Levels of hepatic stimulator substance in liver regenerating process of partially hepatectomized rats pretreated with a single dose of carbon tetrachloride.

Liver regeneration after injury with carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) followed by partial hepatectomy is a complex model involving toxicological, inflammatory, and necrotic processes. In the present study, the time-course of hepatic regenerative process was investigated in relation to hepatic stimulator substance (HSS) activity, administration of a single dose of CCl4 and partial (70%) hepatectomy in male rats. To evaluate liver injury events, the levels of serum aspartic aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were measured. Hepatic DNA synthesis reached a maximum at 36 hr after hepatectomy in contrast to the reported 24-hr and 32-hr peaks observed in nontreated hepatectomized rats. On the other hand, HSS activity appeared to peak at 28, 40, and 44 hr after hepatectomy in CCl4-treated rats, and it was quite a lot lower at 24, 32, 36, 48, and 60 hr. The hypothesis that HSS promotes liver regeneration but it does not initiate it, as other factors have been found to do, is discussed.

Effect of subtotal pancreatectomy on the rate of liver regeneration: the role of hepatic stimulator substance.

The endogenous signals controlling liver regeneration are becoming rapidly defined. One of the key findings during liver regeneration following partial hepatectomy is the appearance of peripheral blood factors that stimulate DNA synthesis in the parenchymal cells. Hepatopoietin A, or hepatocyte growth factor, has been described as a complete mitogen for hepatocytes, one of its major tissue sources being the pancreas. The changes in the rate of DNA synthesis (incorporation of [3H] thymidine into DNA) in both subtotally pancreatectomized-partially hepatectomized (Group A) and partially hepatectomized (Group B) male rats were determined at different postoperation times. DNA synthesis in Group A was increased progressively, reaching a maximum at 40 hr after operation in contrast to the 24- and 32-hr peaks obtained in nonpancreatectomized rats (Group B). However, liver regeneration in Group A was significantly lower than in Group B. To evaluate the effects of hepatic stimulator substance (HSS) on liver regeneration, the time course of HSS biological activity during the liver regeneration process was determined in the livers of Group A rats. A concurrent change of HSS activity and rate of liver regeneration was observed. These results support the hypothesis that HSS biological activity may be delayed but not suppressed by subtotal pancreatectomy.

Skeletal disorders in children with renal failure.

There are relatively few reports concerning management of the musculoskeletal problems of children with renal failure. From a population group of 124 children with renal failure treated at The Children's Hospital, Camperdown, 16 were referred for management of skeletal problems. These problems included genu valgum, slipped capital femoral epiphysis, ankle valgus, procurvatum of the tibia, osteonecrosis, osteochondritis dissecans, "brown tumors," gout, and pathological fracture. The methods of management of these problems are discussed.

A survey of rural road fatalities.

This study is a retrospective case series analysis of all 82 road deaths occurring in the Orana Area Health Service (OAHS) over the 2 year period 1989-90. The OAHS services a population of 112,800 in an area of 199,077 km2 in north-west New South Wales. The aim of the study was to document timing, place and cause of deaths, severity of injuries, pre-hospital management of victims, and a TRISS analysis of outcome. This was done using ambulance, hospital, police and autopsy reports. Seventy-two (88%) of the victims were motor vehicle occupants, five (6%) were motorcyclists and four (5%) were pedestrians. The median ambulance response time to the scene of the accident was 17 min (range 2-103 min). All deaths occurred within 24 h of injury with 65 (79%) of the victims being dead at the scene, nine (11%) dying en-route and eight (10%) reaching hospital alive. A TRISS analysis was performed on 51 deaths and 8% (4/51) of these had a greater than 50% probability of survival. Of the victims that had inevitable deaths according to TRISS, 11% (5/47) may have survived if pre-hospital care arrived sooner. Reduction in the rural road toll is achievable through preventative measures and strategies to improve access to care and administration of pre-hospital care.

Protective role of hydrocortisone on galactosamine-induced hepatitis into rats.

The effects of hydrocortisone administration in rats intoxicated with one injection of 75 mg galactosamine i.p. per 100 g of body weight are described. Hydrocortisone was given at two schedules; according to the first schedule it was given at the dose of 150 microgram per 100 g of body weight i.p. 1 min before galactosamine administration and after 6 hours at half this dose, while according to the second the animals were pretreated for 24 hours before galactosamine injection at 6 hour intervals four times at the dose of 150 microgram. Both treatments diminished significantly liver cell necrosis induced by galactosamine and lowered serum transaminases activities (P less than 0.001). Liver glycogen depletion and excessive fatty accumulation found in the animals that had received galactosamine alone did not exist after hydrocortisone treatment. The protective hydrocortisone effect is briefly discussed, the present findings remaining unknown.

Experimental renal papillary necrosis. Effects of beta adrenergic receptor blockade, heparin and hydrocortisone.

Renal papillary necrosis was induced in rats by daily subcutaneous injection of 15 mg 2-bromoethylamine hydrobromide (BEA) per 100 g of body weight for 2 successive days. This dose was 50% higher than that reported previously. Beta adrenergic receptor blockade with oxyprenolol did not influence the kidney damage. The administration of heparin did not show any effect. The doses applied did not induce the incoagulability for a sufficient period of time. On the contrary, treatment with hydrocortisone decreased papillary necrosis without inducing increased diuresis.