The use of computed tomography in fulminant hepatic failure.

We report on a case of fulminant hepatic failure induced by a hepatitis-B virus. Computed tomography (CT) was valuable in the recognition of severe liver atrophy with ascites. CT was also an efficient means for evaluating the progress of fulminant hepatic failure.

The role of intestinal bacteria in gallstone formation in animal model. A study on biliary lipid composition and bile acid profiles in bile, small intestinal contents and feces of clostridium butyricum Miyairi No. 588 monocontaminated mice.

Contradictory results in the studies on experimental gallstone formation using conventional and germfree mice have been reported. To study the role of bacteria in gallstone formation in the animal model JCL:ICR male germfree mice were monocontaminated with Clostridium butyricum MIYAIRI No. 588.

Fecal bile acid analysis in healthy Japanese subjects using a lipophilic anion exchanger, capillary column gas chromatography and mass spectrometry.

Detailed fecal bile acid profiles of healthy Japanese subjects were studied using a lipophilic anion exchanger, capillary gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. Total dairy excretion of bile acid into feces corrected for by fecal markers were between 127.99 to 366.

Effects of a glucoside-hydrolase inhibitor (Bay g 5421) on serum lipids, lipoproteins and bile acids, fecal fat and bacterial flora, and intestinal gas production in hyperlipidemic patients.

Significant decrease in serum very low density lipoproteins and low density lipoproteins was observed after Bay g 5421 trial (300 mg/day for 6 weeks) in 14 hyperlipidemic patients. Although no significant changes were demonstrated in serum fractions of bile acids, the alteration in the patterns of fecal bacterial flora including the increase in obligate anaerobes was observed after the trial and this was accompanied by the increase in fecal fat excretion. Thus, the possible change in the intestinal bile acid metabolism with the altered flora may lead to an increased catabolism of cholesterol and to the reduction of serum low density lipoproteins.

Gastric mucosal barrier in the rats fed with protein deficient diet or treated with carbon tetrachloride.

The effects of protein deficient diet and liver damage on the gastric mucosal barrier were studied in 32 Sprague-Dawley rats. The animals were divided into 4 groups according to their dietary regimens, CCl4 induced liver damage and/or serotonin administration. Group 1 (control) was fed standard rat chow.

Diagnosis and treatment of essential fatty acid deficiency in man.

Essential fatty acid deficiency was found on four occasions in three adult patients with malabsorption after intestinal resection. Diagnosis was primarily based on the gas chromatographic finding of the abnormal fatty acid 5, 8, 11- (omega9) eicosatrienoic acid in plasma lecithin. None of the patients had received parenteral nutrition with a fat-free source of calories but all had been on a reduced intake of dietary fat at some stage.

Fatty acid composition of plasma lipoproteins in control subjects and in patients with malabsorption.

The fatty acid composition of cholesterol (cholesteryl) ester, triglyceride, and lecithin has been investigated in whole plasma and individual lipoproteins of healthy control subjects, of patients with malabsorption, and also of patients without malabsorption. The results show a decreased proportion of the essential fatty acid linoleic acid in all three lipid classes in both groups of patients as compared with the healthy controls. This abnormality was more marked in the malabsorbers, especially those with steatorrhoea secondary to intestinal resection.