Proposed thresholds for pancreatic tissue volume for safe intraportal islet autotransplantation after total pancreatectomy.

The simple question of how much tissue volume (TV) is really safe to infuse in total pancreatectomy-islet autotransplantation (TP-IAT) for chronic pancreatitis (CP) precipitated this analysis. We examined a large cohort of CP patients (n = 233) to determine major risk factors for elevated portal pressure (PP) during islet infusion, using bivariate and multivariate regression modeling. Rates of bleeding requiring operative intervention and portal venous thrombosis (PVT) were evaluated. The total TV per kilogram body weight infused intraportally was the best independent predictor of change in PP (ΔPP) (p < 0.0001; R(2) = 0.566). Rates of bleeding and PVT were 7.73% and 3.43%, respectively. Both TV/kg and ΔPP are associated with increased complication rates, although ΔPP appears to be more directly relevant. Receiver operating characteristic analysis identified an increased risk of PVT above a suggested cut-point of 26 cmH2O (area under the curve = 0.759), which was also dependent on age. This ΔPP threshold was more likely to be exceeded in cases where the total TV was >0.25 cm(3)/kg. Based on this analysis, we have recommended targeting a TV of <0.25 cm(3)/kg during islet manufacturing and to halt intraportal infusion, at least temporarily, if the ΔPP exceeds 25 cmH2O. These models can be used to guide islet manufacturing and clinical decision making to minimize risks in TP-IAT recipients.

Muscle proteolysis and weight loss in a neonatal rat model of sepsis syndrome.

Our hypothesis is that nitrogen loss in septic neonates is caused by increased muscle proteolysis. Sprague-Dawley rat pups (P7) were injected intraperitoneally with NaCl or 4 mg/kg/BW lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and then sacrificed at 2, 4, 24, and 48 hr. Sepsis syndrome was confirmed by elevated serum tumor necrosis factor (24.6 ng/mL +/- 18.4 [LPS] and < 1.0 ng/mL [controls]; p < .05). Proteolysis in gastrocnemius/soleus muscle was analyzed by quantitation of tissue tyrosine loss. The neonatal rats injected with LPS had significant media tyrosine release at 24 hr compared to the controls (0.39 +/- 0.14 versus 0.25 +/- 0.11 micromol tyrosine/g muscle; p < .05). At 48 hr, LPS-induced muscle tyrosine release ceased (0.24 +/- 0.04 [control] versus 0.23 +/- 0.03 micromol tyrosine/g muscle [LPS]). After 48 hr, gastrocnemius/soleus weight was less in the LPS-injected rats (50.5 +/- 4.8 to 31.2 +/- 4.0 g; p < .0001). Similar changes were not seen in the extensor digitorum longus, suggesting that some muscles were relatively preserved. Also, LPS resulted in significant weight loss. We conclude that selective muscle proteolysis contributes to nitrogen loss in neonatal sepsis. Although proteolysis abates by 48 hr, short-term injury results in significant muscle-mass deficit.

Inhibition of growth hormone action in models of inflammation.

Growth hormone (GH) action is attenuated during the hepatic acute-phase response (APR). To understand this attenuation, we asked whether GH and cytokine-signaling pathways intersect during an APR. In hypophysectomized rats treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), accumulation of activated signal transducer and transcription activator 5 (Stat5) in hepatic nuclei in response to GH and its binding to a GH response element (GHRE) from the serine protease inhibitor (Spi) 2.1 promoter are diminished in a time-dependent manner. Similarly, accumulation of activated Stat3 in hepatic nuclei in response to LPS and its binding to a high-affinity sis-inducible element (SIE) are also diminished by the simultaneous administration of GH. In functional assays with primary hepatocytes, LPS-stimulated monocyte-conditioned medium (MoCM) inhibits the GH response of Stat5-dependent Spi 2.1 reporter activity but induces Stat3-dependent Spi 2.2 reporter activity, as in an APR. Similar results are obtained when hepatocytes are treated with either tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) or interleukin (IL)-1beta. TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, and IL-6 also inhibit GH-induced Spi 2.1 mRNA expression in hepatocytes. Thus inhibition of the GH signaling pathway during an APR results in reduced expression of GH-responsive genes.

