弱精子症、少弱精子症患者血清、精浆和精子锌含量分析

目的:检测弱精子症和少弱精子症患者血清、精浆和精子锌的含量,分析锌含量的变化与精子密度和精子运动之间的关系。方法:按照WHO《人类精液及精子-宫颈粘液相互作用实验室检验手册》第四版的标准进行精液质量分析,随机筛选出90例弱精子症、60例少弱精子症患者以及20例精液质量正常的生育者作为研究对象,利用原子吸收光谱法检测其血清、精浆、精子的锌含量并进行统计学分析。结果:3组间血清锌含量没有显著差异;弱精子症、少弱精子症患者精浆锌含量均显著低于正常生育者(P<0.05);少弱精子症患者精子锌含量显著高于弱精子症患者和正常生育者(P<0.01)。结论:弱精子症、少弱精子症患者精子的发生及运动功能下降可能与精浆锌含量的低下呈正相关;但过高的精子锌含量与精子的发生和运动功能的关系尚不十分明了,有待进一步研究。     

特发性弱精子症患者血清及精浆瘦素水平与精子活动力的关系

目的 通过研究特发性弱精子症(idiopathic asthenospermia,IAS)患者以及精液参数正常人群的血清、精浆瘦素,探讨瘦素与精子运动能力的关系.方法 IAS患者54例及精液参数正常者30例作为对照.常规CASA精液分析,放射免疫法检测血清及精浆瘦素.结果 排除体重指数差异的影响,(IAS患者与精液参数正常者体重指数比较差异无统计学意义,P>0.05),IAS患者血清瘦素水平与正常对照差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),而IAS患者精浆瘦素显著高于正常对照(P<0.05);精子活动率及精子活力与血清瘦素水平之间均无显著相关性(r=-0.213,P=0.249及r=-0.167,P=0.154),IAS患者的精子活动率及活力与精浆瘦素水平显著负相关(r=-0.31,P=0.034及r=-0.47,P=0.025).结论 IAS患者精浆瘦素水平显著增高,可能对精子运动能力有调控作用.     

硒与精液质量的相关性及硒对少弱精子患者精液质量影响

目的研究恩施土家族苗族自治州-富硒地区男性血清、精浆硒水平与健康育龄期男性和少弱精子症男性患者精液质量之间的关系。方法选择2018年来我院生殖医学中心就诊的456例富硒地区患者,其中200名患者精液参数正常,256名患者精液参数异常,采用原子吸收光谱检测血清和精浆中硒浓度,并分析血清、精浆中硒浓度与精液质量之间的相关性;少弱精子症患者进行常规治疗(生精胶囊及维生素E胶囊)以及常规治疗+硒元素补充治疗后,比较两种不同方案治疗后精液质量之间的差异。结果精液正常组与精液异常组患者年龄、精液体积无明显差异,而正常组精子浓度(70.03±34.42)、活力(51.12±7.21)和形态(11.75±3.74)明显高于少弱精子症组精子浓度(11.12±7.11)、活力(17.73±11.78)和形态(3.12±1.63),差异均具有显著性(P0.001);正常组的血清硒(104.22±22.82)和精浆硒(65.35±22.82)均高于少弱精子症组血清硒(74.01±20.86)和精浆硒(49.31±17.17),均具有统计学意义(P0.001)。同时,无论是正常组患者,还是少弱精子症组患者血清硒(r=0.680, P0.01)与精浆硒(r=0.651, P0.01)均呈明显正相关,有统计学差异;血清硒与少弱精子症组精子浓度(r=0.499, P0.01)、活力(r=0.360, P0.05)均呈正相关,精浆硒与少弱精子症组精子浓度(r=0.391, P0.05)、活力(r=0.353, P0.05)也呈正相关,有统计学意义;将少弱精子症组随机分为常规治疗组及常规治疗+硒元素补充治疗组,两组患者在精子浓度、活力、形态及硒浓度均无显著差异;进行常规治疗后,精子浓度(12.57±8.76)、活力(17.06±14.01)较治疗前精子浓度(10.72±6.99)和活力(15.80±11.87)有一定程度提高,均具有统计学意义(P0.05);常规治疗+硒元素补充治疗后,精子浓度(12.99±8.19)、活力(21.70±12.54)及形态(3.26±1.48)较常规治疗+硒元素补充前精子浓度(9.60±7.14, p0.001)、活力(17.62±12.27, P0.01)和形态(2.61±1.58, P0.05)明显提高,均具有统计学意义,血清硒(88.44±24.86)及精浆硒(55.06±19.32)浓度较常规治疗+硒元素补充前血清硒(79.39±22.93,P0.01)及精浆硒(47.08±19.17,P0.001)有明显升高,差异具有显著性。结论血清硒与精浆硒水平在男性不育症患者中普遍较正常患者偏低,硒元素直接影响精液质量,对少弱精子症患者行补硒治疗可明显提高精液质量。     

