[Effect of a lithogenic diet and starvation on the regeneration of gallbladder epithelium]. / Einfluss von lithogener Diät und Hunger auf die Epithelregeneration der Gallenblase.

Regeneration of gallbladder epithelium of rodents is accelerated if a diet inducing cholelithiasis is given, as well as during starvation; both types of dietary regimens have something in common. The increased turnover of mucosal cells and the desquamation of these cells into the lumen of the gallbladder are causative factors for gallstone formation.

Morphological alterations in epithelial cells of the mouse gallbladder 30 hours after treatment with lithogenic diet.

Mice were fed a gallstone inducing diet. Thirty hours after treatment, distinct morphological alterations in the gallbladder epithelium occurred. The most striking effect was the short-term appearance of large cisternae, which emerge as a result of coalescence of dilated cavities of the rough endoplasmic reticulum. At the same time, an increased storage of small granular material was observed. These alterations did not appear after treatment lasting for less or more than thirty hours. The development started with an enlargement of the endoplasmic cavities, whereas the Golgi apparatus did not seem to undergo transformations; therefore, a transport stop of the secretory products of the epithelial cells must be located at the connection between both organelles. The formation of the endoplasmic cisternae seemed to be caused by a reversible block of the intracellular transport pathway of the secretion products.

The influence of cholic acid and cholesterol on cell proliferation in the gallbladder mucosa of the mouse.

The effect of a cholesterol-cholic acid diet on cell proliferation in the gallbladder epithelial cells of the mouse was investigated systematically. As early as 48 h after the commencement of the diet an outburst of proliferative activity in the gallbladder epithelium was observed. This accelerated proliferation was accompanied by an increased exfoliation of epithelial cells into the gallbladder lumen. In the further course of the experimental diet the 3H-labelling index fell but remained significantly higher than in the control group. The epithelium displayed villus-like folds, and the gallbladder wall became noticeably thicker. The cholesterol-cholic acid diet stimulated proliferation not only in the gallbladder epithelial cells but also in fibroblasts and hepatocytes.

[Increased cell renewal of epithelial cells in the gallbladder induced by lithogenic diet (author's transl)]. / Proliferationsstimulation des Gallenblasenepithels durch lithogene Diät.

Mice fed a diet containing 1% cholesterol and 0.5% cholic acid develop gallstones within six or eight weeks. Experimental lithogenesis initiates an increase in the proliferative activity of epithelial cells in the gallbladder well before the appearance of gallstones. During the initial stages of experimental cholelithiasis an increase in the number of labelled (tritiated thymidine) nuclei in mitosis and in the DNA-synthetic period was found. The labelled nuclei were observed particularly on the epithelial surface of the gallbladder; many of them were about to exfoliate into the lumen. These data were confirmed by applying vincristine. We would suggest that the rapid exfoliation of the proliferating cells could be one of the nucleating factors that promote gallstones formation.

Mutagenicity of polycyclic hydrocarbons III. Monitoring genetic hazards of benz(a)anthracene.

Mutagenicity tests (micronucleus test and chromosome aberrations) have been performed with benz (a) anthracene in spermatogonia and bond marrow cells of Chinese hamsters and in NMRI mice oocytes. Mutagenic effects of the polycyclic hydrocarbon could be demonstrated.

[Comparative experimental studies in animals and humans on gastrointestinal blood loss following antirheumatic pharmacotherapy (author's transl)]. / Vergleichende tierexperimentelle und humanmedizinische Untersuchungen über gastrointestinalen Blutverlust bei der antirheumatischen Pharmakotherapie.

The gastrointestinal blood loss caused by the two antirheumatic drugs acetyl salicylic acid (ASA) and 4-acetamidophenyl-2-acetoxybenzoate (benorilate, Benortan) was compared in experimental animals and humans by measuring the total body iron retention. In Wistar rats and humans the results indicate that the daily iron loss under ASA is significantly higher (almost by the factor 2) than that under benorilate.

