The effects of repeated administration of camphor-crataegus berry extract combination on blood pressure and on attentional performance – A randomized,placebo-controlled,double-blind study

The present study investigated the effects of repeated administration of Korodin^®, a combination of camphor and crataegus berry extract, on blood pressure and attentional functioning. This study was conducted based on a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind design. 54 persons participated (33 female, 21 male) with a mean age of 24.3 years. Blood pressure and body mass index were in the normal range. Participants received 20 drops of either Korodin^® or a placebo for four times with interjacent time intervals of about 10 min. Blood pressure was measured sphygmomanometrically before and after each administration. Attentional performance was quantified by using two paper-and-pencil tests, the d2 Test of Attention and Digit Symbol Test.Greater increases in blood pressure occurred after the four Korodin^® administrations in comparison to the four placebo administrations. The performance in two parameters of d2 Test of Attention was consistently superior after the intake of Korodin^®. The excellent tolerability and safety of Korodin^®, even after a total consumption of 80 drops, was confirmed.     

The effect of a taurine-containing drink on performance in 10 endurance-athletes

Summary To determine the effect of a taurine-enriched drink Red Bull on performance, 10 endurance-athletes performed three trials. After 60 min. cycling at approximately 70% VO₂ max, the subjects pedalled to exhaustion on a cycle ergometer. During each exercise, the subjects received 500 ml of a test-drink after 30 min. submaximal cycling: Red Bull without taurine, without glucuronolacton (U1), Red Bull without taurine, without glucuronolacton, without caffeine (U2) and Red Bull original drink containing taurine, glucuronolacton and caffeine (U3).The heart rate level was significantly lower in U3 (p = 0,0031) 15 min. after application. The plasma catecholamines increased slightly from begin of exercise to 15 min. after application of the drinks in all trials but remained on a significantly lower level in U3 (epinephrine (p = 0,0011) and norepinephrine (p = 0,0003). Endurance time was significantly longer with Red Bull original in U3 (p = 0,015). The results of this study show a positive effect of a taurine-containing drink on hormonal responses which leads to a higher performance.     

Cognitive Modulation of Psychophysical,Respiratory and Autonomic Responses to Cold Pressor Test

In healthy subjects with high hypnotisability (highs) under hypnosis, subjectively effective suggestions for analgesia abolish the increases in blood pressure associated with cold pressor test (cpt) by reducing the peripheral vascular resistance. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of the suggestions of analgesia on the responses to cpt in healthy highs (n = 22) and in low hypnotisable participants (lows, n = 22) out of hypnosis. Cpt was administered without (CPT) and with suggestions for analgesia (CPT+AN). Psychophysical (pain intensity, pain threshold, cpt duration (time of immersion) and pain tolerance, defined as the difference between cpt duration and pain threshold), respiratory (amplitude and frequency) and autonomic variables (tonic skin conductance, mean RR interval (RR = 1/heart rate), blood pressure, skin blood flow) were studied. The suggestions for analgesia increased cpt duration and RR in both groups, but decreased pain intensity and enhanced pain threshold only in highs; in both groups they did not modulate systolic blood pressure, tonic skin conductance and skin blood flow; thus, increased parasympathetic activity appears responsible for the heart rate reduction induced by suggestions in both groups. In conclusion, our findings show that suggestions modulate pain experience differentially in highs and lows, and are partially effective also in lows. We hypothesize that the mechanisms responsible for the efficacy of suggestions in healthy lows may be involved also in their efficacy in chronic pain patients with low hypnotisability.     

Changes in Visceral Adiposity and Serum Cholesterol with a Novel Viscous Polysaccharide in Japanese Adults with Abdominal Obesity

