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Galactose elimination capacity and liver volume in aging man
Author(s) -
Marchesini Giulio,
Bua Vincenzo,
Brunori Alessandra,
Bianchi Giampaolo,
Pisi Paolo,
Fabbri Andrea,
Zoli Marco,
Pisi Emilio
Publication year - 1988
Publication title -
hepatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.488
H-Index - 361
eISSN - 1527-3350
pISSN - 0270-9139
DOI - 10.1002/hep.1840080516
Subject(s) - galactose , medicine , endocrinology , liver disease , liver function , body weight , body mass index , chemistry , biochemistry
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 (<50, 51 to 60, 61 to 70, 71 to 80 and >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 < 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 < 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.