Portal cytokine response and metabolic markers in the early stages of abdominal sepsis in pigs.

BACKGROUND: The portal vein could play a major role in disseminating the local inflammation of acute bacterial peritonitis since it is responsible for the venous drainage of the gastrointestinal tract. We hypothesized that after peritoneal exposure to Escherichia coli, a gradient between the portal and systemic levels of cytokines would be expected. METHODS: Acute peritonitis was induced by depositing 200 ml of broth with live E. coli in the peritoneal cavity of the animals in the B-group (n = 7). They were then observed for 4 h and compared with a control group (C-group, n = 7). Tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10 and vascular endothelial growth factor were measured repeatedly in the portal vein and the femoral artery. Portal vein metabolic markers (microdialysis), haemodynamics, biochemistry, plasma volume (PV), fluid shifts and total tissue water content were recorded or calculated. RESULTS: The intervention led to PV contraction, increased fluid extravasation, increased pulmonary vascular resistance and reduced urinary output in the B-group as compared with the C-group. The levels of glucose in the portal vein were reduced in both study groups with no between-group differences. The levels of TNF-α and IL-6 increased markedly in the portal vein as well as in the systemic circulation of the B-group, but no gradient was seen between them. The corresponding levels of TNF-α and IL-6 remained low and stable in the C-group. CONCLUSION: The portal vein appears to play a minor role in supplying TNF-α and IL-6 to the systemic circulation after peritoneal exposure to a substantial dose of E. coli.

The effect of glutathione modulation on the concentration of homocysteine in plasma of rats.

Elevated plasma homocysteine concentration in humans is associated with increased risk of arteriosclerosis and ischaemic heart disease. We studied whether the plasma homocysteine concentration could be changed by administration of drugs that modulate the concentration of glutathione in both plasma and tissue. Male wistar rats received reduced glutathione (0.5 mmol/kg). N-acetylcysteine (0.5 mmol/kg), L-buthionine-[S,R]-sulfoximine (2 mmol/kg) or Ringer acetate intravenously. Twenty min. later an arterial blood sample was drawn for the measurement of homocysteine and other thiols in the plasma. The thiols were quantified by reversed-phase ion-pair liquid chromatography and fluorescence detection. The total homocysteine concentration in plasma of fasted rats was 6.1+/-0.5 microM. Intravenous administration of reduced glutathione or N-acetylcysteine reduced the homocysteine concentration in plasma significantly by 51% to 3.0+/-0.3 microM and 63%, to 2.2 +/- 0.2 microM, respectively (P<0.05). In contrast, L-buthionine-[S,R]-sulfoximine increased the concentration of homocysteine by 41% to 8.6 +/- 0.6 microM (P<0.05). The glutathione concentration in plasma was 19.5 +/-1.9 microM in controls and was unchanged by N-acetylcysteine administration. Reduced glutathione increased plasma glutathione to 379.7 +/- 22.9 microM (P<0.05). whereas L-buthionine-[S R]-sulfoximine lowered the plasma glutathione concentration to 5.3 +/- 0.4 microM. Homocysteine was negatively correlated to the glutathione (r=-0.399, P<0.01) and the cysteine (r=-0.52, P<0.01) concentrations in plasma. Our conclusion is that modulation of the glutathione levels influences the concentration of homocysteine in plasma of rats.

Glutathione modulation changes the penetration of N-[3H]methyl-N-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine into gastric mucosa of rats.

Glutathione plays a role in gastric mucosal protection and the glutathione level is elevated in some forms of gastritis. We studied the relevance of glutathione for the penetration of N-methyl-N-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine in the glandular mucosa of the stomach. Male Wistar rats were treated with glutathione (0.5 mmol/kg intravenously), N-acetylcysteine (0.5 mmol/kg intravenously), or L-buthionine-[S,R,]-sulfoximine (BSO, 2 mmol/kg intraperitoneally), before the gastric mucosa was exposed to N-[3H]methyl-N-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine for 10 min. Penetration of the carcinogen was evaluated by light microscopic identification of cells labeled with bromodeoxyuridine and N-[3H]methyl-N-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (double-labeled cells). Thiol substances were quantified by reversed-phase ion-pair liquid chromatography and fluorescence detection. The percentage double-labeled cells was higher in antrum mucosa (11.7 +/- 3.1%) than in corpus mucosa (1.1 +/- 0.2%) (P < 0.05). Total glutathione level was 1853 +/- 101 nmol/g in antrum and 1560 +/- 76 nmol/g in corpus mucosa. BSO administration reduced the amount of glutathione in antrum to 495 +/- 14 nmol/g (P < 0.05) and reduced the percentage double-labeled cells in antrum mucosa to 6.1 +/- 1.3% (P < 0.05). A positive correlation was found between the percentage of double-labeled cells in the antrum mucosa and the total amount of glutathione (r = 0.451, P = 0.002), and the amount of reduced glutathione (r = 0.449, P = 0.002). Glutathione modulation effects the penetration of N-[3H]methyl-N-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine in the antrum but not in the corpus mucosa. Thiols do not explain the different penetration of carcinogen in antrum and corpus mucosa.

