The effect of five drugs in coma doses on neurotransmitter amino acids in the brains of guinea pigs

The study has been carried out in order to investigate the effects of some drugs in coma doses on the concentration in brain of some amino acids involved in brain function. Six groups of 25 guinea pigs each were utilized. In each of the five groups a subcutaneous dose of diazepam, flunitrazepam, phenobarbital, phenytoin or alfaxalone, was injected and one group was utilized as control. Some neurotransmitter amino acids (glutamate, aspartate, glycine and taurine) and precursors of neurotransmitters (phenylalanine and tyrosine) were determined in brain preparations. The results are discussed.

Biochemical changes in acute respiratory failure

A study has been carried out on patients presenting respiratory failure from chronic obstructive lung disease. Acid-base balance, electrolytes and amino acids levels have been studied in plasma and in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients in hypercapnic coma and results compared with those observed in patients with primary acute hypercapnia. Additional cardiopulmonary measurements were made. The study has shown evidence of significant modification of the distribution ratios of plasma and CSF electrolytes and amino acids, particularly in the patients with coma. The changes seem to be related to variations of the transmembrane potentials and alterations of some metabolic pathways involved in the homeostasis and in neurotransmission. Finally some of the changes of amino acid in plasma and CSF appear significantly correlated to variations in pulmonary function and to modification of acid-base balance observed both in plasma and CSF.

[Identification of drugs in toxic doses in biological fluids using infrared Spectrophotometry]

A method permitting rapid analysis of biological samples from patients suspected of being intoxicated is reported. The method is based on: a) extraction of the active principles of biological samples with chloroform; b) drying and preparation of a disc of KBr; c) spectrophotometric analysis; d) integration of data from laboratory analyses with the clinical data from the patient. A number of clinical cases are also reported in which adoption of the method permitted rapid diagnosis of the possible aetiology of the toxic pictures observed.

[Peridural anesthesia and adrenocortical function in man]

A brief account of the stress action of anaesthetic drugs is followed by the description of an evaluation of plasma cortisol concentration in an enquiry into the effects of peridural anaesthesia with bupivacaine.

Lysine hydrochloride for the control of metabolic alkalosis: a clinical report

Many physiopathological states can produce metabolic alkalosis that must be promptly corrected as soon as it is dangerous. In our study we report the effectiveness of lysine hydrochloride to correct this condition in patients. This drug lowers the pH, reduces the bicarbonate stores, and leads to normal blood gases.

Biochemical changes in neurosurgical patients under critical care treated with mannitol

A Study was carried out on ten patients undergoing operations for brain tumors, who were treated with mannitol solutions. This caused a significant depletion of serum sodium ion and in an increase of discriminate osmolality (to 60 mosM/kg H2O). A hypothesis about the particular biochemical mechanism, involving the electrolyte and water distribution, is presented.

[Effects of CT 1341 (althesin) anesthesia on human adrenal cortical function]

Following a short introduction on the stress action of anaesthetics, the effects of anaesthesia with CT 1341 (Althesin) on cortico-adrenal function was investigated, with an evaluation of cortisone plasma concentration. The results obtained in 10 patients point to an increase in plasma cortisone after 30 and 150 minutes of anaesthesia. The discussion hypothesizes the possible influences of the anaesthetic on the hypophyseal-adrenal axis.