Longitudinal screening of HLA-risk and HLA-nonrisk children for celiac disease to age 15 years: CiPiS study

OBJECTIVES

Autoantibodies against tissue transglutaminase (tTG) are serological markers of celiac disease. The aim was to study the applicability of human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-genotyping and tTG autoantibodies in the screening of celiac disease in a longitudinal birth cohort followed to age 15 years.

METHODS

Included were 13,860 HLA-DQ-genotyped children at birth and previously invited to a screening at age 3 and 9 years, respectively. HLA-DQB1*02 and/or DQB1*03:02 (HLA-risk) children were compared with non-HLA-DQB1*02 and non-DQB1*03:02 (HLA-nonrisk) children. The present study reinvited 12,948/13,860 (93.4%) children at age 15 years of whom 1056/2374 (44.5%) participated in screening at both age 3 and 9 years. Both immunoglobulin A (IgA) and G (IgG) autoantibodies against tTG were analyzed separately in radiobinding assays. Persistently tTG autoantibody-positive children were examined with intestinal biopsy to confirm the diagnosis of celiac disease.

RESULTS

At age 3 years, celiac disease was diagnosed in 56/1635 (3.4%) HLA-risk children compared with 0/1824 HLA-nonrisk children (p < 0.001). By age 9 years, celiac disease was diagnosed in 72/1910 (3.8%) HLA-risk children compared with 0/2167 HLA-nonrisk children (p < 0.001). Screening at age 15 years detected 14/1071 (1.3%) HLA-risk children positive for IgA-tTG and/or IgG-tTG of whom 12/1071 (1.1%) remained persistently positive. Among those, 10/1071 (0.9%, 95% confidence interval: 0.4%-1.7%) HLA-risk children were diagnosed with celiac disease compared with 0/1303 HLA-nonrisk children (p < 0.001) and 5/491 (1.0%) were negative in screenings at both 3 and 9 years of age.

CONCLUSIONS

Screening for celiac disease needs to be performed at multiple timepoints to detect all cases but can be restricted to children at HLA-risk.

Visit patterns at primary care centres and individual blood pressure level - a cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVE

Hypertension is a major cause of cardiovascular disease. Nevertheless, blood pressure (BP) is often inadequately treated. We studied visit patterns at primary health care centres (PHCCs) and their relation to individual BP control.

DESIGN AND SETTING

Cross-sectional register-based study on all patients with hypertension who visited 188 PHCCs in a Swedish region.

PATIENTS

A total of 88,945 patients with uncomplicated hypertension age 40-79.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Odds ratio (OR) for the individual patient to achieve the BP target of ≤140/90 mmHg.

RESULTS

Overall, 63% of patients had BP ≤ 140/90 mmHg (48% BP < 140/90). The PHCC that the patient was enrolled at and, as part of that, more nurse visits at PHCC level was associated with BP control, adjusted OR 1,10 (95% CI 1.01 to 1.21). Patients visiting PHCCs with the highest proportion of visits with nurses had an even higher chance of achieving the BP target, OR 1.19 (95% CI 1.07 to 1.32).

CONCLUSIONS

In a Swedish population of patients with hypertension, about half do not achieve recommended treatment goals. Organisation of PHCC and team care are known as factors influencing BP control. Our results suggests that a larger focus on PHCC organisation including nurse based care could improve hypertension care.

Pay for performance associated with increased volume of medication reviews but not with less inappropriate use of medications among the elderly - an observational study

OBJECTIVE

A pay for performance programme was introduced in 2009 by a Swedish county with 1.6 million inhabitants. A process measure with payment linked to coding for medication reviews among the elderly was adopted. We assessed the association with inappropriate medication for five years after baseline.

DESIGN AND SETTING

Observational study that compared medication for elderly patients enrolled at primary care units that coded for a high or low volume of medication reviews.

PATIENTS

144,222 individuals at 196 primary care centres, age 75 or older.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Percentage of patients receiving inappropriate drugs or polypharmacy during five years at primary care units with various levels of reported medication reviews.

RESULTS

The proportion of patients with a registered medication review had increased from 3.2% to 44.1% after five years. The high-coding units performed better for most indicators but had already done so at baseline. Primary care units with the lowest payment for coding for medication reviews improved just as well in terms of inappropriate drugs as units with the highest payment - from 13.0 to 8.5%, compared to 11.6 to 7.4% and from 13.6 to 7.2% vs 11.8 to 6.5% for polypharmacy.

CONCLUSIONS

Payment linked to coding for medication reviews was associated with an increase in the percentage of patients for whom a medication review had been registered. However, the impact of payment on quality improvement is uncertain, given that units with the lowest payment for medication reviews improved equally well as units with the highest payment.

Randomised clinical trial: mesalazine versus placebo in the prevention of diverticulitis recurrence

BACKGROUND

Previous studies have reached conflicting conclusions regarding the efficacy of mesalazine in the prevention of recurrent diverticulitis.

AIM

To investigate the efficacy and safety of mesalazine granules in the prevention of recurrence of diverticulitis after acute uncomplicated diverticulitis.

METHODS

Two phase 3, randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind multicentre trials (SAG-37 and SAG-51) investigated mesalazine granules in patients with prior episodes (<6 months) of uncomplicated left-sided diverticulitis. Patients were randomised to receive either 3 g mesalazine once daily or placebo (SAG-37, n=345) or to receive either 1.5 g mesalazine once daily, 3 g once daily or placebo for 96 weeks (SAG-51, n=330). The primary endpoint was the proportion of recurrence-free patients during 48 weeks (SAG-37 and SAG-51) or 96 weeks (SAG-51) of treatment.

RESULTS

Mesalazine did not increase the proportion of recurrence-free patients over 48 or 96 weeks compared to placebo. In SAG-37, the proportion of recurrence-free patients during 48 weeks was 67.9% with mesalazine and 74.4% with placebo (P=.226). In SAG-51, the proportion of recurrence-free patients over 48 weeks was 46.0% with 1.5 g mesalazine, 52.0% with 3 g mesalazine and 58.0% with placebo (P=.860 for 3 g mesalazine vs placebo) and over 96 weeks 6.9%, 9.8% and 23.1% respectively (P=.980 for 3 g mesalazine vs placebo). Patients with only one diverticulitis episode in the year prior to study entry had a lower recurrence risk compared to >1 episode. Safety data revealed no new adverse events.

CONCLUSION

Mesalazine was not superior to placebo in preventing recurrence of diverticulitis.