Effect of sepsis syndrome on neonatal protein and energy metabolism.

OBJECTIVE: It was our hypothesis that septic illness would alter both protein and energy metabolism in neonates, with elevations of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) serving as markers for these effects. STUDY DESIGN: A total of 31 infants with suspected sepsis were enrolled into four groups: septic, sick-nonseptic, healthy-nonseptic, and recovered septic infants. Degree of illness, oxygen consumption, nitrogen balance, urine 3-methylhistidine/creatinine (MeH/Cr), and TNF-alpha, IL-6, IL-1 beta, and C-reactive protein (CRP) were measured. RESULTS: Oxygen consumption increased, while nitrogen balance decreased and MeH/Cr increased with increasing degree of illness. Nitrogen balance improved on recovery from sepsis. IL-6 and CRP levels were elevated in septic infants compared with sick-nonseptic and healthy infants. CONCLUSION: Neonates experience a hypermetabolic response with increased nitrogen loss during septic illness, proportional to the degree of illness. Increased delivery of protein substrate may be nutritionally advantageous to the septic neonate.

Regulation of Spi 2.1 and 2.2 gene expression after turpentine inflammation: discordant responses to IL-6.

The rat serine protease inhibitor (Spi) 2 gene family includes both positive (Spi 2.2) and negative (Spi 2.1) acute phase reactants, facilitating modeling of regulation of hepatic acute phase response (APR). To examine the role of signal transducer and activation of transcription (STAT) proteins in the divergent regulation of these model genes after induction of APR, we evaluated the proximal promoters of the genes, focusing on STAT binding sites contained in these promoter elements. Induction of APR by turpentine injection includes activation of a STAT3 complex that can bind to a gamma-activated sequence (GAS) in the Spi 2.2 gene promoter, although the Spi 2.2 GAS site can bind STAT1 or STAT5 as well. To create an in vitro model of APR, primary hepatocytes were treated with combinations of cytokines and hormones to mimic the hormonal milieu of the whole animal after APR induction. Incubation of primary rat hepatocytes with interleukin (IL)-6, a critical APR cytokine, leads to activation of STAT3 and a 28-fold induction of a chloramphenicol acetyltransferase reporter construct containing the -319 to +85 region of the Spi 2.2 promoter. This suggests the turpentine-induced increase of Spi 2.2 is mediated primarily by IL-6. In contrast, although turpentine treatment reduces Spi 2.1 mRNA in vivo and IL-6 does not increase Spi 2.1 mRNA in primary rat hepatocytes, treatment of hepatocytes with IL-6 results in a 5. 4-fold induction of Spi 2.1 promoter activity mediated through the paired GAS elements in this promoter. Differential regulation of Spi 2.1 and 2.2 genes is due in part to differences in the promoters of these genes at the GAS sites. IL-6 alone fails to reproduce the pattern of rat Spi 2 gene expression that results from turpentine-induced inflammation.

Lysinuric protein intolerance masquerading as celiac disease: a case report.

A 5 1/2-year-old boy presented with delayed growth, chronic diarrhea, and hypoproteinemia. Clinical presentation, initial laboratory data, and evaluation of an intestinal biopsy specimen suggested a diagnosis of celiac disease. Symptoms did not resolve on a gluten-free diet. The development of hyperammonemia prompted further studies that led to the diagnosis of lysinuric protein intolerance. Lysinuric protein intolerance, although a rare disorder, should be included in the differential diagnosis of conditions associated with intestinal villous atrophy.

Glycemic response to dietary supplements in cystic fibrosis is dependent on the carbohydrate content of the formula.

