Effect of indomethacin on motor activity and spinal cord free fatty acid content after experimental spinal cord injury in rabbits

STUDY DESIGN

Determination of functional and biochemical parameters as well as the effect of specific therapies on these parameters, in the experimental model of neurotrauma in rabbits.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the effect of indomethacin (0.1-3.0 mg/kg for 9 days), a potent inhibitor of endogenous prostaglandin synthesis, on the motor activity and on the spinal cord tissue concentration of free palmitic, stearic, oleic, arachidonic and docosahexaenoic acids in an experimental model of a spinal cord injury in rabbits.

SETTING

Faculty of Medicine, University of Rijeka, Croatia.

METHODS

The animals were randomly divided into nine experimental groups, four sham and/or vehicle-treated and five indomethacin-treated (including one sham-operated and four injured groups). Laminectomy was followed by contusion of the spinal cord, using a modification of the technique of Albin. Motor activity was controlled daily during the course of the next nine postoperation days and scored using Tarlov's system. Spinal cord samples from the impact injury site were taken and frozen in liquid nitrogen. Total lipids were isolated and purified by a modification of the method of Folch. Free fatty acids (FFAs) were separated from the total lipid extract by preparative thin-layer chromatography, converted to the corresponding methyl esters and identified using gas chromatography, using nonadecanoic acid as the internal standard.

RESULTS

The concentrations of all analysed free fatty acids were increased in the spinal cord after neurotrauma, in comparison to control tissues. Treatment of injured rabbits with indomethacin resulted in a significant decrease in spinal cord FFAs and exerted a positive effect on neurotrauma-induced motor impairment.

CONCLUSION

These results indicate a mechanism whereby indomethacin protects rabbits from the sequellae of neuronal damage caused by trauma, and suggests that it may be beneficial in the therapy of neurotrauma.

SPONSORSHIP

This work was supported by the Croatian Ministry of Science and Technology (project 062019).

Determination of standard zinc values in the intact tissues of mice by ICP spectrometry

The most commonly encountered difficulties for the quantitative measurement of zinc in biological samples are the limited sample amount, total and effective digestion of connective and fatty residues, and low zinc concentrations. These problems often lead to the determination of lower zinc values than actually present, so that the sample preparation, digestion, and analytical procedure deserve careful attention. In this short communication, a new method for microwave tissue disintegration is described. The authors have obtained consistent and reproducible results with tissue samples of 0.5 g or less.

[Correlation of inflammatory cytokines in the urine and serum with clinico-laboratory and pathohistologic features in patients with IgA nephropathy]

Complete examination of 21 patients with IgA nephropathy included determination urine and serum IL-6, TNF alpha and INF gamma levels by ELISA (Luzernachen, Luzern Switzerland). Control group included 15 healthy volunteers. Urine IL-6 levels ranging 37-274.1 pg/ml were detected in 15 (71.2%) patients with IgA nephropathy. IL-6 serum levels were undetectable. In the control group serum and urine levels were also undetectable. Correlation between the IL-6 level and proteinuria degree and endogenous creatinine clearance rate has not revealed statistically significant relationship. In relation to histologic groups (minimal changes, focal glomerulonephritis, mesangial proliferative, diffuse sclerosing) patients with minimal changes had (statistically) significantly higher IL-6 urine levels than the third and fourth group. Average the urine levels were 145.8 +/- 166.6 pg/ml and the serum ones were 148 +/- 101 pg/ml. In relation to the control group (statistically) significant difference was not found. Correlation between TNF alpha level and proteinuria degree and creatinine clearance rate has revealed (statistically) significant relationship (p < 0.05). Average interferon gamma serum levels in lgA nephropathy patients were 312.0 +/- 111.8 and in comparison with the control group (statistically) significant difference was found (p < 0.01). The obtained results suggest the important role of cytokine production disregulation associated with the pathogenesis of IgA nephropathy.

[Personal experience in the preparation of concentrated hemodialysis solutions]

In this paper the beginning of production of the concentrated haemodialysis solutions at the Department of Pharmacy, Military Medical Academy, Belgrade, is shown. The first series with 3400 I was produced during 1971, which is only 3% todays production. Each year the extent of production and the number of new product have been increased. Today, 2500 l of five types of haemodialysis solutions are manufactured weekly at the Institute of Pharmacy. The quality of these solutions is secuted by defined production procedure, by quality control of substances and by physico-chemical control of the produced solutions. The Institute of Pharmacy in co-operation with the Clinic of Nephrology are permanently working on quality improvement and adjustment of the production programme.

