European journal of clinical investigation
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Acylation Stimulating Protein (ASP) is a human plasma protein that stimulates both triacylglycerol synthesis and glucose transport. ASP is identical to C3adesArg and is generated by the interaction of factor B, complement C3 and adipsin. ⋯ The results demonstrate that (i) there was little ASP production by differentiating adipocytes over the first 7 days, with a marked increase in ASP thereafter (up to sixfold); (ii) this increase was paralleled by large increases in the message level of factor B and complement C3 and moderate increases in adipsin message; (iii) increases in lipoprotein lipase (LPL) message and glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GPDH) activity (both key enzymes for substrate supply for triacylglycerol synthesis) occurred earlier than the increase in ASP; and (iv) in spite of the increase in LPL and GPDH, triacylglycerol synthetic capacity only markedly increases following the increase in ASP production in adipocytes. Although the present study cannot be interpreted as showing causality with respect to triacylglycerol synthesis, it does point to an important role for ASP in human adipose tissue physiology.
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Eur. J. Clin. Invest. · Nov 1995
Platelet activation and interaction with leucocytes in patients with sepsis or multiple organ failure.
This study focuses on the role of platelet membrane glycoproteins and platelet-leucocyte adhesion in patients with sepsis and multiple organ failure (MOF). Specifically, the study raises the following issues: (1) the influence of sepsis and MOF on platelet activation as assessed by surface expression of platelet membrane glycoproteins GPIIb-IIIa and thrombospondin; and (2) the effect of sepsis and MOF on platelet adhesion to circulating leucocytes. In addition, platelet activation and platelet-leucocyte adhesion are evaluated according to clinical outcome. ⋯ We conclude that sepsis is associated with increased surface expression of platelet adhesion molecules and an increased occurrence of circulating platelet-leucocyte aggregates. The decrease in circulating platelet-leucocyte peripheral sequestration. An increased platelet-leucocyte adhesion and sequestration might account for development of MOF in the course of sepsis.
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Kidney transplant patients display decreased muscle mass and increased fat mass. Whether this altered body composition is due to glucocorticoid induced altered fuel metabolism is unclear. To answer this question, 16 kidney transplant patients were examined immediately after kidney transplantation (12 +/- 4 days, mean +/- SEM) and then during months 2, 5, 11 and 16, respectively, by whole body dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (Hologic QDR 1000W) and indirect calorimetry. ⋯ These results indicate that in prednisone treated renal transplant patients fuel metabolism is regulated in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, dietary measures, such as caloric and fat intake restriction as well as increase of protein intake, can prevent muscle wasting as well as part of the usually observed fat accumulation. Furthermore, the concept of preferential upper body fat accumulation as consequence of prednisone therapy in renal transplant patients has to be revised.
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Eur. J. Clin. Invest. · Sep 1995
Interferon-gamma and urine neopterin in attacks of the hyperimmunoglobulinaemia D and periodic fever syndrome.
The hyperimmunoglobulinaemia D and periodic fever (hyper-IgD) syndrome is typified by recurrent unpredictable febrile attacks with abdominal pain, joint involvement (arthralgias/arthritis), headache, skin lesions and a polyclonal elevation of serum IgD (> 100 U mL-1). Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) is a major proinflammatory cytokine which could play a role in the pathogenesis of the attacks. There is a need for parameters (if possible non-invasive) to monitor disease activity. ⋯ The urine neopterin excretion was 268 +/- 170 mumol mol-1 creatinine between attacks and was significantly increased to 638 +/- 275 mumol mol-1 creatinine on the first day of symptoms. Maximal urine neopterin values were reached on the fourth day of the attack (1051 +/- 387 mumol mol-1 creatinine) and excretion gradually declined and attained values below 400 mumol mol-1 creatinine after 9 days. There was a good correlation between serum IFN-gamma and urine neopterin.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
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Eur. J. Clin. Invest. · Sep 1995
Detection improvement of cytomegalovirus antigen in human peripheral blood using monoclonal antibodies and automated reading of cell preparations.
One of the major drawbacks in cytomegalovirus (CMV)-antigenaemia detection for diagnosis of active CMV infection is the low number of CMV-antigen positive cells present in peripheral blood. It is therefore necessary to screen large numbers of peripheral blood granulocytes to find only a few antigen-positive cells. We have optimized this detection by testing several monoclonal antibodies (mAb) to CMV-antigens (mAbs C10/C11, C12, BM222, E13 and SL20). ⋯ In total 360 slides were analysed, from positive as well as negative blood samples. The sensitivity of the automated screening was 93% and for the visual evaluation of the cytospin slides 73%. In conclusion, mAb C12 was the most suitable of the mAbs tested for detection of antigenaemia, and automatic detection of CMV antigenaemia with image analysis of slides is a sensitive method due to the large numbers of cells that can be screened.