Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0023890 (cirrhosis)
 42,195 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Diuretics have long been used to lower blood pressure in hypertensive patients or to control body fluid and electrolyte homeostasis in diseases such as congestive heart failure, chronic renal failure or cirrhosis. The initial response to diuretics is a negative sodium and fluid balance. The diuretic-induced loss of salt and water activates several hormonal systems such as vasopressin, the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system or the sympathetic nervous system which tend to compensate for the changes in sodium and water balance. This neurohormonal response may have important clinical implications. Thus, the activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone cascade appears to be partially responsible for the flat dose-blood pressure response curve of thiazides in hypertensive patients. It may also be responsible for the difference between responders and non-responders to diuretic therapy and for the development of side-effects such as hypokalaemia, metabolic alkalosis or hyponatraemia. There are several ways to prevent the undesirable consequences of the neurohormonal responses to diuretics. The first is to use low doses of these agents. It is also possible to combine them with agents that block the activity of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system such as ACE inhibitors or in combination with drugs that reduce aldosterone secretion such as calcium antagonists. The development of drugs able to enhance urinary sodium excretion and to reduce simultaneously the activity of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system may offer a new interesting alternative. This might perhaps be achieved in the future with the administration of neutral endopeptidase inhibitors which interfere with the enzymatic degradation of atrial natriuretic peptide.
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PMID:Neurohormonal consequences of diuretics in different cardiovascular syndromes. 136 43

The pathogenesis of salt and water retention in cirrhosis remains unclear. Systemic and portal hemodynamic parameters, including cardiac output, portal pressure gradient and systemic vascular resistance, were measured in six patients with untreated ascites and in six patients with hepatic cirrhosis with no history of ascites. Renal blood flow, urinary volume, and humoral factors, including plasma renin, aldosterone, angiotensin II, and urine kallikrein, were measured. Significant differences were seen between the two groups in urine volume, urine sodium and fractional sodium excretion, plasma angiotensin II, and the ratio between plasma renin activity and urinary kallikrein excretion (PRA:UKallV). A strong correlation existed between urinary sodium excretion and the PRA:UKallV ratio. No significant differences were detected between the groups in portal, renal, and systemic hemodynamics. The present results suggest that humoral changes occur early in ascites. Altered relationships between intrarenal hormone systems, such as the renin-angiotensin and kallikrein-kinin systems, may be important in salt and water retention.
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PMID:Portal and systemic hemodynamics and humoral factors in cirrhosis with and without ascites. 141

Duodenal and jejunal absorption of a nutrient solution at two different caloric loads (1.32 and 3.96 kcal/min = 5.6 and 16.8 kJ/min) was compared in chronic alcoholics without malnutrition, liver cirrhosis, obvious small-bowel dysfunction, and exocrine pancreatic insufficiency and in an age-matched control group, by means of the intestinal perfusion technique. In chronic alcoholics duodenal net absorption of water (p < 0.025), sodium (p < 0.02), potassium (p < 0.005), total nitrogen (p < 0.02), carbohydrates (p < 0.05), and lipids (p < 0.05) was lower than in controls when both caloric loads were administered, but jejunal absorption rates were not decreased. Biliopancreatic secretion did not differ between alcoholics and controls. Higher serum protein leakage in alcoholics was indicated by an increased (p < 0.01) duodenal alpha 1-antitrypsin clearance under low caloric load infusion. It is concluded that the absorptive function of the duodenum is impaired in alcoholics, whereas the upper jejunum is not affected.
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PMID:Absorption of a nutrient solution in chronic alcoholics without nutrient deficiencies and liver cirrhosis. 147 18