Objective: Evidence supports the role of dietary fiber in improving metabolic health. PolyGlycopleX^® (PGX^®), a viscous functional polysaccharide improves lipidemia and glycemia in healthy adults. Our objective was to examine the effects of PGX^® on risk factors associated with the metabolic syndrome in Japanese adults with abdominal obesity. Design and Methods: Sixty four subjects assigned to 14 weeks of 15 g day^?1 of PGX^® or placebo were assessed in a randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, parallel group trial. At week 0 and 14, primary outcome measures were serum lipids, abdominal adiposity, glucose tolerance and blood pressure. Results: Total and LDL cholesterol were reduced at week 14 with PGX^® but not placebo (P < 0.05). The reduction in waist circumference at week 14 was greater with PGX^® versus placebo (P < 0.05). In females, abdominal visceral fat was decreased to a greater extent with PGX^® versus placebo (P < 0.05). While glucose tolerance worsened with placebo over time, PGX^® reduced glucose total area under the curve from week 0 to 6 (P = 0.039). Serum concentrations of resistin and IL6 increased slightly in placebo and decreased slightly with PGX^®. Conclusions: PGX^® is a functional fiber that shows promise in reducing risk factors related to the metabolic syndrome in Japanese adults with abdominal obesity.     

Comparing test–retest reliability and magnitude of conditioned pain modulation using different combinations of test and conditioning stimuli

This study aimed to compare the reliability and magnitude of conditioned pain modulation (CPM) by applying different test stimuli (TS) and conditioning stimuli (CS). Twenty-six healthy male participants were recruited in the study of two identical sessions. In each session, four TS (electrical, heat, handheld, and cuff pressure algometry) were applied before and during CS (cold pressor test (CPT) or cuff algometry). The same procedure was repeated with 45-min intervals, but with the other CS. Five thresholds were measured including four pain detection thresholds from four TS and pain tolerance threshold from cuff TS (cuff PTT). Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC (3,1)) and coefficient of variation (CV) were calculated as measures of reliability. The reliability of TS before and during CS was good for all combinations (ICC: 0.60–0.96, CV: 2.2–22.9%), but the reliability of the CPM effect varied (ICC: 0.04–0.53, CV: 63.6–503.9%). The most reliable combinations were considered to be the handheld pressure pain threshold with CPT (ICC: 0.49, CV: 63.6%) and the cuff pressure pain threshold with CPT (ICC: 0.44, CV: 107.6%). Significant CPM effects were found for all combinations, except the combinations of electrical and heat pain thresholds with cuff CS, which indicates the novel classification of the CPM mechanism. The combinations of handheld pressure and heat pain threshold with CPT would provide the minimum sample size to detect the significant CPM changes in further studies. It is beneficial to provide and compare both ICC and CV to design further clinical trials.     

Eradication of Helicobacter pylori infection improves blood pressure values in patients affected by hypertension

Background. Arterial hypertension is a risk factor for atherosclerosis of whose pathogenesis is unknown. Growing evidence underscores the causative role of endothelial dysfunction. A possible association between Helicobacter pylori infection and cardiovascular and autoimmune disorders has been found. The release of cytotoxic substances either of bacterial origin or produced by the host may represent mediators of these systemic sequelae. The aim of our study was to determine the prevalence of H. pylori infection in hypertensive patients and the effects of H. pylori eradication on blood pressure and on digestive symptoms. Materials and Methods. Seventy‐two hypertensive patients (34 male and 38 female; mean age 53 ± 12 years) and 70 normotensive controls (35 male and 35 female; mean age 52 ± 10 years) were enrolled. All patients were subjected to a first ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) at enrollment, a ¹³C urea breath test and a test for IgG‐CagA antibodies, and completed the validated dyspepsia questionnaire. H. pylori‐positive patients were treated with triple therapy (amoxicillin, clarithromycin and ranitidine bismute citrate) for 7 days. Control of eradication was assessed by ¹³C urea breath test, and all patients underwent a second ABPM 6 months after enrollment. Results. H. pylori infection was 55% in hypertensive patients, with 90% CagA positivity, and 50% in controls, with 60% CagA positivity. At the first ABPM, blood pressure values were similar in H. pylori‐positive and ‐negative individuals; positive patients showed a significant increase in pyrosis and epigastric pain compared to negative patients. H. pylori was eradicated in 80% of patients and in 85% of controls. At the second ABPM, we found a statistically significant decrease in 24‐hour mean blood pressure values when compared to the first ABPM only in the eradicated hypertensive group. Conclusions. Our study demonstrated a significant decrease in blood pressure values, in particular in diastolic blood pressure values, after H. pylori eradication in hypertensive patients. A high prevalence of CagA positivity was found. The association between cardiovascular disease and H. pylori infection seems pronounced only in CagA‐positive patients. The possible links between hypertensive disease and H. pylori infection may involve the activation of the cytokine cascade with the release of vasoactive substances from the primary site of infection, or molecular mimicry between the CagA antigens of H. pylori and some peptides expressed by endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells.     

