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Biomedical subjects

S P Kane

Publications and source records attributed to S P Kane.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Expression of nitric oxide synthase in ulcerative colitis.

Nitric oxide (NO) is generated from L-arginine by a family of enzymes called the NO synthases. Previous investigators have proposed that the expression of this inducible enzyme (iNOS) may account for the characteristic vasodilatation, oedema and impairment of get motility seen in active ulcerative colitis. Using a specific antibody to iNOS, we have investigated the distribution of this enzyme in colonic tissue from patients with histologically proven ulcerative colitis. Eight patients with ulcerative colitis expressed calcium-independent citrulline activity (9.96 +/- 2.34 pmol citrulline mg-1 protein min-1) and showed immunoreactivity to the iNOS antibody within the inflammatory infiltrate of the lamina propria, and also within the cytoplasm of the epithelial cells lining the colon. Five age-matched controls showed no calcium-independent citrulline activity (0.2 +/- 0.08 pmol citrulline mg-1 protein min-1) and no immunoreaction to the antibody. We conclude that this enzyme is present in colonic tissue including the epithelium from patients with active colitis. Inhibition of this enzyme may provide a novel therapeutic option for patients with active ulcerative colitis.

Adult↗

Hepatitis induced by traditional Chinese herbs; possible toxic components.

Traditional Chinese herbal remedies are widely available in the United Kingdom for the treatment of chronic skin disorders. Their benefits are considerable, but their use is completely unregulated. Two patients are described here who suffered an acute hepatitic illness related to taking traditional Chinese herbs. Both recovered fully. The mixtures that they took included two plant components also contained within the mixture taken by a previously reported patient who suffered fatal hepatic necrosis. These cases high-light the need for greater awareness of both the therapeutic and toxic potential of herbal remedies, as well as greater control of their use.

Adult↗

Benign gastric ulceration in a health district: incidence and presentation.

In a survey of benign gastric ulceration conducted in the Hounslow Health District from 1981 to 1982, there was an annual incidence for this condition of 43.6 per 100,000 of the population older than 14 y, with a male:female ratio of 0.9:1. This incidence is comparable to that found in other surveys over the last 30 y, but the male:female ratio is lower than in the past. This reduction is accounted for by a rise in the peak age incidence for gastric ulcer, particularly in women, and a greater proportion of the total population in this higher age group being women. In spite of a large local Asian population, no gastric ulcers occurred in this ethnic group. Thirty-eight per cent of the patients presented with acute bleeding, and 44% of these bleeders gave a history of previous ingestion of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs compared with only 14% of the non-bleeding group (P less than 0.015).

Adolescent↗

Oesophageal ulceration due to emepronium bromide.

Four cases of oesophageal damage associated with ingestion of the urinary anti-spasmodic agent emepronium bromide are described. All the patients presented with severe retrosternal pain worsened by swallowing food and drink, and in every case fibre-optic endoscopy revealed ulceration of the midoesophagus. Symptoms disappeared rapidly following cessation of emepromium bromide therapy. The means whereby this agent might injure oseophageal mucosa are discussed.

Adult↗

Mucosal enzymes in human inflammatory bowel disease with reference to neutrophil granulocytes as mediators of tissue injury.

1. Biopsies of rectal mucosa were obtained for histology and enzyme analysis from 32 patients with inflammatory and functional bowel disorders, and the biopsies were classified morphologically as active colitis, quiescent colitis or normal. 2. Supernatant fractions of biopsy homogenates were assayed for their content of the proteolytic enzymes alpha-chymotrypsin, elastase and cathepsin D, and of protein, unsaturated vitamin B12-binding capacity, lysozyme, myeloperoxidase and N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase. 3. Mean unsaturated vitamin B12-binding capacity was significantly raised above normal in the active colitic mucosa, and mean lysozyme activity was raised above normal in both active and quiescent mucosae. 4. In active colitic mucosa there was no rise above normal in mean activities of any of the proteolytic enzymes, though a significant fall below normal occurred in mean N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase activity in the active colitic group.

Acetylglucosaminidase↗

Chronic ulcerative jejunitis without symptoms.

A patient is presented who, in addition to subtotal villous atrophy, had superficial ulcers of the jejunum, as well as a wide band of granulation tissue deep to the crypts suggesting recurrent past ulceration. In spite of these changes she had no intestinal symptoms at the time of her presentation with reflux oesophagitis, and her only nutritional abnormality was a mild folate deficiency. Withdrawal of dietary gluten produced some improvement of the jejunal mucosa but this was not sustained on continued low-grade ingestion. She has containued to be virtually symptom-free over a 3-year period of follow-up.

Chronic Disease↗

Vitamin B12 binding protein as a tumour marker for hepatocellular carcinoma.

Grossly raised levels of tumour related vitamin B12 binding protein, reflected by rises in serum vitamin B12 and unsaturated vitamin B12 binding capacity (UBBC), were found in three of 44 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. All three were HBsAg negative and had normal serum alpha fetoprotein levels. The patients did not have underlying cirrhosis and the tumours contained characteristic intracellular inclusions. In the first patient the UBBC level fell during a partial remission induced by adriamycin therapy and in the second patient UBBC levels rose with progression of her disease. In the third patient serum B12 binding protein levels fell after tumour resection. Assay and subsequent monitoring of serum vitamin B12 and UBCC may prove valuable in the assessment and follow-up of some patients with hepatocellular carcinoma whose alpha fetoprotein levels are normal.

Adolescent↗

A familial abnormality of circulating vitamin B12 binding proteins: occurrence in a family of high serum concentrations of transcobalamin II.

A family is described in which two members (a father and a daughter), both with quiescent ulcerative colitis, had abnormally high serum concentrations of a vitamin B12 binding protein. This protein had the molecular weight of transcobalamin II on gel filtration, and behaved like transcobalamin II with respect to its elution from DE-23 cellulose, its inhibition at acid pH, its absorption by uncoated charcoal, its binding by anti-TC II antibodies, and its ability to transfer vitamin B12 to transformed lymphocytes. Its plasma clearance and tissue distribution when injected into rabbits was indistinguishable from that of transcobalamin II from normal subjects. It migrated on electrophoresis in the beta, gamma region. This is the first case report of related subjects in whom high serum concentrations of transcobalamin II have been observed.

Blood Proteins↗