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Biomedical subjects

M Esteve

Publications and source records attributed to M Esteve.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1991

Plasma amino acids of lean and obese Zucker rats subjected to a cafeteria diet after weaning.

Plasma amino acids of Zucker obese (fa/fa) and lean (Fa/?) rats fed either a reference nonpurified pellet or a cafeteria diet have been studied from 30 to 60 days after birth. Obese rats showed higher plasma branched chain amino acid levels but similar total amino acids, urea and glucose concentrations. The ingestion of a cafeteria diet induced higher levels in many amino acids, as well as in the composite figure in lean rats, but failed to alter total 2-amino nitrogen concentrations in obese rats, despite high levels in several non-essential amino acids and lower values in essential amino acids; urea levels were much lower in rats fed the cafeteria diet. The results are consistent with an impairment of amino acid nitrogen elimination via urea cycle in cafeteria diet-fed rats. This is independent of the hyperinsulinemia-driven plasma accumulation of several essential amino acids induced by genetic obesity. The effects were, then additive.

Amino Acids↗
PubMed1991

Rat liver amino acid balances after the administration of an oral protein load.

The hepatic balances of amino acids, ammonia and urea have been measured in rats for three hours after receiving a protein load. The liver took up practically all of the portal ammonium. Alanine was retained to a large extent during all three hours. Other portal amino acids, mainly essential amino acids, were largely retained in about one hour after the gavage, to be released in a similar proportion thereafter. The other amino acids were also retained and then released, but to a lower extent. These amino acids were used in part by the liver for the synthesis and release of urea, which appearance in hepatic vein peaked at two hours after the protein administration.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1991

Acute effects of abdominopelvic irradiation on the orocecal transit time: its relation to clinical symptoms, and bile salt and lactose malabsorption.

Twenty-five patients with abdominopelvic malignant tumors receiving irradiation were studied. The following items were assessed before, during, and at the end of the radiation period: 1) clinical symptoms, scored on the basis of their severity; 2) orocecal transit time (lactulose-H2 breath test); and 3) absorption of lactose and bile salts. Ninety-two percent of the patients showed clinical symptoms suggestive of acute radiation enteropathy, mainly diarrhea. A significant acceleration of the orocecal transit was observed during the study: 70 +/- 6.9 min vs 63.3 +/- 6.3 min vs 44.3 +/- 5.1 min (F = 5.49, p = 0.008), being faster in patients with severe diarrhea (F = 3.25, p = 0.05). Forty-four percent and 57% of the patients developed lactose and bile salt malabsorption, respectively. A decrease in the transit time was observed, independent of the absorption or malabsorption of such substances. However, the orocecal transit was faster in those lactose malabsorbers with severe diarrhea, than in those with mild diarrhea (F = 4.2, p = 0.03). The results suggest that acceleration of orocecal transit may be a major factor in the pathophysiology of radiation-induced diarrhea, whereas lactose malabsorption may contribute to the severity of the diarrhea.

Abdominal Neoplasms↗
PubMed1991

Sequential esophageal motility studies after endoscopic injection sclerotherapy: a prospective investigation.

To assess prospectively the effects of endoscopic intravariceal sclerosis (EIS) on esophageal function, we performed esophageal manometry on 13 cirrhotic patients before EIS, 24 h after the second session and 4 wk after the fourth session. EIS had no impact on lower esophageal sphincter pressure. However, a significant decrease in the amplitude of peristaltic waves was observed immediately post-EIS in the lower two-thirds of the esophagus. There was no modification of duration or velocity of progression of peristaltic waves. A four-fold increase in simultaneous contractions was observed early after EIS. These changes were reversible, as assessed by late esophageal testing after EIS. No correlations were demonstrated between esophageal motor parameters and doses of sclerosant. We conclude that sclerosant injection into the esophageal wall acutely impairs esophageal motility, but motor function is partially restored 4 wk after completion of EIS, suggesting that dysmotility is reversible.

Aged↗
PubMed1990

Effect of total enteral nutrition on the short-term outcome of severely malnourished cirrhotics. A randomized controlled trial.

