Galactose elimination capacity and liver volume in aging man

Abstract

The galactose elimination capacity, a measure of the functional liver cell mass, and liver volume were measured in 50 normal subjects of five different age groups (less than 50, 51 to 60, 61 to 70, 71 to 80 and greater than 81 years). The volume of the liver was evaluated by ultrasonography. All subjects had normal routine liver function tests and no history of liver disease. Galactose elimination progressively decreased from 3.05 +/- 0.58 (S.D.) mmoles per min in younger subjects to 1.83 +/- 0.24 mmoles per min in subjects over 81 (p less than 0.00003), without any change in the apparent volume of distribution of the sugar. Similarly, the estimated volume of the liver decreased from 110 +/- 14 units to 75 +/- 13 units with increasing age (p less than 0.0002). Both galactose elimination capacity and the estimated liver volume inversely correlated with age (r = -0.728 and r = -0.579, respectively) whereas a positive correlation was observed between galactose elimination and the estimated liver volume (r = 0.520). Part correlation analysis confirmed that age, when entered in a multiple regression already containing body weight and estimated liver volume as independent variables, had a significant effect on liver function, whereas no significant independent effect of liver volume was present. Both age and body weight had a significant independent effect on the estimated liver volume. The maximum functional capacity of the liver, measured by galactose elimination, is reduced in the elderly. Although several factors may play a role, our data suggest that aging is associated with a slight decline in the intrinsic metabolic activity of the hepatic parenchyma.

Body surface area and body weight predict total liver volume in Western adults

“…This study confirms the known negative correlation between age and TLV. 23,24 However, this effect of age on the correlation between BSA and TLV is negligible. This finding facilitates comparison of the current formula with other formulas and simplifies the calculation of TLV in a clinical setting.…”

Aging and the Liver: An Update

“…One study reported that liver mass declines >40% in humans during the first two to three decades of life, but that it remains virtually stable thereafter (7). Two more recent studies, using more sophisticated and sensitive measurements, concluded that liver volume declines between maturity and senescence in humans (8,9). The implications of reduced liver volume and hepatic blood flow in the elderly are unclear, but may have a critical impact on such parameters as the pharmacokinetic profiles of drugs that undergo mandatory hepatic oxidation.…”

“…A recent correlated in vivo and in vitro study in humans suggested that a 30% decline in hepatic drug metabolism after 70 years of age reflected similar reductions in the liver cytochromes P-450 content and antipyrine clearance rate (65). However, two 1988 studies have shown that liver volume and hepatic blood flow in healthy, ambulatory elders declines appreciably in comparison to young subjects (8,9). The losses of liver mass and hepatic blood flow, rather than intrinsic alterations to constituents of the microsomal monooxygenase system, contribute to reduced drug clearance in the elderly subjects.…”

Zinc supplementation and amino acid-nitrogen metabolism in patients with advanced cirrhosis

“…Four patients had mild asciuretics and lactulose) were continued unchanged throughout tes at ultrasonography, which was not clinically evident, and the study period. Patients were regularly followed as outpaall were being treated with diuretics (spironolactone [100-tients (every month), and compliance to zinc treatment was 200 mg/d] and/or furosemide [25 mg/d]) and lactulose (15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25)(26)(27)(28)(29)(30) checked by counting the number of tablets not used in the g/d). Clinical evidence of chronic hepatic encephalopathy was, previous 30 days.…”