Enhanced glucose-dependent glucagon-like peptide-1 and insulin secretion in Crohn patients with terminal ileum disease is unrelated to disease activity or ileal resection.

BACKGROUND: Enhanced secretion of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) has been reported in patients with Crohn disease (CD). However, the correlation between the enteropancreatic axis and the activity of CD remains unclear. METHODS: Plasma glucose, insulin, GLP-1 levels and insulin sensitivity were determined before and after oral glucose tolerance tests in 13 patients with CD of the terminal ileum, in 13 patients after resection of the terminal ileum and in 7 healthy controls. Basal and stimulated insulin sensitivities were determined using the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) and the insulin sensitivity index (ISI) methods, respectively. RESULTS: Basal and stimulated glucose levels were comparable in patients and controls. The peak stimulated GLP-1 secretion was significantly higher in the patient group compared to controls: 12.2 +/- 1.24 pM/L and 8.1 +/- 1.72 pM/L, respectively, P=0.03. This was associated with 52% increased overall insulin secretion in the patients' group as compared to controls (P=0.007) and a higher peak insulin response: 63.5 +/- 9.69 mU/L and 41.5 +/- 6.85 mU/L for patients and controls, respectively, P=0.04. Operated patients had similar GLP-1 levels but higher peak and overall insulin secretions compared with those in non-operated patients (P=0.01). Fasting and stimulated insulin sensitivities were reduced only in patients with ileal resection as compared to controls: P=0.01 and P=0.05, respectively. No correlation was found between the CD activity index and GLP-1 or insulin secretion. CONCLUSIONS: CD of the terminal ileum is associated with enhanced glucose-dependent GLP-1 secretion, which is unrelated to disease activity or ileal resection.

Does laparoscopic cholecystectomy influence peri-sinusoidal cell activity?

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To investigate the influence of laparoscopic procedures on perisinusoidal cell function. METHODOLOGY: In 31 patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy for symptomatic cholelithiasis, the serum levels of beta-N-acetyl hexosaminidase (beta-NAH) and hyaluronic acid (HA) were measured. Six female patients, who underwent other laparoscopic procedures, not involving the hepatobiliary system, served as controls. RESULTS: HA serum levels increased significantly in both study and control groups, while beta-NAH serum levels remained within normal values. Post-operative AST and ALT serum levels increased significantly only in the study group. No elevation of serum ALP was noted in any of our patients, and post-operative bilirubin levels did not increase in patients with normal pre-operative levels. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic procedures caused detectable damage to Kupffer and endothelial cells as reflected by elevation of post-operative HA serum levels. The damage to the liver hepatocytes and perisinusoidal cells has no clinical significance and the laparoscopic procedure itself is the probable cause of the Kupffer and endothelial cells damage, while other mechanisms caused damage to the hepatocytes.

Thromboembolic complications of central venous catheterization of the arm and neck veins.

For more than 30 years central venous catheterization has provided an important means of long-term vascular access and circulatory monitoring. Thrombosis of central veins is one of the serious complications of this procedure, The reported incidence of thrombosis varies and it is often underestimated clinicaIly due to the pau city of signs and symptoms. Symptomatic subelavian vein thrombosis is estimated to occur in up to 15% of patients with indwelling venous access devices.

Gastric Mucosal Changes following Gastroplasty: A Comparative Study Between Vertical Banded Gastroplasty and Silastic Ring Vertical Gastroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Long-term changes of gastric mucosa following surgery for morbid obesity have never been studied, to the best of our knowledge. As 31 patients in our series presented with various gastrointestinal complaints following surgery, we used this opportunity to study mucosal changes. METHODS: Thirty-seven gastroscopies were performed on 31 patients, 20 patients following Vertical Banded Gastroplasty (VBG) and 11 patients following Silastic Ring Vertical Gastroplasty (SRVG) with various gastrointestinal complaints. Macroscopic appearance of the gastric mucosa was examined and biopsies taken from the proximal gastric pouch, the transitional zone and distal stomach. RESULTS: In most patients, macroscopic appearance of the proximal and distal pouches was normal. Pathological findings were mainly located in the transitional zone and were found mainly in the VBG group. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that damage to the gastric mucosa is related to the surgical technique, and mainly to the strip of mesh used in the VBG patients. Since hyperplasia and metaplasia were among the microscopic findings, a question is raised about the possibility of malignant transformation. We suggest that routine post-operative gastroscopies be considered, especially following VBG.