Serum cytokine pattern in young children with screening detected coeliac disease

Coeliac disease is an autoimmune disease characterized by inflammation localized to the small bowel, but less is known about systemic signs of inflammation. The aim was to measure cytokines of the T helper 1 (Th1) and T helper 2 (Th2) cell patterns in children with screening-detected coeliac disease before and after treatment with a gluten-free diet. Serum samples selected before and after the start of a gluten-free diet from 26 3-year-old children diagnosed with biopsy-proven coeliac disease and from 52 matched controls were assayed in an multiplex enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the 10 cytokines: interferon (IFN)-γ, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12p70, IL-13 and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α. Among Th1 cytokines, IFN-γ and IL-12p70 were elevated significantly in children with coeliac disease compared to controls (P < 0·001 and P = 0·001, respectively). Similar findings were demonstrated for the Th2 cytokines IL-5 (P < 0·001), IL-10 (P = 0·001) and IL-13 (P = 0·002). No difference in cytokine levels between the two groups was found for TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4 and IL-8. After gluten-free diet, levels of IL-5, IL-12 and IL-10 decreased significantly (P < 0·001, P = 0·002 and P = 0·007) and IFN-γ levels were reduced (P = 0·059). Young children with coeliac disease detected by screening demonstrate elevated levels of serum cytokines at time of diagnosis. A prolonged systemic inflammation may, in turn, contribute to long-term complications known to be associated with untreated coeliac disease.

Short-term effects of a pay-for-performance programme for diabetes in a primary care setting: an observational study

OBJECTIVE

A pay-for-performance (P4P) programme for primary care was introduced in 2011 by a Swedish county (with 1.6 million inhabitants). Effects on register entry practice and comparability of data for patients with diabetes mellitus were assessed.

DESIGN AND SETTING

Observational study analysing short-term outcomes before and after introduction of a P4P programme in the study county as compared with a reference county.

SUBJECTS

A total of 84 053 patients reported to the National Diabetes Register by 349 primary care units.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Completeness of data, level and target achievement of glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), blood pressure (BP), and LDL cholesterol (LDL).

RESULTS

In the study county, newly recruited patients who were entered during the incentive programme were less well controlled than existing patients in the register - they had higher HbA1c (54.9 [54.5-55.4] vs. 53.7 [53.6-53.9] mmol/mol), BP, and LDL. The percentage of patients with entry of BP, HbA1c, LDL, albuminuria, and smoking increased in the study county but not in the reference county (+26.3% vs -1.5%). In the study county, with an incentive for BP < 130/80 mmHg, BP data entry behaviour was altered with an increased preference for sub-target BP values and a decline in zero end-digit readings (38.3% vs. 33.7%, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

P4P led to increased register entry, increased completeness of data, and altered BP entry behaviour. Analysis of newly added patients and data shows that missing patients and data can cause performance to be overestimated. Potential effects on reporting quality should be considered when designing payment programmes. Key points A pay-for-performance programme, with a focus on data entry, was introduced in a primary care region in Sweden. Register data entry in the National Diabetes Register increased and registration behaviour was altered, especially for blood pressure. Newly entered patients and data during the incentive programme were less well controlled. Missing data in a quality register can cause performance to be overestimated.

Coeliac disease in children: a social epidemiological study in Sweden

AIM

Little is known on the possible existence of socioeconomic and geographical differences in early coeliac disease (CD) risk. Therefore, we investigated these aspects in children before age two.

METHODS

Linking the Swedish Medical Birth Registry to several other national registries, we identified all singletons born in Sweden from 1987 to 1993 (n = 792,401) and followed them until 2 years of age to identify cases of CD. Applying multilevel logistic regression analysis, we investigated the association between socioeconomic position (SEP) and CD in children and also whether a possible geographical variation in CD risk was explained by individual characteristics.

RESULTS

Low SEP was associated with CD in boys OR 1.37 (95% CI 1.03-1.82), but not in girls OR 0.87 (95% CI 0.68-1.12). We found a considerable geographical variation in disease risk (i.e. intra-municipality correlation ≈ 10%) that was not explained by individual characteristics.

CONCLUSIONS

Low SEP is associated with CD in boys but not in girls. Also, CD appears to be conditioned by geographical area of residence. While our study represents an innovative contribution to the epidemiology of CD in children, the reasons for the observed geographical and socioeconomic differences could be speculated but are still unknown.

Coeliac disease-specific tissue transglutaminase autoantibodies are associated with osteoporosis and related fractures in middle-aged women

OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether the serological marker for coeliac disease, tissue transglutaminase autoantibody (tTGAb), is associated with decreased bone mass density (BMD) and increased frequency of fractures in middle-aged women screened for osteoporosis.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study comprised 6480 women (mean age 56 years, range 50-64) who answered a number of questionnaires and who underwent dual X-ray absorptiometry of the wrist bone. Serum samples were analysed for tTGAb using radioligand binding assays. A tTGAb level of >4 U/ml was used to determine a positive value and a level of >17 U/ml was used as an alternative discrimination of high levels.

RESULTS

A tTGAb level >4 U/ml was found among 90/6480 (1.4%) women and correlated with lower BMD (multiple linear regression coefficient -382.1; 95% CI = - 673.6-90.7, p=0.011) and with fracture frequency (r=0.18, p=0.023). The 59 women with tTGAb levels >or=17 U/ml had a lower BMD (0.41+/-0.08 g/cm(2) versus 0.44+/-0.08 g/cm(2), p=0.001) and a lower T-score (-1.40+/-1.28 versus -0.90+/-1.40, p=0.003) as well as a higher prevalence of osteoporosis (13.4% versus 6.5%, p=0.008) compared with the remaining 6421 women with tTGAb levels <17 U/ml. Furthermore, fracture frequency was more pronounced in women with tTGAb levels >or=17 U/ml, among whom 19/59 (32.2%) had fractures during the study period compared with 1204/6421 (18.8%) among women with tTGAb levels <17 U/ml (p=0.009).

CONCLUSIONS

High levels of tTGAb indicating coeliac disease are associated with lower BMD and higher fracture frequency in women between 50 and 64 years of age. Osteometry is therefore warranted in middle-aged women detected with tTGAb.

Influence of dialysis on prednisolone kinetics

Six patients with end-stage renal disease were given prednisolone, 0.7-1.0 mg/kg/b.wt. parenterally. Prednisolone kinetics were investigated during dialysis, in 3 patients on hemodialysis and in 3 on continuous peritoneal dialysis, and also on days without dialysis. Mean plasma half-life was 250 min in five patients and 690 min in one patient who also suffered from intermittent porphyria. No change was found in prednisolone kinetics when the dialysis-free period was compared to the dialysis periods.

