Enhanced bile formation induced by experimental dicrocoeliosis in the hamster.

The purpose of this investigation was to determine the effects of experimental dicrocoeliosis on bile formation in the hamster. Studies were carried out at 120 days after infection with an oral dose of 40 metacercariae of Dicrocoelium dendriticum. A significant elevation in bile flow (+20%) and in the biliary output of glutathione (+34%), bile acid (+59%), cholesterol (+108%), phospholipids (+99%) and alkaline phosphatase (+36%) was observed in the infected animals.

Liver glutathione content and glutathione-dependent enzymes of two species of freshwater fish as bioindicators of chemical pollution.

Glutathione content and glutathione-dependent enzymes were measured in the liver of two fish species, gudgeon (Gobio gobio) and roach (Rutilus arcasii), from the river Bernesga (Spain) caught downstream and upstream of the waste site of several chemical industries. Animals from contaminated sites display a reduced glutathione concentration and a tendency to the decrease of glutathione S-transferase activity. Glutathione peroxidase activity was significantly elevated only in the liver of Gobio gobio and glutathione reductase activity in that of Rutilus arcasii.

Plasma aspartate aminotransferase (AST), glutamate dehydrogenase (GLDH) and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) activities in water buffaloes with experimental subclinical fasciolosis.

The effect of chronic Fasciola hepatica infection on the activity of plasma aspartate aminotransferase (AST), glutamate dehydrogenase (GLDH) and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) was investigated in water buffaloes dosed daily with 60 F. hepatica metacercariae over 20 days. Experimental fluke infection caused no clinical signs but provoked an increase in plasma level of IgG directed against F.

Cholestasis and alterations of glutathione metabolism induced by tacrolimus (FK506) in the rat.

Background: Tacrolimus (FK506) is an immunosuppressive agent used for the prevention of allograft rejection after organ transplantation. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of chronic tacrolimus treatment on bile secretion in rats.

Methods: Tacrolimus was administered intraperitoneally at doses of 0.

The effect of age and sex on metabolism and urinary excretion of antipyrine.

Background: Drug-metabolizing capacity is generally reduced in the elderly. The purpose of this investigation was to study antipyrine clearance and metabolite excretion in old subjects of both sexes.

Methods: Saliva clearance of antipyrine and the production clearances of antipyrine metabolites were studied in young and elderly volunteers of both sexes.

The effect of physical conditioning on antipyrine clearance.

The effects of physical conditioning on antipyrine clearance were studied in two groups of subjects. Healthy men not engaged in the systematic practice of any sport were compared with endurance runners (defined as men running > 80 km/week). Studies were carried out at three different periods of the annual plan training at 4-month intervals.

Antioxidant enzyme status in biliary obstructed rats: effects of N-acetylcysteine.

Background/aims: N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is a modulator of thiol levels that protects against hepatotoxic agents. The aim of this study was to investigate whether NAC might improve hepatic antioxidant defenses in chronically biliary obstructed rats.

Methods: Secondary biliary cirrhosis was induced by 28 days of bile-duct obstruction.

[The effect of changes in nutritional status induced by age on oxidative liver metabolism].

Introduction: The hepatic oxidative metabolism is essential for the biotransformation of a large number substances, among which are found many drugs which are commonly used in clinical practice. The nutritional status of individuals has been shown to be of influence on this function. Aging produces a deterioration of the hepatic oxidative metabolism, without the cause for this situation having been clarified.

Accuracy of the one-sample method for determination of antipyrine clearance in elderly subjects.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the validity of the one-sample abbreviated method for determination of the pharmacokinetic parameters of antipyrine in the elderly. Antipyrine pharmacokinetics were studied in 15 elderly women (mean age 86 years). Antipyrine (1 g) was administered orally and pharmacokinetic parameters were determined by the one-sample (24 h) and multiple-sample (3, 6, 9, 12 and 24 h) methods.

Effects of experimental dicrocoeliosis on oxidative drug metabolism in hamster liver.

The purpose of this investigation was to determine the effects of experimental dicrocoeliosis on the hepatic oxidative drug-metabolizing system in hamsters. Studies were carried out 80 and 120 days after infestation with an oral dose of 40 metacercariae of Dicrocoelium dendriticum. The parasitic pathology was ascertained by detection of the fluke eggs in faeces, increased serum alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase activities, and postmortem and histological findings.

Pectin feeding influences fecal bile acid excretion, hepatic bile acid and cholesterol synthesis and serum cholesterol in rats.

This study was designed to investigate the effects of pectin on cholesterol and bile acid metabolism and to elucidate the mechanisms involved in its hypolipidemic effect in rats. The key regulatory enzymes in cholesterol and bile acid metabolism, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase (HMG-CoA reductase) and cholesterol 7alpha-hydroxylase, were determined. Circulating, hepatic, and biliary lipid concentrations and fecal bile acid excretion were also measured.

Influence of nutrition on liver oxidative metabolism.

The liver plays a major role in the disposition of the majority of drugs. This is due to the presence of several drug-metabolizing enzyme systems, including a group of membrane-bound mixed-function oxidative enzymes, mainly the cytochrome P450 system. Hepatic oxidative capacity can be assessed by changes in antipyrine metabolism.

Microsomal function in biliary obstructed rats: effects of S-adenosylmethionine.

