Feline endotoxin shock: effects on tissue histamine and histidine decarboxylase activity

Tissue histamine levels as well as specific and non-specific histidine decarboxylase were examined before and at various times (5 and 10 min) after the intravenous injection of a lethal dose (2 mg kg-1) of E. coli endotoxin in anaesthetized cats. Histamine levels were increased 5 min after endotoxin, especially in the skin, liver, lung and stomach. There was evidence, in most of the cats, for a rapid and substantial activation of specific histidine decarboxylase especially in the lungs, liver, heart and gastrointestinal tract 5-10 min after endotoxin administration. It is suggested that endotoxin induces the local formation of histamine and that this formation and local release may contribute to the pathophysiology of endotoxin shock in this species.

The protective value of piroxicam on the enhanced inflammatory response after whole body irradiation

The anti-inflammatory activity of piroxicam was assessed after whole body irradiation in rats. Two models of inflammation, the carrageenan-induced oedema and the adjuvant-induced arthritis in rats have been utilised. Piroxicam at doses of 1, 5 & 10 mg kg-1 i.p. was effective in inhibiting the paw oedema produced in both models of inflammation. The inflammatory response in irradiated was significantly higher than that produced in normal animals and was dependent on the radiation dose level used (0.5-2 Gy). The effect of piroxicam on the late inflammatory response produced by exposure to 2 Gy was studied by measuring the carrageenan-induced oedema 4 h after irradiation and on the third and seventh day thereafter. The increase in paw volume was significantly suppressed in animals receiving the drug. Administration of piroxicam (5 mg kg-1) one hour before irradiation of animals at 0.5 Gy, produced inhibition to the exaggerated inflammatory response in irradiated animals. This suggests that piroxicam possibly owes its protective value to prevention of the increase in cellular permeability induced by radiation. Alternatively, the drug may exert this effect by inhibiting PG synthesis, thereby reducing their potentiating influence on the other mediators of inflammation. Furthermore, the inhibition of lysosomal enzyme release possibly induced by the drug may contribute to the probable reduction in the release of inflammatory mediators.

Accidental burn deaths to Egyptian women of reproductive age

Among women of reproductive age in Menoufia, Egypt, deaths from burns constitute a major public health problem. Burns account for 9 per cent of the deaths occurring to women aged 15-49, and were the third cause of death (after disease of the circulatory system and complications of pregnancy and childbirth). Nearly two-thirds of the burns were caused by kerosene cooking stoves. The data were obtained from a population-based survey of all deaths to women of reproductive age. There were 1691 deaths from all causes during the 3 years of the study, 152 of these were due to burns. Information on the cause of death was gathered from interviews with surviving family members; interviews were reviewed by physicians and a cause of death established. Although hospital-based studies provide valuable information for the management of burn injuries presenting for treatment, establishing rates of injury, comparing the incidence in one population group relative to another, or comparing the incidence of burns relative to other forms of injury requires a population-based study.

Reproductive mortality in two developing countries

Reproductive mortality includes mortality attributable to pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, childbirth and its sequelae, and contraception. Reproductive mortality has been estimated for the United Kingdom, the United States, and for states of the US. However, it has not previously been measured for developing countries, where maternal mortality often remains distressingly high. This paper reports on data from one governorate of Egypt, where reproductive mortality was 46 per 100,000 married women ages 15-49 (2.2 per cent of this was attributable to contraception), and one province of Indonesia, where reproductive mortality was 70 per 100,000 (of which 1.4 per cent was due to contraception). In both locations, complications of pregnancy and childbirth were a leading cause of death in the age group studied (the first cause in Indonesia, second in Egypt). Contraceptive prevalence was 24 per cent of married women ages 15-49 in Egypt and 48 per cent of this age group in Indonesia.

Effect of exposure to radiation on the inflammatory process and its influence by diclofenac

The effect of radiation exposure on the inflammatory process was studied in rats using the carrageenan-induced paw oedema and adjuvant-induced arthritis tests. Irradiation (0.5,1 and 2 Grays) resulted in a significant augmentation of the tissue response to carrageenan and the early phase of adjuvant-induced arthritis, but suppressed the late phase. Diclofenac (1-5 mg kg-1) effectively reduced the exaggerated inflammatory response in irradiated animals in both the carrageenan paw oedema and adjuvant-induced arthritis tests. The drug also had a prophylactic value in guarding against the induction of radiation damage. The inflammatory responses produced by irradiation and the benefits obtained by drug treatment may be related to changes in tissue prostaglandin levels and/or changes in the immune system.

