Toxicity of osmotic solutes on human mesothelial cells in vitro.

We evaluated the effect of the various osmotic solutes on the growth rate of human mesothelial cells (HMC) in an in vitro culture. Glucose inhibited proliferation of HMC in a dose dependent way. At high glucose concentrations (60 mM, 90 mM) the effect was instant but at lower concentration (30 mM) decrease in the mesothelial cell proliferation was significant only after five days of incubation. Reversibility of the glucose effect was inversely proportional to exposure time to this solute. Mannitol and glycerol studied in similar concentrations as glucose decreased proliferation of the mesothelial cells less than glucose, whereas amino acid glycine had a similar effect to glucose. However, all osmotic solutes caused similar injury to mesothelial cells membrane as measured by release of LDH. These results suggest that the toxic effect of the osmotic solutes on proliferation of the mesothelial cells depends not only on the hyperosmolality but also on some metabolic effect(s). In an in vitro culture, HMC may provide a suitable model for the study of the toxic effect of dialysis fluid on peritoneal mesothelium.     

Splenic abscess and peritonitis in a continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patient

A 26-year-old female was on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) because of diabetic end-stage renal failure. She developed an acute peritonitis that relapsed repeatedly despite appropriate antibiotic treatment. Investigations showed the presence of a splenic abscess, and splenectomy and peritoneal cannula removal were required. The patient died of myocardial infarction two weeks postoperatively. This is the first recorded case of peritonitis secondary to splenic abscess in a CAPD patient. Autopsy findings suggest that the abscess developed from infection of a splenic infarct.     

Osteopetrosis: MR characteristics at 1.5 T

Four patients with proved osteopetrosis (three with the infantile malignant form and one with the benign form) were examined with magnetic resonance imaging at 1.5 T. All patients were studied in the coronal and sagittal planes using both short and long repetition time/echo time sequences. The infantile malignant form was characterized by a complete lack of signal from the marrow alternating with a signal intensity equivalent to that of the intervertebral disks, resulting in a "stepladder" appearance. In the benign form or after successful marrow transplantation in the infantile malignant form, intermediate or high signal intensity in the vertebrae was noted, suggesting the presence of some marrow elements.