Visceral pain decreases tolerance to blood loss in conscious female but not male rabbits

Pain is a component of traumatic blood loss, yet little is known about how pain alters the response to blood loss in conscious animals. We evaluated the effects of colorectal distension on the cardiorespiratory response to blood loss in six male and six female conscious, chronically instrumented New Zealand White rabbits. The goal of these experiments was to test the hypotheses that 1) colorectal distension would increase tolerance to hemorrhage (i.e., increase the blood loss required to decrease mean arterial pressure 相似文献   

A taurine and caffeine-containing drink stimulates cognitive performance and well-being

Summary. Caffeine- and taurine-containing drinks have been on the European market for about a decade, and research on the individual constituents of these drinks indicates an improvement in cognitive performance resulting from consumption of such drinks. In this double-blind, placebo-controlled study using 10 graduate students, we obtained the P300 components of event-related potential (ERP) waveforms following an auditory oddball paradigm, measured motor reaction time, and applied the d2 test for the assessment of attention. Status of mood was assessed by the “Basler-Befindlichkeitsbogen” questionnaire, a standard test for evaluation of feelings of well-being. Measurements were made at night, prior to and starting one hour after consumption of energy drink ingredients or placebo. At the end of the experiment (midnight), P300 latency and motor reaction time were significantly longer compared with baseline measurements in the placebo group, but were unchanged in the energy drink group. In the test system for evaluating feelings of well-being, total scores, vitality scores and social extrovertedness scores were significantly decreased in the placebo group but not in the energy drink group. The findings clearly indicate that the mixture of three key ingredients of Red Bull^R Energy Drink used in the study (caffeine, taurine, glucuronolactone) have positive effects upon human mental performance and mood. These effects may be mediated by the action of caffeine on purinergic (adenosinergic) receptors and taurine modulation of receptors. As half of the study cohort were non-caffeine users, the described effects cannot be explained in terms of the restoration of plasma caffeine levels to normal following caffeine withdrawal. Received January 5, 2000/Accepted June 5, 2000     

Arterial stiffness,lifestyle intervention and a low‐calorie diet in morbidly obese patients—A nonrandomized clinical trial

Objective:

Arterial stiffness is an independent predictor of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to compare the 7‐week effect of a low‐calorie diet (LCD) and an intensive lifestyle intervention program (ILI) on arterial stiffness in morbidly obese individuals.

Design and Methods:

Nonrandomized clinical trial. The LCD provided 900 kcal/day, and participants in the LCD group were instructed to maintain their habitual physical activity level. The ILI included two 90‐min supervised training sessions 3 days a week at moderate to high intensity (4‐8 METs) and a caloric restriction of 1000 kcal/day.

Results:

A total of 179 individuals completed the study, 88 (56 women) in the ILI group and 91 (57 women) in the LCD group. High‐fidelity applanation tonometry (Millar^®, Sphygmocor^®) was used to measure carotid‐femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV). After adjustment for relevant confounders, the ILI group had a significantly greater reduction in PWV than the LCD group; ?0.4 (?0.6, ?0.1) m/s, P = 0.004. When compared to the LCD group, the ILI group showed a larger reduction in systolic and diastolic blood pressure ?5 (?9, ?1) and ?5 (?7, ?2) mmHg, P = 0.038 and P ≤ 0.001 respectively, whereas no difference was observed regarding pulse pressure, P = 0.661. No significant differences between groups were found regarding the loss of fat mass, P = 0.259, but the loss of muscle mass was larger in the LCD group, 0.8 (0.5, 1.1) kg, P ≤ 0.001.

Conclusion:

Despite the limitations of a nonrandomized design, our findings indicate that for morbidly obese individuals a moderate caloric restriction combined with aerobic physical exercise is associated with a greater decline in PWV than a LCD alone.