Reversal of hepatic fibrosis after praziquantel therapy of murine schistosomiasis

We examined the effect of parasitologic cure of S. mansoni infection on liver fibrosis in mice. Praziquantel, 250 mg/kg body weight, was administered orally to mice 8 weeks after infection with 50 S. mansoni cercariae. We assessed liver fibrosis by chemical measurement of collagen content as measured by the estimation of hydroxyproline and by histologic examination at the time of treatment, and at 10 and 20 weeks post-treatment, in comparison with the same measurements in untreated S. mansoni-infected mice and age-matched normal control mice. The extent of infection was monitored by liver egg counts. Compared to normal uninfected mice, mice with untreated S. mansoni infection showed steady accumulation of liver collagen at the 3 measurement periods, reaching an average level of 15-fold greater than that found in normal mice at 28 weeks after infection. Mice treated with praziquantel showed a prompt decrease in S. mansoni liver egg load with no viable eggs 10 weeks after treatment. Liver fibrosis was modestly diminished in treated mice compared to untreated controls 10 weeks after treatment; fibrosis was arrested and liver collagen content had diminished to normal levels by 20 weeks after treatment. No praziquantel toxicity was noted. The survival of treated mice was markedly greater than that of untreated infected animals. We conclude that parasitologic cure of murine S. mansoni infection is followed by arrest and eventual partial reversal of liver fibrosis under the conditions employed.

The effect of Schistosoma mansoni infection, and of oxamniquine, a new antischistosomal drug on some vitamins in the livers of hamsters

The hepatic levels of thiamine, pantothenic acid and niacin in hamsters infected with S. mansoni were depressed, while the levels of riboflavin and pyridoxine remained unchanged. A single dose of oxamniquine, 10-50 mg/kg, brought the levels of thiamine, pantothenic acid and niacin to values not significantly different from those in non-infected controls, but lowered the concentrations of riboflavin and pyridoxine in infected hamsters.

The relation between liver vitamin content and the duration of Schistosoma mansoni infection in mice

To study some changes that take place in the liver after schistosomal infection, the level of five vitamins of the B-complex group was estimated in non-infected mice and in 8, 16 and 20 weeks after the exposure of mice to cercariae of Schisostoma mansoni. Schistosomiasis caused a decrease in the level of thiamine, pantothenic acid, and niacin, but did not affect the concentration of riboflavin and pyridoxine in the liver.

Radip induction of ether anaesthesia and controlled maintenacne by a combination of intravenous and inhalation administration without the risk of explosion

The induction and maintenance of anaesthesia with ether using a combined intravenous infusion and a constant low inspired concentration are discribed. Predictions from a mathematical model were checked against animal experiments. Anaesthesia occurred within 5 min. The mehtod obviates the need for explosive mixtures.

Effect of cysteine on the hepatic toxicity and antischistosomal activity of antimonyl potassium tartrate

Cysteine produced a significant and progressive reduction in the toxicity of antimonyl potassium tartrate (APT) when the two substances were injected into mice and rabbits in ratios of APT to cysteine ranging from 1:1 to 1:3. The reduction in toxicity was highest with the 1:3 ratio. However, the combination of the two substances, especially in the ratio of 1:3, appreciably reduced the antischistosomal activity of APT both in vivo and in vitro.

Effect of fluphenazine on tissue noradrenaline concentrations and its interaction with pargyline

Fluphenazine caused a small decrease in the noradrenaline (NA) concentrations of the rat brain, possibly by impairing granular amine storage. The drug diminished the rise in brain and heart NA concentrations induced by pargyline, suggesting that it might posses inhibitory properties on neuronal uptake mechanisms and/or NA synthesis. Fluphenazine abolished conditioned avoidance responses in rats, an effect which was maintained after the concomitant administration of pargyline, when NA concentrations remained high. This suggests that the fluphenazine-induced sedation is not mediated via its effect on brain NA content, but is possibly due to the effect of the drug on NA turnover rates in the brain.

Penicillamine as an adjuvant to antimonial therapy of schistosomiasis: effect on liver function tests in rabbits and on antischistosomal activity

Earlier work has shown that penicillamine reduces the acute toxicity of antimonyl potassium tartrate (APT) as well as the abnormal ECG changes it induces. In the present study, the possible protective effect of penicillamine on the hepatic toxicity of APT was investigated. Tests of liver function showed changes in the level of serum aspartate and alanine aminotransferase and of alkaline phosphatase, and in the beta-/alpha-lipoprotein ratio, in response to antimony treatment. The changes were significantly reduced by penicillamine, though the effect depended on the dose. Penicillamine was found to give the best overall protection without affecting the antischistosomal efficacy of the antimonial when a 1:2 APT/penicillamine ratio was used. The findings provide further evidence of the potential usefulness of penicillamine in the antimonial treatment of schistosomiasis.