Lipophilic copper(II) formulations: some correlations between their composition and anti-inflammatory/anti-arthritic activity when applied to the skin of rats

Copper complexes of phenols related to salicylic acid were prepared in DMSO and applied to the shaved dorsal skin of rats. The following activities were assayed: (i) suppression of the carrageenan or hydroxylapatite paw oedemas; (ii) reduction of chronic inflammation in established adjuvant arthritis; (iii) local skin toxicity. Cu(II) was an essential component. Some limited structure-activity correlations were made among alternative cupriphores. DMSO solutions of copper complexes were more potent than their solutions in ethanol. Glycerol was a beneficial additive. Reducing the acidity of some copper salicylate formulations also reduced their potency. Niflumic acid and phenylbutazone were effective non-salicylate transcutaneous cupriphores.

Anti-inflammatory activity of a dermally applied copper salicylate preparation (Alcusal)

In rats, dermal (dorsum) application of an ethanolic copper salicylate complex (ECS) in ethanol with glycerol (Alcusal) effectively suppressed established polyarthritis, carrageenan-induced paw oedema and the inflammatory response to hydroxylapatite microcrystals. These responses appear to be due to some degree of synergism between the copper(II) and salicylate, i.e. not solely due to either species alone. Evidence for transdermal absorption of 64Cu from 64Cu-ECS is provided. Some safety aspects of this novel drug are discussed.

Hypnosis as an adjunct in management of pain

Hypnosis in the management of intractable pain is a valuable but frequently overlooked tool for the practicing physician. Two cases are presented which illustrate some of the benefits and limitations of hypnosis in pain management. Hypnosis is most effective when the patient is motivated, and pain is a strong motivating force. Secondary gain from the pain and underlying psychiatric illness must be considered when seemingly routine pain problems do not respond to hypnosis. Hypnosis may be equally effective for pain of organic or psychogenic origin. Ancillary benefits from hypnosis may include a diminution of secondary anxiety and depression. The technic is impractical for some patients because of the time requirements, but proper patient selection can obviate much of this objection. Self-hypnosis and/or the supervised use of a relative as a substitute for the physician enhances effectiveness. Training in hypnosis for adjunctive use in the management of pain is available to primary care physicians.

Formation of hydroxo-bridged copper(II) complexes by aeration of metallic copper

When air is bubbled into an aqueous suspension of metallic copper in the presence of a chelate such as 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) and 2,2'- bipyridine (bpy), the copper dissolves and binuclear hydroxo- bridged complexes such as ������������������������� �����������OH������������������������� [(chel)Cu����� Cu(chel)]X2,xH2O ������������������������������������ OH are formed (chel = chelate; 2X = CO32-, X = ClO4- and Cl-).The dichlorides of such binuclear complexes have been prepared previously by aeration of freshly precipitated suspensions of CuCl. In the case of glycine, however, only the bis(glycinato)copper(II) complex is formed from metallic copper. ��� These observations afford some evidence for the production of free radicals such as ·OH and may be relevant to the mechanism of action of both the copper i.u.d, and the 'copper bracelet'.

The 1979 CHA survey of pastoral care programs

Pastoral care programs have grown and matured in the 10 years since The Catholic Hospital Association and the National Association of Catholic Chaplains issued their "Guidelines for Establishing a Department of Religion in a Catholic-Sponsored Hospital." CHA's 1979 survey of 370 institutions points out that while pastoral care departments are recognized as important, budgets for personnel and programs are unrealistic. The shortage of pastoral care personnel is an acute challenge to Catholic facilities, and alternative staffing methods must be sought.

Copper and inflammation

Bonta, Sorenson and others have shown that Cu(II) derivatives are effective anti-inflammatory agents. Some chemical and pharmacological properties of Cu(I) and metallic Cu are discussed. Thio complexes of Cu(I) were prepared and shown to be useful anti-inflammatory agents in rats. Hypotheses are stated concerning the possible therapeutic value of copper in its various oxidation states.

Perfusion of intact skin by a saline solution of bis(glycinato) copper(II)

The perfusion of intact cat skin by a saline solution of bis(glycinato) copper(II), labelled with Cu64, has been studied in a diffusion cell. It has been shown by counting the activity that the copper(II) complex perfuses the skin and over a period of 6-7 hr reaches the isotonic saline solution underneath. After this inaugural delay period a steady rate of penetration was maintained and after 24 hr about 1 mg of the complex perfused the skin. Skin samples, taken before and after, were fixed in buffered formalin and embedded in paraffin. Five micron sections were taken, stained with rubeanic acid and counterstained with 1% Eosin Y solution. Histological examination showed that copper was present in all layers of the perfused skin. This work is relevant to the solubility of metallic copper in human sweat and to the possible therapeutic value of the "copper bracelet".