Effect of gastric secretion on penetration of N-3H-methyl-N-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine into gastric mucosa of rats.

Clinical conditions with low gastric acid secretion have been associated with increased risk of gastric cancer. There has also been concern about gastric acid inhibition and N-nitroso compound formation in the stomach. This study investigates the effect of gastric acid secretion on the penetration of N-3H-methyl-N-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine, an N-nitroso compound and gastric carcinogen, into the gastric mucosa of rats. Gastric acid secretion was stimulated by pentagastrin (40 microg/kg/hr) and inhibited by omeprazole (40 micromol/kg) before mucosal exposure to N-3H-methyl-N-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine. Penetration of the carcinogen was evaluated by light microscopic identification of cells in the S-phase labeled with N-3H-methyl-N-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine. This population of double-labeled cells is considered at risk from N-methyl-N-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine-induced carcinogenesis. The percentage of double-labeled cells was significantly higher in antrum than in corpus mucosa (P < 0.0001). Stimulation or inhibition of gastric acid secretion did not affect the penetration of N-3H-methyl-N-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine in antrum or corpus mucosa. We conclude that modulation of gastric acid secretion does not affect the penetration of the carcinogen into the gastric mucosa nor does it explain the different penetration of the carcinogen into corpus and antrum mucosa.

Gastroesophageal reflux in morbidly obese patients treated with gastric banding or vertical banded gastroplasty.

OBJECTIVE: To compare gastric banding (GB) and vertical banded gastroplasty (VBG) with respect to postsurgical gastroesophageal reflux (GER) and to investigate the role of preexisting hiatus hernia. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: GB and VBG have for a long time been used in the treatment of morbidly obese patients. The introduction of laparoscopic techniques has renewed the interest in these operations. The long-term results after GB have, however, been poor. VBG was suggested to have antireflux properties because it involves repositioning and retaining the gastroesophageal junction within the abdomen and constructing an elongated intraabdominal tube. METHODS: Forty-three morbidly obese patients accepted for GB or VBG were evaluated for GER before and at regular intervals after surgery. All patients were questioned about adverse symptoms and need for antireflux medication. Both before and after surgery, 24-hour pH measurement and upper gastrointestinal endoscopies were performed. RESULTS: The prevalence of heartburn and acid regurgitation among patients treated with GB increased from 14% and 13% to 63% and 69%, respectively. Heartburn and acid regurgitation were present before surgery in 32% and 23% of patients treated with VBG, percentages unchanged by the procedure. The 24-hour reflux time increased significantly from 6.4% to 30.9% in patients treated with GB but was essentially unchanged in patients treated with VBG. The prevalence of esophagitis after GB and VBG was 75% and 20%. Acid inhibitors were needed in 81% of patients after GB and 29% of patients after VBG. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of GER was unchanged by VBG, but VBG did not demonstrate antireflux properties. The incidence of GER increased markedly after GB.

Glutathione and N-acetylcysteine reduce gastric mucosal blood flow in rats.

Glutathione has been studied as a possible mediator in gastric mucosal protection and healing, but its extracellular function is not fully understood. This study evaluates blood flow changes in normal gastric mucosa secondary to glutathione modulation under stable central hemodynamic conditions. Thiol substances were quantified by reverse-phase ion-pair liquid chromatography and fluorescence detection. Central hemodynamics remained stable when glutathione and N-acetylcysteine were administered in a dose of 0.5 mmol/kg. Higher doses than 0.5 mmol/kg of glutathione and N-acetylcysteine caused unstable hemodynamics. Glutathione (0.5 mmol/kg intravenously) and N-acetylcysteine (0.5 mmol/kg intravenously) reduced corpus mucosal blood flow by 28% and 26% (P < 0.0005), respectively, and glutathione reduced antral mucosa blood flow by 22% (P < 0.01). L-Buthionine-[S,R]-sulfoximine (2 mmol/kg intravenously) did not effect gastric mucosal blood flow. Cysteine content in mucosa and plasma increased while mucosal glutathione levels were largely unchanged after administration of reduced glutathione and N-acetylcysteine. Plasma glutathione only increased after injection of glutathione. L-Buthionine-[S,R]-sulfoximine reduced the glutathione level in both plasma and mucosa. We conclude that glutathione and N-acetylcysteine reduce gastric mucosal blood flow and that the effect may be related to increased cysteine levels in plasma or mucosa.

Small intestinal perforation and peritonitis after abdominal suction lipoplasty.