不育男性抗苗勒管激素与生殖激素及精液质量参数关系的研究

目的探讨男性不育患者精浆和血清抗苗勒管激素(AMH)与血清生殖激素及精液参数之间关系。方法选取2018年9~12月于我院生殖中心就诊的男性不育患者107例,按照《世界卫生组织人类精液检查与处理实验室手册(第五版)》操作规范检测精液体积、精子浓度、前向运动精子(PR)百分比、精子顶体酶、精子DNA完整性、正常形态精子率,根据精液参数分为4组:少精子症组(n=15)、弱精子症组(n=26)、少弱精子组(n=31)、正常精子组(n=35),比较各组患者精浆和血清AMH及血清FSH、LH、催乳素(PRL)、T、E 2之间的差异,并对精浆和血清AMH与生殖激素及精液参数的相关性进行统计分析。结果弱精子症组血清AMH水平高于其他3组,但各组间差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);正常精子组精浆AMH水平[中位数(四分位距)]为1.28(7.71)ng/ml,显著高于少精子症组[0.11(1.26)ng/ml]和少弱精子组[0.16(2.15)ng/ml](P<0.05)。相关性分析显示,血清AMH与生殖激素及精液参数不存在相关(P>0.05);精浆AMH与血清FSH、LH呈负相关(P<0.05),与血清T呈正相关(P<0.05);精浆AMH与精子总数、精子浓度、PR%呈正相关(P<0.05),与其他精液参数不相关(P>0.05)。结论不育男性精浆AMH与血清生殖激素及精子浓度、活力具有一定的相关性,一定程度上反映睾丸生精功能,对男性不育的诊断和治疗有一定的参考作用。     

精浆AMH、INHB、血清INHB对常规IVF受精结局的预测价值

目的:分析精浆AMH、INHB及血清INHB与少弱精子症患者精液参数之间的相关性,同时探讨对其常规体外受精(IVF)结局的预测价值及影响。方法:收集2016年8月至2017年2月因男方少弱精子症或女方输卵管因素就诊于宁夏医科大学总医院生殖中心行IVF助孕的88例不孕夫妇的临床资料,检测精浆AMH、INHB、血清INHB及精液参数(精子活动率、浓度、总数、前向运动精子百分率及正常形态精子百分率),采用受试者工作特征曲线(ROC)分析精浆AMH、INHB、血清INHB及精液参数对其受精率的预测能力;Pearson相关分析检验精浆AMH、INHB及血清INHB与精液参数之间的关系,均设定P0.05为有统计学差异。结果:精浆AMH:AUC=0.807(敏感度84.6%,特异度76.0%,截断点3.529,P=0.000),精浆INHB:AUC=0.768(敏感度84.6%,特异度88.7%,截断点31.117,P=0.002);血清INHB与精子浓度(r=0.346,P=0.001)、精子总数(r=0.378,P=0.000)、精子活动率(r=0.521,P=0.000)、前向运动(r=0.343,P=0.001)。结论:精浆AMH、INHB可作为预测少弱精子症患者受精率的实验室指标;血清INHB与少弱精子症精液参数(精子浓度、精子总数、活动率及前向运动精子百分率)呈显著正相关。     