Thirty-five severely malnourished cirrhotic patients were randomized to receive either enteral-tube feeding as the sole nutritional support (n = 16) or an isocaloric, isonitrogenous, low-sodium standard oral diet (n = 19). Both groups were homogeneous regarding age, sex distribution, etiology of liver cirrhosis, history of previous complications, clinical status, liver and renal function, modified Child's score, and nutritional status at admission. The enteral formula diet was energy dense, containing 40 mmol Na/day, whole protein plus branched-chain amino acids, medium- and long-chain triglycerides, and maltodextrin. It supplied 2115 kcal/day. The amount of vitamins and trace elements was at the upper limit of the recommended dietary allowances. The orally fed patients were encouraged to eat all meals served. Total enteral nutrition was well tolerated without major complications. Serum albumin and Child's score improved in the enterally fed patients but not in controls. Mortality rate while in the hospital was lower in patients on enteral feeding than in controls (12% vs 47%). These results show that total enteral nutrition is safe and effective in improving the short-term clinical outcome in severely malnourished cirrhotics.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1990

Rat splanchnic net oxygen consumption, energy implications.

1. The blood flow, PO2, pH and PCO2 have been estimated in portal and suprahepatic veins as well as in hepatic artery of fed and overnight starved rats given an oral glucose load. From these data the net intestinal, hepatic and splanchnic balances for oxygen and bicarbonate were calculated. The oxygen consumption of the intact animal has also been measured under comparable conditions. 2. The direct utilization of oxygen balances as energy equivalents when establishing the contribution of energy metabolism of liver and intestine to the overall energy expenses of the rat, has been found to be incorrect, since it incorporates the intrinsic error of interorgan proton transfer through bicarbonate. Liver and intestine produced high net bicarbonate balances in all situations tested, implying the elimination (by means of oxidative pathways, i.e. consuming additional oxygen) of high amounts of H+ generated with bicarbonate. The equivalence in energy output of the oxygen balances was then corrected for bicarbonate production to 11-54% lower values. 3. Intestine and liver consume a high proportion of available oxygen, about one-half in basal (fed or starved) conditions and about one-third after gavage, the intestine consumption being about 15% in all situations tested and the liver decreasing its oxygen consumption with gavage.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Comparative in vitro and in vivo activities of six new monofluoroquinolone and difluoroquinolone 3-carboxylic acids with a 7-azetidin ring substituent.

E-4502, E-4501, E-4500, E-4480, E-4474, and E-4441 are new monofluorinated or difluorinated quinolone agents that are chemically characterized by the presence of an azetidin ring, with different C'-3 substituents, at position 7 of the molecular structure. The MICs of the difluorinated compounds E-4501, E-4474, and E-4441 for 90% of isolates were 0.06 to 1, 0.06 to 1, and 0.12 to 1 microgram/ml, respectively, against gram-positive organisms (staphylococci, streptococci, and Enterococcus faecalis); 0.0015 to 0.12, 0.015 to 0.12, and 0.03 to 0.12 microgram/ml, respectively, against members of the family Enterobacteriaceae except Providencia spp.; and 1, 1, and 2 micrograms/ml, respectively, against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. E-4501, E-4474, and E-4441 inhibited all anaerobic bacteria at concentrations of 1, 2, and 4 micrograms/ml, respectively. Difluorinated compounds were significantly more active than the corresponding monofluorinated analogs E-4502, E-4500, and E-4480 against aerobic and facultatively anaerobic organisms, as well as against anaerobes. Considering monofluorinated and difluorinated compounds, activity in moderate ascending order was observed in quinolones containing an amine and a methyl group (E-4441 and E-4480), an amine group (E-4474 and E-4500), and a methylamine group (E-4501 and E-4502) in the C'-3 position of the azetidin ring. E-4501, E-4474, and E-4441 were more active than norfloxacin and DR-3355 [S-(-)-ofloxacin], had activities comparable to or slightly lower than that of ciprofloxacin against gram-negative bacteria, and were more active than all the reference quinolones against gram-positive organisms and anaerobes. E-4502 and E-4501, which were used to determine the effect of pH, were less active in acidic medium. In general, E-4502, E-4501, E-4500, E-4480, E-4474, and E-4441 activities were not affected or increased in medium containing serum but decreased in the presence of 10 mM Mg2+ or in human urine at pH 5.5. The protective effect of E-4501, E-4474, and E-4441 after oral administration against systemic infections with Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in mice was greater than that of ciprofloxacin.

