Lipoprotein lipase but not hormone-sensitive lipase activities achieve normality after surgically induced weight loss in morbidly obese patients.

BACKGROUND: Although bariatric surgery is currently the most common practice for inducing weight loss in morbidly obese patients (BMI>40 kg/m2), its effect on the lipid content of adipose tissue and its lipases (lipoprotein lipase [LPL] and hormone-sensitive lipase [HSL]) are controversial. METHODS: We analyzed LPL and HSL activities and lipid content from plasma as well as subcutaneous (SAT) and visceral (VAT) adipose tissue of 34 morbidly obese patients (MO) before and after (6 and 12 months) Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery and compare the values with those of normal weight (control) patients. RESULTS: LPL activity was significantly higher in MO (SAT=32.9+/-1.0 vs VAT=36.4+/-3.3 mU/g tissue; p<0.001) than in control subjects (SAT=8.2+/-1.4 vs VAT=6.8+/-1.0 mU/g tissue) in both adipose depots. HSL activity had similar values in both types of tissue (SAT=32.8+/-1.6 and VAT=32.9+/-1.6 mU/g) of MO. In the control group, we found similar results but with lower values (SAT=11.9+/-1.4 vs VAT=12.1+/-1.4 mU/g tissue). Twelve months after surgery, SAT LPL activity diminished (9.8+/-1.4 mU/g tissue, p<0.001 vs morbidly obese), while HSL (46.6+/-3.7 mU/g tissue) remained high. All lipids in tissue and plasma diminished after bariatric surgery except plasma nonesterified fatty acids, which maintained higher levels than controls (16+/-3 vs 9+/-0 mg/dL; p<0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: When obese patients lose weight, they lose not only part of the lipid content of the cells but also the capacity to store triacylglycerides in SAT depots.

Ghrelin and apolipoprotein AIV levels show opposite trends to leptin levels during weight loss in morbidly obese patients.

BACKGROUND: Although bariatric surgery is the most common procedure used to induce weight loss in morbidly obese patients, its effect on plasma satiety factors (leptin, ghrelin, and apolipoprotein (apo)-AIV) is controversial. The aim of this work was to analyze these parameters before and at different times after surgery. METHODS: Plasma was obtained from 34 patients before undergoing Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and during weight loss in the 12 months following surgery. RESULTS: Morbidly obese patients had significantly higher values (147%) of leptin than normal-weight (NW) persons, while their ghrelin levels were 46% less than NW. Apo-AIV levels had approximately the same value in both groups (obese and NW). During weight loss, leptin decreased by 75% and ghrelin increased by 78%. Both parameters reached values less than or near NW, respectively, at 1 year after surgery. During the first month after surgery, apo-AIV plasma levels decreased (47%) but later increased and finally returned to preoperative values. Apo-AIV levels were correlated negatively with leptin and positively with ghrelin. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels were positively correlated with those of ghrelin and apo-AIV. CONCLUSIONS: During weight loss, plasma leptin and ghrelin could be good markers of total fat decrease. Ghrelin could also indicate gastric mucous improvement, whereas apo-AIV could indicate the recovery of intestinal function. Changes produced in the HDL levels of morbidly obese patients during weight loss suggest a decreased risk of coronary disease.

Outcome and hepatic hemodynamics in liver transplant patients with portal vein arterialization.

UNLABELLED: Few cases of successful portal vein arterialization in orthotopic and auxiliary liver transplantation have been reported. AIM: To evaluate the effect of portal vein arterialization on hepatic hemodynamics and long-term clinical outcome in three patients undergoing liver transplantation. METHODS: Two patients with extensive splanchnic venous thrombosis received an orthotopic liver transplant and one with fulminant hepatic failure received an auxiliary heterotopic graft. Portal vein arterialization was performed in all cases. RESULTS: One patient died 4 months after transplant and two are still alive. Auxiliary liver graft was removed 3 months post-transplant when complete native liver regeneration was achieved. Immediate post-transplant liver function was excellent in all cases. Only one patient developed encephalopathy and variceal bleeding owing to prehepatic portal hypertension secondary to arterioportal fistula 14 months after transplant. He was successfully treated by embolization of the hepatic artery. Hepatic hemodynamic measurements demonstrated a normal pressure gradient between wedged and free hepatic venous pressures in all cases. Liver biopsy showed acceptable graft architecture in two cases and microsteatosis in one. CONCLUSIONS: Liver transplantation with portal vein arterialization is an acceptable salvage alternative when insufficient portal venous flow to the graft is present. The double arterial supply does not imply changes in hepatic hemodynamics, at least in the early months post-transplant.