男性年龄与精子质量和精浆生化的关系

目的探讨不同年龄段男性精子质量与精浆弹性硬蛋白酶和精浆中性α-葡萄糖苷酶的关系。方法回顾性分析在嘉兴市妇幼保健院门诊检测精子质量和精浆生化(精浆弹性硬蛋白酶、精浆中性α-葡萄糖苷酶)的3 262例患者的临床资料。根据年龄分为5组:25岁组、25~29岁组、30~34岁组、35~39岁组和≥40岁组;并按精子质量分为少弱精子症(301例)、少精子症(193例)、弱精子症(1 335例)及正常精子组(1 433例)。统计分析不同精子质量不同年龄段男性的精浆弹性硬蛋白酶、精浆中性α-葡萄糖苷酶资料。结果 (1)3 262例精液分析,精浆中性α-葡萄糖苷酶异常发生率7.14%,精浆弹性硬蛋白酶水平确诊感染率29.25%;(2)各年龄组总体精浆中性α-葡萄糖苷酶异常发生率相似(P0.05),生殖道感染发生率随年龄增加有增高趋势(P0.05);(3)不同精子质量各组总体精浆中性α-葡萄糖苷酶异常发生率不同(P0.05),其中少精子症和少弱精子症组均显著高于弱精子症组及精子正常组(P0.05),但生殖道感染发生率相似(P0.05);(4)随着年龄增加,不同精子质量各组精浆中性α-葡萄糖苷酶异常发生率相似(P0.05),而精浆弹性硬蛋白酶异常发生率有增高趋势(P0.05),其中少弱精子症、少精子症患者各年龄组间比较均有统计学差异(P0.05);(5)各精子质量组精浆弹性硬蛋白酶测定值均随着年龄增加呈增高趋势,且正常精子组的精浆弹性硬蛋白酶测定值在35~39岁组及≥40岁组均显著高于25岁组(P0.05)。结论男科门诊患者中生殖道感染具有普遍性;伴随难以自愈的生殖道感染的少弱精子症、少精子症和弱精子症可能与男性患者年龄增加有关,亦可能与附性腺病变严重程度、病程进展所处不同阶段有关。     

精子核成熟性与少、弱、畸形精子症关系初探

目的探讨少、弱、畸形精子症以及精子头部形态缺陷和精子核成熟性的关系。方法2005年3月至2005年7月329例不孕不育患者(其中少精子症患者50例、弱精子症52例、畸形精子症83例)分别采用精液常规检查、精液改良巴氏染色检查以及精液苯胺蓝染色检查。结果①少精子症组患者精液苯胺蓝染色阳性率的中位数为12%(P=0.035),弱精子症组为8%(P=0.947),畸形精子症组为10%(P=0.033)。②少精子症患者精液苯胺蓝染色阳性率与锥形头畸形呈正相关(r=0.635),畸形精子症患者精液苯胺蓝染色阳性率与大头、小头呈正相关(r=0.368、0.304),而和梨形头畸形呈负相关(r=-0.396)。结论少精子症患者和畸形精子症患者中核未成熟精子比例增加,精子头部形态中大头、小头和锥形头畸形与核未成熟精子正相关。     

精浆催乳素浓度与精子计数、活动率的关系

对107例男性进行精液分析并测定其精浆催乳素(PRL)浓度,精子活动率和精子密度正常男性的精浆PRL为11.53±5.36ng/ml,与精子活动率正常而少精子的男性相比(13.06±4.62ng/ml),两组间无显著性差异(t=0.91,t>0.2);而精子密度正常、正常精子活率组和低活率组相比,低活率组的精浆PRL水平(17.24 ±5.86ng/ml)明显增高(t=4.15,P<0.001).相关分析表明精浆PRL与精子活动率呈负相关(r=-0.38,P<0.001);与精子密度亦呈负相关(r=-0.37,P<0.001).49例受试者取精液前抽血测定血清PRL水平,精浆PRL水平与血清PRL无关(r=0.204,P>0.1).     

