M Farriol

Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain

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Publications (36)76.47 Total impact

  • Article: Dipeptidyl-peptidase IV in patients with short bowel syndrome.
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    ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to determine serum dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP IV) levels in a population of short bowel syndrome (SBS) patients, who had achieved intestinal adaptation. DDP IV reference values were determined in a healthy population (n=47). The SBS study group consisted of 30 patients (17 men, 13 women; 53.2+/-13.2 years). The criteria for inclusion were a remnant small bowel <200cm with or without colon resection. The time interval between resection and DPP IV measurement was >24 months except in 4 patients, in which it was 13-24 months (total mean: 64.7+/-47.3 months). Nutritional support was exclusively oral in 17 patients, oral plus cyclic TPN in 12 and TPN alone in one patient. The reference range for DPP IV was 10-23U/l (mean: 16.01+/-3.2). In the group of SBS patients, mean serum DPP IV was 14.02+/-3.6U/l and mean body mass index 22.07+/-4.1kg/m(2). Eleven patients (36.6%) had hyperphagia and mean DPP IV in this group was 15.2+/-4.9U/l. Measurement of DPP IV levels in this limited series of SBS patients who had reached intestinal adaptation showed normal levels and did not provide additional clinical information. Further analysis in the earlier postoperative period will determine whether this enzyme has a role as an indicator of evolution in these patients.
    Clinical Nutrition 12/2005; 24(6):1099-104. · 3.73 Impact Factor
  • Article: Plasma urea-cycle-related amino acids, ammonium levels, and urinary orotic acid excretion in short-bowel patients managed with an oral diet.
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    ABSTRACT: The small intestine contains several enzymes involved in arginine synthesis and converts glutamine to citrulline, the major compound for endogenous arginine synthesis. This study was conducted to assess the plasma status of urea-cycle intermediates and orotic urinary excretion in short-bowel patients. Thirteen stable short-bowel syndrome patients (7 men; 60.2+/-15.2 years) were studied. Patients were divided into moderately resected (Group A; n=6) and severely resected (Group B; n=7) according to their remnant bowel length (Group A: 61-150 cm; Group B: < or =60 cm). All subjects were consuming an oral diet plus dietetic supplements. Plasma urea-cycle amino acids, ammonium and urinary orotic acid were determined. Plasma glutamine levels were significantly higher in both patient groups than in the control group (P<0.001). Regarding citrulline, Group B levels were significantly lower vs. controls (P<0.001). Comparisons between patient groups showed higher arginine in Group A (P<0.05) and non-statistically lower citrulline in Group B. Blood ammonium and orotic urinary excretion were normal. Although plasma citrulline and glutamine alterations were found, patients showed no hyperammonemia or orotic aciduria, which suggests a certain degree of adaptation in arginine and related amino acid metabolism, when an adequate dietary supply of arginine is provided.
    Clinical Nutrition 02/2003; 22(1):93-8. · 3.73 Impact Factor
  • Article: Effects of taurine on polymorphonuclear phagocytosis activity in burned patients.
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    ABSTRACT: This study determines the effects of taurine (Tau) on phagocytosis of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) isolated from normal subjects (n = 41) and severely burned patients (n = 20). Phagocytosis was measured by nitroblue of tetrazolium (NBT) reduction in samples with and without latex bead stimulation. Taurine was added at doses of 0.2, 0.4, 0.8 and 1.6 mM to stimulated samples. In control cells there were statistically significant increases in phagocytosis after addition of Tau 0.8 mM and 1.6 mM to as compared to samples without Tau addition (295 +/- 23% and 330 +/- 35% vs. 248 +/- 18%; mean +/- S.E.; p < 0.05). A statistically significant increase in phagocytosis was observed in cells from the burned population after addition of Tau 1.6 mM (288 +/- 38% vs. 198 +/- 13%; mean +/- S.E.; p < 0.05). No changes in phagocytosis were found in cells from a subgroup of burn patients (n = 13) followed over 7, 15 and 21 days. These results indicate that taurine supplementation in vitro at doses of 0.8 to 1.6 mM improves the phagocytic capacity of neutrophils in healthy subjects and in patients with severe burn injury, mainly when neutrophil function is unaltered.
