Effects of clonidine on diuretic response in ascitic patients with cirrhosis and activation of sympathetic nervous system.

The effects of the addition of clonidine to diuretics on the mobilization of ascites in the short term (diuretic response and requirement of diuretics) and the long term (readmissions for tense ascites and requirement of diuretics) were examined in patients with cirrhosis and with increased sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activity. We also studied neurohormonal, hemodynamic effects and side effects of clonidine and diuretics. Patients were randomized to receive placebo (group 1, n = 32) or clonidine (0.

Comparative pilot study of repeated large volume paracentesis vs the combination on clonidine-spironolactone in the treatment of cirrhosis-associated refractory ascites.

Objectives: To study the usefulness of the combination of clonidine--spironolactone in refractory ascites.

Methods: Twenty cirrhotic patients with refractory ascites were randomly assigned to receive repeated large volume paracentesis plus intravenous albumin (group 1), or a combination of clonidine (0.075 mg twice daily) and spironolactone (200 to 400 mg daily) (group 2).

Analyte comigrating with trisialotransferrin during capillary zone electrophoresis of sera from patients with cancer.

Background: Serum concentrations of monoglycosylated isoforms of transferrin are increased by chronic ethanol intake. We investigated transferrin glycosylation in patients with cancer, in which aberrant glycosylation is also induced.

Methods: We used a P/ACE 5000 series capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) apparatus and a CZE carbohydrate-deficient transferrin reagent set to study 200 cancer patients who consumed alcohol moderately and 33 who were alcohol abusers; we then compared these patients with 56 healthy teetotalers, 89 moderate, and 112 excessive alcohol drinkers without known malignancies.

Use of capillary zone electrophoresis for differentiating excessive from moderate alcohol consumption.

Background: The poorly sialylated transferrin isoforms in serum were analyzed by capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) to differentiate moderate from heavy alcohol consumption.

Methods: We enrolled 614 volunteers, classified after interviews, self-reported drinking habits, and AUDIT scores as alcohol abusers (consuming >50 g/day ethanol for the previous 3 months or longer; n = 413) or moderate drinkers (<30 g/day ethanol; n = 201). Serum transferrin isoforms were separated at 28 kV and monitored at 214 nm on a P/ACE 5500 CZE with use of fused-silica capillaries and the related CEofix CDT reagent set.

Carbohydrate-deficient transferrin isoforms measured by capillary zone electrophoresis for detection of alcohol abuse.

Background: Measurements of carbohydrate-deficient transferrin (CDT) are used as markers of alcohol abuse. We developed a capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) method aimed at improving accuracy of CDT testing.

Methods: We studied 111 alcohol abusers with Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test scores >11 and 50 teetotalers.