The acute effects of captopril in cirrhosis are well known but there are few descriptions of the pattern of response to chronic administration of captopril in this disease. Nine nonuraemic cirrhotic patients with ascites and portal hypertension were studied after 1 week on fixed sodium and water intake (balance diet) and following acute and chronic treatment with captopril (three doses of 25 mg every 30 min and 75 mg.day-1 for three weeks, respectively). Whilst on the balance diet, 7/9 patients were unable to excrete the amount of sodium ingested. After the acute administration of captopril, a significant reduction was seen in arterial blood pressure (86.9 vs 77 mm Hg), with no change in the intra-hepatic pressures (free suprahepatic pressure, FSHP: 15.0 vs 12.1 mm Hg and wedged suprahepatic pressure, WSHP: 22.9 vs 20.7 mm Hg). After chronic captopril treatment, a drop was observed in portal pressure (FSHP: 9.4 mm Hg and WSHP 18.8 mm Hg, NS) and the arterial pressure returned to its basal level. The plasma aldosterone concentration decreased, whilst noradrenaline and dopamine increased significantly, the latter more than the former, leading to a reduction in the noradrenaline/dopamine ratio (14.5 vs 5.0). Seven out of nine patients showed enhanced natriuresis and the remaining two, who previously had had a positive sodium balance failed to do so. These haemodynamic, hormonal and renal changes were interpreted as evidence of blockade of angiotensin II generation by captopril, and also as a homoeostatic response by the sympathetic nervous system.
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PMID:Portal pressure, renal function and hormonal profile after acute and chronic captopril treatment in cirrhosis. 148 84

This study assessed the validity of bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) to predict total body water (TBW) in patients with cirrhosis. TBW was estimated by deuterium oxide dilution (D2O) and compared with TBW predicted by BIA in 27 patients with cirrhosis with and without ascites or edema (Group A), in a subgroup of 18 'dry' cirrhotics without clinical signs of fluid overload (Group B) and in 27 healthy controls. Three different BIA regression equations were used. In all three groups of subjects high correlation coefficients were obtained between D2O-TBW and BIA-TBW (r > 0.88). In the cirrhotic Group A, BIA significantly underpredicted D2O-TBW by all 3 equations (2.9-3.8 l) and the regression lines were different from the lines of identity by two equations. Standard errors of estimate were high in Group A (3.04-3.97 l) in comparison with Group B (1.79-2.46 l) and the controls (1.03-1.41 l). In the 'dry' cirrhotics (Group B) and in the controls, TBW was correctly predicted by two of three BIA equations, and regression lines were not significantly different from lines of identity. Correlation coefficients in Group B were higher than in Group A (r = 0.96-0.97 vs. 0.89-0.92) and were comparable with controls (r = 0.98-0.99). We conclude that BIA is not a valid method of estimating TBW in cirrhotic patients with ascites and edema. In cirrhotic patients without clinical signs of fluid overload BIA can be used to predict TBW, although accuracy is slightly lower than in healthy controls.
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PMID:The validity of bioelectrical impedance analysis in estimating total body water in patients with cirrhosis. 148 69

Zinc deficiency is common in cirrhosis and may be involved in the alteration of ammonia metabolism. Rats with carbon tetrachloride-induced cirrhosis have high plasma ammonia and low serum and tissue zinc levels. We used this model to examine the effects of oral zinc supplementation on activities of plasma ammonia and liver ornithine transcarbamylase (a key enzyme in the urea cycle). These parameters were examined in two consecutive experiments. Each experiment included two groups of rats treated with carbon tetrachloride; one group received zinc in the drinking water during the induction of cirrhosis, and another served as a control group. Regardless of zinc supplementation, all carbon tetrachloride-treated rats exhibited similar micronodular cirrhosis, with similar histological appearance and liver function impairment. Cirrhotic rats without zinc supplementation showed high plasma ammonia and low serum and hepatic zinc levels and reduced liver ornithine transcarbamylase activity. Serum, hepatic zinc and liver ornithine transcarbamylase activity increased significantly in the zinc-supplemented group, and these rats' plasma ammonia levels became normal. Plasma ammonia level was significantly inversely correlated with liver ornithine transcarbamylase activity and positively correlated with serum and hepatic zinc content. Our results suggest that zinc deficiency may modify hepatic ornithine transcarbamylase activity and, therefore, ammonia disposal.
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PMID:Zinc supplementation reduces blood ammonia and increases liver ornithine transcarbamylase activity in experimental cirrhosis. 150 22

