Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts:   Target Concepts:
Query: EC:2.6.1.2 (alanine aminotransferase)
 26,722 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

In order to clear some aspects of HCV infection, we evaluated quarterly HCV markers by a RIBA 1 test (antigens c100-3 and 5.1.1) and monthly transaminases (ALT and AST) for 14 months in 89 HBsAg-free maintenance hemodialysis patients (MHP), and we retrospectively examined clinical records until the start of hemodialysis treatment. At the start of the study, 16 patients showed HCV antibodies (HCV+) and 73 were antibody-free (HCV-). 39 subjects of the staff were also examined. No HCV+ patient showed seroconversion, 10 showed irregular or persistent elevation of AST and ALT. In the retrospective evaluation 14 patients suffered from acute hepatitis (AH). Only 3 cases showed temporal relation with blood transfusions. In 1 case a 36-month temporary normalization of transaminases was noticed. 3 HCV-patients showed seroconversion (1 during AH), 13 showed severe or moderate elevations of transaminases. In the retrospective evaluation, 6 patients suffered from AH. All subjects of the staff were HCV- and showed no seroconversion or changes of transaminases. At the end of the study, we performed a RIBA 2 test containing the HCV antigens c100-3, 5.1.1, c22-3 and c33c. The 6 patients who suffered from AH showed at least 1 positivity for new proteins. Most of AH in MHP are likely due to HCV infection; besides transfusions, cross-infection during the dialytic procedure may be responsible for many cases of HCV infection; long-term normalization of transaminases may not secure against infectivity.
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PMID:Prospective and retrospective assessment of clinical and laboratory parameters in maintenance hemodialysis patients with and without HCV antibodies. 132 79

Sera from 209 dialysis patients were tested for antibodies to hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV) by a 2nd generation enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA 2) using nonstructural and core antigens. Confirmation of reactivity was obtained by a 2nd generation immunoblot assay (RIBA 2) for antibodies to 4 separate antigens (5-1-1, c100-3, c33c, c22-3). ELISA 2 was positive in 99 sera, 95 of which were confirmed by RIBA 2, thus accounting for an anti-HCV prevalence of 45.5%. Anti-HCV positivity was correlated to longer duration of dialysis therapy (p less than 0.001), higher number of transfusions (p less than 0.001), history of kidney transplant (p less than 0.001) and of serum alanine/aspartate aminotransferase (AST/ALT; p less than 0.001) or gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) (p less than 0.001) increments. The most frequent RIBA 2 patterns were: reactivity to all 4 antigens (34 patients) and to c33c and c22-3 (45 patients). The former patients, compared to the latter, had higher values of AST (p less than 0.08), ALT (p less than 0.02), GGT (p less than 0.005), IgG (p less than 0.05). It is possible that the reactivity to all 4 antigens of RIBA 2 is a clue of a greater activity of viral hepatic disease.
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PMID:Confirmation of high prevalence of hepatitis C antibodies in hemodialysis patients by second generation immunoblot assay. 132 87

Retrovirally induced immunosuppression may elevate the incidence of chemically induced cancers. A proposed hypothesis to explain this relationship is the increased free radical activity observed during retroviral infection and carcinogen activation. We previously found that vitamin E retarded growth of esophageal tumors accompanied by reductions of free radical products. This study investigated the contribution that retroviral immunosuppression has on esophageal cancer induced by the carcinogen N-nitrosomethylbenzylamine (NMBzA), and the response that increased levels of dietary vitamin E has on this induced carcinogenesis. Female C57BL/6 mice received NMBzA or vehicle (corn oil) i.p. weekly for 3 weeks. Then some of the mice were infected with LP-BM5 murine retrovirus and fed diets containing 30 IU vitamin E or 172 IU vitamin E/kg of diet. As an assessment of free radical activity, exhaled ethane was measured prior to killing the animals at 26 weeks. Esophagi from the various mice groups were assessed for size and frequency of tumors. Livers homogenates were analyzed for vitamins A and E, lipid fluorescence, conjugated dienes and malondialdehyde. Hepatic levels of vitamin A and E were decreased (P < 0.05) and indices of lipid peroxidation were greater (P < 0.05) in NMBzA-treated mice relative to controls. Lipid peroxidation and serum transaminases (ALT and AST) were greatest in mice given NMBzA and infected with the retroviruses. Incidence of esophageal tumors were also greatest in the NMBzA-treated, immunocompromised animals. Mice fed vitamin E-supplemented diets showed increased (P < 0.05) hepatic concentrations of vitamin E and vitamin A, decreased activities of serum transaminases, decreased indices of lipid peroxidation, and decreased size and frequency of esophageal tumors in both the immunocompromised and non-immunocompromised mice. These results suggest that vitamin E plays an antioxidant function that retards the incidence of esophageal cancers in immunocompromised and non-immunocompromised animals.
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PMID:Vitamin E protection against nitrosamine-induced esophageal tumor incidence in mice immunocompromised by retroviral infection. 133 Mar 43

