Levels of serum leptin, cholecystokinin, plasma lipid and lipoprotein differ between patients with gallstone or/and those with hepatolithiasis.

Background: A significant relationship exists among food intake and nutritional status and cholelithiasis, including gallstone and hepatolithiasis. Leptin is associated with obesity. This study was to investigate the differences in serum leptin levels in patients with gallstone and hepatolithiasis and to evaluate the relationships among leptin, cholecystokinin (CCK), lipid and lipoprotein concentrations.

Effects of human umbilical cord serum on proliferation and insulin content of human fetal islet-like cell clusters.

Background: Type 1 diabets is an autoimmune disease caused by the destruction of pancreatic beta-cell with an increased incidence worldwide in the closing decades of the 20th century. This study was to investigate the effects of human umbilical cord serum (UCS) on the proliferation and function of human fetal islet-like cell clusters (ICCs) in vitro.

Methods: Eight fresh pancreatic glands obtained after induction of labor with water bag were mildly exposed to collagenase V, and the digested cells were cultured in a RPMI-1640 medium plus 10% pooled UCS or fetal calf serum (FCS) to permit cells attachment and outgrowth of ICCs.