Tamara Pereda

Possible relationship between the rate of ethanol metabolism and the severity of hepatic damage in chronic alcoholics

The rate of ethanol metabolism (EMR) was determined in alcoholic patients with or without hepatic necrosis, steatosis, and/or cirrhosis. Fifty six cases were studied after 9–25 days of abstinence (mean 15 days). A significant increase in EMR (P<0.01) was found in alcoholics with hepatic necrosis (265±20.5 mg/kg/hr) compared with alcoholics with normal liver histology (154±17) and nonalcoholic controls (159±15). In alcoholics with liver steatosis but without necrosis a lesser increase in EMR (207±20,P<0.05) was also observed. Patients with slight fibrosis but without other abnormalities in their liver biopsies and cirrhotics with overt liver failure (jaundice, ascites) showed EMR similar to controls.

Glucose tolerance and the insulin response in recently drinking alcoholic patients: possible effects of withdrawal.

To investigate possible effects of withdrawal on carbohydrate metabolism in chronic alcoholic patients, intravenous glucose tolerance tests were performed in three periods in 11 alcoholic patients: early abstinence (less than three days), early abstinence plus ethanol (1 g/kg/BW IV), and late abstinence (three weeks later). According to liver biopsy results and laboratory tests, patients were classified as a group with liver damage (four cases) and a group without it (seven cases). In the group without damage, glucose tolerance expressed as K% and compared to a control group, was significantly decreased in early and late abstinence but not after the infusion of ethanol. Cases with damage also had glucose intolerance at admission. Plasma insulin levels after the glucose load were significantly lower at ten and 30 minutes in the group without damage, in early or late abstinence. They were normal in the presence of ethanol. Patients with liver damage presented higher basal and postglucose plasma insulin concentrations. It was concluded that glucose intolerance in alcoholic patients is a common finding that occurs in the presence or absence of liver damage. In cases with liver damage it seems to be due to peripheral insulin resistance. In those without damage it is related to low peripherovenous insulin levels.

Increased Blood Ethanol Elimination in Rats Treated with Halothane

The effect of chronic halothane inhalation and blood ethanol elimination was studied in the rat. Hepatic α-glycerophosphate, oxidase ADH and malic enzyme activities were determined. Malic enzyme activity was also assayed in adipose tissue. Halothane-treated rats showed an increased ethanol elimination (378 ± 13 vs. 292 ± 19; p

Lysosomal injury and hepatic necrosis: Effects of triton WR-1339 on liver cells in the rat

Abstract To investigate possible mechanisms of the aggravating effects of Triton adminstration upon CCl4-induced liver necrosis, serial chemical and ultrastructural studies on liver tissue during the first 24 hours after Triton injection were performed. Results indicate an early lysosomal damage, reflected in an increase of soluble acid phosphatase in liver homogenates and in an augmented number of lysosome vacuoles in liver cells. Increase in serum sorbitol dehydrogenase, reflecting a liver cell membrane injury, occurred at later periods. No other cell organelles or enzyme distribution were altered. The possible relationship between the lysosomal injury and the elevation of serum sorbitol dehydrogenase is discussed. Thioacetamide-induced liver necrosis was also aggravated by Triton injection, suggesting that Triton effects are nonspecific and could be mediated by a lysosomal injury.

EFFECTS OF PINDOLOL AND PROPRANOLOL ON BLOOD LIPIDS IN HYPERTENSIVE PATIENTS

SummarySince beta-blockers could affect lipid levels at the therapeutic dose range in hypertensive patients, a parallel 6-month randomized trial with pindolol (PDL) (16 pts.) and propranolol (PPL) (23 pts.) was designed (mean age=55+7.1 years and 57+8.0 years; 9 males, 7 females and 15 males, 8 females, respectively). Total cholesterol, LDL and HDL fractions, and triglycerides (TGs) were determined before (washout phase) and during 1, 3, and 6 months of therapy. Patients were instructed to maintain their usual dietary habits. Daily drug doses were adjusted step by step to attain an optimal hypotensive effect (PDL 15–45 mg, PPL 180–240 mg). In the PPL-treated group, total cholesterol and LDL did not change significantly, HDL decreased (from 45.2 to 40.5 mg/dl, p<0.05) and TG increased (from 133 to 169 mg/dl, p<0.05). In the PDL group total cholesterol and LDL did not change either, but HDL increased (35.9 to 44.7 mg/dl, p<0.01) and TGs, were reduced (from 169 to 131 mg/dl, p<0.05). No dose-effect relationship was recorded. It is concluded that pindolol does not negatively influence HDL nor the TG blood lipid profile as does PPL. Accordingly, pindolol might be preferred to propranolol in the treatment of hypertensive patients with an unfavorable lipid profile, but this assumption remains to be proven in larger, prospective, long-term followup trials.