A novel, simple, clinically useful quantitative liver function test, called the galactose single point (GSP) method, was developed by measurement of galactose blood concentration 1 h after galactose was administered (0.5 g/kg). It was quickly infused intravenously in 55 normal healthy volunteers, 73 patients with chronic hepatitis (CH), 36 with cirrhosis and 41 with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Patients with CH diagnosis were assessed by liver biopsy. Cirrhosis was diagnosed by histological examination or a chronic hepatitis history with esophageal varices or ascites, whereas HCC was diagnosed either histologically, or cytologically proved, or as implied in the 'one imagine study' being positive with AFP > 300 ng/dl. Highly significant galactose blood levels were observed between normal healthy volunteers and patients 50, 60 and 70 min after galactose was administered. Galactose elimination capacity (GEC), modified GEC (MGEC) and consecutive GSP tests were performed in 6 healthy volunteers for 2 days. 0.64-16.87% variation was observed for each subject. The significant differences (p < 0.001) in average GSP values were 247 +/- 18.1, 422 +/- 27.3, 629 +/- 42.8 and 579 +/- 43.6 micrograms/ml for normal healthy volunteers, CH, cirrhosis and HCC patients, respectively. Highly significant correlations (p < 0.001) were obtained among GSP, GEC and MGEC for all patients. Positive correlations were observed between GSP, GEC, MGEC and AST (serum aspartate aminotransferase), ALT (serum alanine aminotransferase), serum bilirubin, albumin, prothrombin time and r-globulin. According to results obtained from 202 normal healthy volunteers and patients, the GSP method may be a simple, clinically useful quantitative measurement of liver function for the determination of a patient's residual liver function, the prognosis of liver function for patients with cirrhosis, postoperational follow-up and, finally, the timing of a liver transplant.
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PMID:Assessment of liver function using a novel galactose single point method. 133 11

In compliance with the mandatory medical surveillance of workers exposed to tetrachloroethylene (PCE) in Italy, isoenzyme fractioning of serum gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) was performed on 141 workers of both sexes and on 130 control subjects. None of the workers showed any clinical symptoms of liver disease and their enzymatic profiles, including AST, ALT, 5'-NU, ALP, and GGT, were within the normal reference limits. A statistically significant increase in total GGT serum level was found in the exposed subjects, which was associated with an increase in one of the two fractions normally present in healthy individuals (GGT-2), as well as with the appearance and progressive increase of the level of a fraction (GGT-4) considered to be an expression of hepato-biliary impairment. Further research is ongoing among these workers, which will clarify whether or not electrophoretic GGT tests may be useful in detecting liver function changes due to occupational exposure to PCE.
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PMID:gamma-Glutamyltransferase isoenzyme pattern in workers exposed to tetrachloroethylene. 135 99

The transaminases, alkaline phosphatase (AP) and gamma-glutamyl transferase (G-GT) are most widely used as indicators of hepatobiliary disease. Elevated serum levels of transaminases (AST and ALT) usually indicate hepatocellular damage. ALT elevations, however, can also be of extrahepatic origin (muscle). The ratio of the transaminases in serum (AST/ALT) and the mitochondrial isoenzyme of AST are frequently higher in alcoholic than in non-alcoholic liver diseases. Serum activities of AP and G-GT are elevated in cholestasis: Both enzymes, however, are not liver-specific and G-GT activity is induced by alcohol and certain drugs. A hepatic enzyme pattern (predominant transaminase elevation) should be discriminated from a cholestatic pattern (predominant AP and G-GT elevation). The most frequent diagnoses in asymptomatic patients with accidentally detected, mostly mild to moderate transaminase elevations are: alcoholic liver disease, (mostly chronic) viral hepatitis, and already much less frequently, drug induced liver disease and non-alcoholic steatosis. Solely if the respective investigations are negative or/and the transaminases stay elevated for greater than or equal to 6 months despite strict alcohol abstinence, omission of any potentially hepatotoxic drug or weight reduction are further steps justified.
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PMID:[Increased liver enzymes: what should be done?]. 135 16

A subacute toxicity study of pentavalent antimony (Sb) compounds, sodium stibogluconate (SSG) and meglumine antimoniate (MA) was carried out in rats. Three groups of 10 rats each were treated with saline (control group), 300 mg Sb kg-1 d-1 or 900 mg Sb kg-1 d-1 of SSG for 30 d. A parallel study of similar type was conducted for MA. Compared with controls, drug-treated rats showed an impairment of feeding habits and retardation of weight gain (P less than 0.01) during the treatment period. In both SSG- and MA-treated rats there was a dose-related reduction in haemoglobin concentration (P less than 0.001), and hematocrit (P less than 0.001). Red cell count was reduced in SSG-treated rats only. Both drugs, however, significantly raised the white cell count (P less than 0.05). These changes were more pronounced with SSG them with MA. There was no change in MCV, MCH and MCHC. SSG, 900 mg Sb kg-1 d-1, significantly raised AST (P less than 0.005), ALT (P less than 0.01) and alkaline phosphatase activity (P less than 0.01). SSG-treated rats also had raised BUN (P less than 0.01) and creatinine (P less than 0.001), but no significant change in bilirubin levels. MA significantly raised AST (P less than 0.01), ALT (P less than 0.01), BUN (P less than 0.001) and serum creatinine levels (P less than 0.001), but had no appreciable effect on bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase levels. Both SSG and MA decreased blood glucose levels (P less than 0.01) and induced proteinuria.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
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PMID:Subacute toxicity of pentavalent antimony compounds in rats. 135 78