少弱精子症和正常生育男性精液中尿激酶及其受体含量的研究

目的:通过研究精子正常和异常男性精浆和精子中尿激酶及受体含量差异,以了解尿激酶及受体与男性生育力的关系。方法:采用双抗体夹心ELISA法测定22例正常生育男性和44例少弱精子症男性精浆和精子中尿激酶及受体的含量。结果:①正常男性精浆尿激酶平均含量为(4 803.69±602.78)mU/L,与少弱精子症组[(4 061.35±736.23)mU/L]相比,差异有显著性(P<0.01)。正常生育男性精子尿激酶平均含量为(30.29±3.16)mU/106个精子,与少弱精子症组[(20.51±4.2)mU/106个精子],差异有显著性(P<0.01)。②正常生育男性精子尿激酶受体平均含量为(12.97±3.11)mU/106个精子相比,与少弱精子症组[(6.09±1.45)mU/106个精子]相比,差异有显著性(P<0.01)。③精子和精浆中尿激酶含量和精子活率和活力呈显著正相关。结论:尿激酶和男性生育力相关,少弱精子症和正常生育男性精液中尿激酶及其受体含量存在差异。     

精子DNA碎片率与男性不育症患者的年龄、精液分析参数相关性研究

目的 分析男性不育症患者精子DNA碎片率(DFI)与年龄、精液分析相关参数的相关性。方法 回顾性分析2021年11月至2022年6月至河南中医药大学第一附属医院男科门诊就诊的153例男性不育症患者的临床资料，根据患者精液常规检测结果分为两组：前向运动(PR)精子率为0.98%～32.00%或精子浓度<40×10⁶/ml,其余精液参数指标正常者为少弱精子症组(n=74),精液各项参数指标均正常的为精液参数正常组(n=79);同时，根据不同的DFI值分成3个亚组：DFI≥30%组、15%相似文献   

Vasopressor hormone response following mesenteric traction during major abdominal surgery

Background : We investigated the vasopressor hormone response following mesenteric traction (MT) with hypotension due to prostacyclin (PGI₂) release in patients undergoing abdominal surgery with a combined general and epidural anesthesia. Methods : In a prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled study we administered 400 mg ibuprofen (i.v.) in 42 patients scheduled for abdominal surgery. General anesthesia was combined with epidural anesthesia (T4-L1). Before as well as 5, 15, 30, 45, and 90 min after MT we recorded plasma osmolality, hemodynamics and measured 6-keto-PGFlα (stabile metabolite of PGI₂), TXB₂ (stabile metabolite of thromboxane A₂) active renin, and arginine vasopressin (AVP) plasma concentrations by radioimmunoassay. Catecholamine levels were assessed by high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) with electrochemical detection. Results : Following MT, arterial hypotension occurred along with a substantial PGI₂ release. This was completely abolished by ibuprofen administration. Although plasma levels of 6-keto-PGF_1α (1133 (708) vs. 60 (3) ng/L, median (median absolute deviation), P=0.0001, placebo vs. ibuprofen) remained significantly elevated, blood pressure was restored within 30 min after MT in the placebo group. At the same point in time plasma concentrations of TXB² (164 (87) vs. 58 (1) ng/L, P=0.0001), epinephrine (46 (33) vs. 14 (6) ng/L, P=0.001), AVP (41 ± (18) vs. 12 (7) ng/L, P=0.0004), and active renin (27 (12) vs. 12 (4) ng/L, P = 0.001) were significantly higher in placebo-treated patients. Conclusion : Under combined general and epidural anesthesia arterial hypotension following MT due to endogenous PGI₂ release is associated with enhanced release of AVP, active renin, epinephrine and thromboxane A₂, presumably contributing to hemodynamic stability within 30 min after MT.     