Hydralazine-associated glomerulonephritis

Nine patients (6 men, 3 women) with rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis developing during hydralazine therapy were seen. Early cessation of hydralazine treatment resulted in improvement in seven patients, while continued hydralazine treatment resulted in permanent renal insufficiency in two. The clinical symptoms of systemic illness associated with the hydralazine syndrome were absent in most patients. Antinuclear antibody test was positive in all, and six investigated patients had antibodies to histones. All patients had anemia, high ESR, and microscopic hematuria. Five of the nine patients were rapid drug acetylators. Renal biopsies from eight patients revealed a uniform histologic picture with segmental necrosis of glomeruli and extracapillary proliferation. Immunofluorescence investigation was positive in all and electron microscopy revealed deposits in the glomerular capillary walls in five of seven specimens. This renal disease may represent a late and monosymptomatic manifestation of the hydralazine syndrome.

Food induced stimulation of the antisecretory factor can improve symptoms in human inflammatory bowel disease: a study of a concept

BACKGROUND

Antisecretory factor (AF), a 41 kDa cloned and sequenced protein, suppresses intestinal inflammation and hypersecretion in animals. Endogenous AF production can be induced by dietary modifications in several animal species, and this feed has been shown to reduce the incidence of diarrhoeal disease in weaning piglets. The role of AF in intestinal disease in humans is not known.

AIMS

To study the effects of hydrothermally processed cereals, optimised for AF induction in animals, added to the diet of patients with longstanding symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

PATIENTS

Fifty three patients with IBD (ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease) were entered into the study, and 50 completed follow up. The experimental group consisted of 16 females (mean age 50 (SEM 5) years) and 10 males (41 (4) years) and the placebo group of 12 women (41 (4) years old) and 12 men (51 (5) years).

METHODS

Patients were randomised to receive either hydrothermally processed cereals (active treatment) or the same amount of ordinary cereals (placebo treatment) for four weeks in a double blind study design. Baseline diet and medications remained unchanged. Bowel symptoms, plasma levels of AF, and colonic biopsies were evaluated before and after treatment.

RESULTS

The active treatment significantly improved subjective ratings of clinical symptoms and increased plasma AF levels compared with placebo. Plasma lipid levels were unaffected.

CONCLUSION

Hydrothermally processed cereals can induce AF production in human IBD. This increase in endogenous AF activity is associated with clinical improvement. Further studies are warranted to clarify the exact role of AF in human intestinal disease.

[Early treatment can improve prognosis in diabetic nephropathy]

Prognosis in diabetic nephropathy has changed dramatically during the past decade, and slowing of the disease process has been made possible by intervention against specific risk factors. Nonetheless, diabetic nephropathy has become the leading cause of end stage renal disease. Early detection and prevention, or at least delaying, of disease progression have become crucial aims, and several treatment strategies designed to prevent end stage renal disease have recently been published. The common denominator of these strategies is screening for microalbuminuria in diabetic patients rather than awaiting the appearance of overt symptoms.

The effect of metabolic control on rate of decline in renal function in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus with overt diabetic nephropathy

BACKGROUND

Strict glycaemic control has been shown to reduce the risk of developing diabetic nephropathy. In established nephropathy, however, the impact of glycaemic control on prognosis is less clear. Therefore we investigated the effect of long-term glycaemic control on the decline in renal function in insulin-dependent diabetic patients with overt nephropathy.

METHODS

The study was performed at two hospital-based diabetes centres in western Sweden. The study was an observational retrospective follow-up study in 158 insulin-dependent diabetics with proteinuria with a mean (+/-SD) age of 36+/-9 years and a diabetes duration of 22+/-8 years. The change in glomerular filtration rate was measured as 51Cr EDTA clearance for a median of 8 years (range 1-17). Glycaemic control was determined with measurements of glycated haemoglobin A1c.

RESULTS

The decline in glomerular filtration rate was 3.8+/-3.7 ml/min/year. The blood pressure was 143/82+/-15/7 mmHg and the mean glycated haemoglobin was 8.7+/-1.6%. The correlation coefficient between glycated haemoglobin and decline in glomerular filtration rate was -0.39 (P<0.0001 ) and between decline in glomerular filtration rate and systolic and diastolic blood pressure -0.17 (P=0.03) and -0.29 (P=0.003) respectively. In patients with glycated haemoglobin <8.0% and diastolic blood pressure <85 mmHg the decline in glomerular filtration rate was 1.7+/-2.3 ml/min/year.

CONCLUSIONS

In this retrospective observational study, effective blood-pressure control was associated with a low rate of decline in renal function and a low urinary albumin excretion. The correlation between glycaemic control and decline in renal function indicates that poor glycaemic control can accelerate the loss of renal function in diabetic nephropathy.

Enalapril versus metoprolol in primary hypertension--effects on the glomerular filtration rate

BACKGROUND

Hypertension is a significant cause of end-stage renal failure and effective treatment of hypertensive will reduce the progression rate of chronic renal failure in various kidney disorders. Different classes of drugs may be more effective than others in this respect. In this study we compared the effects on the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) of the ACE-inhibitor enalapril and the betablocker metoprolol in patients with mild and moderate primary hypertension during 6 years.

METHODS

Patients with GFR in the normal range (> or = 80 ml/min/1.73 m2 BSA) were included after a placebo treatment period of 4-8 weeks if diastolic blood pressure was 100-120 mm Hg. Target blood pressure was set to < 90 mm Hg diastolic. One hundred and thirty patients were randomized in an open parallel study to receive either enalapril or metoprolol. No placebo group was included. GFR was measured using the 51CR-EDTA clearance method and 81 patients completed the study.

RESULTS

At inclusion, there were no significant differences regarding GFR or blood pressure between the groups. The blood pressure treatment goal was reached in all patients and was maintained during the whole observation period. A small but significant fall in GFR by 4 ml/min/1.73 m2 BSA was noted in both groups after the first year of treatment but thereafter GFR decreased by only 1 ml/min/year/1.73 m2 BSA, in both groups. Body weight, serum uric acid and triglycerides increased slightly with metoprolol treatment but no other differences between the two treatments were noted.

CONCLUSIONS

With the blood pressure maintained at the same level using either enalapril or metoprolol during a 6-year study period, GFR decreased to the same extent in the two groups both during the first year and thereafter. The overall magnitude of the GFR decline approached that of the normal age-related decrease of kidney function, i.e. GFR decreased only about 1 ml/min/year. Thus, treatment with an ACE-inhibitor, enalapril, and a beta-blocker, metoprolol, protected the kidney function to the same extent in this 6 year long study in mild and moderate primary hypertension.