4-Quinolones↗
PubMed1990

Antimicrobial activity of E-4441, a representative azetidine quinolone.

E-4441 is a third-generation difluoroquinolone characterized by the presence in position 7 of an azetidine ring, disubstituted in position 3 by amine and methyl groups. E-4322 is another difluoroquinolone which differs from the former in having a 3-acetidinol substitution in position 7. E-4441 shows satisfactory levels of activity, both in vitro and in vivo, its activity against G(+) aerobic bacteria and anaerobic bacteria being generally notable.

4-Quinolones↗
PubMed1990

Serum zinc, copper, and selenium levels in inflammatory bowel disease: effect of total enteral nutrition on trace element status.

Serum levels of zinc, copper, and selenium, and alkaline phosphatase activity were prospectively studied in 29 patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Fifteen patients had extensive active colitis (active colitis group). Seven patients had active, and seven cases inactive small bowel or ileocecal Crohn's disease (small bowel disease group). Ninety-three healthy subjects acted as controls. Serum trace element levels were considered in relation to vitamin A and E levels, nutritional parameters, the activity of the disease, and the recent intake of steroids. The effect of total enteral nutrition on serum trace elements was studied in seven cases. Serum zinc levels were lower and serum copper levels higher in the active colitis group than in controls (p = 0.0007, and p = 0.02, respectively). More than 50% of patients with active colonic or small bowel disease showed zinc levels below the 15th percentile of the control group. Serum zinc levels correlated with plasma vitamin A in acute colitis (r = 0.67; p = 0.006), and with both serum albumin concentration (r = 0.76; p = 0.002) and disease activity score (r = -0.67, p = 0.009) in patients with small bowel disease. The copper:zinc ratio was higher in the active colitis group than in controls (p = 0.002). In spite of the increase in serum albumin levels and the decrease in disease activity, serum zinc levels remained low after total enteral nutrition. The implications of the abnormal trace element status in patients with inflammatory bowel disease are discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Low serum selenium concentration in a healthy population resident in Catalunya: a preliminary report.

Serum selenium levels were determined in 92 healthy subjects [40 men, 52 women; mean age 33.5 +/- 1.6 (s.e.m.) years, range 16-71 years] living in the province of Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain. Only well-nourished individuals with unremarkable clinical history, normal blood chemistry and haematological tests were selected. The subjects were divided into 6 age groups for each sex. Serum samples were analysed using a modification of the standard electrothermal graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry method to shorten the procedure while maintaining its accuracy. A significant correlation (y = -1.31 + 1.51 x; r = 0.9967, P less than 0.001) was observed between our method and the standard assay method. The mean serum selenium concentration was 60.39 micrograms/l, 95 per cent CI 53.35-67.45 micrograms/l. There were age- but no sex-group differences (P less than 0.001). This result is similar to that found in countries whose low selenium levels have been related to an increased risk of some disease states. Clinical and health implications of this suboptimal selenium status are discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Burns in the elderly.

This report describes the treatment and prognosis of 37 burned patients over 70 years of age.

Aged↗
PubMed1989

Vitamin status in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

The status of water- and fat-soluble vitamins was prospectively evaluated in 23 patients (13 men, 10 women, mean age 33 +/- 3 yr) admitted to the hospital with acute or subacute attacks of inflammatory bowel disease. Protein-energy status was also assessed by means of simultaneous measurement of triceps skinfold thickness, mid-arm muscle circumference, and serum albumin. Fifteen patients (group A) had extensive acute colitis (ulcerative or Crohn's colitis), and eight cases (group B) had small bowel or ileocecal Crohn's disease. Eighty-nine healthy subjects (36 men, 53 women, mean age 34 +/- 2 yr) acted as controls. In both groups of patients, the levels of biotin, folate, beta-carotene, and vitamins A, C, and B1 were significantly lower than in controls (p less than 0.01). Plasma levels of vitamin B12 were decreased only in group B (p less than 0.01), whereas riboflavin was lower in group A (p less than 0.01). The percentage of patients at risk of developing hypovitaminosis was 40% or higher for vitamin A, beta-carotene, folate, biotin, vitamin C, and thiamin in both groups of patients. Although some subjects had extremely low vitamin values, in no case were clinical symptoms of vitamin deficiency observed. Only a weak correlation was found between protein-energy nutritional parameters and vitamin values, probably due to the small size of the sample studied. The pathophysiological and clinical implications of the suboptimal vitamin status observed in acute inflammatory bowel disease are unknown. Further studies on long-term vitamin status and clinical outcome in these patients are necessary.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

A sensitive direct calorimeter for small mammals.

