title: Metabolic inhibition of polymorphonuclear leucocytes in fulminant hepatic failure.
abstract: A high incidence of bacterial infections in patients with fulminant hepatic failure (F.H.F.) has led to an investigation of polymorpho-nuclear-leucocyte (P.M.N.) function. No intrinsic leucocyte abnormality was demonstrable but a factor present in F.H.F. serum was shown to inhibit the metabolic activity of the leucocyte hexose-monophosphate shunt. This effect was due neither to low serum-complement nor to associated renal failure. The inhibitory factor, however, was removed either by pre-incubation with activated charcoal or by in-vitro dialysis, raising the possiblity that charcoal haemoperfusion or other forms of artificial liver support may improve P.M.N. function in this condition.
mesh_terms: D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications; D001770:Blood Bactericidal Activity; D002606:Charcoal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006501:Hepatic Encephalopathy / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000628:therapy; D006600:Hexosephosphates / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000201:enzymology / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000201:enzymology; D010585:Phagocyte Bactericidal Dysfunction / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D006435:Renal Dialysis
chemical_list: D006600:Hexosephosphates; D002606:Charcoal