Renal disease and acid-suppressing drugs

No comparative epidemiological data can be found in the literature on the renal safety of acid-suppressing drugs. We followed-up a cohort of close to 180,000 persons during periods of treatment and non-treatment with five anti-ulcer drugs to evaluate the risk of idiopathic acute renal failure and/or nephrotic syndrome. After reviewing medical records, five patients were found to be cases. Two presented with acute renal failure and three had nephrotic syndrome. Three cases occurred during periods of non-exposure to anti-ulcer drugs. Two cases occurred during current use of ranitidine: one of acute renal failure and one of nephrotic syndrome. No case was encountered during treatment with cimetidine, famotidine, nizatidine or omeprazole. The incidence of idiopathic renal disease in the general population was 1 per 100,000 person-years. The relative risk associated with use of acid-suppressing drugs was 1.8 (95% CI, 0.3-10.7) compared to non-use. These results do not suggest a major increased risk for acute renal injury and/or nephrotic syndrome associated with use of anti-ulcer drugs.

Influence of topical rectal application of drugs on dextran sulfate-induced colitis in rats

A rat model of colitis [dextran sulfate (DSS)] was used to study the permeation of Evans blue (EB) from the lumen into the wall of proximal and distal colonic loops after exposure to the dye for 2 hr. Topical application of drugs used in human ulcerative colitis (lidocaine, mesalazine, prednisolone, or sucralfate) was given daily during induction of colitis to protect the mucosa. The mucosal changes were evaluated with special regard to peptidergic innervation [substance P (SP) and neuropeptide Y (NPY)], invasion of antigen-presenting polydendritic cells, and mucin-containing goblet cells. DSS-treatment caused a significantly increased permeation of EB. In the proximal loops a significant inhibition was obtained after treatment with lidocaine, prednisolone, or sucralfate. In the distal loops only treatment with lidocaine had a preventive effect. Immunocytochemically there was a clear hyperplasia of both mucosal SP- and NPY-immunoreactive nerve fibers in regions with crypt abnormalities. In these regions also most of the goblet cells were devoid of mucus. Like the changes in permeation, these morphological changes were most prominent in the distal loops. With induction of colitis, the mucosa and lamina propria were invaded by polydendritic cells; the visual score was markedly decreased in the proximal loops treated with lidocaine, prednisolone, or sucralfate. In the distal loops similar effects were obtained after treatment with lidocaine or prednisolone. Prevention of the influx of antigens in both loops after lidocaine treatment with reduced recruitment of polydendritic cells into the lamina propria is suggested. The nerve hyperplasia may thus be secondary to luminal challenge with antigens during induction of colitis. The discrepancy between increased permeation and absence of polydendritic cell response in the distal loops after prednisolone may reflect separate actions of steroids on the intestinal epithelium and the immune cells.

Deletion insertion polymorphism of the angiotensin converting enzyme gene and progression of diabetic nephropathy

BACKGROUND

The activity in the renin angiotensin system is important for the progression of diabetic nephropathy. Genetic abnormalities in this system have been suggested as a risk factor for the development and progression of diabetic nephropathy. The homozygous DD (deletion) genotype of the angiotensin-converting enzyme gene has been associated with increased circulating angiotensin converting enzyme and a more rapid progression of IgA nephritis. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between the DD genotype and rate of decline in kidney function in patients with type 1 diabetes and nephropathy in relation to other risk factors for loss of renal function.

METHODS

The insertion-deletion polymorphism was determined in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus and diabetic nephropathy. Retrospective data were collected in 86 patients. The patients were studied by determining glomerular filtration rate during a mean (+/-SD) of 8.5 +/- 4.0 years (range 1.3-14.5 years) using the clearance of 51Cr EDTA. Measurements for glycaemic control, urinary albumin excretion, blood pressure, and serum lipids were available for the study period.

RESULTS

The mean decline in glomerular filtration rate was 3.2 +/- 3.6 ml/min/year in all patients. Patients with the DD, ID and II genotype showed a rate of change in glomerular filtration of -3.5 +/- 3.5, -3.1 +/- 4.4 and -2.6 +/- 2.3 ml/min/year respectively. The tendency towards a more rapid decline in kidney function in the DD genotype was nonsignificant. The decline in renal function was significantly correlated to systolic and diastolic blood pressure, Hb AIc and serum triglycerides. Serum cholesterol was nearly significantly correlated to the decline in glomerular filtration rate (P = 0.057). Of these variables, glycaemic control and blood pressure control remained significant in multivariate analysis (P = 0.02 and P = 0.04, respectively). The patients with the DD genotype weighted significantly less. The body weight in patients with the DD genotype was 67.1 +/- 11.4 kg vs 74.9 +/- 9.2 kg in patients with the II genotype (P = 0.018).

CONCLUSION

In this study, poor glycaemic and blood pressure control were associated with a more rapid loss of renal function in diabetic nephropathy while polymorphism of the angiotensin converting enzyme gene was not.

Physiological and histological characterisation of a pig kidney in vitro perfusion model for xenotransplantation studies

A pig kidney perfusion model aimed for use in immunological and physiological xenotransplantation research has been developed. Organ viability was characterised by clearance studies, functional response to hormones/diureticum and by light microscopical examination. The pig kidney was perfused in a specially designed plexiglass chamber, using a roller pump and a small membrane oxygenator (O2/CO2, 95/5). The recirculating perfusate used was autologous pig blood diluted by Tyrodes solution to a hematocrit of 30%, at a total starting volume of 600-650 ml. The temperature was 37 degrees C. It was crucial for good organ function that the nephrectomy operating time, as well as the warm (1-2 min) and cold ischemia (average 43 min) times were minimized. The average total perfusion time was 151 minutes. Physiological parameters were measured during 10-15 minute periods at average times of 40, 63, 88 and 142 minutes. The clearance values of inulin in these periods were 54 +/- 13, 59 +/- 15, 48 +/- 23, 27 +/- 5 and for PAH; 103 +/- 14, 121 +/- 14, 106 +/- 30, 114 +/- 34 ml/min/100 g tissue weight. The plasma flows were 123 +/- 12, 155 +/- 17, 136 +/- 36 and 206 +/- 57 ml/min/100 g. The injection of 0.5 micrograms of alpha ANP to the perfusate resulted in a significant decrease in vascular resistance, and increase in urine production (+107%), as well as sodium (+112%) and potassium (+46%) excretion. Ten mg furosemide doubled the urine production and sodium excretion, while potassium excretion increased marginally. The number of leucocytes decreased by 39% during the perfusion, while the platelet count was unaffected. Light microscopy of the renal tissue after termination of the experiments revealed endothelial damage to variable extent. Loss of endothelial cells was most obvious at the level of arcuate and interlobular arteries, while the endothelium was intact in larger arteries and veins. Accumulation of polymorphonuclear granulocytes was found predominantly in the peritubular vessels, and to a lesser degree in the cortical venules. In the tubular cells, only minimal epithelial swelling and irregular cytoplasmic vacuolisation was found. Thus, a good functional viability can be maintained during 2 hours in vitro perfusion, although a decline in function as well as structural damage can be seen at the end of the experiment.