     

The link between vascular deterioration and branched chain amino acids in a population with high glycated haemoglobin: the SABPA study

Globally the prevalence of non-communicable diseases, such as hypertension and type 2 diabetes, are escalating. Metabolomic studies indicated that circulating branched chain amino acids (BCAAs) are associated with insulin resistance, coronary artery disease and increased risk for cardiovascular events. We aimed to extend the current understanding of the cardiovascular risk associated with BCAAs. We explored whether BCAAs are related to markers of cardiovascular disease in a bi-ethnic population and whether this relationship was influenced by chronic hyperglycaemia. We included 200 African and 209 Caucasian participants, and determined their ambulatory blood pressure and carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT). We analysed blood samples for glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) and BCAAs. Participants were stratified into two groups according to their HbA1c value using the median cut-off value of 5.6 %. Ambulatory BP, cIMT and BCAAs were significantly higher (all p < 0.001) in the high HbA1c group. Single regression analyses indicated significant positive associations of ambulatory blood pressure and cIMT with BCAAs (all p < 0.05) in both the groups. These associations between ambulatory systolic blood pressure (SBP) (r = 0.16, p = 0.035) and cIMT (r = 0.22, p = 0.004) with BCAAs remained in the high HbA1c group after adjusting for age, gender, ethnicity and body mass index (BMI) and were confirmed in multiple regression analyses (ambulatory SBP: R ² = 0.17, β = 0.21, p = 0.005 and cIMT: R ² = 0.30, β = 0.19, p = 0.003). Our results demonstrate that BCAAs are independently related to ambulatory BP and cIMT in individuals with high HbA1c levels and suggest that potential cardiovascular deterioration accompany the rise in BCAAs in conditions of hyperglycaemia.     

In Vitro Evaluation of Mucoadhesive Films for Gingival Administration of Lidocaine

The aim of this study was the optimization of a lidocaine-based film formulation for the prevention of pain from needle prick during the injection of local anesthetic in dentistry. Film performances were evaluated in vitro by studying lidocaine permeation across pig esophageal epithelium as model for nonkeratinized buccal mucosa. The results obtained showed that the molecular weight of the film-forming polymer had no effect on lidocaine transport. The introduction of the adhesive Plastoid^® into the film determined a significant increase of drug permeation rate, which was further improved by the addition of Azone^®. On the contrary, the effect of sodium taurocholate was negligible.     

A Fraxinus excelsior L. seeds/fruits extract benefits glucose homeostasis and adiposity related markers in elderly overweight/obese subjects: A longitudinal,randomized, crossover,double-blind,placebo-controlled nutritional intervention study

PurposeThe aim of this study was to investigate the potential benefits of an extract obtained from seeds/fruits of an Oleaceae (Fraxinus excelsior L.) on glucose homeostasis and associated metabolic markers in non-diabetic overweight/obese subjects.Materials and methodsThis study was performed in 22 participants (50–80 years-old; BMI 31.0 kg/m²). The design was a longitudinal, randomized, crossover, double-blind, placebo-controlled 7-week nutritional intervention. The participants received daily 3 capsules each containing either 333 mg of an extract from Fraxinus excelsior L. seeds (Glucevia^®) or placebo capsules (control) in a random order for 3 weeks with 1 week of washout between treatments. Moreover, they followed a balanced covert energy-restricted diet (−15% energy). All variables were measured at the beginning and at the end of each period.ResultsCompared to baseline, the administration of 1 g of Glucevia^® for 3 weeks resulted in significantly lower incremental glucose area under the curve (−28.2%; p < 0.01), and significantly lower 2 h blood glucose values (−14%; p < 0.01) following an oral glucose tolerance test. No significant changes were found in the control group (−7.9% AUC, −1.6% 2 h blood glucose). Furthermore, significant differences were found between responses in the control and Glucevia^® groups with respect to serum fructosamine and plasma glucagon levels (p < 0.01 and p < 0.05, respectively). Interestingly, administration of Glucevia^® significantly increased the adiponectin:leptin ratio (p < 0.05) and decreased fat mass (p < 0.01) compared to control (p < 0.05).ConclusionThe administration of an extract from Fraxinus excelsior L. seeds/fruits in combination with a moderate hypocaloric diet may be beneficial in metabolic disturbances linked to impaired glucose tolerance, obesity, insulin resistance and inflammatory status, specifically in older adults.     

