Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

M Eriksson

Publications and source records attributed to M Eriksson.

At least 361 records · Page 20Linked to original sources

Plasma exchange in a patient with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia resistant to drug therapy.

A 40-year-old male with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia was resistant to combined drug treatment with cholestyramine and nicotinic acid in adequate doses. He had angina pectoris and evidence of three vessel disease in the coronary angiogram. Repeated plasma exchange at intervals of 1-3 weeks simultaneously with combined drug treatment decreased the plasma cholesterol levels by nearly 40%. There were also signs of regression of xanthomata and some improvement of his angina pectoris. No progression of atherosclerosis was seen angiographically after two years treatment. Plasma exchange may be a therapeutic alternative in drug-resistant familial hypercholesterolaemia.

Adult↗

Bezafibrate therapy and biliary lipids: effects of short-term and long-term treatment in patients with various forms of hyperlipoproteinaemia.

Several hypolipidaemic drugs increase biliary cholesterol saturation and induce the formation of cholesterol gallstones. In order to determine the influence of bezafibrate, a clofibrate analogue with hypolipidaemic properties, on bile lipid composition, we studied twelve patients with various forms of hyperlipoproteinaemia (six type IIA, three type IIB and three type IV hyperlipoproteinaemia; six had a genetic diagnosis of familial hypercholesterolaemia and five familial combined hyperlipidaemia). After 4 weeks of therapy, when serum lipids were significantly reduced, the relative proportion of cholesterol in stimulated fasting duodenal bile was increased by 28% (P less than 0.001). Phospholipids were concomitantly increased and bile acids decreased, resulting in an increase in biliary cholesterol saturation from 89 +/- 4% to 105 +/- 8% (SEM, P less than 0.02). The changes induced were similar in patients with familial hypercholesterolaemia and familial combined hyperlipidaemia. After 1 year of continued treatment, serum lipid responses were unaltered. The changes in biliary lipids were also persistent as the relative cholesterol concentration remained increased by 33% (P less than 0.01) and cholesterol saturation averaged 106 +/- 8% (P less than 0.02). Although the effect on bile cholesterol appeared to be transient in some patients, the results of the present study suggest that the risk of cholesterol gallstone formation may be increased during bezafibrate therapy.

Adult↗

Familial malignant blood disease in the country of Jämtland, Sweden.

In a material of 942 patients with malignant hematological disease, encompassing all diagnosed cases in the country of Jämtland in Sweden during a 22-yr period, 36 families with multiple cases of such disease were found. Approximately 5% of the patients have at least one close relative who also suffers from a malignant hematological disease. An especially strong familial occurrence was found in the group of chronic lymphoproliferative diseases and it is concluded that this tendency comprises all diseases in the group, i.e. chronic lymphocytic leukemia, multiple myeloma and malignant lymphoma. In some families several cases of acute leukemia were present, and suggestions concerning immunological disturbances are made. In the group of chronic myeloproliferative diseases familial factors do not seem to play an important part, with the possible exception of polycythemia vera. Both heredity and common environmental agents must be considered as possible etiologic factors.

Humans↗

Maternal occupation and delivery outcome: a study using central registry data.

The outcome of all deliveries in Sweden in 1981 has been studied. The occupation of each mother was obtained by record linkage using census data from November 1980. Rates of perinatal deaths or congenital malformations did not vary according to maternal occupation, more than might be expected to happen by chance, which indicated that maternal occupation is not a major factor in the outcome of these deliveries. There was variation in the rates of low birth weight infants, according to maternal occupation, which may have been an effect of socioeconomic factors associated with the occupation. Within occupational groups, working situations may exist which entail an increased teratogenic risk, but in order to reveal such risks, studies with a different design must be carried out.

Congenital Abnormalities↗

Increase of insulin and decrease of glucagon levels in response to total and fractionated weaning in sows.

The effect of weaning on plasma levels of insulin and glucagon as well as on plasma glucose levels was studied in sows after final weaning (all the piglets removed in week 5 of lactation) and fractionated weaning (7 out of 12 piglets removed in week 3 of lactation). Insulin levels rose from 24 +/- 6 to 106 +/- 22 microU ml-1 4 days after final weaning and from 11 +/- 1 to 128 +/- 20 microU ml-1 7 days after fractionated weaning. Glucagon levels fell from 60 +/- 20 and 42 +/- 8 to 35 +/- 10 and 24 +/- 5 pm in the two groups, respectively. Plasma glucose levels increased from 4.5 +/- 0.5 to 7.2 +/- 1.2 mM after fractionated weaning and remained unchanged after final weaning. One possible mechanism that can explain this pronounced insulin increase and decrease of glucagon is the elevation of plasma glucose, since milk is no longer emptied from the mammary gland and since insulin resistance occurs after weaning in rats. Another possible explanation could be a decreased number of insulin receptors in the mammary gland, since prolactin which is known to increase insulin receptors is decreased in weaned rats.