Latent overhydration and nocturnal hypertension in diabetic nephropathy

With the aim of studying the diurnal variation in blood pressure in relation to degree of fluid retention, 24-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring was performed in 31 insulin-dependent diabetic patients with nephropathy. The extracellular volume was calculated from the distribution volume of 51Cr-EDTA after a single injection. The study population was arbitrarily divided into two groups, depending on their extracellular volume. Group 1 included 15 patients with a lower extracellular volume and group 2, 16 patients with a higher extracellular volume. Ambulatory blood pressure was measured with a portable monitor using an oscillometric technique. In all patients, the mean +/- SD 24-h ambulatory blood pressure was 135/79 +/- 14/7 mmHg. Day and night-time blood pressure were 136/81 +/- 14/7 and 133/75 +/- 17/8, respectively (p < 0.02). The ambulatory blood pressure was 135/80 +/- 14/7 in group 1 and 136/78 +/- 15/6 mmHg in group 2. The nocturnal change in blood pressure was significantly greater in group 1 than in group 2, -9/-9 +/- 10/5 mmHg and 1/-3 +/- 10/6 mmHg, respectively (p = 0.005/0.01). There were no other significant differences between the groups than the diurnal blood pressure pattern. There were significant correlations between day ambulatory blood pressure and night ambulatory blood pressure and 24-h ambulatory blood pressure and urinary albumin excretion. There was no correlation between ausculatatory clinic blood pressure on the one hand and albuminuria on the other. Latent fluid retention therefore may contribute to nocturnal hypertension in diabetic nephropathy.

Long-term enalapril treatment in diabetic nephropathy

A randomized comparison of enalapril and metoprolol in patients with type 1 diabetes and nephropathy showed that the decline in kidney function was 5.6 +/- 5.9 ml/min/year in the metoprolol-treated and 2.0 +/- 3.2 ml/min/year in the enalapril-treated patients (P = 0.02). In the present study, the enalapril treated patients have been studied for two additional years. In the metoprolol-treated group, only the endpoints of death or uremia have been recorded, and six of the patients have reached end-stage renal failure and three are dead, compared to three and two, respectively in the enalapril treated group. The mean fall in glomerular filtration rate in 18 enalapril-treated patients is 8.4 +/- 9.4 ml/min/1.73 m2 after four years; 7.5 +/- 9.8 ml/min/1.73 m2, occurred during the first six months treatment. The mean decline in kidney function was 1.7 +/- 2.4 ml/min/year over the whole study period and 0.3 +/- 3.9 ml/min/year after exclusion of the first six months. In this study, long-term enalapril treatment in diabetic nephropathy was associated with a low rate of decline in kidney function.

Cholesterol: a renal risk factor in diabetic nephropathy?

In a prospective follow-up of 30 patients with type 1 diabetes and nephropathy, serum cholesterol, triglycerides, apolipoprotein Al and B, and lipoprotein(a) were determined to study their relationship to the rate of decline in glomerular filtration rate. The patients had proteinuria and advanced nephropathy with a mean +/- SD glomerular filtration rate of 39 mL/min/1.73 m2. The decline in glomerular filtration rate was determined during 2.5 +/- 0.5 years. High serum cholesterol, triglycerides, and apolipoprotein B were correlated to a more rapid deterioration in kidney function. The rate of decline in glomerular filtration rate was 1.0 +/- 2.5 mL/min/yr in the 10 patients with the lowest cholesterol level, compared with 4.5 +/- 3.2 mL/min/yr in the patients with the highest serum cholesterol (P = 0.015). The combined effect of the measured lipids, blood pressure, type of antihypertensive treatment, protein intake, proteinuria, and hemoglobin A1C on the rate of decline in glomerular filtration rate was assessed by multiple regression analysis. The measured factors together had a high explanatory power for the rate of decline in glomerular filtration rate. In this model, 73% of the variation in decline in glomerular filtration rate was explained by the measured variables (multiple r2 = 0.73). Low cholesterol and treatment with an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor were the strongest predictors of a favorable renal prognosis. This suggests that hypercholesterolemia is an important risk factor for diabetic nephropathy.

Determinants of progressive renal disease in diabetes mellitus

The prognosis for the patient with diabetic nephropathy has improved considerably during the last decade. This is due to identification and treatment of different risk factors. Elevated blood pressure has turned out to be a major risk factor in established diabetic nephropathy. The impact of metabolic control has also been demonstrated. Lipid abnormalities have recently been identified as a possible factor that accelerates loss of renal function. The role of renal hemodynamic alterations is probably also important. Their contribution can indirectly be assessed by studying the effects of pharmacologic therapy. Angiotension converting enzyme inhibitors reduce proteinuria by a mechanism independent of systemic blood pressure and there is suggestive evidence that they preserve renal function to a greater degree than other antihypertensive agents.

Renal protective effect of enalapril in diabetic nephropathy

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether inhibition of angiotensin converting enzyme can reduce the rate of decline in kidney function more than reducing blood pressure with other antihypertensive treatment.

DESIGN

Prospective, open randomised study lasting a mean of 2.2 years in patients with diabetic nephropathy.

SETTING

Three outpatient nephrology clinics.

PATIENTS

40 patients with insulin dependent diabetes and diabetic nephropathy with reduced renal function.

INTERVENTION

Antihypertensive treatment with enalapril or metoprolol, usually combined with frusemide.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

Rate of decline in glomerular filtration rate measured as chromium-51 edetic acid clearance.

RESULTS

Glomerular filtration rate declined a mean of 2.0 (SD 3.2) ml/min/year in the group given enalapril and 5.6 (5.9) ml/min/year in the control group. The mean arterial blood pressure during the study was 102 (5) mm Hg in the patients given enalapril and 103 (5) mm Hg in the patients given metoprolol. Urinary albumin excretion during treatment with enalapril was 60% lower than during treatment with metoprolol.

CONCLUSIONS

Enalapril has an antiproteinuric effect independent of the effect on systemic blood pressure. Treatment with enalapril can reduce the rate of decline in kidney function in patients with diabetic nephropathy more than equally effective antihypertensive treatment with metoprolol. This points to a specific renal protective effect of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors in diabetic nephropathy.