As far as the pathogenesis of poisonings with organophosphorus pesticides is concerned, in addition to irreversible inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AGE) in tissues, of importance are changes in the other systems which essentially determine the outcome of intoxication. The purpose of the present study was to examine the nature of changes occurring in total protein and protein fractions, free amino acids (aspartic and glutamic acids, glycine, isoleucine, leucine) and in certain enzymes (AST, ALT, CP, GGTP, GDH) in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with acute Malathion insecticide poisoning. 137 patients aged 20 to 50 years were placed under observation. There were 77 men and 60 women. 40 persons had poisoning of medium gravity and 97 were severely poisoned. The intake of the CSF was performed on days 1, 3, 10, 14 and 21 since the disease onset. It has been established that in acute Malathion insecticide poisoning, the CSF content of the stimulating mediator amino acids, aspartic and glutamic, rises within the early periods, whereas the concentration of the inhibitory mediator glycine decreases. The changes in protein fractions of the CSF are characterized by a fall of the content of globulins and a rise of albumins, thus attesting to the predominance of pathological processes in the brain, especially in the initial period of intoxication, and to the impairment of the blood-brain barrier. The development of intoxication is associated with activation in the CSF of LDN, CP, GGTP and GDH as well as by activation of LDH isozymes which is viewed as the result of the membranotoxic effect of a Malathion insecticide.
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PMID:[Changes in the biochemical composition of the cerebrospinal fluid in acute carbophos poisoning]. 135 42

Fifty-two patients on regular haemodialysis at our institution were evaluated for the presence of HCV infection. Evaluation included detailed history, clinical examination, and monthly screening for anti-HCV antibody, liver enzymes (ALT, AST), serum iron and ferritin. Also, three-monthly screening for other viral markers, HBV (HBsAg, HBsAb, HBcAb), CMV (IgG and IgM), EBV, and HIV. Anti-HCV antibody was found in 21 patients (40.4%). There was a significant (P less than 0.05) relationship between presence of anti-HCV antibody and proportion of patients who received blood transfusion. During a 12-month follow-up, four (11.4%) patients seroconverted to be Anti-HCV positive while one case (4.8%) seroconverted to be anti-HCV negative. The frequency of elevation of liver enzymes was significantly higher in Anti-HCV positive cases (14/18) than in negative cases (11/28, P = 0.01). Evaluation of liver biopsies of 13 patients showed chronic persistent hepatitis in six and chronic active hepatitis in seven cases. We concluded that hepatitis C is a common problem among chronic haemodialysis patients at our institution; HCV infection is documented in 70% of all clinically diagnosed NANB hepatitis. Presence of anti-HCV antibodies cannot differentiate between active and past infection and cases with early HCV infection can be missed when relying on the mere detection of anti-HCV antibodies.
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PMID:Hepatitis C virus infection in chronic haemodialysis patients, a clinicopathologic study. 128 48

The authors evaluated the clinical significance of anti-C100, anti-GOR and anti-CP9 in hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related liver disease in two populations: 459 healthy subjects and 385 patients with chronic liver disease (CLD). Previously we reported high rates of mortality and morbidity (5.3%) of CLD in subjects in Saga, Japan. This was ascribed to the high prevalence (10.8%) of anti-HCV among randomized populations, as detected by the C100 ELISA test system, as compared with a finding of 2-3% in Japanese blood donors in the same decade. The incidence of anti-C100, anti-GOR and anti-CP9 detected by ELISA test system in the healthy population currently surveyed was 17.0%, 19.2% and 32.0% respectively, as compared with 75.3%, 60.3% and 73.0% respectively, in those with CLD. The incidence of positivity for at least one of the three antibodies was high (36.4%) among healthy subjects, and even higher (86.5%) among the patients with CLD. In the healthy subjects, incidence of positivity increased with age. The healthy and CLD populations differed in the proportion of cases positive for all three antibodies vs. those positive for at least one antibody: healthy subjects, 52/167, 31.1%, vs. CLD patients, 197/333, 59.2%; P less than 0.01. Among the anti-C100-positive healthy cases, these was a significantly high level of AST, ALT, ZTT and gamma GTP compared with negative cases, with or without anti-GOR and anti-CP9 (P less than 0.01-0.05). These observations suggest that the presence of anti-C100 may be related to the active state of HCV-related liver disease.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
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PMID:Overlap and discrepancy between tests for anti-C100, anti-GOR and anti-CP9 in patients with chronic liver disease and inhabitants in Saga, Japan. 138 31


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