Animals↗

Suckling increases insulin and glucagon levels in peripheral venous blood of lactating dogs.

The aim of the present investigation was to study changes in insulin, glucagon and plasma glucose levels in response to suckling in lactating dogs. Blood samples were drawn from a peripheral vein during suckling in weeks 1 and 3 of lactation in 10 lactating beagles. Insulin- and glucagon-like immunoreactivity (below referred to as insulin and glucagon) were determined by radio-immunoassay, and plasma glucose levels by the glucose oxidase method. Insulin and glucagon levels rose following onset of suckling. However, only the rises recorded in week 3 of lactation were statistically significant. Plasma glucose levels were not affected. The mechanism by which suckling influences the levels of insulin and glucagon is not known. However, the release of both hormones is under vagal control and it is possible that touching of the teats reflexly elicits a vagally mediated release of these hormones. Alternatively, since oxytocin stimulates the secretion of insulin and glucagon, the effects might be secondary to the oxytocin released by suckling. The physiological function of the suckling-related release of insulin may be to stimulate milk production. Furthermore, since glucagon is also released, each suckling period may be accompanied by a transfer of glucose to the mammary glands from other maternal stores.

Animals↗

Incidence and prevalence of juvenile chronic arthritis: a population survey.

In a population based epidemiological survey of juvenile chronic arthritis (JCA), performed in Western Sweden in 1983, an incidence of 12/100,000 was found. The estimated prevalence was 56/100,000. Subgroup distribution showed a preponderance of mono- and pauciarticular forms. The peak age of onset was between 0 and 4 years of age. Girls predominated over boys in a ratio of 3:2. Overall, 30% were antinuclear antibody (ANA) positive, 9% rheumatoid factor (RF) positive, and eye involvement occurred in 10% of the children. The results suggest differences in population based studies of JCA compared with previously reported hospital based series.

Adolescent↗

Birth weight distribution as an indicator of environmental effects on fetal development.

A medical birth registry was used for a geographical analysis of birth weight distribution. Nearly 900,000 Swedish singleton births, 1973-1981, were used for an analysis of the effect of some variables and for standardization for these variables. A marked change in the rate of low birth weight infants (LBW, less than 2,500 g) was seen in the country between 1976 and 1977. A U-formed effect of maternal age and of parity was demonstrated. A marked interaction between the effects of these two variables existed. Two social groups were compared and the well-known high rate of LBW infants associated with low socioeconomic conditions was demonstrated. Standardization for the variables mentioned influenced this effect only little but reduced the difference between the social groups concerning infants above 3.5 kg weight. The background data were used for analysis of restricted geographical areas.

Adult↗

[Congenital malformations in Sweden].

The thalidomide catastrophy in the early 1960th clearly demonstrated the need of accurate epidemiological data of birth defects. Since 1963 there is in Sweden like in many other countries a continuous registration of congenital malformations in order to provide data for the early detection of changes in frequencies or patterns of defects and thus also to facilitate early identification of new environmental teratogens. During the more than 20 years period the Swedish register has been in operation an increase in the incidence of certain malformations such as omphalocele, hypospadia and Down's syndrome in the offspring of young mothers has been observed. Despite rather extensive studies no explanation for these changes has so far been found. Due to the great concern in the public about the relation between environmental factors and the occurrence of congenital malformations it is of great importance that the register can be used to elucidate the situation when there has been a suspicion of increased teratogenic risks in certain areas of Sweden or when pregnant women have special working conditions. The rate of malformations has been found to be higher among infants born to women coded as laboratory technicians than in the rest of the Swedish population. So far, no specific teratogenic factor has been identified. In Sweden no relation has been found between the incidence of congenital malformations and socioeconomic conditions. The incidence of neural tube defects has been found to be higher than expected in a count in Western Sweden.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Abnormalities, Drug-Induced↗

Subcellular and organ distribution of cholesterol epoxide hydrolase in the rat.

The subcellular and organ distributions of microsomal epoxide hydrolases measured with cis-stilbene oxide and cholesterol 5,6 alpha-epoxide as substrates have been investigated. These two enzyme activities were found to have essentially the same subcellular distribution, with the highest total and specific activities localized in rough and smooth endoplasmic reticulum. Among the tissues studied (i.e., liver, kidney, lung, testis, spleen, brain and intestinal epithelium), the highest specific activities were recovered in liver microsomes, where the activities were at least 5-fold greater than in any of the other microsomal preparations.

Animals↗