Ronald L. Wathen

Diabetic Gastroparesis: An Abnormality of Gastric Emptying of Solids

Gastric emptying is delayed in subjects with gastroparesis diabeticorum. To ascertain whether solid or fluid gastric emptying is affected by visceral autonomic neuropathy, ten severe diabetics with gastroparesis and ten nondiabetic disease matched controls were studied. Subjects were screened to identify the presence or absence of autonomic neuropathy. The gastric emptying of fluids and solids was assessed by standard methodology utilizing a simultaneous dual radionuclide technique. If delayed gastric emptying was present on the initial study, metoclopramide (10mg IV bolus] was administered in a repeat study on a separate day. Screening modalities for autonomic neuropathy were markedly positive for the diabetic group, and were negative in the control group. The gastric emptying rate of fluids was normal in both groups and was not statistically different from previous standards developed using the same methodology (p=0.53, analysis of covariance). The gastric emptying of solids was markedly delayed in the diabetic group in relation to the control group (p = .0035, analysis of covariance). Metoclopramide normalized delayed solid emptying rates without affecting fluid emptying rates.

Reactions during hemodialysis caused by allergy to ethylene oxide gas sterilization.

In patients receiving long-term hemodialysis (HD), we have examined the presence of IgE-dependent sensitization to ethylene oxide (EO) gas, which is used for sterilization of disposable medical products including dialyzers. Serum was obtained from 25 patients who experienced acute allergic reactions during HD, five patients receiving HD with isolated eosinophilia, and 37 unselected patients receiving HD. Sera from 22 of 25 of the allergic reaction group and from five of 35 of the unselected group were demonstrated to contain IgE antibodies with specificity for EO. Corresponding IgG antibodies were also present. No such antibodies were detected in serum from normal controls or ragweed-allergic patients. The serum from one patient with isolated eosinophilia had a borderline elevated IgE antibody level. These results demonstrate a close relationship between the presence of IgE antibodies to EO and HD-related allergic reactions in this patient population.

Protein metabolism in renal failure.

Abstract The concept of severe protein restriction in chronic renal failure is a familiar one. This is a review of some aspects of protein metabolism with particular reference to the use of low-protein diets in undialized patients and some of the problems associated with the management of patients on dialysis or after transplantation.

Comparative metabolic effects of acetate and dichloroacetate infusion in the anesthetized dog

The comparative effects of acetate (10 mmol/h/kg) and dichloroacetate (DCA) (1 mmol/h/kg and 10 mmol/h/kg) on acid-base and intermediary metabolism were assessed using the fasted anesthetized dog, undergoing controlled ventilation, as a metabolic model. Infusion of acetate resulted in a marked metabolic alkalemia and a decline in PaO2, while DCA had minimal effects on acid-base state and oxygen consumption. Serum glucose decreased with both DCA and acetate infusion, although only significantly with the latter. At infusion rates of 10 mmol/h/kg, acetate caused marked decreases, while DCA caused marked increases, in serum potassium and phosphorus. Acetate and DCA also had opposing effects on lactate and citrate levels, the former caused increases and the latter decreases in both metabolites. Pyruvate levels decreased similarly in response to both infusates. Acetoacetate and beta-hydroxybutyrate levels increased significantly with both acetate and DCA infusions; however, the increases were much greater with acetate than with DCA infusion. Blood alanine levels decreased significantly during the infusion of both acetate and DCA, whereas, free fatty acids tended to increase with acetate infusion, remained unchanged with low dose DCA and fell significantly with high dose DCA. Plasma insulin levels were sustained during acetate infusion, but fell abruptly with termination of infusion. In contrast, insulin levels fell markedly with DCA infusion and remained depressed throughout the infusion and recovery periods. Blood levels of acetate and DCA rose markedly during infusion; however, while acetate levels decreased nearly to control values during the recovery period, DCA levels remained elevated.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)