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Liver morphology and function tests in obesity and during total starvation

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Summary

Five markedly obese patients were subjected to complete starvation of several weeks, for the purpose of weight reduction, for periods of 10–28 days. Studies of liver function and structure were conducted prior to, during, and after the period of starvation.

Liver function, including BSP excretion, was normal in 4 of the 5 patients prior to starvation, but all 5 patients had some degree of hepatic steatosis.

During starvation, distinctly impaired BSP excretion occurred. During the periods of refeeding with a low-calorie diet, this liver function improved. Fatty metamorphosis tended to decrease during starvation as did the apparent glycogen content. An increase in prominence of fibrous tissue and of hemosiderin deposits was observed after starvation.

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Author information

Author notes

  1. Paul Rozental M.D.

    Present address: Medical Outpatient Department C, Rothschild Hadassah University Hospital, Jerusalem, Israel

  2. Claude Biava M.D.

    Present address: Department of Pathology, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University, Chicago, Ill

Authors and Affiliations

  1. From the Metabolic Section, Veterans Administration Hospital, Hines, Ill.

    Paul Rozental M.D., Claude Biava M.D., Herta Spencer M.D. & Hyman J. Zimmerman M.D.

  2. Liver and Metabolic Research Laboratory, Veterans Administration Hospital, Washington, D. C.

    Paul Rozental M.D., Claude Biava M.D., Herta Spencer M.D. & Hyman J. Zimmerman M.D.

  3. the Department of Medicine, George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, D. C.

    Paul Rozental M.D., Claude Biava M.D., Herta Spencer M.D. & Hyman J. Zimmerman M.D.

Authors
  1. Paul Rozental M.D.
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  2. Claude Biava M.D.
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  3. Herta Spencer M.D.
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  4. Hyman J. Zimmerman M.D.
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Additional information

Supported in part by Grant A-5572 from the National Institute of Arthritis and Metabolic Diseases, U. S. Public Health Service.

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Rozental, P., Biava, C., Spencer, H. et al. Liver morphology and function tests in obesity and during total starvation. Digest Dis Sci 12, 198–208 (1967). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02233443

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02233443

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