Septic shock induced by group A streptococcal infection: clinical and therapeutic aspects

During 1988 and 1989 > 500 cases of serious group A streptococcal infections were reported in Sweden, many with a fatal outcome. We report here on 11 consecutive patients with septic preshock/shock and multiorgan failure, including acute renal failure. 10 had verified group A streptococci (GAS) serotype T1M1 infections while 1 patient was culture negative but with clinical signs of severe infection and serological evidence of GAS infection. Presenting symptoms were high fever, relative bradycardia, edema and renal failure. In all patients the condition deteriorated despite conventional treatment including volume substitution and antibiotics. Systolic blood pressure was transiently < 80 mmHg in 10 patients and 9 of them needed infusion of inotropic agents to avoid fatal circulatory shock. In 9 patients respiratory aid was instituted and 7 were dialysed. Plasma exchange was performed in 7, while the remaining 4 received transfusions with blood and plasma without plasma exchange. 10 patients improved and were discharged within 8 weeks. One woman died within 2 days after admission to the hospital. Renal function recovered in all survivors, with a follow-up serum creatinine < 80 mumol/l. The complicated clinical picture in these patients with many simultaneous therapeutic events confounds the interpretation of the effect of single actions. The favourable outcome in these severely ill patients suggests that potent inotropic agents, immunoglobulin therapy and plasma exchange might be beneficial in severe streptococcal disease when conventional treatment fails.

Serum concentrations of calcitriol and PTH in hemo-dialysis patients on treatment with calcium carbonate

The effects of calcium carbonate and aluminium hydroxide as phosphate binders were investigated in nine patients on chronic hemodialysis. Aluminium hydroxide, 1 g X 3, was given during four weeks followed by a period of four weeks without any phosphate binders and after this calcium carbonate, 2.5 g X 3, was introduced for four weeks. Calcium carbonate resulted in lowering of bioactive PTH in serum from 22.4 to 16.4 pM and a rise of serum calcitriol from 8.0 to 11.5 pg/ml with maintained control of phosphate and without significant difference in the calcium-phosphate product. Calcium in serum rose from 2.27 to 2.57 mM and mild hypercalcemia (less than 3.0 mM) in five of the patients could be controlled by dose reduction of calcium carbonate without losing control of serum phosphate levels. We conclude that calcium carbonate offers advantages as a phosphate binder compared to aluminium hydroxide in that it offers equal control of serum phosphate and elevates serum calcium which helps to control the hyperparathyroidism secondary to uremia.

Antibodies to neutrophil granulocyte myeloperoxidase and elastase: autoimmune responses in glomerulonephritis due to hydralazine treatment

Autoantibodies against myeloperoxidase and elastase were found in a study of nine patients who had developed glomerulonephritis after treatment with hydralazine, but not in patients who were treated with hydralazine without side-effects. Circulating IgM isotype antibodies against myeloperoxidase, and IgM and IgG anti-elastase, were mainly present during the initial months after withdrawal of the drug. By contrast, IgG isotype antibodies against myeloperoxidase, initially found in seven patients, had increased in concentration and were present in all patients at follow-up after 4-12 years.

Cure of zygomycosis caused by a lipase-producing Rhizopus rhizopodiformis strain in a renal transplant patient

A 40-year-old man with renal failure due to membranous glomerulonephritis received a cadaveric renal transplant and immunosuppressive therapy with cyclosporine, azathioprine and steroids. Initially the transplantation was successful. 12 days after the transplantation, however, serous secretion appeared in the wound. Later, black necrosis was seen. Fungal culture showed growth of a zygomycete species. Rhizopus rhizopodiformis, with high in-vitro resistance to amphotericin B, flucytosine, fluconazole, ketoconazole and itraconazole. The MIC value for the allylamine derivative SF86-327 (Exoderil) was 1.6 micrograms/ml. Microscopic examination of sections from a surgical revision showed necrosis of the fat tissue and massive hyphal invasion of the perirenal fat, which contained semi-crystalline material anisotropic as seen in polarized light and characteristically staining with rubeanic acid. These histological data indicate a lipase-induced in-vivo splitting of lipids into fatty acids. In-vitro R. rhizopodiformis showed very high extracellular lipase production. 11 days after initiation of amphotericin B therapy cultures and sections remained positive for rhizopus. Amphotericin B was therefore supplemented with Exoderil orally, cyclosporine and steroids were maintained, and azathioprine was discontinued. The wound granulated, shrank, and healed completely in 10 weeks.

Acute and long-term changes in plasma levels of atrial natriuretic factor in patients with renal replacement therapy

In 14 patients on hemodialysis who received kidney grafts from living related donors, plasma levels of immunoreactive atrial natriuretic factor (Ir-ANF) were determined in a sequence covering the last hemodialysis treatment, the day of transplantation, and a follow-up period of 6-12 months. The geometric mean value before dialysis was 196 pg/ml, the range 32-634. Weight loss during dialysis was 1.5 +/- 1.1 kg (mean +/- SD), but only a nonsignificant reduction in Ir-ANF levels occurred. On the day of transplantation, plasma Ir-ANF levels increased from 143 pg/ml before to 391 post-transplantation (P = 0.02, n = 12), probably in response to deliberate volume expansion. Post-transplant Ir-ANF levels correlated significantly to diuresis during the first 24 h, which ranged from 3.7 to 17.81 (mean 6.6; r = 0.65, P = 0.02). On day 2, mean 24 h diuresis decreased to 3.3 +/- 1.41. Most patients had reached their true dry weight by day 5, but Ir-ANF levels remained high, the geometric mean being 180 pg/ml. During further follow-up and preserved graft function (GFR range 34-88 ml/min per 1.73 m2 body surface area), Ir-ANF levels declined to a geometric mean of 63 pg/ml by 2-6 months and to 36 at 12 months post-transplant. We conclude that plasma Ir-ANF levels are chronically elevated in patients with chronic renal failure but may be further stimulated by acute overhydration. Transplanted kidneys initially respond to the increased levels but adapt within a day. Even with good graft function, normalization of plasma Ir-ANF requires several weeks or months.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors in diabetes: effect on the kidney and on blood pressure

In diabetes mellitus, studies on the renin angiotensin system conflict. Among type I diabetic patients, we have found normal plasma renin activity and angiotensin II levels. In these patients, low-dose angiotensin II infusion resulted in the same effect on renal hemodynamics as that observed in healthy controls. In patients with diabetic nephropathy, a disease usually regarded as a low-renin condition, we have found elevated levels of plasma renin activity as compared with that seen in healthy persons and control subjects with other renal diseases that result in a similar degree of renal failure. In patients with diabetic nephropathy, interruption of the renin angiotensin system with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors has been associated with a reduction in proteinuria. It is not clear whether this is a result of blood pressure reduction or a specific effect of these drugs. In a randomized trial with patients with diabetic nephropathy, we found that enalapril treatment reduced proteinuria to less than half the level obtained in a metoprolol-treated group during equally effective blood pressure control. In a long-term prospective study of captopril in patients with diabetic nephropathy, the rate of decline in kidney function was reduced to half the value that was calculated during a retrospective period. The renin angiotensin system, therefore, can be normally active in patients with diabetic nephropathy, and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors can reduce proteinuria by mechanisms independent of their effect on blood pressure. Long-term treatment may protect renal function to a greater degree than might be expected from the blood pressure-lowering effect.

