title: The influence of the gastrointestinal tract and the liver on cystatin C serum concentrations.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study in humans was to examine the influence of the gastrointestinal tract and liver on the serum concentrations of cystatin C.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighteen healthy volunteers and 28 patients suspected of having chronic intestinal ischemia underwent catheterization of the abdominal aorta and the central hepatic vein. Blood samples were taken simultaneously from the abdominal aorta and the central hepatic vein 60, 90 and 120 minutes after the start of the investigation. After the first blood sample, a standard liquid meal was ingested. Measurement of splanchnic blood flow was performed using the Fick principle with constant infusion of (99m)Tc-Bridatec. Angiography was performed at the end of the investigation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The splanchnic blood flow increased significantly postprandially in the healthy volunteers and in the patients with normal angiography by 0.613-0.698 L/min and increased non- significantly in the patients with abnormal angiography (n = 5) by 0.135 L/min on average. ANOVA and the Bonferroni's multiple comparison test showed no significant difference between the means of cystatin C, creatinine or urea in the samples taken 60, 90 and 120 minutes after the start of the investigation in the abdominal aorta and the hepatic vein in the healthy volunteers or in the patients suspected of chronic intestinal ischemia with normal angiography.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There was no indication of hepatic elimination of cystatin C, creatinine or urea. The serum concentrations of cystatin C, creatinine and urea in the central hepatic vein and the abdominal aorta were independent of the splanchnic blood flow.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Viborg Regional Hospital , Viborg , Denmark.
authors.forename: Erland J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Erlandsen
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Abrahamsen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000097:blood; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003404:Creatinine / Q000097:blood; D055316:Cystatin C / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007410:Intestinal Diseases / Q000097:blood* / Q000201:enzymology; D007422:Intestines / Q000098:blood supply*; D007511:Ischemia / Q000097:blood* / Q000201:enzymology; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase / Q000097:blood; D008099:Liver / Q000098:blood supply / Q000201:enzymology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012039:Regional Blood Flow; D013152:Splanchnic Circulation; D014508:Urea / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D055316:Cystatin C; D014508:Urea; D003404:Creatinine; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase; D000410:Alanine Transaminase; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase
keywords: Creatinine; cystatin C; kidney; liver; splanchnic circulation; urea