we determined their concentration in pancreatic tissue, juice and cyst fluid in 16 patients undergoing pancreatic surgery. In addition, the external pancreatic fistula fluid of one patient was analysed for antibiotic concentration and bacterial counts during a seven-day treatment with mezlocillin, metronidazole and netilmicin (i.v.). Antibiotic concentrations were determined by HPLC between 16 and 210 (median 74) min after i.v. administration of 4 g mezlocillin and 500 mg metronidazole, respectively. The median concentration of mezlocillin was 23.2 (range: 3.1-37.4) mg/kg, 15.9 (range: 4.2-55.0) mg/l and 9.9 (range: 5.2-14.8) mg/l in pancreatic tissue, juice and cyst fluid, respectively. The median concentration of metronidazole was 5.1 (range: 1.8-13.0) mg/kg, 8.5 (range: 3.6-16.2) mg/l and 1.2 (0.9-1.4) mg/l in pancreatic tissue, juice and cyst fluid, respectively. From the fistula patient, seven different bacteria were cultured (five aerobic and two anaerobic isolates); their concentration in fistula fluid ranged from 10(5) to 10(7) CFU/ml. The bacteria sensitive for mezlocillin and metronidazole disappeared after four days of i.v. treatment, whereas the two isolates sensitive for netilmicin showed continuous growth seven days after i.v. treatment. The peak concentrations for mezlocillin, metronidazole and netilmicin in the fistula fluid were 6.8 mg/l, 5.6 mg/l and less than 0.1 mg/l, respectively.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Duodenum-preserving resection of the head of the pancreas in chronic pancreatitis with inflammatory mass in the head.

In 141 patients with chronic pancreatitis and an inflammatory enlargement of the head of the pancreas, a duodenum-preserving resection of the head of the pancreas was performed within a 16-year period. The hospital mortality was 0.7%; the late mortality was 5%. Seventy-seven percent of the patients were completely free of abdominal pain; 67% returned to their former occupation. After a follow-up period of 3.6 years, glucose metabolism was unchanged in 81.7% of the patients, in 10.1% it deteriorated, and in 8.3% it improved permanently. In patients with severe chronic pancreatitis and an inflammatory mass in the head of the pancreas, a duodenum-preserving resection of the head of the pancreas is an alternative procedure to the Whipple operation. The surgical technique of the duodenum-preserving resection includes 2 major steps: first, subtotal resection of the head of the pancreas conserving the duodenum; second, restitution of the exocrine pancreatic secretory flow from the body and tail of the pancreas by using the first jejunal loop as an interposition. In comparison to the Whipple procedure, the duodenum-preserving resection of the head of the pancreas in chronic pancreatitis spares the patient a gastric resection, a duodenectomy, and a common bile duct resection. With respect to long-lasting pain relief and preservation of the endocrine function of the pancreas, duodenum-preserving resection of the head is a highly effective surgical procedure with a low early and late morbidity and mortality due to the limited surgical resection.

Chronic Disease↗

Studies of pancreatic cancer utilizing monoclonal antibodies.

Since 1985, 150 patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma have been treated with the monoclonal antibody BW 494 in four different multicentric trials in Germany. The antibody recognizes a human pancreatic cancer associated antigen and mediates an antibody dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) in vitro, when human mononuclear cells are coincubated as effector cells. In patients with at advanced unresectable pancreatic cancer there where two phase-I-studies finished in 1987 and 1989, respectively, and one uncontrolled phase-II-study finished in 1988. In 1987, we started a controlled randomized trial in patients with resectable (Whipple) pancreatic cancer, which will be finished in 1990. There were no major side effects if the intravenous antibody application was restricted to a 10-d treatment protocol (up to 370 mg given in 10 different dosages). Human anti-mouse-antibodies could be demonstrated in all patients investigated for within 4 wk after immunotherapy. In patients with advanced pancreatic cancer (n = 87), monoclonal antibody treatment did not induce significant response rates. There was stable disease in 1/3 to 1/2 of the patients lasting three months or longer. Therapeutic success may be expected in patients with minor tumor burden.

Animals↗

Hyperlipidemia in acute pancreatitis. Relationship with etiology, onset, and severity of the disease.

Serum lipid (triglycerides and cholesterol) concentrations were studied in 49 patients with acute pancreatitis (AP). The aims of the study were to investigate the prevalence of hyperlipidemia (HL) in patients with AP according to etiology and to evaluate whether HL precedes or is a consequence of AP. Moreover, we analyzed the relationship between HL and the development of pancreatic necrosis. At admission, 23 patients (47%) had HL: 9 of 19 patients with alcoholic pancreatitis, 5 of 18 patients with biliary pancreatitis, and 9 of 12 patients with AP of miscellaneous etiologies (p less than 0.05). Severe HL (serum triglycerides greater than 20 mmol/L) was observed in five patients. Serum lipid levels in patients with AP and HL decreased markedly during the first 72 h of evolution, but remained slightly above the upper normal limit in most of them after 15 d. The prevalence of HL was similar in edematous and necrotizing pancreatitis. Necrotizing pancreatitis was significantly associated with the presence of hypertriglyceridemia in conjunction with hypercholesterolemia (p less than 0.05). The observations that a) hyperlipidemia is an early event in acute pancreatitis, (b) serum lipid values decrease during the acute phase of the disease, (c) hyperlipidemia has a different prevalence in different etiologies, and (d) high serum lipid levels are not always associated to pancreatic necrosis suggest that HL is a preexistent metabolic abnormality with respect to AP. On the other hand, HL may play a role in aggravating AP.

Acute Disease↗

Inhibition of pancreatic secretion to prevent postoperative complications following pancreatic resection.

Major pancreatic resection still nowadays carries a considerable risk for morbidity and even mortality. Complications occurring after pancreatic surgery are chiefly linked with exocrine pancreatic secretion. Therefore to inhibit exocrine pancreatic secretion perioperatively, seems to be a promising concept in the prevention of complications following pancreatic resection. The hormone somatostatin and its synthetic analogue octreotide have been demonstrated to inhibit exocrine pancreatic secretion profoundly, particularly the secretion of proteases is decreased. In a randomized placebo-controlled multicentric and double blind trial we analysed the role of octreotide in the prevention of postoperative complications after major pancreatic surgery. A significant reduction of complications (fistula, abscess, fluid collection, sepsis, pulmonary insufficiency, postoperative acute pancreatitis) could be demonstrated in patients receiving octreotide (3 x 100 micrograms per day sc.). The effect of octreotide was particularly true in patients undergoing a Whipple resection for cancer.

Adult↗