An investigation of the therapeutic value of the 'copper bracelet'-dermal assimilation of copper in arthritic/rheumatoid conditions

From over 300 arthritis sufferers, half of whom previously wore 'copper bracelets', three treatment-group-subjects were randomly allocated for a psychological study. This involved wearing 'copper bracelets' and placebo bracelets (amodised aluminum resembling copper) alternately. These groups, as also a control group, answered questionnaires. The copper bracelets were weighed before and after use. Preliminary results show that, to a significant number of subjects, the wearing of the 'copper bracelet' appeared to have some therapeutic value. A study of the components of sweat and the solubility of copper in sweat was carried out. In five sweat samples, the copper concentration was of the order 2 x 10(-5) M and after equilibrating with copper turnings at room temperature for 24 hours the samples turned blue in colour and contained approximately 2 x 10(-3) M copper. The permeability of skin to copper containing solutions has also been discussed. It has also been shown that the wearing of a 'copper bracelet' results in a weight loss in excess of the body's total burden of copper (100-150 mg). A pair of copper bracelets lost 80 mg in 50 days when worn around the ankles and a copper bracelet worn around the wrist also lost about 90 mg in that time.

Faucial bonorrhoea

Nine hundred patients (250 females and 650 males) attending the Clinic for the Treatment of Venereal Diseases had throat swabs taken as a routine; 1-1% (1-6% of females and 0-92% of males) were found to have faucial gonorrhoea. This figure appears to be similar to that found by Odegaard and Gunderson (1973) in Norway. The treatment regime used in the clinic in Perth appeared to be satisfactory, as there were no failures. It is stressed that all patients suspected of suffering from venereal disease should have their throats swabbed as a routine. Information as to whether or not oral sex is practised should be obtained.

Nuclear magnetic resonance studies in the interaction of M2+ (M = Zn, Cd, Hg and Pb) with adenine

The interaction of metal chlorides with adenine in dimethyl sulphoxide (Me2SO) has been shown to decrease in the order Hg > Zn Cd > Pb. It has been shown that HgCl2 forms a 1 : 1 complex with adenine with a formation constant of 11.11. mol-1 at 34.5� which is similar to that reported previously for the nucleoside, adenosine. The addition of chloride ion to adenine solutions containing these metals reverses the chemical shifts markedly and is probably due to [MCl4]2- formation. This may be relevant to the absorption of metal ions by living organisms.

Some cobalt(II) complexes of 2,2'-Dithiodipyridine and 4,4'-Dithiodipyridine

The following cobalt(11) complexes containing the chelate 2,2'-dithiodipyridine (αdtp) and the isomeric chelate 4,4'-dithiodipyridine (γdtp)* have been prepared and investigated: Co(αdtp)X2 (X = Cl, Br,I and NCS), Co(γdtp)Cl2 and Co(γdtp)2X2 (X = I and NCS). All, except the first three, are described for the first time. Physicochemical investigations indicate that the complexes Co(αdtp)X2 (X = Cl,Br and I) are tetrahedral monomers and Co(αdtp)(NCS)2 is an octahedral polymer. Co(γdtp)Cl2, appears to be tetrahedral whereas Co(γdtp)2X2 (X = I and NCS) are octahedral polymers. Although the complete interpretation of the spectra is rendered difficult by the ligand bands occurring at lowfrequencies, far-infrared spectra have provided evidence that both nitrogen atoms in αdtp and γdtp are coordinated in these complexes.

Laser Raman and infrared spectral studies on imidazolium complexes of bivalent copper and zinc

The complexes [imH2]2 [CuCl4], [imH2], [CuBr4], and [imH2]2 [ZnCl4] containing the imidazolium cation [imH2]+ have been prepared for the first time and studied by laser Raman and infrared spectroscopy. The spectroscopic data are compared to those from studies with imidazole, imidazolium chloride, methylammonium tetrachlorocuprate(II), caesium tetrachlorocuprate(II), and caesium tetrachlorozincate(II). It is concluded that in [imH2]2 [MCl4] (M = Cu and Zn), a distorted tetrahedral (D2d) model is favoured for [CuCl4]2- and that [ZnCl4]2- possesses a slight distortion from Td symmetry.

The interaction of H+, Zn2+, and Cu2+ with adenine and guanine

The interactions of H+, Zn2+, and Cu2+ with adenine and guanine have been investigated by N.M.R. studies in dimethyl sulphoxide (Me2SO). The compounds Zn(adenine)HCl3, Zn(guanine)HCl3, (adenine)HCl, (adenine)2HCl, (guanine)HCl,H2O and (guanine-H)2[ZnCl4]4H2O have also been prepared and studied in Me2SO. The last compound as well as (adenine)2HCl have not been reported previously. N.m.r. spectra are concentration-dependent and also depend upon the hydrogen ion activity. This work has shown that there is little correlation between solid state structures and interactions in solution and, further, that selective line broadening by the para- magnetic Cu2+ ion is not unequivocally diagnostic of the binding site in these systems.