A Teaspoon Pump for Pumping Blood with High Hydraulic Efficiency and Low Hemolysis Potential

Abstract: Virtually all blood pumps contain some kind of rubbing, sliding, closely moving machinery surfaces that are exposed to the blood being pumped. These valves, internal bearings, magnetic bearing position sensors, and shaft seals cause most of the problems with blood pumps. The original teaspoon pump design prevented the rubbing, sliding machinery surfaces from contacting the blood. However, the hydraulic efficiency was low because the blood was able to "slip around" the rotating impeller so that the blood itself never rotated fast enough to develop adequate pressure. An improved teaspoon blood pump has been designed and tested and has shown acceptable hydraulic performance and low hemolysis potential. The new pump uses a nonrotating "swinging" hose as the pump impeller. The fluid enters the pump through the center of the swinging hose; therefore, there can be no fluid slip between the revolving blood and the revolving impeller. The new pump uses an impeller that is comparable to a flexible garden hose. If the free end of the hose were swung around in a circle like half of a jump rope, the fluid inside the hose would rotate and develop pressure even though the hose impeller itself did not "rotate"; therefore, no rotating shaft seal or internal bearings are required.     

Microspheres Based Detoxification System: A New Method in Convective Blood Purification

Abstract: A variety of protein-bound or hydrophobic substances, accumulating as a result of pathologic conditions such as exogenous or endogenous intoxications, are removed poorly by conventional detoxification methods because of low accessibility (hemodialysis), insufficient adsorption capabilities (hemosorption), low efficiency (peritoneal dialysis), or economic limitations (high-volume plasmapheresis). Combining advantages of existing methods with microspheric technology, a module-based system was designed. Major operating parameters of the latter can be modified to allow for adjustment to individual clinical situations. An extracorporeal blood circuit including a plasmafilter is combined with a secondary high-velocity plasma circuit driven by a centrifugal pump. Different microspheric adsorbers can be combined in one circuit or applied in sequence. Thus, a prolonged treatment can be tailored using specially designed selective adsorber materials. Comparing this system with existing methods (high-flux hemodialysis, molecular adsorbent recycling system), results from our in vitro studies and animal experiments demonstrate the superior efficiency of substance removal.     

Is the recovery profile of mivacurium independent of the rate of decay of its plasma concentration in patients with normal plasma cholinesterase activity?

Background: The duration of action of muscle relaxants is poorly correlated to the rate of decay of their plasma concentration. The plasma concentration of mivacurium may rapidly decrease below its active concentration because of the extensive hydrolysis of mivacurium. By inflating a tourniquet on one upper limb for 3 min after the administration of atracurium, mivacurium or vecuronium, we studied the influence of the initial decline of their plasma concentration on their effect. Methods: In 50 patients anaesthetised with thiopental, isoflurane and fentanyl, the effect of bolus doses of 0.15 or 0.25 mg . kg^?1 mivacurium (MIV 15, MIV 25), 0.3 or 0.5 mg . kg^?1 atracurium (ATR 30, ATR 50) and 0.06 or 0.1 mg . kg^?1 vecuronium (VEC 06, VEC 10) were measured on both arms (evoked response of the adductor pollicis to train-of-four stimulation every 12 s), a tourniquet being applied on one arm just before and during 3 min after the muscle relaxant bolus. Results: Tourniquet inflation of 3 min almost abolished the neuromuscular effect of mivacurium. In the vecuronium groups and in the ATR 50 group, tourniquet inflation did not modify the maximum degree of depression of the twitch response. Also, the duration of action of vecuronium was unaffected by the tourniquet. In the ATR 30 group, times to return of the twitch response to 25% (duration 25%) and 75% (duration 75%) of control response were significantly shorter in the cuffed arm, 23 min vs 27 min, and 41 min vs 45 min, respectively. In the ATR 50 group, only duration 25% was significantly shorter in the cuffed arm (41 min vs 45 min). Conclusion: The results suggest that the rate of decline of the plasma concentration of mivacurium is so rapid, that a very low and almost clinically ineffective concentration is present as soon as 3 min after its administration. The results also indicate that the recovery from a mivacurium-induced neuromuscular blockade is not influenced by the rate of decay of its plasma concentration in patients with genotypically normal plasma cholinesterase.     

