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Biomedical subjects

R H Bower

Publications and source records attributed to R H Bower.

44 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Hepatic complications of total parenteral nutrition.

Elevations in serum hepatic enzyme levels and alterations in hepatic morphology have been noted in patients on total parenteral nutrition, in some cases progressing to fatal hepatic failure. Various factors such as toxins, inappropriate substrates, overfeeding, deficiency states, and gut hormone alterations have been implicated. It would appear that the tailoring of nutritional support to meet patient needs and the maintenance of normal gut integrity will be of increasing importance in reducing the incidence of this potentially fatal complication.

Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Treatment of an infected silicone right atrial catheter with combined fibrinolytic and antibiotic therapy: case report and review of the literature.

Tunnelled silicone rubber right atrial catheters are commonly used to administer long-term total parenteral nutrition (TPN), cancer chemotherapeutic agents, and antimicrobial agents. The indwelling devices potentiate platelet-fibrin thrombi formation, providing a nidus for infection. Although many episodes of sepsis associated with thrombotic tunnelled catheters respond to antimicrobial therapy alone, a significant number require catheter removal. Evidence from case studies and small clinical trials suggests that fibrinolytic agents may increase the response rate and prevent removal of the device when combined with antimicrobial therapy. We present the first case reported of bacterial sepsis secondary to a thrombotic indwelling Hickman catheter for long-term TPN successfully treated with a combination of streptokinase and antibiotic therapies.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Addition of lipid to total parenteral nutrition prevents hepatic steatosis in rats by lowering the portal venous insulin/glucagon ratio.

Hepatic steatosis in rats is associated with an infusion of excessive carbohydrate calories. Previous work from this laboratory suggested that this is associated with an elevated portal insulin/glucagon molar ratio (I/G) and is reversed by parenteral glucagon administration. Although hepatic steatosis is not related to essential fatty acid deficiency, addition of lipid to total parenteral nutrition (TPN) has been reported as being protective against the development of hepatic steatosis. Therefore, we propose that lipid may exert its salutary effect via an alteration of the I/G ratio. To test this hypothesis, adult rats (seven per group) received internal jugular catheters: group 1, saline (3 mL/h) plus chow ad libitum; group 2, 25% dextrose base TPN; group 3, 17% dextrose base TPN + 2.5% lipid; group 4, 25% dextrose base TPN + 2.5% lipid. At 7 days, portal and peripheral venous blood was drawn for insulin and glucagon radioimmunoassay and liver function tests; livers were removed for histology and lipid content determination. Panlobular vacuolization, on histology, and lipid content were excessive in group 2, and the portal I/G was increased because of elevated portal insulin. In contrast, portal venous insulin and I/G did not increase, and hepatic steatosis was absent in groups 3 and 4. The results suggest that the addition of lipid to TPN in rats decreases the portal insulin level and lowers the portal I/G, and thereby prevents hepatic steatosis.

Animals↗