BACKGROUND: Enteral formula feedings are frequently prescribed to cystic fibrosis (CF) patients to boost caloric intake. A substantial number of these patients are glucose intolerant and have severe respiratory compromise. METHODS: To determine the effect of the carbohydrate content on glucose tolerance and respiratory function in glucose-intolerant CF patients with poor lung function, we examined the response to bolus feedings of five dietary supplements; a high-fat formula developed in our Clinical Research Center (CRC), Pulmocare, a high-carbohydrate formula developed in our CRC, Ensure Plus, and sugar-free Scandishake. RESULTS: Glucose excursion in response to the formulas with the lowest carbohydrate content was significantly less than that found in response to formulas with higher carbohydrate content. Insulin levels were also markedly lower in response to the low-carbohydrate high-fat formulas. Glucose excursion, expressed as a percent of the response to the CRC high-fat formula, was 111% +/- 12% for Pulmocare (p = NS), 202% +/- 34% for Ensure Plus (p < 01), 227% +/- 37% for CRC high carbohydrate (p = .001), and 357% +/- 33% for sugar-free Scandishake (p < .001). CO2 production, O2 consumption, minute ventilation, and respiratory rate increased modestly but not significantly in response to all formulas. No significant differences were found between the formulas in regards to these parameters. There were no subjective complaints of dyspnea during any of the five studies. CONCLUSION: The carbohydrate content of liquid dietary supplements appears to be an important determinant of hyperglycemia in glucose-intolerant adult CF patients.

Pediatric gastroenterology. Update on metabolic liver disease.

Wilson's disease, genetic and neonatal hemochromatosis, protoporphyria, tyrosinemia, and alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency are updated. Cost effectiveness of screening is discussed. Current therapies are evaluated, including the role of transplantation. The molecular biologic technique PCR is covered. Gene therapy is introduced.

Cystic fibrosis-associated colitis and fibrosing colonopathy.

OBJECTIVE: To describe our experience with cystic fibrosis (CF)-associated colitis and fibrosing colonopathy, and to assess treatment strategies. STUDY DESIGN: We reviewed hospital charts and autopsy reports of all University of Minnesota patients with CF between 1975 and August 1994. We identified six patients with colonopathy and compared them with a cohort of 79 patients with CF in the same age range and seen during the same period. RESULTS: All patients with colonopathy had bloody diarrhea; five of the six had abdominal pain. Stool frequency and related symptoms distinguished the patients with colonopathy from the cohort population. All took a higher median dose of pancreatic enzymes than the cohort population during the 3 months preceding the onset of symptoms (p < 0.002). For all six patients, barium studies revealed loss of haustration, and shortening and diffuse narrowing of the colonic lumen with relative rectal sparing. The distal ileal mucosa was irregular in four patients. A histopathologic study reveal fibrosis of the submucosa or lamina propria, and focal acute cryptitis in all six patients. Other features included ascites (2/6) and nodular regenerative hyperplasia of the liver (1/6). One patient continues to have symptoms, three had subtotal colectomy, and the condition of two improved after a regimen including a low-fat diet, withholding of pancreatic enzymes, and supplemental parenteral nutrition was initiated. CONCLUSIONS: Fibrosing colonopathy represents a newly recognized gastrointestinal complication of cystic fibrosis. Affected persons have taken larger doses of pancreatic enzymes than similar patients with cystic fibrosis, and have bloody diarrhea. We developed a medical protocol that may avoid surgical resection of the colon in some of these patients.

Growth hormone induction of hepatic serine protease inhibitor 2.1 transcription is mediated by a Stat5-related factor binding synergistically to two gamma-activated sites.

A growth hormone (GH)-inducible nuclear factor (GHINF) from rat liver has been purified to near homogeneity. On SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and UV-cross-linking, a major band of mass approximately 93 kDa and a minor band of approximately 70 kDa are detected in the purified fraction. DNase I footprinting using purified GHINF yields a protected region of -149/-115 on the rat serine protease inhibitor 2.1 (Spi 2.1) promoter encompassed within the growth hormone response element (GHRE). Mutational analysis demonstrated that GHINF binds synergistically to two gamma-interferon-activated sites (GAS) within the GHRE, with the 3' element being the pivotal binding domain. Functional assays show that both GAS elements are necessary for full GH response. GHINF has no immunoreactivity with either a C-terminal Stat1 antibody or an N-terminal Stat3 antibody, while cross-reacting with a C-terminal Stat5 monoclonal antibody. GHINF will bind to two GAS elements from the Stat5 binding region of the beta-casein gene. These studies indicate that GHINF is a Stat5-related factor binding synergistically to two GAS elements to activate Spi 2.1 transcription.