    Amino Acids 02/2002; 23(4):441-5. · 3.25 Impact Factor
  • Article: Intestinal ornithine decarboxylase in short bowel syndrome patients with oral diet.
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    ABSTRACT: The major consequence of extensive intestinal resection is loss of absorptive surface area, which results in malabsorption of nutrients; this condition is known as short-bowel syndrome (SBS). Patients with extensive small intestinal resection and colectomy leading to jejunostomy have the most severe SBS. Ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) plays a central role in cell proliferation and in the process of gut adaptation. Polyamine synthesis in crypt cells mediates the action of extracellular growth factors on DNA synthesis and mitotic activity. The aim of this study was to examine ODC expression and activity, diamine oxidase (DAO) activity and polyamine levels in the jejunal mucosa and red blood cells of SBS patients with a jejunostomy. The study group consisted of 6 patients (4 men and 2 women, mean age 55.8+/-9.8 years), who had undergone extensive small bowel resection and colectomy. All patients were maintained on cyclic parenteral nutrition and non-restricted oral nutrition. Two groups of patients operated on for unrelated reasons were included as the jejunum control group (n=6) and the ileum control group (n=13). Non statistical differences were observed in polyamine levels of red blood cells versus the control group (spermidine: 21.0+/-3.6 vs. 17.7+/-1.1 and spermine: 17.1+/-8.6 vs. 13.2+/-1.6 nmol/ml RBC, respectively). No significant decreases in putrescine and spermidine levels were observed between the groups, but spermine levels in SBS jejunum were significantly lower than the controls (P<0.05). In SBS patients a significant decrease in ODC and DAO activity were observed vs jejunum. A significant decrease in ODC-mRNA abundance was found for the SBS patients as compared to the two control groups (P<0.05). These results suggest that in SBS patients with jejunostomy intestinal adaptation may be impaired.
    Clinical Nutrition 04/2001; 20(2):171-5. · 3.73 Impact Factor
  • Article: Antioxidant capacity in severely burned patients.
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    ABSTRACT: Total antioxidant capacity (TAC) was measured after severe burns (non-electric with one exception) in two groups of patients: group A, 24 subjects (19 men and five women) 20-67 years old and group B, eight subjects (six men and two women) 20-54 years old, admitted to the Major Burns Unit of hospital general Vall d'Hebron over a period of nine months. Albumin, uric acid and antioxidant capacity analyses were carried out within 24 hours after injury in both groups, and additionally at 1, 7, 15 and 21 days in group B. Total antioxidant capacity was measured by inhibition of blue-green colour of the ABTS+ cation (600 nm) and compared with reference values obtained in healthy, sex and age-matched volunteers (n = 50). Results showed statistically increased mean antioxidant capacity values at 24 hours (Group A: 1.36 +/- 0.22 mmol/L; Group B: 1.66 +/- 0.39) as compared with reference values (range, 1.0 to 1.44 mmol/L), representing 42% of patients in group A and 50% in group B (overall mean 46%), with no correlation with severity of the burn. The longitudinal study (Group B) showed no correlation between total antioxidant capacity values and time (r = -0.171; ns). A statistically significant correlation was found between albumin and time (r = 0.438; p < 0.05), indicating a clear tendency toward normalisation of plasma albumin values during healing. There was no correlation among total antioxidant capacity, percentage of burned surface and clinical evolution, suggesting a poor sensitivity of the method for the study of this pathology.
    Pathologie Biologie 04/2001; 49(3):227-31. · 1.53 Impact Factor
  • Article: Serum leptin concentrations in patients with short-bowel syndrome.
