Zinc variation during liver regeneration following partial hepatectomy in schistosomiasis [experimental study]

This study aimed to estimate the serum level and hepatic content of zinc in experimental schistosomiasis as well as their alteration during liver regeneration following partial hepatectomy. The included animals were divided into two groups, schistosomal [40 hamsters] and non-schistosomal [33 hamsters]. The hamsters, either infested or not, were subjected to 35% partial hepatectomy [left lateral lobe hepatectomy]. Scarification of animals, collection of blood samples and regenerating liver tissue were done at two days, one, two and three weeks after hepatectomy. The serum level and hepatic content of zinc were estimated biochemically. The rate of hepatic regeneration was studied by histopathological examination and measurement of DNA content in the liver remnant. Hypozincemia with decreased hepatic zinc content was reported in schistosomal group preoperatively. Their DNA content [175.8 ug/g] had significant lower level when compared with the non-schistosomal group [335.75 ug/g]. During liver regeneration, serum zinc declined sharply; however the highest hepatic concentration and peaked DNA content were recorded in the first 48 hours following partial hepatectomy in schistosomal group. The mean liver weight reached a maximum of only 72.3% of its preoperative weight

Serum bile acids in portal hypertension part I: the effects of the distal splenorenal shunt and splenectomy-devascularisation operation on the levels of serum bile acids

Twenty patients with child group A portal hypertension were subjected to Warren's distal splenorenal shunt [10 patients] and splenectomy- devascularization operation [10 patients]. Serum bile acids were studied preoperatively, one week and one month after each procedure. Both procedures led to the rise of serum bile acids, though more significant with the later. Such observation has a predictive value as it is known that the rise in serum bile acids precedes the impairment of the other routine liver function tests which showed less significant concomitant variation during the period of the study. Long term follow up is needed for confirmation

Serum bile acids in portal hypertension part II: the pattern of serum bile acids in patients with portal hypertension

Serum bile acids were studied in 35 patients with portal hypertension [11 patients of child group A, 16 patients of child group B and 8 patients of child group C], as well as in 8 normal controls. A statistically significant difference in serum bile acids was detected in each child's group. Analysis of variance between the control group, on the one hand, and the three child's groups, on the other, revealed statistically significant variance. Serum bile acids is a sensitive liver function test that rises with rise in child's grade of portal hypertension and exhibits prognostic significance. The routine liver function tests showed lesser significant variation with the progression of portal hypertension

Early changes in the doppler findings after sympathectomy

This study was made taking advantage of the data obtained by the Doppler ultrasound in evaluating sympathectomy operation. These Doppler ultrasound tests were performed on patients before the operation and 10 days after it. Most of our patients showed an increased segmental systolic blood pressures after sympathectomy operation and such an increase was more marked preximally than distally especially in the lower limb. All the parameters showed significant change except the ankle/ brachial index; the more proximal the more was the significant change. From the clinical point of view, most of the patients showed improvement of rest pain and better healing of ulcers in their extremities