Studies on the Effect of Low Oxygen Gas Inhalation on the Renal Circulation and Electrolyte Metabolism in Patients with Liver Disease

Abstract

The studies of renal circulation and electrolyte metabolism in liver disease are mostly based on the patients in resting state except those investigating the reaction of renal function against water, Na load and other medical agent. Consequently the detail of the functional disorder is not made clear. In the present study the patients with liver disease are given low oxygen gas inhalation as a stress, with a view to investigating the influence on the renal circulation and electrolyte metabolism under such condition. And, by comparing its result with the same with normal adults and various patients reported by with clinical symptoms of the patients with liver disease, it will be made clear whether latent renal disorder exists or not. By doing so, the kinds and extents of functional disorder in the kidney of patients with liver disease will be investigated as the purpose of this study. Method The standard renal clearance methods were employed simultaneously while 10 per cent O₂ inhalation was carried out. Before and after the low oxygen gas inhalation, determinations of renal circulation and electrolyte metabolism. Material 45 patients with liver disease (12 cases of acute hepatitis, 19 of chronic hepatitis and 14 of cirrhosis) aged ranging from 20 to 64 (34 men and 11 women). Classification (1) Classified by disease Acute hepatitis : (without anamnesis history of hepatitis and diagnosed on general clinical examination). Chronic hepatitis : (in which recovery of acute hepatitis is delayed by more than 4 months, and diagnosed on general clinical examination). Cirrhosis : (diagnosed on general clinical examination). In respect to chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis, liver biopsy was carried out, to confirm the diagnosis. (2) Classified by age A group : (younger than 39 age). B group : (older than 40 age). (3) Classified by RBF in a resting state α group : (more than 760 ml/min). β group : (less than 759 ml/min).