A double-blind crossover study versus placebo of the renal effects of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug imidazole 2-hydroxybenzoate was conducted in 10 patients with compensated liver cirrhosis. The administration of the drug (750 mg, t.i.d., for three days) did not affect renal plasma flow, glomerular filtration rate, free water clearance nor the urinary excretion of sodium or potassium. Values of plasma renin activity also did not change after drug administration. Direct tubular damage from imidazole 2-hydroxybenzoate was also excluded by normal excretion of beta-2-microglobulin and N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase. Urinary 6-keto-PGF1 alpha output were comparable during imidazole 2-hydroxybenzoate and placebo administration. These data indicate that this nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug does not affect the renal function in patients with compensated liver cirrhosis.
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PMID:Renal effects of imidazole-2-hydroxybenzoate in patients with compensated liver cirrhosis. 150 25

The relationship between oxygen consumption (VO2) and oxygen delivery (DO2) is of interest in critically ill patients. Various studies of these parameters have resulted in different concepts for optimizing DO2 and VO2. During liver transplantation without anhepatic veno-venous bypass, caval cross-clamping initiates a series of haemodynamic and metabolic alterations including the rapid change from hyperdynamic to hypodynamic conditions. In addition, simultaneous changes in DO2 and VO2 occur in these patients. The goal of our present study was to test the clinical relevance of therapeutic interventions based on metabolic monitoring in patients with terminal liver disease undergoing orthotopic liver transplantation. PATIENTS AND METHODS. One hundred sixty-two consecutive patients were evaluated. According to outcome, patients were divided into survivors (n = 115, group A), nonsurvivors (n = 30, group B), and patients with primary nonfunction of the liver graft (n = 17, group C). One hundred twenty patients were cirrhotics due to either alcohol (n = 36), aggressive hepatitis (n = 30), or biliary cirrhosis (n = 54); 42 had a neoplastic disease. Haemodynamic measurements, data for calculations of DO2 and VO2, and blood samples for arterial and mixed-venous blood gases and subsequent laboratory analysis were taken during the surgical procedure at six timepoints: after induction of anaesthesia (I); during preparation of the recipient liver, before cross-clamping (II); 10 min after clamping of the inferior vena cava (III); 10 min before unclamping (IV); with all vessels open, 10 min after declamping during reperfusion (V); and 60 min after declamping (VI). Anaesthesia was induced with thiopentone (3-5 mg/kg i.v.) and fentanyl (15 micrograms/kg min i.v.). Muscle relaxation was achieved with pancuronium (0.1 mg/kg i.v.). Anaesthesia was maintained with i.v. supplements of fentanyl (5-10 micrograms/kg) and pancuronium (4 mg) as required. Volume-cycled ventilation was established with a mixture of O2 in air with a positive end-expiratory pressure of 5 mm H2O to keep the PaO2 above 100 mm Hg and the PaCO2 around 35 mm Hg (Servo 900 C-Ventilator, Siemens). To maintain body temperature, all patients were positioned on a heating blanket set at 38 degrees C. The inspired gases were warmed and humidified using a dual servo-heated humidifier. Mannitol (20-40 g i.v.) or sorbitol (16-24 g i.v.) was given to prevent renal dysfunction during the cross-clamping procedure. Lactated Ringer's solution and fresh frozen plasma administration was guided by cardiovascular performance and requirements for clotting factors, respectively. Cardiac output was measured by the thermodilution method using a pulmonary artery catheter. Blood lactate, haemoglobin concentration, arterial and mixed-venous oxygen content, and oxygen saturation were measured (Hemoxymeter OSM3). VO2 and DO2 were calculated according to standard formulas. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS. The data from groups A, B, and C were compared using a multivariate analysis of variance with Tukey's method for multiple comparisons. A least-square regression was used to correlate metabolic data. RESULTS. The perioperative course of the determinants of oxygen transport is shown in Table 1. After cross-clamping, the cardiac index (CI) decreased in groups A (47%), B (53%), and C (51%) and increased to pre-anhepatic levels after reperfusion of the new liver. This was associated with distinct decreases in DO2 (A: 42%, B: 47%, and C: 45%) and VO2 (A: 8%, B: 19%, C: 25%). After reperfusion of the new allograft (V), VO2 increased in groups A (24%) and B (18%) as compared to controls (I). By contrast, in group C, a distinct further decrease in VO2 (13%) was detected. In these patients, there was a significantly greater increase in mixed-venous saturation accompanied by a further decrease in body temperature. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, no significant relationship was found between O2 transport, VO2, and blood lactate. DISC
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PMID:[Anesthesia-relevant changes in metabolic parameters with different circulatory and liver functions]. 152 56