Contrasting effects of enalapril and metoprolol on proteinuria in diabetic nephropathy

OBJECTIVE

To assess whether angiotensin converting enzyme inhibition reduces proteinuria in diabetic nephropathy more than blood pressure reduction with other antihypertensive treatment.

DESIGN

Prospective, open randomised study lasting eight weeks in patients with diabetic nephropathy.

SETTING

Outpatient nephrology clinics.

PATIENTS

40 Patients with type I diabetes and diabetic nephropathy with reduced renal function.

INTERVENTION

Antihypertensive treatment with enalapril or metoprolol, usually combined with frusemide.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Arterial blood pressure and urinary excretion of albumin and protein.

RESULTS

Arterial blood pressure after eight weeks was 135/82 (SD 13/7) mm Hg in the group given enalapril and 136/86 (16/12) mm Hg in the group given metoprolol. Proteinuria and albuminuria were similar in both groups before randomisation. After eight weeks' treatment, the geometric mean albumin excretion was 0.7 (95% confidence interval 0.5 to 1.2) g/24 h in the patients given enalapril and 1.6 (1.1 to 2.5) g/24 h in the patients given metoprolol (p less than 0.02). The proteinuria was 1.1 (0.7 to 1.7) and 2.4 (1.6 to 3.6) g/24 h respectively (p less than 0.02).

CONCLUSIONS

Antihypertensive treatment with enalapril reduced proteinuria in patients with diabetic nephropathy more than an equally effective antihypertensive treatment with metoprolol. This points to a specific antiproteinuric effect of the angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor independent of the effect on systemic blood pressure.

Diabetes mellitus, the renin-angiotensin system, and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition

Many traditional antihypertensive drugs are linked to various effects that may cause concern in the hypertensive diabetic patient. The favorable tolerability of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors in essential hypertension makes it likely that they will be well tolerated when used in diabetic patients. Data from ongoing studies support the theory that ACE inhibitors lower blood pressure to the same extent in hypertensive diabetics as in patients with essential hypertension. ACE inhibitors do not seem to affect glucose homeostasis adversely; they may even improve glucose tolerance to a small degree. The renal effects of ACE inhibitors in animal experiments suggest a renal-protective effect that can make them especially valuable.

Topical treatment of ulcerative proctitis with lidocaine

Rectal biopsy specimens from patients with ulcerative proctitis/proctosigmoiditis (UP/PS) were investigated immunocytochemically. In general, a changed mucosal innervation was demonstrated, with a marked increase in the number of nerve fibres and terminals with neuropeptide Y and tyrosine hydroxylase. In a few patients a hyperinnervation with VIPergic or SPergic nerves was seen. These findings indicate that hyperactive local nervous reflexes are of pathogenetic importance. To silence such activity, the diseased mucosa was treated with topically applied lidocaine. Such topical treatment with lidocaine gel in 21 consecutive patients with UP/PS for 3-8 weeks caused a rapid decrease of subjective and objective symptoms. During treatment mucosal integrity was restored, accompanied by depletion of OKT4 and OKT8 lymphocytes from the mucosa. However, the hyperinnervation pattern persisted during treatment.

Serotonergic regulation of canine enteric motility (measured as electrical activity) and absorption: physiologic and morphologic evidence

To explore the effect of serotonin (5-HT) on enteric electrical activity, transit and absorption, four dogs were prepared with 50 cm jejunal and ileal Vella loops. Electrodes for recording enteric electrical activity were attached to the loops and to the main small bowel. After recovery, both loops were perfused with a [14C-]PEG-glucose-electrolyte solution via the proximal stomas, while effluent was collected from the distal stomas and enteric electrical activity was monitored. Control periods were compared with periods when 5-HT was infused intravenously at a rate of 10 micrograms kg-1 min-1 for 60 min. Serotonin increased the mean +/- SEM % of jejunal and ileal pacesetter potentials with spike potentials from 33 +/- 7% and 35 +/- 9%, before infusion to 63 +/- 4% and 61 +/- 5% after infusion (P less than 0.05). Serotonin also induced distally-migrating bursts of spikes in the incontinuity small bowel. The changes were blocked by atropine, but not by ketanserin. Absorption of water, sodium and glucose from the jejunal and ileal loop and transit through the loops was not changed by 5-HT. At autopsy, all layers of the jejunum and ileum contained varicose nerve fibres with a positive immunoreaction to 5-HT, while positive nerve cell bodies were largely confined to the submucosa.

Substance P in the control of extrahepatic biliary motility in the cat

The effects of regional intra-arterial injections of substance P (SP) or efferent electrical stimulation of the vagal nerves on feline extrahepatic biliary motility were studied in anesthetized cats using a constant perfusion model. Each of these procedures elicited contractile motor responses of the gallbladder and the sphincter of Oddi. Since SP is present in feline vagal axons, these findings may indicate a role of SP in the vagal motor control of biliary motility. Immunocytochemically neurons with SP-like immunoreactivity were found in the smooth muscle layers of the biliary tree as well as adjacent to acetylcholinesterase-positive ganglion cells indicating either direct activation of smooth muscle cells and/or indirect activation via cholinergic neurons. Depending on the type of stimulation different SP mechanisms were demonstrated; exogenous SP induced contraction of both the sphincter and the gallbladder which were probably direct (resistant to atropine but sensitive to a SP analogue), while vagal stimulation elicited contraction of both regions via a mechanism sensitive to atropine and to a SP analogue.

Acute renal failure after analgesic drugs including paracetamol (acetaminophen)

Seven patients with acute renal failure after ingestion of analgesic drug combinations including paracetamol were seen. They presented with oliguric renal failure and restitution of renal function was complete. Only 2 patients had severe liver damage and 2 patients had no signs of liver abnormality. Renal biopsies, studied by light and electron microscopy, in 3 patients showed focal tubular epithelial cell necrosis. Focal vascular damage, predominantly of endothelial cells, was also present in all specimens. This vascular injury was found in various locations in the kidney, including the glomerular and peritubular capillaries and small arterioles. This suggests that microvascular damage is an important mechanism for the renal injury after analgesic drugs.

