Estimation of extracellular and total body water by multiple-frequency bioelectrical-impedance measurement

Article Abstract:

Measuring the total amount of water in the body (total body water, TBW), the amount of water contained inside of cells (intracellular water, ICW), and the amount of water located outside of cells (extracellular water, ECW) is important in patients who are malnourished, dehydrated, critically ill, or obese. ECW and ICW can be measured using methods that require the use of radioisotopes (radioactive substances), but these methods are invasive, complicated and expensive. Bioelectrical impedance (BI) is a method that has been used for measuring body mass and body fat content. This method involves passing a current through the body. The greater the mass of the body, the greater the resistance that the current will encounter when trying to pass through the body. Recently, it has been suggested that by altering the frequency of the current that is passed through the body, it may be possible to measure the TBW and ECW content of the body. Low-frequency current will only flow through the ECW because it cannot pass through cell membranes. Therefore, low-frequency current will measure ECW, while high frequency current will measure both ECW and ICW (which add up to TBW). To test the usefulness of BI in determining TBW and ECW, BI measurements were made on 36 healthy male subjects using low- and high-frequency currents. The measurements of ECW and TBW obtained using BI were compared with the results obtained using a radioisotope method. BI performed with low-frequency current and high-frequency current gave estimates of ECW and TBW that were similar to those obtained using radioisotope methods. It is concluded that BI is a useful and noninvasive method for measuring ECW and TBW. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Methods, Measurement, Impedance, Bioelectric, Bioelectric impedance, Water in the body, Body water, Extracellular fluid

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Recombinant human growth hormone in patients with HIV-associated wasting: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial

Article Abstract:

Growth hormone treatment appears to be effective in improving body composition in emaciated patients with HIV. One hundred seventy-eight emaciated patients with HIV took either recombinant growth hormone therapy or placebo for 12 weeks. There was significant and lasting improvement in lean body mass, body weight, and endurance among the patients taking hormone therapy. There was no difference in immune system function or overall health between the two groups. There were no major side effects associated with the hormone therapy.

Health aspects, Care and treatment, Complications and side effects, HIV infection, HIV infections, Somatotropin, Cachexia

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