The administration of atrial natriuretic factor to patients with cirrhosis, and avid sodium retention causes marked hypotension and blunted kidney responses. To evaluate whether the unresponsiveness of the kidney is caused by a fall in mean blood pressure below a critical value for the renal blood perfusion pressure (80 mm Hg), we studied nine such patients and compared the effects of synthetic atrial natriuretic factor alone (1 micrograms/kg as a bolus) with those of an atrial natriuretic factor combination with infused norepinephrine titrated to raise baseline blood pressure by 15 to 20 mm Hg (182 to 625 ng/kg/min). The administration of atrial natriuretic factor during norepinephrine infusion caused a fall in mean blood pressure to values not less than 80 mm Hg in eight of nine patients, with a slight natriuresis (greater than 5 mumol/min) in five patients but no changes in the other four. The mean urinary sodium output was markedly lower than that previously observed after atrial natriuretic factor injection into normal subjects and into cirrhotic patients without avid sodium retention. Unlike sodium excretion, urine flow rate and free water clearance (which were not affected by atrial natriuretic factor alone) were markedly improved by the coadministration of norepinephrine and atrial natriuretic factor. In four additional patients we studied the urinary electrolyte excretion during a low-dose infusion of atrial natriuretic factor (20 ng/kg/min) to which an infusion of norepinephrine titrated to maintain blood pressure over 80 mm Hg was added. In only one of these four patients urinary sodium output consistently increased during atrial natriuretic factor infusion, and the output increased even more when norepinephrine was added.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
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PMID:Renal effects in cirrhotic patients with avid sodium retention of atrial natriuretic factor injection during norepinephrine infusion. 153 1

To investigate the influence of body composition on leucine metabolism, leucine turnover and oxidation were measured in six patients with stable biopsy-proven cirrhosis and in six age- and gender-matched controls using [1-14C]leucine tracer. Fat-free body mass and body cell mass were estimated from quantified measurements of H2(18)O and bromide dilution. Although there were no differences in body weight, body surface area, body mass index, or fat-free body mass between study groups, body cell mass was decreased in cirrhotic patients (37.6 +/- 0.1 vs. 46.4 +/- 1.8 kg; P less than 0.05). Leucine turnover did not significantly differ between groups in absolute values or when corrected for body weight or fat free body mass. However, cirrhotic patients had accelerated leucine turnover based on body cell mass (171.3 +/- 8.2 vs. 143 +/- 7.6 mumol.kg-1.h-1; P less than 0.03). Plasma leucine levels were decreased in cirrhosis (76.9 +/- 9.7 vs. 117.9 +/- 8.1 mumol/L; P less than 0.001) and correlated with an expanded extracellular water compartment (r = -0.91; P less than 0.001) and leucine oxidation (r = 0.91; P less than 0.01) in the cirrhotic patients but not in the control subjects. These data indicate that body composition and fluid compartments are important factors influencing leucine metabolism in cirrhosis and should be considered in future studies.
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PMID:Body cell mass and leucine metabolism in cirrhosis. 155 38


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