The upper normal limit of serum alanine aminotransferase in Golestan Province, Northeast Iran

Background: The objective of this study was to determine the upper normal limit of serum alanine aminotransferase level in a population-based study in Golestan Province, northeast Iran. Methods: From the randomly invited individuals (2,292), 698 out of the 916 males and 1,351 out of the 1,376 females participated in the study (participation rate: 76.2 and 98.1, respectively). One hundred and twenty-one participants were excluded due to positive hepatitis B surface antigen or hepatitis C virus antibody and/or drinking more than 20 grams of alcohol per day. A total of 1,928 participants (1300 females) were included. The upper normal limit of serum alanine aminotransferase level was defined as the 95th percentile. Results: The upper normal limit of serum alanine aminotransferase level in normal weight and nondiabetics was significantly lower than the total study group (36 versus 45 U/L). Serum alanine aminotransferase level was independently associated with male gender, body mass index, and diabetes mellitus (OR=2.05; 95Cl: 1.44 - 2.94, OR=2.76; 95Cl: 1.84 - 4.13, and OR=2.96; 95Cl: 1.56-5.61, respectively). Conclusion: Considering the lower calculated upper normal limit in normal weight nondiabetic participants in this study, we recommend setting new upper normal limit for serum alanine aminotransferase level, It seems reasonable to set upper normal limit for serum alanine aminotransferase level in males and females separately

The upper normal limit of serum alanine aminotransferase in Golestan Province, Northeast Iran

Background: The objective of this study was to determine the upper normal limit of serum alanine aminotransferase level in a population-based study in Golestan Province, northeast Iran. Methods: From the randomly invited individuals (2,292), 698 out of the 916 males and 1,351 out of the 1,376 females participated in the study (participation rate: 76.2 and 98.1, respectively). One hundred and twenty-one participants were excluded due to positive hepatitis B surface antigen or hepatitis C virus antibody and/or drinking more than 20 grams of alcohol per day. A total of 1,928 participants (1300 females) were included. The upper normal limit of serum alanine aminotransferase level was defined as the 95th percentile. Results: The upper normal limit of serum alanine aminotransferase level in normal weight and nondiabetics was significantly lower than the total study group (36 versus 45 U/L). Serum alanine aminotransferase level was independently associated with male gender, body mass index, and diabetes mellitus (OR=2.05; 95Cl: 1.44 - 2.94, OR=2.76; 95Cl: 1.84 - 4.13, and OR=2.96; 95Cl: 1.56-5.61, respectively). Conclusion: Considering the lower calculated upper normal limit in normal weight nondiabetic participants in this study, we recommend setting new upper normal limit for serum alanine aminotransferase level, It seems reasonable to set upper normal limit for serum alanine aminotransferase level in males and females separately

Some Biochemical, Haematological and Histological Responses to a Long Term Consumption of Telfairia occidentalis-Supplemented Diet in Rats

Some biochemical, haematological and histological responses were studied in rats undergoing a long term feeding with a Telfairia occidentalis-supplemented diet. Biochemical and hematological parameters investigated included serum protein, total cholesterol, lipid peroxidation, haemoglobin, white blood cells, Aspartate aminotransferase, Alanine aminotransferase, Alkaline phosphatase, Glutathione-stransferase and Superoxide dismutase. Histological changes associated with Telfairia occidentalissupplemented diet on the liver, intestine and testes were also examined. Results showed that Telfairia occidentalis-supplemented diet caused a significant increase (p<0.05) in weight and haemoglobin. Cholesterol and lipid peroxidation were significantly reduced (p<0.05). There were however no significant changes in the enzymes including Aspartate minotransferase, Alanine aminotransferase, Alkaline phosphatase, Glutathione-s-transferase and Superoxide dismutase. Only Alkaline phosphatase was significantly reduced (p<0.05). Histological changes showed hypertrophy of the intestinal propia and reduced globlet cells while the testes exhibited thick basement membrane and large spermatogonia

Systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) after extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO): Incidence, risks and survivals.

INTRODUCTION: Systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) is frequently observed after extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) decannulation; however, these issues have not been investigated well in the past. METHODS: Retrospective chart review was performed to identify post-ECMO SIRS phenomenon, defined by exhibiting 2/3 of the following criteria: fever, leukocytosis, and escalation of vasopressors. The patients were divided into 2 groups: patients with documented infections (Group I) and patients with true SIRS (Group TS) without any evidence of infection. Survival and pre-, intra- and post-ECMO risk factors were analyzed. RESULTS: Among 62 ECMO survivors, 37 (60%) patients developed the post-ECMO SIRS phenomenon, including Group I (n = 22) and Group TS (n = 15). The 30-day survival rate of Group I and TS was 77% and 100%, respectively (p = 0.047), although risk factors were identical. CONCLUSIONS: SIRS phenomenon after ECMO decannulation commonly occurs. Differentiating between the similar clinical presentations of SIRS and infection is important and will impact clinical outcomes

Perbedaan Kadar Alanine Aminotransferase (Alt) Dalam Serum Dari Darah Yang Disentrifugasi Pada Kecepatan 3000 Rpm Selama 5 Menit Dan 4400 Rpm Selama 3 Menit

Background : Laboratory tests for liver and heart are emergency, so the examination must be carried out quickly including ALT examination. One way is by reducing the time of centrifugation without reducing the quality of serum. Reducing the time of centrifugation to 3 minutes at 4400 rpm is expected to provide the same results by centrifuging for 5 minutes at 3000 rpm. So that, the duration of ALT examination can be faster, reduces Turnaround Time (TAT) or patient waiting time, and saves electrical energy which can reduce the variable cost. Method : This research was a pre-experimental study with Static Group Comparison research design. The examination used IFCC without pyridoxal method. The subjects of research were 22 people. Samples were serum of blood that were frozen for 30 minutes then centrifuged at 3000 rpm for 5 minutes and 4400 rpm for 3 minutes. Samples were examined using A15 biosystem instrument. Data were analyzed by Wilcoxon test. Result : The results showed mean value of ALT centrifuged at 3000 rpm for 5 minutes was 16,32 U/L and 4400 rpm for 3 minutes was 16,50 U/L. Based on Wilcoxon test, there was no difference in ALT level from centrifuged blood samples at 3000 rpm for 5 minutes and 4400 rpm for 3 minutes, p-value (sig) = 0.676 with a significant level (α = 0.05) then p-value (sig. 2 tailed) > 0.025. Conclusion : There was no difference in ALT level in serum from blood that was centrifuged at 3000 rpm for 5 minutes and 4400 rpm for 3 minutes

The evaluation of liver fibrosis regression in chronic hepatitis C patients after the treatment with direct-acting antiviral agents – A review of the literature

The second-generation of direct-acting antiviral agents are the current treatment for chronic viral hepatitis C infection. To evaluate the regression of liver fibrosis in patients receiving this therapy, liver biopsy remains the most accurate method, but the invasiveness of this procedure is its major drawback. Different non-invasive tests have been used to study changes in the stage of liver fibrosis in patients with chronic viral hepatitis treated with the second-generation of direct-acting antiviral agents: liver stiffness measurements (with transient elastography or acoustic radiation force impulse elastography) or different scores that use serum markers to calculate a fibrosis score. We prepared a literature review of the available data regarding the long-term evolution of liver fibrosis after the treatment with direct-acting antiviral agents for chronic viral hepatitis C