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    ABSTRACT: Short-bowel syndrome is a state of severe malabsorption resulting from absence or removal of the small bowel for several causes. A number of short-bowel patients develop hyperphagia. Leptin, a protein secreted from adipose tissue, signals the amount of energy stores to the brain. To study body composition and leptin regulation in short-bowel patients and to determine whether or not leptin concentrations are linked with hyperphagia. We studied 25 short-bowel patients (remnant bowel less than 150 cm) and 31 controls and 10 oral nutrition. Fifteen patients received total parenteral nutrition and 10 oral nutrition. Anthropometric measurements, body composition (by bioelectrical impedance), and cholesterol, triacylglycerol and leptin concentrations were studied in all subjects. There were no differences between short-bowel patients and controls in anthropometric variables, body composition, or leptin concentrations. Leptin concentrations were higher in short-bowel women than men (9.21+/-8.54 vs. 3.22+/-1.86 ng/ml, P=0.01). Leptin concentrations correlated positively with age (r=0.4, P=0.045), body mass index (r=0.52, P=0.007), fat mass (r=0.67, P=0.001) and body fat (r=0.68, P=0.0001); there were no correlations with other body composition parameters. We found no correlations between parenteral or oral nutrition and body composition parameters, or between leptin concentrations and the presence of hyperphagia. Logistic regression analysis showed that body fat correctly identified leptin concentrations in 60% of patients. Body composition, leptin concentrations and leptin regulation in patients with short-bowel syndrome are similar to those of controls. Leptin concentrations do not correlate with hyperphagia in short bowel-patients.
    Clinical Nutrition 11/2000; 19(5):333-8. · 3.73 Impact Factor
  • Article: Bibliographic information retrieval in the field of artificial nutrition.
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    ABSTRACT: The enormous amount of data available for clinical and research purposes has made information searching a complex task. We have designed a study to determine which bibliographic databases provide appropriate information for the field of artificial nutrition. Of the 149 databases consulted in the preliminary search, 15 were found to contain an appreciable number of titles related to our field. As a general result, we found that MEDLINE had the largest number of titles but other databases oriented toward more specific topics contained references that were unique to them. The results show that an exhaustive search for any topic concerning artificial nutrition must be done on MEDLINE, EMBASE and Current Contents (75% productivity). These can be complemented with others according to their specialization in the subject to be treated. To obtain productivity over 75%, from five to seven databases must be consulted, according to the item under study.
    Clinical Nutrition 11/1998; 17(5):217-22. · 3.73 Impact Factor
  • Article: Evaluation of immune markers in asymptomatic AIDS patients receiving fish oil supplementation.
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    ABSTRACT: The effects of oral fish oil (FO) supplementation (8 g/day, capsules) on nutritional status and selected immune markers (CD4/CD8 ratio, IL-1beta, erythrocyte MDA release, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate [DHEA-S]) were studied in a homogeneous group of asymptomatic HIV-infected patients during 6 weeks. All subjects were classified clinically as A2 according to the CDC revised criteria (mean CD4 count 290 +/-123 cells/mm(3)) and were receiving zidovudine retroviral treatment. The calculated mean energy intake was 3437 +/- 372 Kcal/d, composed of 14% protein, 38% lipids and 48% carbohydrates, and was not modified during the study. The anthropometric parameters, and hematological and plasma biochemistry data showed non-significant changes after FO supplementation. Mean malonyldialdehyde (MDA) release before treatment was: unstimulated 71.5 +/- 37 and stimulated 350.9 +/- 79.8 nmol/g Hb. After FO supplementation (T(6)) MDA release showed unstimulated values of 96.1 +/- 62, and a significant increase after stimulation of 614.1 106.4 nmol/g Hb, which was, however, within the normal range. In the patient's samples, IL-1beta levels in the unstimulated blood culture showed a statistical increase with respect to the normal range before (T(0)) and after (T(6)) FO supplementation with a slight decrease after (mean 49.8 vs 40.9 pg/ml). The stimulated IL-1beta levels after treatment showed a statistically significant decrease that was maintained within the normal range (T(0): 797.7 vs T(6): 535.6 pg/ml). Taken collectively, these results suggest a tendency toward improvement in immune function.
    Clinical Nutrition 11/1997; 16(5):257-61. · 3.73 Impact Factor
  • Article: Modification of organ protein synthesis after surgical stress by low energy diets with different supplements.
