[Carbon tetrachloride poisoning in a swine model]. / Tetrachlorkohlenstoff-Intoxikation im Schweinemodell.

It was intended to establish a model for acute hepatic failure in order to test the function of isolated and auxiliary transplanted hepatocytes. 6 pigs (19.75-27.0 kg) were intoxicated with different dosages of CCl4 and ethanol. According to publications on acute hepatic failure induced in rats by CCl4, adequate dosages were applied in pigs. Three different regimens of CCl4 and C2H5OH applications were used: CCl4 was administered intragastrically alone (group 1) or combined with ethanol (group 2), and CCl4 was given intragastrically and ethanol intravenously (group 3). Animals of group 1 and 2 survived intoxication for the period of observation. Histological examination of the livers revealed central necrosis, ghost cells and swollen hepatocytes. The animals of group 3 died shortly after intoxication. Histological examination did not show any evidence for acute hepatic failure. CCl4 and C2H5OH intoxication in pigs causes effects that are different from those described in humans or laboratory rats. Therefore it should be necessary to use a large number of animals to establish a standardized model for acute hepatic failure in pigs that reflects the observations in humans.

Three-dimensional arrangement of dense connective tissue around the human major duodenal papilla. Including the ampullary region and the distal choledochal duct.

Directionally arranged dense connective tissue fibres were investigated in 21 specimens of the major duodenal papilla. Specimens were examined using a stereoscope, polarization microscopy and serial histological sections at three different planes. Directionally arranged dense connective tissue fibres spread in a deltoid pattern from the orifice of the major duodenal papilla and its intraduodenal part to the circular duodenal musculature. Connective tissue fibres crossing at different angles form a texture from the orifice of the major duodenal papilla to the distal choledochal duct. The functional significance of the dense connective tissue fibres, e.g. for the muscular system in the investigated area, is discussed as well as possible reasons for gallstone impactions.

The microscopic double immunofluorescence technique, a method for quantitative differentiation between extra- and intracellularly located bacteria in isolated polymorphonuclear granulocytes.

A simple microscopic double immunofluorescence staining technique for the study of phagocytosis of living bacteria by human polymorphonuclear granulocytes (PMN) is presented. This technique enables the differentiation between cell-attached and ingested bacteria and allows the kinetics of phagocytosis to be monitored. The practicability and accuracy of this method is demonstrated by using two genetically defined Yersinia enterocolitica strains of different virulence, and isolated PMN resuspended in serum-free and serum-containing medium, respectively. The advantages of this method over other techniques are discussed.

[Paracetamol poisoning in a swine model]. / Paracetamol-Intoxikation im Schweinemodell.

In order to prove the function of isolated transplanted hepatocytes in acute liver failure we tried to establish a hepatic failure model in pigs which correlates to a clinical situation. In 12 pigs we administered 500-2000 mg/kg body weight acetaminophen after enzyme induction with Pentobarbital. 7 animals receiving 500-1000 mg/kg acetaminophen survived the intoxication, 5 animals receiving 1000-2000 mg/kg acetaminophen died within 6.5 hours after intoxication because of methemoglobinemia. A close correlation between administered dosage of the drug, acetaminophen blood levels and methemoglobinemia was found. Histology of surviving animals showed a dosage depended cell necrosis. A standardized hepatic failure model could not be established in pigs by acetaminophen intoxication, because dosages of more than 1000 mg/kg were survived. In dosage higher than 1000 mg/kg a side effect of the acetaminophen intoxication the methemoglobinemia limited the life of the animals. Therefore acetaminophen can not be used to induce acute hepatic failure in pigs.

[Measuring chemiluminescence in phagocytic granulocytes--simultaneously a parameter of their killing function?]. / Chemiluminescenzmessung phagocytierender Granulocyten--Gleichzeitig ein Parameter für ihre Killing-Funktion?

The results of the chemiluminescence activity determined in whole blood samples very often were used to compare the unspecific defense mechanism of polymorphonuclear granulocytes (PMN) against causative organisms to preoperative capable risk parameters in surgery. Our investigations try to compare the results of a bacteria-induced chemiluminescence with those we received from a standardized agar killing plate-test. It could be shown that there is no correlation between the used two test systems. Therefore it is not possible to conclude from the chemiluminescence results especially made out of whole blood samples to the potency of the defense mechanism of PMN granulocytes.