[Microbiological study of post mortem lung biopsy in pediatric patients]. / Estudio microbiológico de la biopsia pulmonar post mortem en pacientes pediátricos.

AIM: The aim of this study was to correlate the morphologic and microbiologic findings of the post mortem biopsies of a series of pediatric patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A complete morphologic study of all the organs of the patients included in the study was performed. In the pulmonary samples provided by the pathologist, the presence of aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms and fungi were determined. RESULTS: Ninety-three pulmonary biopsies corresponding to 77 dead patients (47 infants and 30 fetuses) were undertaken. Forty-five patients showed pulmonary histology of infectious processes. The concordance between the morphology and the microbiologic culture was of 66.2%. The microorganisms most frequently isolated were gram positive cocci (46.4%) followed by gram negative bacillus (30.4%). CONCLUSIONS: Although post mortem pulmonary tissue cultures should be interpreted with caution without first relating these with the morphologic findings and the clinical characteristics of the patient, a statistically significant agreement was observed between the anatomo-pathological study and the microbiologic findings.

Recurrent hepatitis C virus infection after liver transplantation: immunohistochemical assessment of the viral antigen.

BACKGROUND: The value of immunohistochemical methods to identify hepatitis C virus antigen (HCVAg) in liver tissue has not been established. We have evaluated the significance of HCVAg expression in livers of patients with transplants and recurrent hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. METHODS: Forty-two liver biopsy specimens from 32 liver-transplant recipients with recurrent HCV infection were tested for HCVAg using fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled polyclonal, polyreactive human immunoglobulin. Histologic assessment of liver and quantitation of HCV RNA in sera were carried out in specimens obtained simultaneously with biopsies. RESULTS: HCVAg was found in 33% of the liver specimens obtained during the first month after transplantation and in all liver specimens obtained between 1 and 18 months after transplantation. Amounts of the antigen were significantly greater in specimens obtained more than 1 month after transplantation. A statistically significant increase of the average HCV RNA level in serum was observed in samples tested after the first month after the transplantation, and some decrease in the HCV RNA level was found in those obtained between 6 and 18 months after transplantation. Larger amounts of HCVAg were observed in specimens corresponding to episodes of acute or chronic hepatitis than in those associated with minimal parenchymal evidence of rejection. CONCLUSIONS: OBSERVATIONS of HCVAg expression in liver biopsy specimens indicated that the presence of viral antigens in hepatocytes is a constant finding in specimens obtained 1 month or longer after transplantation. Although large amounts of HCVAg correlated with acute or chronic hepatitis, the nature of this association with the development of pathologic changes remains to be established.

Fine needle aspiration cytology of undifferentiated (embryonal) sarcoma of the liver. A case report.

BACKGROUND: Undifferentiated (embryonal) sarcoma of the liver (UESL) is a rare malignant mesenchymal hepatic tumor with an incidence among liver tumors of 27.7%. It occurs predominantly in children under the age of 15. CASE: The cytologic findings in a case of UESL in fine needle aspiration biopsy material in a 12-year-old girl are described. The patient presented clinically with upper abdominal pain and a palpable mass in the right hepatic lobe. Cytologic features included a combination of polygonal and spindle cells. The polygonal cells were large, with round or lobulated nuclei, and occasionally multinucleated, with one or several nucleoli and variable cytoplasm with poorly defined borders. A few intracytoplasmic and extracytoplasmic eosinophil globules were observed. Histologic and immunohistochemical studies were performed, and staining for vimentin and alpha-1 antichemotrypsin was positive. CONCLUSION: It is important to recognize the cytologic features of this type of liver tumor since rapid diagnosis and initiation of early treatment may improve the poor prognosis of these neoplasms.