[Effect of trenimon on single phases of the cell cycle of Yoshida ascites tumor cells (author's transl)]. / Uber die Wirkung von Trenimon auf einzelne Phasen des Generationscyclus von Yoshida-Ascitestumorzellen

Yoshida ascites tumor cells were synchronized in suspension cultures with thymidine in excess or with fluordeoxyuridine. Cells were washed after incubation with thymidine or treated with thymidine after incubation with fluordeoxyuridine. 2 h after terminating the S phase blockade 74--80% of the cells are S phase cells, 6 h later 70--80% of the cells had accumulated in the G 2 phase. Cultures enriched with cells of the S phase or the G 2 phase were treated with Trenimon. Increase of cell numbers within the following 48 h was inhibited in both cases in the same order of magnitude. In addition cells in various phases of growth were separated by density gradient zentrifugation and treated with Trenimon. Again cell numbers after 48 h were identical.

Diagnosis of partial gastric diverticula.

Five partial (intramural) gastric diverticula were observed in about 10,000 routine examinations of the stomach and confirmed by endoscopy or operation. All diverticula were located on the greater curvature of the antrum. A round or oval pouch with a small neck and typical changes in shape and size represent the diagnostic radiographic features of partial diverticulum. Complete filling of the diverticulum by administration of a spasmolytic and the use of the double-contrast method proved to be important for the correct diagnosis.

[Premedication with valoron (Tilidin) in internal laparoscopy]. / Die Prämedikation in der internen Laparoskopie mit Valoron (Tilidin)

Apart from sufficient experience on the part of the examining physician and adequate technical apparatus, proper premedication can facilitate the procedures for both patient and physician considerably. The paper reports on experience gained in 500 laparoscopies carried out under conditions which were deviated slightly from those hitherto recommended in the literature. The analgesic employed was Tilidine (in Germany: Valoron), and Diazepam was used as a sedative; both of these substances were given intravenously, the vein was kept open for the entire course of the examination. The Tilidine dose was normally 50-100 mg, but under exceptional circumstances as much as 150 mg. Tilidine showed good analgesic effectiveness and tolerance; no case or nausea or vomiting and no sign of respiratory depression of effects on smooth muscle were observed under the conditions stated. The fact that Tilidine is not subject to the restrictions imposed by the German narcotics law is also seen as an advantage. The Diazepam dose was 5-30 mg. Apart from its sedative effect Diazepam also diminishes the tonus of skeletal muscle (important in laparoscopy) and has a relatively long time of elimination (20-48 h). In addition to these two substances, 10-20 ccm of 1% Lidocaine solution with Epinephrine additive was given as a local anaesthetic. The investigators' experience with the above premedication procedure was found to be convincingly positive.

[Changes of blood-flow properties in patients with chronic liver disease (author's transl)]. / Veränderungen der Fliesseigenschaft des Blutes bei chronischen Lebererkrankungen

The determination of plasma viscosity in 37 patients with liver disease allowed their subdivision into three groups. Firstly, decreased viscosity (hypoviscosity) was found in patients with cirrhosis, marked portal hypertension and esophageal varices. Secondly, normal viscosity (normoviscosity) was found in patients with inactive cirrhosis without portal hypertension, and thirdly, increased viscosity (hyperviscosity) was found in patients with active cirrhosis and chronic progressive hepatitis. The concentrations of total serum protein, of fibrinogen and of IgG were found to influence plasma viscosity. A detailed differentiation revealed that increased plasma viscosity is caused by increased levels of IgG while decreased viscosity correlates with low fibrinogen levels. Furthermore a close correlation exists between plasma viscosity and the enzymatic activity of SGOT, SGPT and GLDH. In 5 patients with chronic progressive hepatitis treated with corticosteroids the plasma viscosity normalized in parallel with improvement of the hepato-cellular damage. These findings will be discussed in detail. Hyperviscosity might possibly serve as an additional parameter to characterize chronic progressive hepatitis and to indicate steroid treatment.