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    ABSTRACT: We have studied the effects of hypocaloric diets with different supplements on liver and jejunal mucosa protein synthesis. The supplements assayed were medium chain triglycerides (diet MCT, with 50% carbohydrates: 25% long chain triglycerides (LCT): 25% medium chain triglycerides (MCT), standard amino acids), branched-chain amino acids (diet BCA, identical to control diet L50, with 15.3% of nitrogen replaced by branched-chain amino acids) and glutamine (diet GLN, identical to diet L50, with 15.3% of nitrogen replaced by glutamine). The control diet (L50) had 50% carbohydrates: 50% LCT and standard amino acids. The diets were assayed on 86 rats with femoral fracture immobilized by Kirschner pin insertion. Nutrition was administered for 4 days. On the fifth day, liver and jejunal mucosa protein synthesis was determined. A branched-chain amino acid supply in a proportion higher than 21.2% of amino acid nitrogen significantly decreased liver and jejunal mucosa protein synthesis, while the same amount of glutamine did not modify it. MCT had no effect on jejunal mucosa protein synthesis, while it was decreased significantly in the liver.
    Physiological research / Academia Scientiarum Bohemoslovaca 02/1997; 46(3):181-6. · 1.55 Impact Factor
  • Article: Modification of organ protein synthesis after surgical stress by low energy diets with different lipid/glucose ratios.
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    ABSTRACT: The aim of this work was to study the effects of low energy parenteral diets with different lipid/glucose ratios on rat liver and jejunal mucosa protein synthesis. The studied diets were: L0 (100% glucose, control diet), L25 (25% lipids: 75% glucose), L50 (50% lipids: 50% glucose) and L75 (75% lipids: 25 % glucose). All diets were isoenergetic and isonitrogenated, with a standard amino acid content. The diets were assayed in 93 rats with open femoral fracture immobilized by Kirschner pin insertion. The diets were administered for 4 days. On the fifth day, liver and jejunal mucosa protein synthesis were determined. Highest liver protein synthesis rates were obtained with the diet compositions: lipid/carbohydrate ratio: 25% lipids and 75% carbohydrates (expressed as energy ratio). A higher proportion of lipids significantly decreases liver protein synthesis (p <0.05). Jejunal mucosa protein synthesis followed the same pattern, with the same statistical differences.
    Physiological research / Academia Scientiarum Bohemoslovaca 01/1997; 46(3):187-91. · 1.55 Impact Factor
  • Article: Protein synthesis in specific tissues during sepsis.
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    ABSTRACT: The hypothesis that fractional protein synthesis rates (Ks) are tissue-specific and bidirectional during sepsis was tested in an animal model. Ks in liver, triceps muscle, and diaphragm were measured in septic (n = 27) and control rats (n = 26). Sepsis was induced by a reproducible model established in our laboratory (intraperitoneal injection of sterile NaOH 0.75 N at 0.075 ml/100 g of body weight). Ks were measured using the flooding-dose method in tissue obtained from the diaphragm, liver, and from the triceps muscle. In hepatic and diaphragmatic tissue, Ks were significantly higher in the septic animals (Ks: 112.2 +/- 8 and 5.4 +/- 1.9, respectively) than in control animals (Ks: 78.5 +/- 13 and 2.9 +/- 1.7, respectively). In the triceps, Ks were significantly lower in septic animals (Ks: 2.9 +/- 1.4) than in control animals (Ks: 5 +/- 1.8). The results suggest that in septic animals the rate of protein synthesis is enhanced in tissues of priority, such as the liver, and varies in response to differences in muscle activity.
    Infusionstherapie und Transfusionsmedizin 05/1995; 22(2):106-9.
  • Article: Addition of glutamine does not improve protein synthesis and jejunal mucosa morphology in non-hypercatabolic stress.