Comparative analysis of serological markers of chronic delta infection: HDV-RNA, serum HDAg and anti-HD IgM.

To study the concordance, sensitivity and specificity of HDV-RNA determination by molecular hybridization, serum HDAg by immunoblot and anti-HD IgM by commercial enzyme immunoassay as compared to intrahepatic HDAg detection by an immunoperoxidase method, a statistical analysis was applied to the results of serum sample and liver biopsy determinations in 50 patients with chronic delta hepatitis (38 positive to tissue HDAg and 12 negative). Of the 38 patients with hepatic HDAg, HDV-RNA was found in 31 (82%), serum HDAg by immunoblot in 27 (71%) and anti-HD IgM in 33 (87%). Among the 12 patients without hepatic HDAg, one was found with serum HDAg using the immunoblot technique, two (17%) had HDV-RNA, and 7 (58%) had anti-HD IgM. Serum HDAg determination by immunoblot was the most specific test, followed by HDV-RNA analysis. The least specific was the anti-HD IgM technique. The anti-HD IgM test was the most sensitive, followed by HDV-RNA and serum HDAg. The concordance with intrahepatic HDAg detection was highest for HDV-RNA determination, followed by HDAg in serum. The least degree of concordance was found with anti-HD IgM determination. These results suggest that the determination of HDV-RNA by the hybridization method can be of great value for the diagnosis and monitoring of chronic delta hepatitis.

[Lymphoproliferative disease in pediatric liver transplantation]. / Enfermedad linfoproliferativa en el trasplante hepático pediátrico.

Post-Transplant Lymphoproliferative Disorders are due to continuous B-lymphocyte proliferation induced by Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) infection which is recovered in 88% of transplanted patients. These disorders may present clinically as lymphadenopathic syndrome with lymphoid tissue hyperplasia, systemic as a mononucleosis-like syndrome and lymphomatous syndrome, indistinguishable from non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. We present 10 patients of PTLD classified as 7 lymphadenopathic, 1 systemic (this patient had both syndromes) and 3 lymphomatous tumours. At present, PTLD treatment consists of surgical removal of accessible masses or post-chemotherapy (ChT) tumour rests, total or partial withdrawal of immunosuppressive drugs and ChT following the Sociéte Française d'Oncologie Pédiatrique (SFOP) protocol for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Mathematical morphologic analysis of liver cirrhosis. Correlation with etiology, clinical score and hepatocellular carcinoma.

Remodeling of the cirrhotic liver was studied retrospectively by mathematical morphologic methods in 75 autopsy cases (40 alcoholic, 17 hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related and 18 cryptogenetic cirrhosis), including 28 hepatocellular carcinomas. The aim was to obtain objective measurements of cirrhotic patterns that could be correlated with liver function evaluated by the Pugh-Child score, establish the relationship among different morphogenetic features and evaluate the implications of an objective classification of cases by numerical taxonomy in terms of their etiology, liver function and malignant transformation. The results indicate that the Pugh-Child score was closely related to the global amount of fibrosis or to the percentage of regenerative nodules < 0.8 mm in diameter. In contrast, the higher the percentage of lobular-sized regenerative nodules (0.8-1.6 mm), the better the functional score, suggesting that they are probably residual lobules, albeit completely surrounded by fibrous tissue, rather than true regenerative pseudolobules. The four groups of cases obtained by numerical taxonomy (cluster analysis) showed different distributions for alcoholic and HBV-related cirrhosis. The pattern of the latter was practically analogous to that in classically labeled cryptogenetic cirrhosis, suggesting its viral etiology. Taxonomic classification had functional implications. The Pugh-Child score showed a definite relationship with the different clusters obtained. The incidence of malignant transformation gradually decreased from group G1 to G4, with a steeper descent between G2 and G3. These results might contribute to a more dynamic concept of morphologic changes in liver biopsies from patients with cirrhosis.