Membranes in Artificial Organs

Abstract: Membrane processes play a pivotal and enabling role in modern replacement therapy for acute and chronic organ failure and in the management of immunologic diseases. In fact, virtually all contemporary extracorporeal blood purification methods employ membrane devices, and the next generation of artificial organs and tissue engineering therapies are almost certain to be similarly grounded in membrane technology. In this short essay, we comment on the similarities and differences among synthetic membranes and their natural counterparts and also provide a critical overview of the demographics and technology of hemodialysis, hemofiltration, apheresis, oxygenation, and emerging membrane technologies and applications.     

Tissue perfusion in relation to cardiac output during continuous positive-pressure ventilation and administration of propranolol or verapamil

Background : Our objective was to determine whether administration of propranolol or verapamil modifies the hemodynamic adaptation to continuous positive-pressure ventilation (CPPV), in particular the regional distribution of cardiac output (CO).
Methods : General hemodynamics and regional blood flows assessed by microsphere technique (15 (μm) were recorded in 16 anesthetized pigs during spontaneous breathing (SB) and CPPV with 8 cm H₂O end-expiratory pressure (CPPV8) before and after intravenous administration of propranolol (0.3 mg · kg⁻¹ followed by 0.15 mg · kg⁻¹ · h⁻¹, n=8) or verapamil (0.1 mg · kg⁻¹ followed by 0.3 mg · kg⁻¹ · h⁻¹, n=8).
Results : CPPV8 depressed CO by 25% without shifts in its relative distribution with the exception of a noteworthy increase in adrenal perfusion. Propranolol increased arterial blood pressure, and due to a fall in heart rate, CO dropped by 25%. The kidneys and, to a lesser extent, the splanchic region and central nervous system received increased fractions of the remaining CO at the expense of skeletal muscle flow. Similar patterns were seen during SB and CPPV8 such that the combination of propranolol and CPPV8 depressed CO by 50%. The circulatory effects of verapamil were less evident but myocardial perfusion tended to increase.
Conclusions : The combination of propranolol or verapamil with CPPV does not result in any specific hemodynamic interaction in anesthetized pigs, except that the combined effect of propranolol and CPPV may severely reduce CO.     

Volatile anaesthetics reduce adhesion of blood platelets under low-flow conditions in the coronary system of isolated guinea pig hearts

Background : Inhibitory effects of volatile anaesthetics on platelet aggregation have been demonstrated in several studies. However, the influence of volatile anaesthetics on intracoronary platelet adhesion has not been elucidated so far.
Methods : Isolated hearts of guinea pigs were perfused with buffer in the absence or presence of volatile anaesthetics (0.5 and 1 MAC) at constant coronary flow rates of 5 ml/min for 25 min, then 1 ml/min for 30 min and again 5 ml/min for 10 min. Before, during and after low-flow perfusion, a bolus of human platelets was applied into the coronary system. To simulate thrombogenic conditions, 0.3 U/ml human thrombin was infused during low-flow perfusion and reperfusion. The number of platelets sequestered to the endothelium was calculated from the difference between coronary in- and output of platelets. The myocardial production of lactate and consumption of pyruvate and coronary perfusion pressure were also determined.
Results : At a flow rate of 5 ml/min only about 3% of the applied platelets did not emerge from the coronary system, in any group. In contrast, 13.1±1.2% (mean±SEM) of infused platelets became adherent in low-flow perfusion in the control group without anaesthetic. The adherence was reduced with each 1 MAC isoflurane (to 6.2±1.2%), sevoflurane (to 4.4±0.9%) or halothane (to 3.2±1.5%) (each P <0.05 vs. control). Volatile anaesthetic, 0.5 MAC, did not inhibit platelet adhesion to a statistically significant extent in any case. Perfusion pressure and metabolic parameters were not statistically different between the control and the hearts exposed to anaesthetics.
Conclusion : Volatile anaesthetics in a concentration of 1 MAC can reduce the adhesion of platelets in the coronary system under reduced flow conditions. This action does not arise from vasodilation or inhibition of ischaemic stress.     