Impact of Progerbalin LG® on the apple fruit physical attributes

During two consecutive years (2010 and 2011) we evaluated the impact of Progerbalin LG^® (mixture of gibberellins (GA₄₊₇) and N ⁶-benzyladenine) on fruit weight, fruit dimensions, elongation, geometric mean diameter or fruit size, aspect ratio, surface area and fruit volume of five apple cultivars belonging to ‘Red Delicious’ group (‘Hapke’ grafted on M.9 and M.26, ‘Hi Red’, ‘Starking’ and ‘Top Red’ on M.9, and ‘Red Chief Camspur’ on MM.106 rootstock). Trees were sprayed twice with 30, 50 or 100 ml L^?1 i.e. between 80 % of open flowers and the following petal fall (first treatment), and 10 days after first application (second treatment); control trees were not sprayed. Results showed that the lowest dose increased fruit weight in all cultivars, except ‘Top Red’ and ‘Red Chief Camspur’; this dose promoted fruit dimensions, fruit size and elongation in ‘Hapke’ on both rootstocks, and also fruit dimensions, surface area and fruit volume in ‘Hi Red’. Regarding ‘Starking’, different doses of Progerbalin LG^® did not affect other properties evaluated, but season played an important role in these cases. In contrast, the highest dose of this hormone improved all physical attributes in ‘Top Red’ and ‘Red Chief Camspur’, except elongation and/or aspect ratio. In some cases, good values were found in control treatment.     

Evaluation of lures and traps for male and female monitoring of Mediterranean fruit fly in pome and stone fruit

Commercial traps and lures have recently become available for monitoring male and female Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Tephritidae) in Australia, with possible applications in monitoring and mass trapping. This study investigated the attractiveness of commercially available male [Capilure^® (CPL), Trimedlure (TML) cone, plugs, and wafers] and female‐targeted synthetic lures (three‐component BioLure^®, BioLure^® Unipak, Ceratitis^® Unipak, TMA Plus^® Unipak and Biotrap^® gel), and five female‐targeted traps [Maxi^® trap, Sorygar Tephri‐trap, Probodelt^® cone trap, and BioTrap Globe^® traps (two versions)]. Results showed that TML and CPL lures were equivalent up to 8 weeks, but TML‐baited traps captured 1.2–4.6 times more male medflies than CPL‐baited traps with lures aged 9–16 weeks. For female‐targeted trapping, all tested lures were female selective. Ceratitis^® Unipak was equivalent to three‐component (3‐C) BioLure^®, whilst BioLure^® Unipak captured 1.1–1.5 times more medflies than 3‐C BioLure^®. The least efficient lures were TMA Plus^® Unipak and Biotrap Fruit Fly Attractant Gel. Tephri‐traps were the least efficient trap, with Maxi traps catching 1.9–6.7 times more medflies than the Tephri‐trap. The appropriate selection of lures and traps for applications in monitoring and mass trapping are discussed.     

BMI Modulates Calorie-Dependent Dopamine Changes in Accumbens from Glucose Intake

Objective

Dopamine mediates the rewarding effects of food that can lead to overeating and obesity, which then trigger metabolic neuroadaptations that further perpetuate excessive food consumption. We tested the hypothesis that the dopamine response to calorie intake (independent of palatability) in striatal brain regions is attenuated with increases in weight.

Method

We used positron emission tomography with [¹¹C]raclopride to measure dopamine changes triggered by calorie intake by contrasting the effects of an artificial sweetener (sucralose) devoid of calories to that of glucose to assess their association with body mass index (BMI) in nineteen healthy participants (BMI range 21–35).

Results

Neither the measured blood glucose concentrations prior to the sucralose and the glucose challenge days, nor the glucose concentrations following the glucose challenge vary as a function of BMI. In contrast the dopamine changes in ventral striatum (assessed as changes in non-displaceable binding potential of [¹¹C]raclopride) triggered by calorie intake (contrast glucose – sucralose) were significantly correlated with BMI (r = 0.68) indicating opposite responses in lean than in obese individuals. Specifically whereas in normal weight individuals (BMI <25) consumption of calories was associated with increases in dopamine in the ventral striatum in obese individuals it was associated with decreases in dopamine.