High rate of infectivity and liver disease in blood donors with antibodies to hepatitis C virus.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the epidemiologic, clinical, serologic, and histologic importance of antibodies to hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV) in blood donors. DESIGN: Cross-sectional identification and prospective evaluation of seropositive donors; retrospective assessment of infectivity; and nested case-control study for risk factors. SETTING: Liver unit of a referral-based university hospital. SUBJECTS: Of 30,231 consecutive donors, 368 (1.2%) were found to be anti-HCV-reactive by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Two hundred and fifty-four of these 368 donors were evaluated for risk factors by comparison with 284 age- and sex-matched controls. Eighty-six spouses of seropositive donors were also evaluated. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Twenty-four percent of the seropositive donors had a history of percutaneous exposure to blood. This rate increased to 45% when only those donors confirmed to be anti-HCV positive by a second-generation recombinant immunoblot assay (RIBA-2) were considered. A family history of liver disease (odds ratio, 2.8; 95% Cl, 1.6 to 4.8), previous blood transfusion (odds ratio, 6.1; 95% Cl, 3 to 12.5), and a history of tattooing or intravenous drug abuse (odds ratio, 8.4; 95% Cl, 2.3 to 31) were associated with anti-HCV seropositivity. An elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level was found in 58% of the seropositive donors. Of the 150 donors tested, 104 (69%; Cl, 62% to 77%) were confirmed by RIBA-2 to be anti-HCV positive. Of the 105 donors who had a biopsy, 16% had normal histologic findings, 11% had minimal changes, 21% had chronic persistent hepatitis, 45% had chronic active hepatitis, and 7% had active cirrhosis. All 77 donors with RIBA-2-confirmed seropositivity had histologic abnormalities. Of 43 donors evaluated in an infectivity study, 82% were implicated in previous HCV transmission. Only 2.3% of the spouses were anti-HCV positive. The ELISA, RIBA-2, and ALT results correlated with infectivity and abnormal histologic findings. CONCLUSIONS: In our geographic area, almost 70% of donors who are anti-HCV positive by ELISA are confirmed to be positive by RIBA-2; most of these donors appear to be chronic carriers of HCV and have substantial liver disease.

[Diagnosis of acute hepatitis caused by herpes simplex virus using in situ hybridization]. / Diagnóstico de hepatitis aguda por virus del herpes simplex mediante hibridación in situ.

A 50-year-old male without relevant past history was admitted because of fever lasting for 23 days. Physical examination showed hepatomegaly and splenomegaly without other findings. Laboratory studies only revealed mildly abnormal hepatic enzymes. The remaining investigations (markers, serologies, antinuclear antibodies, blood and urine cultures) were negative. Chest and abdomen X-ray films were normal. In abdominal echogram a homogeneous liver without space occupying lesions was seen, and computed tomography disclosed enlarged liver, spleen and lymph nodes. Needle hepatic biopsy was reported as showing reactive hepatitis. Although clinically meningeal antibody seroconversions were not found, DNA chains of cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, hepatitis B virus and herpes virus simplex were investigated with the in situ hybridisation technique. Its result was a strongly positive hybridisation for herpes virus and negative for the other investigated viruses.

[New perspectives in liver-based metabolic errors: liver transplantation]. / Nuevas perspectivas en los errores metabolicos de implantacion hepatica: trasplante hepatico.

Liver transplantation offers an actual alternative to patients end-stage liver disease. The aim of this study is to show our results of liver transplantation in paediatric patients with hepatic-based metabolic disorders. Survival rates in these indications can be high and these good results may enlarge the indications. Liver might transplantation therefore be offered earlier to patients with this kind of metabolic disease.

Prolonged inhibition of hepatitis B virus replication with vidarabine monophosphate in chronic active type B hepatitis.