Bariatric Surgery in Some "Central and East-European (former Eastern bloc)"Countries - Current Status and Prediction for the Next Millennium

Background: Obesity is increasing globallly, including in the formerly "Eastern Bloc" countries. Methods: A survey was made of obesity and bariatric surgery. Results: In the 8 East and Central European countries studied, with total population 300 million, roughly 43% of the population was overweight (BMI 25-30), 23% obese (BMI > 30), with about 15 million people morbidly obese (BMI > 40). From 0-10 morbidly obese individuals/100,000/year undergo bariatric surgery. Conclusion: Most countries were found to provide inadequate treatment for obesity.The majority of the morbidly obese are not treated effectively. However, health-care awareness of obesity and bariatric surgeons are slowly increasing.     

Dilemma of Membrane Biocompatibility and Reuse

Abstract: Numerous articles have been published on the multiple use of dialyzers and on the effect of different reprocessing chemicals and techniques on the dialyzer biocompatibility and performance. The results often appear contradictory, especially those comparing standard biocompatibility parameters. Despite this confusion, a discerning review of the published works allows certain limited conclusions to be drawn. Reprocessing of used hemodialyzers changes the biocompatibility profile of a dialyzer as defined by the parameters complement activation. leukopenia, and cytokine release. The effect of reprocessing depends on the chemicals and reprocessing technique applied and also on the type of membrane polymer being subjected to the reprocessing procedure. Reports of pyrogenic reactions indicate that the flux of the membrane also influences how suitable it is for safe reuse. An increased risk of allergic and pyrogenic reactions appears to be associated with dialyzer reuse. Furthermore, there has been a lack of investigations into the immunologic effect of the layer of adsorbed and chemically altered proteins that remains on the inner surface of reprocessed dialyzers. We conclude that the clinical benefit of dialyzer reuse cannot be generally accepted from a biocompatibility point of view.     

Influence of dopexamine hydrochloride on haemodynamics and regulators of circulation in patients undergoing major abdominal surgery

Background: Catecholaminergic support is often used to improve haemodynamics in patients undergoing major abdominal surgery. Dopexamine is a synthetic vasoactive catecholamine with beneficial microcirculatory properties. Methods: The influence of perioperative administration of dopexamine on cardiorespiratory data and important regulators of macro- and microcirculation were studied in 30 patients undergoing Whipple pancreaticduodenectomy. The patients received randomized and blinded either 2 μg · kg^?1 · min^?1 of dopexamine (n=15) or placebo (n=15, control group). The infusion was started after induction of anaesthesia and continued until the morning of the first postoperative day. Endothelin-1 (ET-1), vasopressin, atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), and catecholamine plasma levels were measured from arterial blood samples. Measurements were carried out after induction of anaesthesia, 2 h after onset of surgery, at the end of surgery, 2 h after surgery, and on the morning of the first postoperative day. Results: Cardiac index (CI) increased significantly in the dopexamine group (from 2.61±0.41 to 4.57±0.78 1 · min^?1 · m^?2) and remained elevated until the morning of the first postoperative day. Oxygen delivery index (DO₂I) and oxygen consumption index (VO₂I) were also significantly increased in the dopexamine group (DO₂I: from 416±91 to 717±110 ml/m² · m²; VO₂I: from 98±25 to 157±22 ml/m² · m²), being significantly higher than in the control group. pHi remained stable only in the dopexamine patients, indicating adequate splanchnic perfusion. Vasopressive regulators of circulation increased significantly only in the untreated control patients (vasopressin: from 4.37±1.1 to 35.9±12.1 pg/ml; ET-1: from 2.88±0.91 to 6.91±1.20 pg/ml). Conclusion: Patients undergoing major abdominal surgery may profit from prophylactic perioperative administration of dopexamine hydrochloride in the form of improved haemodynamics and oxygenation as well as beneficial influence on important regulators of organ blood flow.