The function of the B-insular system has been explored in dogs total internal biliary fistula (cholecysto-jejunostomy after closure of the common bile duct), an operation which causes an increase in number and total volume of pancreatic islets. Two groups of 10 animals each were either submitted to operation or used as controls. The endocrine function of the pancreas was explored 45-60 cays after surgery by assessing basal blood glucose and serum insulin. IVGTT and i.v. tolbutamide test were performed subsequently. The results indicate that in operated animals the ability to release insulin after stimulation is increased and that the control of basal hormone secretion is fully preserved.

Animals↗

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Modifications of pancreatic islet tissue after internal biliary fistula (experimental research).

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Animals↗

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The effects of bilio-jejunal diversion on streptozotocin diabetes in the rat.

Previous experimental indications that the internal biliary diversion (IBD), consisting in bilio-jejunal anastomosis, provokes an increase in glucose tolerance in healthy rats provide the basis for testing the hypothesis that this surgical procedure is capable of correcting pharmacologically-induced diabetes mellitus. To this object, the carbohydrate metabolism of an experimental group of six rats suffering from streptozotocin diabetes and treated with IBD (Lambert prosthetic choledoco-jejunostomy) was studied and compared with that of three control groups: normal, diabetic without surgery and diabetic with sham-surgery. Carbohydrate metabolism, assessed during 60-day period by means of specific tests (basal and fasting blood glucose and insulin, glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity), demonstrated that the IBD provokes a definitive remission, either total or partial, of the artificial diabetes mellitus. The results lead to the hypothetical explanation that diversion of bile flow from the duodenum to the proximal jejunum activates the 'entero-insular axis', specifically by potentiating the B-cell stimulating effect of the so-called enteric hormone 'incretin'.

Animals↗

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Hydroxyproline and creatinine levels in normal amniotic fluid.

Total hydroxyproline and creatinine concentrations as well as their ratios were determined in 29 amniotic fluid samples from normal pregnancies between the 16th and 20th week of gestation. Total hydroxyproline and creatinine levels, and their ratios, were not statistically different considering either the values at each week or those of the whole 5-week period. Our results, compared with the few others reported in the literature, can provide indications useful for defining the normal range in amniotic fluid, in relation to the weeks of gestation.

Amniotic Fluid↗

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Cholinesterase evaluation in the prenatal diagnosis of open neural tube defects.

Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and cholinesterase levels in amniotic fluid were determined and the efficiency of these laboratory tests in the prenatal diagnosis of neural tube defects was examined. Using the AFP test with cut-off levels correlated to gestational age, we have detected 8 cases of neural tube defects and one case of abdominal wall defect in about 1,200 pregnancies; false-negative values were absent. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase activities were measured and the electrophoretic pattern of AChE was examined in 100 amniotic fluid samples. The diagnosis of neural tube defects was always confirmed. There were no diagnostic problems due to blood-contaminated amniotic fluid samples. The results obtained using different quantitative methods for the determination of cholinesterase activity, as well as the potential use of these tests in routine examinations, are discussed.

Acetylcholinesterase↗

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Risk of infertility in patients with Hodgkin's disease treated with ABVD vs MOPP vs ABVD/MOPP.

The gonadal function of 38 patients with Hodgkin's disease (HD) treated with MOPP chemotherapy (12 patients), ABVD (9 patients) and alternating MOPP/ABVD (17 patients) has been retrospectively investigated with semen analysis. Median age of patients was 25 years (range 16-41 years). Azoospermia was found in all patients from the MOPP group (100%), in 3 of the ABVD group (33%) and in 13 of the MOPP/ABVD group (76%). After temporary oligospermia full recovery of spermatogenesis was observed in 67% of patients treated with ABVD, versus 25% of MOPP-treated patients following a prolonged period of azoospermia and oligospermia. Patients receiving MOPP/ABVD scheme had complete recovery of testicular function after oligospermia in 24% of cases. These results confirm the higher gonadal toxicity of the MOPP regimen as compared to others such as ABVD without alkylating agents.

Adolescent↗

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