A sensitive direct calorimeter for small animals is presented. Its principle is based on the measurement of the heat transfer from the animal chamber to a heat sink. The system gives repetitive measurements with a high efficiency and allows a detailed time-related measurement of the heat production by the whole animal. Its low response time can be advantageously used for the study of post-prandial heat generation and diet-induced thermogenesis. Data on the heat production by Wistar and lean and obese Zucker rats is also included.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Activity of E-3846, a new fluoroquinolone, in vitro and in experimental cystitis and pyelonephritis in rats.

The in vitro antibacterial activity of E-3846, a new fluoroquinolone carboxylic acid derivative with a pyrrol ring substituent at position 7, was evaluated in comparison with norfloxacin and ciprofloxacin. E-3846 was more active than the reference quinolones against Staphylococcus species, including methicillin-resistant strains. E-3846 was similar to ciprofloxacin and more active than norfloxacin against Streptococcus (Enterococcus) faecalis. In general, E-3846 was more active than norfloxacin against members of the family Enterobacteriaceae, but less active than ciprofloxacin. For Pseudomonas aeruginosa, the MICs giving 90% inhibition for E-3846, norfloxacin, and ciprofloxacin were 2, 1, and 0.25 micrograms/ml, respectively. The activity of E-3846 increased at acid pH; in contrast, acid pH caused a pronounced decrease in the activity of norfloxacin and ciprofloxacin. In vivo, E-3846 demonstrated excellent therapeutic efficacy in treating experimental S. faecalis, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa cystitis and pyelonephritis in rats.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

[Endoscopic percutaneous gastrostomy. A non-surgical method of enteral alimentation in ORL patients unable to feed orally].

Since surgical gastrostomy is not a risk-free operation in debilitated patients, a method of endoscopic percutaneous gastrostomy (EPG) is proposed. A thread is passed percutaneously into the gastric cavity and brought to the exterior through the mouth during fibroscopy. This thread allows removal of a gastrostomy tube by simple traction. Used in 18 patients with ENT cancer the EPG was simple to perform, postoperative complications being minor in 3 cases and serious in one patient. In the absence of any obstacle in the pharyngeal channel preventing the passage of a fibroscope, EPG is a simple procedure and is therefore an alternative to surgical gastrostomy.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

The effect of total enteral tube feeding on the vitamin status of malnourished patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

Eight malnourished patients (5 men and 3 women, mean age 26.5 +/- 0.4 years) suffering from Inflammatory Bowel Disease were prospectively included at admission to study the effect on protein-energy and vitamin status of a specially designed enterally tube fed formula diet. Eighty nine healthy individuals (36 men and 53 women, mean age 34 +/- 2 years) were used as controls. All but one patient were on steroids. The mean caloric supply was 58.2 +/- 2.4 kcal/kg/day with a mean nitrogen content of 0.37 +/- 0.02 gN/kg/day. The mean Total Enteral Nutrition period lasted 20.8 +/- 2.3 days (range 12 to 28 days). Fat- and water-soluble vitamins were studied at admission and after the nutritional period. Likewise both the protein-energy nutritional status and the activity of the disease were evaluated. At admission, plasma levels of folate, biotin, beta-carotene and vitamins A, C and E were significantly lower in patients than in controls. Tocopherol/cholesterol ratio, and vitamin B1, B2, B6, and B12 status were normal. At the end, plasma values of folate, biotin and vitamin C remained unchanged. However, the protein-energy nutritional status and the activity of the disease significantly improved. At admission, 4 out of 8 patients were at risk of developing hypovitaminosis for vitamins A, C, biotin, beta-carotene, and folate. At the end, a similar percentage remained at risk for these vitamins except for vitamin A. The content of some vitamins in the best designed formula diets does not meet the needs for patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Adolescent↗