Early changes in the serum activity of ornithine carbamoyl transferase in patients operated on with a jejuno-ileal by-pass for extreme obesity.

In 13 patients operated on with jejuno-ileal shunting for extreme obesity the serum activity of ornithine-carbamoyl-transferase (S-OCT) was monitored. A rapid rise in the S-COT occurred and was observed at its peak between 2 and 8 hours after the operation. In 4 patients operated on for intestinal diseases much smaller rises in the S-OCT were noted. In a control group of 6 patients operated on for knee injuries, no changes of the S-OCT were noted after operation. The rise in the S-OCT is interpreted as a sign of liver cell damage of unknown cause in the patients with jejuno-ileal shunting.