[Clinical and morphologic characteristics of adult IgA nephropathy]

Within the period 1987-1992 IgA nephropathy was diagnosed at the Nephrology Clinic of the Military Medical Academy in 61 patients aged from 17 to 41 years (mean +/- SD = 24.31 +/- 6.39). The aim of the study was to evaluate their importance as markers of progressive forms of IgA nephropathy by analysis of mutual relationship of clinical-laboratory and histopathological characteristics. Clinical form of the disease with recurrent macroscopic hematurias existed in 30 (49.2%) patients, and oligosymptomatic form in 31 (50.8%) patients. Acute renal failure of reversible oliguric character had 5 (8.2%) patients. Patients with recurrent macroscopic hematurias had more progressive course of IgA nephropathy which could be indirectly seen from the parameters of the global renal function. The most frequent histological form of IgA nephropathy was diffuse mesangioproliferative glomerulonephritis registered in 30 (49.2%) patients.

[Acute renal insufficiency in poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis and its significance in evaluation of disease development in adults]

Importance of ARF occurring in the acute phase of PSGN in the disease evolution is still disputable because reported results are varying and even contradictory. Examination included 44 patients between 18 and 22 with the acute phase of PSGN. The serum creatinine levels over 124 mmol/l were found in 17 patients, while 27 of them were without ARF in the acute phase of the disease. The aim of the study was, after diagnosing APSGN, to form groups of patients according to the ARF presence and to examine its influence in the initial phase of PSGN on its evolution and prognosis. On the basis of clinical parameters, pH changes, renal rebiopsy and ARF associated with the type of evolution, severity of clinical presentation and pH changes it was shown that occurrence of ARF in the acute phase of PSGN was of no significant importance for clinical presentation of the disease, but it could have some influence on the degree of morphologic changes found by renal rebiopsy.

[Hypertension in patients with post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis]

Sixty two patients with poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis (PSGN), aged 18-22 (mean = 19 +/- 0.5 years) were examined and treated at the Clinic of Nephrology of the M.M.A. from the beginning of 1986 to the end of 1990. Hypertension (diastolic pressure over 13 kPa, that is, 97.5 mmHg) in the acute phase was found in 59 (95.16%) patients, being of milder degree and short-term course. Transient increase of blood pressure required sometimes a short therapy (with furosemide mainly). With normalization of the glomerular filtration rate, withdrawal of edema, and normalization of the plasma volume, the blood pressure has been also normalized in the majority of patients (within 3-5 days). Observing PSGN evolution in the period from 2 to 5 years, hypertension was found in 3 (6.8%) of 44 patients. All three patients had the clear clinical evolution (proteinuria and erythrocyturia) without signs of renal insufficiency. The rebiopsy of the kidneys showed milder morphologic changes which were more manifested compared to the group without hypertension. Hypertension was present in the majority of patients in acute phase of PSGN while it was rarely found during the evolution of the disease and its presence has been poor prognostic sign in evolution since it contributed to development of glomerulosclerosis and later on renal insufficiency.

[Early treatment of acute nephrotic syndrome in patients with acute post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis]

In the period of five years 54 patients with acute poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis were treated. Acute nephritic syndrome was manifested in 45 (almost 4/5 of all) patients. Edema and hematuria were found in all patients, hypertension in 89%, and acute renal failure in 49% of patients with the acute nephritic syndrome. For successful treatment of acute nephritic syndrome of decisive importance have been application of measures intended primarily to correction of positive sodium and water balance by dietetic regimes, diuretics and antihypertensives and rest, while the application of the dialysis has not been necessary even in patients with acute renal failure.

[Management of pregnancy in a patient on chronic hemodialysis]

Conception and fetal survival are possible in patients undergoing long term hemodialysis. We report a case of successfully managed pregnancy complicated by maternal chronic renal failure requiring hemodialysis, severe intrauterine growth retardation and polyhydramnios. Pregnancy was terminated by cesarean section at 30 weeks' gestation due to premature labor. A normal-appearing female weighting only 1000 gr was delivered. The infant is now more than a year old and is developing normally.