Estimation of renal function in diabetic nephropathy. Comparison of five methods

Plasma as well as renal clearance of 51Cr-EDTA, serum creatinine, plasma beta-2-microglobulin and endogenous creatinine clearance were compared and evaluated in patients with diabetic nephropathy and in control patients with renal disease of other origin. The difference between the plasma clearance and the renal clearance of 51Cr-EDTA, that is the extrarenal clearance, was found to be higher in diabetics than in control patients (7.0 vs. 3.5 ml/min; p less than 0.001). The serum creatinine correlated well with the glomerular filtration rate (GFR), but in the individual case the GFR was not at all predictable from serum creatinine. The plasma beta-2-microglobulin did not correlate better than serum creatinine to 51Cr-EDTA clearance, and did not permit an earlier diagnosis of renal insufficiency. Endogenous creatinine clearance overestimated GFR by 0-180%. Due to residual urine, the coefficient of variation was higher in diabetic patients than in controls, but the effect of this imperfection was reduced by using multiple collection periods. In conclusion, the renal clearance of 51Cr-EDTA was found to be preferable to the other methods.

Clinical evaluation of felodipine in patients with refractory hypertension

The calcium antagonist, felodipine, was used to treat 21 patients with severe uncontrolled hypertension: 13 had renoparenchymatous hypertension, 5 essential hypertension and 3 renovascular hypertension. Mean arterial blood pressure of patients was 195 +/- 8/122 +/- 3mm Hg in spite of treatment with 3 or more antihypertensive drugs. The majority of the patients (n = 17) were treated with an ACE inhibitor. Mean glomerular filtration rate (GFR) for 20 patients was 39 +/- 6 ml/min/1.73m2 body surface area (Cr-EDTA clearance) before felodipine administration. All patients had an immediate blood pressure fall after 5-10mg of felodipine administered orally. This fall persisted when the drug was given 2 or 3 times daily in combination with previous medication except the former vasodilating drugs. 15 patients are on long term treatment with felodipine and their blood pressure after 1 year (n = 14) was 152 +/- 4/89 +/- 2mm Hg. Patients with moderately impaired renal function and no signs of progressive kidney disease (n = 8) improved their GFR significantly after 1 year on felodipine. Six patients stopped felodipine therapy within 3 months (4 because of adverse reactions, 1 died of scleroderma and 1 became normotensive after the start of dialysis treatment). In patients with renoparenchymatous disease and documented progressive deterioration of renal function the addition of felodipine did not prevent a decline in filtration rate but did slow the rate of deterioration (from 9 +/- 2 to 5 +/- 1 ml/min/year).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Release of immunoreactive vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) from the gallbladder in response to vagal stimulation

Immunoreactive VIP was detected in the gallbladder lumen and in the arterial blood and venous effluent from the gallbladder in fasting cats. During perfusion of the gallbladder in vivo there was a constant basal intraluminal secretion of VIP. The VIP concentration in the luminal effluent exceeded that in plasma supporting the notion that there was a release from the gallbladder tissue. The rate of secretion was significantly increased during efferent electrical stimulation of the peripheral cut end of the cervical vagal nerves, after blockade with atropine. A similar increase in concentration of VIP was seen in the venous effluent from the gallbladder. The results suggest a local release of VIP from intrinsic neurons within the gallbladder wall. This release is increased in response to activation of non-cholinergic fibres in the vagus nerves, suggesting a role for VIP in regulation of gallbladder functions.

Beneficial effects of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibition on renal function in patients with diabetic nephropathy

The effects of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibition with captopril were investigated in patients with diabetic nephropathy and hypertension. After nine days' treatment with captopril glomerular filtration rate was unchanged in 13 patients, whereas renal plasma flow had increased from 265 to 302 ml/min/1.73 m2 body surface area (p less than 0.05) and the filtration fraction had decreased from 14.3 to 12.8% (p less than 0.025). During two years' treatment with captopril in 14 patients the mean arterial blood pressure had fallen by 5 mm Hg (p less than 0.005) and the deterioration in glomerular filtration rate had decreased from 10.3 to 2.4 ml/min/year (p less than 0.005). There was no correlation between the fall in blood pressure and the reduction in the deterioration of glomerular filtration rate. These findings suggest that the effects of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibition on renal haemodynamics protect renal function. Inhibitors of angiotensin converting enzyme should be considered for lowering blood pressure in patients with diabetic nephropathy.

The effects of morphine and enkephaline on gallbladder function in experimental cholecystitis. Inhibition of inflammatory gallbladder secretion

Administration of morphine or its derivatives is the traditional way to treat biliary pain. Despite the common use of morphine and its analogues in patients with cholecystitis and biliary pain, their effects on the function of the inflamed gallbladder are not known. In the present study it is demonstrated that morphine usually contracts the normal gallbladder but does not influence the fluid transport across the mucosa. In experimental cholecystitis morphine and enkephaline do not further contract the gallbladder but, by specific opioid receptors, reduce the inflammatory fluid secretion by the mucosa. In case of obstruction of the gallbladder, fluid secretion by the mucosa will distend its wall and induce biliary pain. It is suggested that the pain-relieving effect of morphine in cholecystitis and attacks of biliary pain is mediated not only by a central analgesic effect but also by an influence on the function of the inflamed gallbladder.

Renal effects of felodipine in hypertensive patients with reduced renal function

The new calcium antagonist felodipine with a pronounced arteriolar dilating capacity was used to treat 11 patients with severe hypertension resistant to treatment (4 with essential hypertension, 5 with renoparechymatous hypertension, 2 with renovascular hypertension). Mean glomerular filtration rate for 10 patients was 34 +/- 27 ml/min/1.73 m2 body surface area (51Cr-EDTA clearance) before felodipine. One patient was on haemodialysis treatment. Mean arterial blood pressure in the outpatient clinic was 206 +/- 39/119 +/- 18 mm Hg in spite of treatment with 3 or more antihypertensive drugs. All but 2 patients had been given an angiotensin converting-enzyme inhibitor without success. All vasodilating agents were discontinued and the following morning 5 to 10 mg felodipine was given orally. This resulted in a reduction of average supine blood pressure from 190/110 mm Hg to 150/90 mm Hg during the first hour. The antihypertensive effect was unchanged during 6 hours and the drug was subsequently administered twice or three times a day. Mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure after 1 month was 155 +/- 19/91 +/- 12 mm Hg. Eight patients showed a favourable long term response with a mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure of 154 +/- 17/89 +/- 6mm Hg after 6 months. One patient died from his underlying disease after 2 months and 1 patient discontinued treatment because of ankle oedema after 6 weeks. In the long term treated patients with glomerular filtration rates greater than 15 ml/min/1.73m2 all but 1 showed an improved renal function by 26 +/- 19% (n = 5) after initiation of felodipine therapy. In 2 cases with very low glomerular filtration rate (6 to 7 ml/min/1.73m2) the deterioration of renal function continued after felodipine, but at a slower rate. It is concluded that felodipine decreased blood pressure dramatically in patients with severe hypertension where a majority of the cases had been resistant to a previous therapy. The drug appeared safe also in advanced renal insufficiency.