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    ABSTRACT: To investigate the effect of glutamine-enriched total parenteral nutrition (TPN) on the protein synthesis and morphology of jejunal mucosa in non-hypercatabolic stress, sixty-two male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to surgical stress by femoral fracture. The rats were divided into 3 groups and received TPN for 8 days. One group received a standard amino acid solution without glutamine, the second group a standard solution enriched with glycine and glutamic acid, and the third group a standard solution enriched with glycyl-glutamine. All regimens were isocaloric and isonitrogenous-nitrogen (2.2 g/kg.day), glucose (150 Kcal/kg.day), and lipids (150 Kcal/kg.day). There were no statistically significant differences in jejunal mucosal thickness, DNA content, protein content, fractional synthesis rate or absolute protein synthesis among the groups after eight days of parenteral nutrition. In conclusion, the addition of glutamine to TPN did not influence either protein metabolism or morphology of the jejunal mucosa in non-hypercatabolic surgical stress.
    Physiological research / Academia Scientiarum Bohemoslovaca 02/1995; 44(4):233-9. · 1.55 Impact Factor
  • Article: Effect of vitamin C and vitamin E analog on aged fibroblasts.
    M Farriol, M Mourelle, S Schwartz
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    ABSTRACT: Human dermal fibroblasts were cultured and aged in vitro. Survival of young and aged fibroblasts was determined in the presence and absence of different concentrations of two vitamins. Vit C at doses of 5, 12.5, 25 and 50 mumol/L and water-soluble Vit E (Trolox) at 1, 5, 10 and 50 mg/L, were added 30 minutes before oxidative stress, consisting of exposure to 5 mM hydrogen peroxide for 30 minutes. A non-radioactive cell proliferation cytotoxicity assay (MTT) was used to determine the protective effect of the vitamins studied. Vit C produced a clear cytoprotective effect on aged cells over the entire range of doses applied. The protection provided by Vit E, was less pronounced.
    Revista española de fisiología 01/1995; 50(4):253-7.
  • Article: Plasma carnitine reference values.
    M Farriol, S Schwartz
    Annals of Clinical Biochemistry 04/1994; 31 ( Pt 2):188-9. · 2.17 Impact Factor
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    Article: Effect of medium chain triglycerides (MCT) on jejunal mucosa mass and protein synthesis.
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    ABSTRACT: The effects of medium chain triglycerides (MCT) on jejunal mucosa mass and protein synthesis were compared with results from previous experiments with rats fed by parenteral nutrition or enteral nutrition. Other published studies have also been analysed. Three experimental models were studied. In the traumatic model, production of a femoral fracture was followed by Kirschner pin insertion into the medullary canal of both fragments at reduction. (Forty ras were fed enteral nutrition and 93 were given parenteral nutrition.) A second model entailed resection under ether anaesthesia using the technique described by Higgins. (Fifty five rats were fed enteral nutrition and 28 with parenteral nutrition.) A third model entailed a terminolateral portocaval shunt under anaesthesia with pentobarbital. (Sixty nine rats were treated this way and then given enteral nutrition.) Proportions of medium chain/long chain triglycerides (LCT) were as follows: 0/100, 20/80, 40/60, 50/50, and 92/8 for enteral nutrition and 0/100, 30/70, 50/50, and 70/30 for parenteral nutrition. Faecal losses of alpha amino nitrogen, protein, total fats, and free fatty acids were analysed together with the quantitative intake, weight gain of the rats, jejunal mucosal mass, and protein synthesis in relation to the MCT proportion ingested or given by enteral nutrition or parenteral nutrition. From analysis of our results and those of others, several conclusions could be drawn. Firstly, the route of administration of MCT is extremely important and enterocytes might be considered one of the main target sites. Secondly, a high proportion of MCT (more than 80%) offers no advantage for jejunal mucosa and produces undesirable side effects. Thirdly, the effect of MCT on jejunal mucosal protein synthesis depends on the metabolic state. Finally, an increase in jejunal mucosal mass directly correlated with MCT concentrations, but no correlation was found between mass and protein synthesis. A positive correlation, however, between MCT proportion and enzyme activity (alkaline phosphatase and sucrase) in the brush border membrane was seen as well as a positive correlation with the concentration of phospholipids in the microvilli.