A managed care model for home infusion therapy.

Home infusion therapy began in response to the medical needs of the patients. In the traditional model, products and services were delivered in the home on a physician's prescription. Limitations related to medical quality management and cost were recognized in this model. Because of these limitations, the changes that continue to occur in health care delivery and the increase in number and acuity of patients requiring non-hospital services, a managed care model was conceived and implemented at the University of Minnesota Medical School and Hospital. This model emphasizes physician-based case management, total quality management, a point of contact medical information system, outcomes assessment and management, and research and education activities designed to evaluate and improve home infusion therapies. The model was implemented through a public-private partnership. This application of managed care to home infusion therapies is described in this communication.

Clinical and biochemical findings in progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis.

The clinical findings in 33 patients with progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis (PFIC) are presented. Symptoms developed almost invariably before 6 months of age with severe pruritus and moderate jaundice. Other clinical findings included wheezing and nosebleeds, fat-soluble vitamin deficiency states, and cholelithiasis. Lower values for gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, averaging 15 IU/L before the administration of phenobarbital, and cholesterol, which averaged 156 mg/dl, are helpful in distinguishing PFIC from other pediatric cholestatic liver diseases. Autosomal recessive inheritance is probable. Twenty-six patients are alive at 12.9 +/- 6.7 years of age, all having had successful surgical treatment, either partial biliary diversion (n = 17) or orthotopic liver transplantation (n = 10). Seven patients died at a mean age of 3.9 +/- 2.4 years, as a result of liver failure in two, hepatocellular carcinoma in two, and complications of liver transplantation in three.

Ursodeoxycholic acid modifies gut-derived endotoxemia in neonatal rats.

We developed a model for the translocation of intraluminal endotoxin in the neonatal animal and used it to examine the capacity of a nonhepatotoxic bile acid, ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), to modify endotoxin translocation and cytokine response. Three-d-old Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized to receive enterally either no drug, lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 1 mg/animal), or UDCA (400 micrograms/animal) alone, or UDCA followed by LPS 1 h later. One h after LPS administration, the rats were killed and plasma endotoxin and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) were measured. Control animals had low circulating endotoxin (21.2 +/- 7.6 endotoxin units) and TNF (0.06 +/- 0.02 ng/mL). Enteral administration of LPS 1 h before the rats were killed resulted in significant elevation of endotoxin (249.5 +/- 71.3, p = 0.008) and TNF (3.6 +/- 1.3, p = 0.019). UDCA alone did not alter endotoxin levels (8.7 +/- 2.1). UDCA 1 h before LPS prevented the rise in endotoxin (38.9 +/- 11.2 endotoxin units) and TNF (0.2 +/- 0.05) significantly. Chenodeoxycholic acid was studied in a similar group of experiments and prevented neither the translocation of LPS nor the development of increased TNF levels in animals receiving LPS. In conclusion, LPS can cross the intestinal barrier in the normal neonatal rat. UDCA, administered before LPS, can decrease the translocation of LPS and prevent the cytokine response as measured by TNF levels. We speculate that UDCA, administered prophylactically, might reduce morbidity in clinical conditions leading to gut-derived endotoxemia.

Resolution of severe intrapulmonary shunting after liver transplantation.

A major complication of hepatic cirrhosis is arterial hypoxemia, often the result of intrapulmonary arteriovenous shunting. While previously such hypoxemia was thought to preclude successful hepatic transplantation, more recent studies have suggested that hepatic transplantation should be considered if the hypoxemia is corrected by supplemental oxygen. We report the findings in a cirrhotic patient with severe hypoxemia associated with intrapulmonary arteriovenous shunting. The patient did not respond to supplemental oxygen (PaO2 < 40 mm Hg on O2 at 4 L/min). The patient underwent successful hepatic transplantation, with complete resolution of intrapulmonary shunting. We believe that patients with cirrhosis-associated intrapulmonary shunting, even with hypoxemia resistant to supplemental oxygen, are acceptable candidates for hepatic transplantation.

