Branched-chain amino acids and arginine supplementation attenuates skeletal muscle proteolysis induced by moderate exercise in young individuals.

This study aimed at evaluating the effect of a single oral intake of branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) with Arg on skeletal muscle protein metabolism during moderate exercise in young individuals. Eight healthy volunteers (4 males and 4 females, means +/- SEM, 26 +/- 1 yrs, 177.8 +/- 3.7 cm, 72.6 +/- 3.9 kg) were studied in a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled cross-over trial. The subjects performed 3 bouts of 20-min cycling exercise (5-min break between each bout) at 126 +/- 13 W corresponding to 50 % of the maximal work intensity. A single oral supplement of either a BCAA drink containing 2 g of BCAA and 0.5 g of Arg or an isocaloric placebo drink was given at 10 min of the 1st exercise bout. Both arterial and venous blood samples were simultaneously taken from the radial artery and the femoral vein, respectively. Blood flow in the femoral artery was determined using the ultrasound Doppler technique. The blood sampling and blood flow measurements were performed at rest, every 10 min during each exercise bout. Net balance of BCAA and Phe across the leg muscles were measured by the arteriovenous difference method. The BCAA ingestion resulted in increases in both the plasma BCAA concentration and BCAA uptake into the working leg. The Phe release from the leg during exercise significantly increased as compared to the basal level in the placebo trial (0.97 +/- 0.28 vs. 0.23 +/- 0.22 micromol/min, p < 0.05). In the BCAA trial, the cumulative Phe release from the leg during the 3rd exercise bout was significantly lower than that in the placebo trial (5.0 +/- 7.4 vs. 35.9 +/- 13.2 micromol/25 min, p < 0.05). These results suggest that endurance exercise at moderate intensity enhances proteolysis in working muscles, and a single oral intake of 2 g of BCAA with Arg at onset of exercise effectively suppresses exercise-induced skeletal muscle proteolysis.

Lupus anticoagulant is significantly associated with inflammatory reactions in patients with suspected deep vein thrombosis.

OBJECTIVE: Lupus anticoagulant (LA) and antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) are suggested as risk factors for development of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) among patients without systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Other conditions, e.g. inflammation, are reported to induce LA and it is uncertain whether the association between LA and DVT is causal. In this study the associations between aPL, LA and inflammation were investigated in 170 consecutive patients without SLE, but with a tentative diagnosis of DVT. MATERIAL AND METHODS: DVT was diagnosed in 64 patients. LA was determined according to the criteria of the International Society of Thrombosis and Haemostasis. The concentration of anticardiolipin (aCL) and beta(2)-glycoprotein I (anti-beta(2)-GPI) antibodies as well as C-reactive protein (CRP) was determined with sensitive and precise methods. RESULTS: LA was demonstrated in 8 patients with DVT and in 10 patients without DVT, relative risk 1.33 (CI: 0.55-3.18). No significant association was observed between aCL or anti-beta(2)-GPI and DVT. Patients suffering from DVT had significantly higher concentrations of CRP than patients without DVT. However, CRP was also significantly higher in patients positive for LA than in patients without LA irrespective of the presence of DVT (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The present study supports a strong association between inflammatory reactions and development of LA in patients with suspected DVT, whereas no significant association was demonstrated between LA or aPL and DVT.

The incidence of gastro-oesophageal reflux in children with exogenic and endogenic asthma tested by a new radiological method.

24 asthmatic children and 15 children without any respiratory or gastrointestinal signs of symptoms were investigated for gastro-oesophageal reflux (GER) by a new radiological test in which the child swallowed a piece of rye bread with liver paté after intake of a glass of Mixobar (600 mg/ml barium sulphate). The asthmatic children were divided into an exogenic and an endogenic group. 62.5% of the endogenically asthmatic children had GER (p less than 0.01) and 19% in the exogenic group. In normal children only one child had GER (7%). Furthermore, GER was more frequent in asthmatic children with nightly cough compared to asthmatic children without nightly cough (p less than 0.02). It is concluded that GER reflux occurred significantly more often in patients with endogenic asthma and/or nightly cough when compared to normal children.

Changes in renal volume during normal pregnancy.

Twenty-four healthy pregnant women with a normal pregnancy demonstrated a significant uniform enlargement of both kidneys. The renal volumes increased by a maximum of 30% during pregnancy. However, this could not be attributed to hydronephrosis, as the patients were selected in such a way that none with pelvectasia participated in the study. All regained normal renal volume within the first week after delivery. It is well known that a glomerular hyperfiltration takes place during normal pregnancy. Possible pathogenetic mechanisms are discussed.

[CT study of aortic aneurysms with complications]. / CT-Untersuchung von Aortaaneurysmen mit Komplikationen.

Two case reports demonstrate the value of CT examination in abdominal aortic aneurysms with complications where the diagnosis is doubtful although an acute operation is not indicated. The method is non-invasive, rapid, does not require anaesthesia, and yields detailed anatomical information on vascular and other structures as desired. It is variable in accordance with the problems to be solved.

[Computer tomography in bone metastases]. / Computertomographie bei Knochenmetastasen.

A case is presented which bone metastasis could be proved by means of CT examination. This was in spite of normal bone scanning and normal X-ray findings for the lumbar column. The merits of the individual examination techniques are briefly discussed.

Cervical intervertebral disc calcification in childhood.

A case of cervical intervertebral disc calcification in a child is presented. The condition is rare, the aetiology unknown and the prognosis good. Possibility for differential diagnosis are discussed and the importance of the otolaryngologist having a knowledge of the condition is emphasized.