Eight patients with chronic (mean 52 months) type B hepatitis (chronic active hepatitis and active cirrhosis) and markers of active viral replication (presence of HBeAg and HBV-DNA in serum) were treated with Ara-AMP for 7-12 weeks. The mean follow-up time was 18.3 months. All but one patient responded to treatment. In seven patients, HBeAg and HBV-DNA became negative and developed anti-HBe. One patient lost HBsAg as well as HBeAg and HBV-DNA. HBcAg in liver tissue became undetectable or greatly reduced in the seven patients in whom it was strongly positive. Aminotransferase and immunoglobulin levels reverted to normal in the seven responders and remained normal through the entire follow-up period. A second liver biopsy, performed after completion of therapy, showed improvement in six of eight cases, with disappearance of lobular activity. Two patients treated for 12 weeks developed a severe polyneuropathy lasting for 6 months. A 7-week course of Ara-AMP seems to induce long-lasting inhibition of viral replication, along with an improvement in liver function tests and liver histology, without significant side effects. On the other hand, a 12-week course was associated with the development of a severe and prolonged polyneuropathy.

Gallbladder disease: risk factor for colorectal carcinoma?

The relation between gallbladder disease and the risk of colorectal carcinoma (CRC) is examined in light of 864 consecutive adult postmortem examinations analyzed for significant associations between the state of the gallbladder (normal, cholelithiasis, and cholecystectomy) and the presence of colorectal carcinoma. Our findings supported the known association between female sex and gallbladder disease (p = 0.02) and revealed a significant association between cholelithiasis and/or cholecystectomy and colorectal cancer (p less than 0.02). The frequency of CRC was higher in patients who had a cholecystectomy than in those still with stones, but this difference was not statistically significant. The data suggests a sex-linked dependence between the state of gallbladder and CRC. However, the proper statistical test for this dependence was not significant (p less than 0.25), no doubt as a result of the relatively small amount of data for persons with gallbladder disease. We conclude that the state of gallbladder may modify the risk for colorectal carcinoma.

Diagnosis and management of nonspecific colon ulcer.

This report describes seven cases of nonspecific colon ulcers and analysis of the additional 120 cases reported in the literature through 1980. The total current series is compared with the two earlier reviews. Our findings showed that nonspecific colon ulcers occur in all age groups, predominantly 40 to 60 years, with slight predilection to female sex. The man clinical manifestations include abdominal pain mimicking appendicitis (50%), lower gastrointestinal hemorrhage (33%), perforation (19%), and abdominal mass (16%). The usual location of the ulcers is the cecum and ascending colon (67%), then transverse, hepatic, and splenic flexures (18%), and descending and sigmoid colon (15%). The diagnosis is best established by colonoscopy. The nonoperative conservative management is probably indicated in the uncomplicated cases with follow-up colonoscopic studies to ensure complete healing. The etiology of this condition is still unknown.

Bleeding gastric telangiectasia. Complication of Raynaud's phenomenon, esophageal motor dysfunction, sclerodactyly and telangiectasia (REST) syndrome.

Anemia and skin telangiectasia were the main presenting features of a patient with Raynaud's phenomenon, esophageal motor dysfunction, sclerodactyly and telangiectasia (REST) syndrome. Diffuse gastric telangiectasia with chronic intermittent blood loss were responsible for the anemia. The multisystemic and progressive character of this collagenopathy in our patient is described and the endoscopic picture is presented. Management difficulties and treatment alternatives are discussed.

[Clinical study of gastric lymphomas and pseudolymphomas (author's transl)]. / Linfomas y seudolinfomas gástricos. Estudio clínico.

The differentiation between gastric lymphomas and pseudolymphomas represents a clinical, surgical, and pathologic problem affecting both prognosis and therapy. Twenty patients were diagnosed for gastric lymphomas or gastric pseudolymphomas. Only those in stages IE or IIE were included in the first group (13 patients). Pseudolymphomas were diagnosed in seven patients on the basis of histopathologic criteria; all seven had peptic ulcers. Survival among the 13 patients diagnosed for lymphomas was low; six of them died within the first year. The seven cases diagnosed as pseudolymphoma progressed favorably over periods between 2 months and 5 years. The histologic parameters on which the differentiation of the two conditions was based included: a) cell type; b) distribution and limits of infiltration; c) presence of peptic ulcers in pseudolymphomas; and c) characteristics of the regional lymph nodes. The various possible mechanisms of pseudolymphomatous reaction are discussed. It is suggested that the relatively good prognosis reported in some series of gastric lymphomas may be due to the inclusion of pseudolymphomas. There is obvious justification for distinguishing between this two conditions.