    Gut 02/1994; 35(1 Suppl):S39-41. · 10.11 Impact Factor
  • Article: [The effect of sepsis on liver protein synthesis].
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    ABSTRACT: A study was made of the possible influence of sepsis on liver protein synthesis in septic and control rats, fed either parenterally (TPN) or with water and feed available "ad libitum". Liver protein synthesis was determined using the single massive dose method. In experiment I, the septic and control animals received TPN for twenty-four hours: in experiment II water and food was available to them "ad libitum". Twenty-four hours after the sepsis occurred, the animals were injected with a massive dose of 14C-labelled leucine, and slaughtered by decapitation. The septic animals with water and feed available "ad libitum" were fasted voluntarily without any intake. This group of fasted septic animals was the only one which lost weight. Liver protein synthesis increased in septic animals in comparison with the control animals, whether receiving TPN (112.2 +/- 8/78.5 +/- 13) or with "ad libitum" nutrition (97.2 +/- 15/60.8 +/- 8). The increased liver protein synthesis in the septic animals was modified (although with reduced significance) by parenteral nutrition (112.2 +/- 8/97.2 +/- 15). Our results suggest that sepsis increases liver protein synthesis, and that this protein synthesis may be enhanced by parenteral nutrition.
    Nutricion hospitalaria: organo oficial de la Sociedad Espanola de Nutricion Parenteral y Enteral 01/1994; 8(9):567-73. · 1.12 Impact Factor
  • Article: Inhibition of visceral protein synthesis by certain amino acid supplements.
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    ABSTRACT: This study was focused on the effects produced by diets with different amino acid proportions on visceral protein synthesis (liver and jejunal mucosa). Eight groups of rats received an enteral modular diet supplemented with different amino acids (Group 1: Ile, Leu, Val; Group 2: Phe, Met, Gly; Group 3: Glu, Arg, Gly; Group 4: Gly, Group 5: Orn-Asp, Cys, Pro; Group 6: Lys, Ser, Thr; Group 7: Tyr, His, Ala). Group 8 was the control group. Rats were fed for four days. At the end of this period a flooding dose of 14C-Leu was injected and animals were killed. Liver and jejunal mucosa were removed and protein synthesis rate was determined. Results show a decreased liver protein synthesis in group fed with aromatic amino acids (53.8 +/- 8.4 vs. 88.6 +/- 12.1) and Glu-Arg (68.6 +/- 10.9). In jejunal mucosa there was a decrease of protein synthesis in groups fed with aromatic amino acids (98.7 +/- 16 vs 160.5 +/- 49). These changes seem to be related to the intracellular amino acid pool size and its influence on protein metabolism.
    Physiological research / Academia Scientiarum Bohemoslovaca 02/1993; 42(5):347-50. · 1.55 Impact Factor
  • Article: Protein synthesis in jejunum of Sprague-Dawley rats after irradiation.
    Acta Oncologica 02/1993; 32(3):346-7. · 3.33 Impact Factor
  • Article: Effect of different MCT/LCT ratios on protein synthesis in injured rats fed parenterally.
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    ABSTRACT: The effect of the lipidic composition of the diet on the proteic synthesis of the male Sprague-Dawley rats fed parenterally for four days has been studied. All animals received identical nitrogen and caloric intake, but the ratio of medium to long-chain triglycerides (MCT/LCT) varied: group 1, control (0/100); group 2 (30/70); group 3 (50/50) and group 4 (70/30). Hepatic and jejunal protein synthesis were determined with L-(1-14C)-leucine. In groups 1, 3 and 4 muscle protein synthesis was measured with L-(3,4-3H)-phenylalanine. In liver, there were no significant differences in the fractional synthesis rate among the groups. In jejunum, the control group showed a higher fractional synthesis rate with statistically significant differences among the groups. In muscle, group 3 presented the highest fractional synthesis rate with statistically significant differences (p less than 0.05).
    Revista española de fisiología 07/1991; 47(2):81-6.
  • Article: The effects of sepsis and endotoxemia on gut glutamine metabolism.
    Annals of Surgery 05/1991; 213(4):373-4. · 7.49 Impact Factor