Suction lipoplasty for abdominal contouring in nonoperated patients is considered a safe procedure with a low incidence of local and systemic complications. Suction lipoplasty combined with a full abdominoplasty is, however, still controversial with a higher rate of local complications. A 56-year-old woman with a history of four laparotomies and two abdominoplasties was hospitalized with abdominal pain and signs of peritonitis after an ambulatory suction lipoplasty. During laparotomy for peritonitis the abdominal wall was found to be stiff and fibrotic, with massive adhesions to the intestine. Two small intestinal perforations caused soiling into the peritoneum. The perforated intestinal segment was resected and the postoperative history was uneventful. Both recent and former laparotomies in the lower abdomen represent a possible risk when suction lipoplasty is performed. An ultrasonographic or computed tomographic scan of the abdominal wall would identify or rule out any underlying fascial defect or hernia.

[Acute abdomen among children and adolescents. A retrospective study of 470 children and adolescents with acute abdominal pain]. / Akutt abdomen blant barn og unge. En retrospektiv undersøkelse av 470 barn og unge med akutte abdominalsmerter.

The causes of acute abdominal pain among children admitted to a surgical department were few and the fraction that needed surgical treatment was low (37%). The surgical intervention rate was age-dependent, rising from 11.4% (zero to three years of age) to 48.9% (12-15 years of age). The increase in surgical intervention rate was due to increasing incidence of acute appendicitis while the incidence of intestinal obstruction was unchanged during childhood. No child below the age of four had appendicitis, and the rate of perforated appendix among children seven years and younger (41.7%) was significantly higher than among children eight years and older (20.4%). For acute appendicitis, the surgeons' diagnostic accuracy was 77.9% and there was no significant difference between complications after appendectomy for appendicitis and complications after negative laparotomy. The diagnostic value of biochemical measurements was limited. However, the combined evaluation of C-reactive protein measurements and leucocyte counts possibly supports further observation rather than immediate operation.

[Tetracycline sclerotherapy of hydroceles and spermatoceles]. / Tetracyklinsklerosering av hydroceler og spermatoceler.

40 patients were treated by aspiration and instillation of a 10% solution of tetracycline. 32 were cured after average 1.45 instillations. The dominating adverse effect was scrotal pain, reported by 55% of the patients. One patient experienced a transient vasovagal reaction due to the pain, and one patient was suspected of having a slight infection. No other adverse effect was registered, and 90% of the patients would prefer to have the same treatment rather than an operation if another treatment were found necessary. The treatment is given as an outpatient procedure at 1/10 of the cost of traditional operative treatment, and with comparable results.

[Meckel's diverticulum. Symptoms, diagnosis and treatment]. / Meckels divertikkel. Symptomer, diagnose og behandling.

Meckel's diverticulum is a rare, but serious cause of acute abdominal pain. The prevalence of Meckel's diverticulum is 2% and lifetime risk of illness in a diverticulum is 4.2%. The risk declines with age and approaches zero after the age of 70. Morbidity after resection of symptomatic Meckel's diverticulum is 11.1-17.6% with 6.0-7.5% mortality. The morbidity rate for resection of incidentally discovered diverticulum is 1.2-8.9%. Symptoms and complications are related to age. Below the age of one year the most prevalent complication is gastrointestinal obstruction. Later in childhood the most dominating complication is peptic ulcer with serious gastrointestinal bleeding, while various kinds of gastrointestinal obstruction and diverticulitis are most prevalent in adults. The treatment of symptomatic Meckel's diverticulum is resection. However, the treatment of incidentally discovered Meckel's diverticulum is a subject of dispute. After a thorough study of the literature we conclude that resection should be the routine for all incidentally discovered Meckel's diverticulums in persons younger than 40. After this age resection should be reserved for patients with palpable stigmata of heterotopic tissue, diverticulums of some length and the presence of omphaloenteric- or omphalodiverticulare chords.

[Can surgeons be in charge of an obstetric department?]. / Kan kirurger ha ansvaret for en fødeavdeling?

At Rana sykehus there are neither obstetricians nor pediatricians. The obstetric ward is run by the surgeons. Pregnant women suspected of being at increased risks are transferred to Nordland Sentralsykehus before the expected delivery. The following data were obtained by analyzing 1,009 deliveries. 19.2% of all the deliveries needed emergency assistance by a doctor. Emergency cesarean section was performed in 6.2% of the cases, and vacuum extraction was needed in 3.2%. Elective cesarean section was done in 4.9% of all births. Emergency and elective cesarean section together made up 11.1% of the 1009 deliveries. The cesarean section rates were lower than the average number in Nordland and in the country as a whole. The perinatal death rate was lower than the average rate for the rest of the country (0.49% versus 0.8%). Infants with potential dangerous conditions were transferred for pediatric care at Nordland Sentralsykehus (3.96%). Our conclusion is that general surgeons can be responsible for an obstetric ward, when it is done voluntary, and it is approved by a responsible obstetrician. In our area there is a need for an obstetric ward, and the surgeons here have built a certain expertise in obstetrics. In difficult cases, however, the surgeons always consult the obstetricians and pediatricians at Nordland Sentralsykehus for evaluation of the patients.