Background/aims: S-adenosylmethionine has been reported to have beneficial effects in the treatment of different chronic liver diseases and to protect against different hepatotoxic agents. The aim of this study was to investigate whether S-adenosylmethionine treatment might contribute to improved microsomal function in chronically biliary obstructed rats.

Methods: Secondary biliary cirrhosis was induced by 28 days of bile duct obstruction.

Experimental ovine fasciolosis: antipyrine clearance as indicator of liver damage.

Antipyrine clearance was used to assess microsomal oxidative function in eight female Churra breed sheep at 20, 30, 40, 60, 80 and 100 days after infection by an oral administration of 150 metacercariae of Fasciola hepatica. Experimental infection was ascertained by an ELISA test and by faecal analysis. A significant increase in plasma glutamate dehydrogenase (GLDH) activity from 20 days post-infection and in gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) activity from 40 days post-infection was found.

Effects of aerobic and anaerobic physical conditioning on fibrinolysis.

The effects of aerobic and anaerobic physical conditioning on fibrinolysis were studied before and immediately after physical exercise. Moderately active controls (group A) were compared with aerobically- (group B) or anaerobically-conditioned (group C) subjects. Comparison of the resting parameters revealed that FgDP were significantly higher in group B as a compared to groups A and C.

Effects of long-distance running on serum bilirubin.

This study was undertaken to determine the effects of long-distance running on serum bilirubin fractions. Thirteen male ultramarathon runners participating in a 100-km race volunteered for the study. Venous blood samples were obtained shortly before and immediately after the race.

Effects of aging on antipyrine clearance: predictive factors of metabolizing capacity.

The purpose of this study was to identify variables that can account for the decline of antipyrine clearance (CLAP) in elderly adults and that may help predict a reduction in metabolizing capacity. For comparison, ClAP was determined in 177 elderly (mean age 82 years) and 25 young (mean age 29 years) volunteers. Antipyrine (1 g) was administered orally and ClAP was determined by the one-sample saliva method.

Assessment of antipyrine kinetics from saliva or plasma: influence of age.

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether antipyrine estimation in saliva provides valid information on plasma antipyrine clearance (APCl) and can be useful as an index of changes in drug metabolism with age. Antipyrine kinetics was studied in 93 elderly (mean age 82 years) and 23 young (mean age 29 years) volunteers. Plasma antipyrine half-life (APt1/2) increased and plasma APCl declined with age.

Effects of oral contraceptives on fibrinolytic response to exercise.

In this study the influence of low-dose oral contraceptives (OC) on the different components of the fibrinolytic system before and immediately after maximal exercise was examined in a group of 18 moderately active women. Nine women using OC and nine control women performed a maximal effort treadmill protocol. Comparison of the resting parameters revealed higher plasma FbDP, plasminogen, alpha 2-antiplasmin and protein C concentrations, and lower PAI activity in the OC group.

The effects of subclinical fasciolosis on hepatic secretory function in sheep.

The effects of subclinical fasciolosis at various stages of its development on bile flow and bile acid secretion and on the hepatobiliary transport of bilirubin were investigated in experimentally infected sheep. Bile flow was significantly reduced by weeks 6-14 postinfection. This was accompanied by a decrease in bile acid secretion by weeks 6-8.

Antipyrine clearance in surgical patients maintained on hypocaloric peripheral parenteral nutrition.

Background: Antipyrine clearance (CLAP) constitutes a sensitive indicator of hepatic microsomal enzyme activity providing specific information on hepatic function. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of hypocaloric peripheral parenteral nutrition on CLAP in patients receiving nutrition support after elective surgery.

Methods: CLAP was measured in 15 patients before elective gastrointestinal surgery and 6 days after the surgery.

Appetite depression in sheep experimentally infected with Fasciola hepatica L.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of experimental fasciolosis at various stages of development on the daily food intake of sheep. Five male Churra sheep, 4 months of age, were infected orally with 300 Fasciola hepatica metacercariae over a 30 day period. There was a significant increase in serum glutamate dehydrogenase (GLDH) activity from 40 days post-infection and in aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activity from 60 days post-infection.

The effects of experimental fasciolosis on bilirubin metabolism in the rat.

The effects of subclinical fasciolosis at various stages of its development on bilirubin metabolism were investigated in rats. Studies were carried out at 3 (initial lesions), 6 (parenchymal degeneration), and 11 weeks (biliary localization of the parasite) after infection with an oral dose of 20 metacercariae of Fasciola hepatica. Both bile flow and bile acid secretion were significantly reduced by Weeks 3 and 6 postinfection, while a significantly increased bile flow was found in the 11-week group.

[Importance of portal hypertension in the release of tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA): experimental study in the rat].

Tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) activity was studied in three different experimental models of male Wistar rats; hepatic lesion without portal hypertension, portal hypertension without hepatic lesion and portal hypertension plus function liver suppression by ligation of both portal vein and hepatic artery. t-PA activity was higher in animals with portal hypertension alone than in animals with only hepatic lesion (146%). Maximal values were present in animals with functional liver suppression (1.

Ductular proliferation and hepatic secretory function in experimental fascioliasis.

Proliferation of bile duct-like epithelial cells is a common feature of extrahepatic biliary obstruction and it is also present in other forms of liver disease. Experimental infestation with Fasciola hepatica induces hyperplasia of ductular cells together with different functional alterations, such as hypercholeresis, in the rat. We have investigated the contribution of ductular biliary secretion to the hypercholeretic phenomenon in rats with experimental fascioliasis.