Long-term complications of arteriohepatic dysplasia.

PURPOSE: It has been stated that arteriohepatic dysplasia is a form of biliary paucity with a good prognosis. We wished to determine the long-term morbidity and mortality associated with arteriohepatic dysplasia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The charts of all patients with arteriohepatic dysplasia followed by the pediatric gastroenterologists of the University of Minnesota into adulthood were reviewed. RESULTS: Over the last 33 years, the pediatric gastroenterologists have followed 16 children with syndromic paucity, six of whom are now beyond age 18 years. Although five of six patients responded to medical therapy with improvement in their cholestasis and appeared stable clinically through childhood, five of six patients had complications of arteriohepatic dysplasia after age 16 years that resulted in severe morbidity (three) or death (two). These complications included hepatic failure (two), renal failure (one), cerebellar herniation (one), and hepatocellular carcinoma (one). In only one patient were symptoms of the complications present prior to the age of 18 years. CONCLUSION: As more patients with arteriohepatic dysplasia reach adulthood, it appears that this syndrome may be accompanied by long-term manifestations extending beyond childhood. It is important that physicians assuming management of these patients from pediatricians be aware that new abnormalities may appear without warning and that the hepatic disease may deteriorate despite apparent stability through childhood.

Discoordinate hormonal and ontogenetic regulation of four rat serpin genes.

To understand the roles of four highly homologous rat hepatic serine protease inhibitor genes (Spi 2.1, Spi 2.2, Spi 2.3, and alpha 1-antitrypsin), we measured the hepatic content of their specific mRNAs under several physiological conditions. Spi 2.1 and 2.3 mRNAs, which are regulated by growth hormone, paralleled serum growth hormone levels developmentally. Only Spi 2.1 mRNA decreased with starvation, while Spi 2.2, 2.3, and alpha 1-antitrypsin mRNAs did not change. Despite the close homology of the Spi genes to mouse contrapsin, which is regulated by testosterone, none of the serine protease inhibitor mRNAs examined here was dependent on androgens for expression. Spi 2.2 mRNA displayed a unique ontogenetic regulation, with a rise in hepatic content at day 19 to levels five times that of any other age group. These studies confirm the importance of growth hormone in the regulation of Spi 2.1 and 2.3 mRNAs and suggest that Spi 2.2 mRNA may be regulated by metabolic alterations occurring in the weaning period.

Developmental regulation of the hepatic acute phase response.

For evaluation of the ontogenetic regulation of the acute phase response, inflammation was induced in Fischer rat litters at different postnatal ages. Four homologous rat hepatic serine protease inhibitor (Spi 2.1, Spi 2.2, Spi 2.3, and alpha 1-antitrypsin) mRNAs were measured in livers 24 h after injection. Animals mounted both positive and negative acute phase responses at all ages, but responses were blunted in young animals, reaching adult levels by days 7-19. alpha 1-Antitrypsin mRNA had no response, and Spi 2.2 mRNA had 50% the rise seen in adults on days 3 and 7. Spi 2.1 and 2.3 mRNAs, negative acute phase reactants, showed attenuation of adult response to inflammation in infant animals of 33% (Spi 2.1) and 40% (Spi 2.3). In hypophysectomized animals, the responses of Spi 2.2, 2.3, and alpha 1-antitrypsin mRNAs after turpentine stimulation were similar to that of normal animals, whereas Spi 2.1 mRNA did not change. In conclusion, infant animals mount a blunted response to tissue injury; multiple factors may be involved in the development of the full adult response. Immaturity of the pituitary may play a role in the suppression of Spi 2.1 mRNA's response during inflammation in infant animals. These highly evolutionary related genes will be helpful in identifying specific factors regulating gene expression in inflammation and development.