Dynamics of albumin in plasma and ascitic fluid in patients with cirrhosis.

Background/aims: To determine dynamics of albumin in plasma and ascitic fluid of patients with cirrhosis.

Methods: Forty-seven patients were classified in four groups: I--patients without fluid retention; II--patients with ascites not resistant to subsequent diuretic treatment; III--recompensated patients during diuretic treatment; and IV--patients with diuretic-resistant ascites. Transvascular and transperitoneal albumin transports were quantified by 131I-/125I-labelled human albumin.

[Cimetidine treatment of stomach cancer].

The effect of cimetidine treatment in cancer of the stomach was investigated in a double-blind, multicentre study comprising eight departments in Greater Copenhagen. Immediately after operation (or the decision not to operate) 181 patients were subdivided at random to treatment with a placebo or cimetidine in a dosage of 400 mg twice daily for two years or until death. Compliance control was carried out every third month.

Effect of cimetidine on survival after gastric cancer.

The effect of cimetidine on survival was investigated in 181 patients with gastric cancer. Immediately after operation or the decision not to operate, the patients were randomised in double-blind fashion to placebo or cimetidine 400 mg twice daily for two years or until death, with review every three months. Median survival in the cimetidine group was 450 days (range 1-1826) and in the placebo group 316 days (1-1653).

Temporal responses of cutaneous blood flow and plasma catecholamine concentrations to histamine H1- or H2-receptor stimulation in man.

We have studied the effect of histamine and H1- or H2-receptor antagonists on cutaneous blood flow and catecholamine release in man. Histamine was infused alone or in combination with mepyramine, an H1-antagonist or cimetidine, an H2-antagonist for 2 h. Cutaneous blood flow was measured continuously with a laser Doppler flowmeter, and noradrenaline and adrenaline concentrations were determined in blood samples drawn every 15 min.

Changes in T-lymphocyte subsets after elective surgery.

In seven patients undergoing elective cholecystectomy or vagotomy, helper and suppressor/cytotoxic T-cells were quantified by use of monoclonal antibodies (OKT) preoperatively and on postoperative days 2 and 7. The total number and percentage distribution of T-cells (OKT 3) did not change significantly in the study period and the total number of helper T-cells (OKT 4) was similar in the three tests, but the number of suppressor/cytotoxic T-cells (OKT 8) on postoperative days 2 and 7 showed significant rise from the preoperative value. Consequently, significant decrease in OKT 4/8 ratio was found 2 days (1.