Conclusion

These findings show reduced dopamine release in ventral striatum with calorie consumption in obese subjects, which might contribute to their excessive food intake to compensate for the deficit between the expected and the actual response to food consumption.     

Multinuclear NMR studies of intracellular cations in the prehypertensive rat kidney

We previously reported a significant derangement of intracellular free calcium ion concentration in the isolated perfused kidney of adult spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) (J. Biol. Chem. 267, 3637–3643, 1992). In order to investigate whether an abnormality in intracellular free calcium or another ion precedes the development of elevated blood pressure in SHR, we have now compared intracellular free Ca²⁺, Na⁺ and pH, using ³¹P, ¹⁹F, and triple quantum-filtered (TQ) ²³Na NMR, in perfused kidneys from prehypertensive young SHR and normotensive young Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats (5–6 weeks old) which showed no significant difference in blood pressure B.P.=120±5 mmHg and 115±3 mmHg, for SHR and WKY rats, respectively). Like the adult kidney, no significant differences in intracellular ATP concentration or intracellular pH were found between young prehypertensive SHR and normotensive WKY rat kidneys. The TQ ²³Na NMR signal was 47% higher in the SHR kidney, but, due to biological variability and measurement errors, this difference could not be shown to be statistically significant. However, a significant (40%; P<0.05) increase was found in O₂ consumption rate, a measure of the Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase activity, of the young prehypertensive SHR kidney in comparison to the age-matched WKY rat kidney (7.25±0.75 for SHR vs. 5.17±0.18 μmola O₂/min g for WKY rat, n = 6). Furthermore, a highly significant (92%; P<0.02) increase in intracellular free Ca²⁺ concentration was observed in kidneys from young SHR that had noy yet been developed high blood pressure in comparison to the kidneys from young normotensive WKY rats (648±76 nM vs. 339±39 nM, n = 4, despite the fact that there was no significant difference in blood pressure. Increased intracellular free Ca²⁺ thus appears to be part of a primary defect, in the prehypertesive young SHR kidney, which may, by way of increased release of arachidonic acid, and subsequent increased production of vasoconstricting arachidonic acid metabolites via the cytochrome P450 pathway, induce elevated blood pressure in the adult SHR.     

Meal replacements and fibre supplement as a strategy for weight loss. Proprietary PGX® meal replacement and PGX® fibre supplement in addition to a calorie-restricted diet to achieve weight loss in a clinical setting

Meal replacements and viscous soluble fibre represent safe and sustainable aids for weight loss. Our purpose was to determine if PGX® meal replacements and PGX^® fibre complex in combination with a calorie-restricted diet would aid in weight loss in a clinical setting. Fifty-two overweight and obese participants (49 women, 3 men; average age 47.1 years) with a mean body mass index (BMI) of 33.8 ± 6.4 kg/m² consumed 57 g of proprietary PGX® meal replacement product at breakfast and another 57 g at lunch for 12 weeks. In addition to the meal replacements, they were also asked to consume 5 g/day of PGX® fibre in the form of granules, powder or capsules together with 250 mlwater. A registered dietician recommended low-fat, low-glycaemic-index foods for snacks and the dinner menus such that each volunteer was consuming a total of 1200 kcal/day. All participants (n = 52) lost a significant amount of weight from baseline (?4.69 ± 3.73 kg), which was further reflected in the reductions in their waist (?7.11 ± 6.35 cm) and hip circumference (?5.59 ± 3.58 cm) over the 12-week study (p < 0.0001). BMI scores (n = 51) were reduced by 1.6 ± 1.4 kg/m². The use of PGX® meal replacements and PGX^® fibre along with a controlled dietary caloric intake is of benefit for short-term weight loss.     

Traitement antalgique des métastases osseuses douloureuses par radiothérapie interne vectorisée

The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the efficacy and the safety of Quadramet^® and Metastron^® in 76 patients with painful bone metastases. The analgesic response was evaluated at six weeks, three months and six months. Blood counts performed every week allowed an assessment of the toxicity. The internal radiotherapy reduced the pain in 60% of patients with a complete pain disappearance in 26% and a reduction of analgesic consumption in 67% of them. This study did not show any statistically significant difference between the two treatments. However, we demonstrated that patients with a relatively long survival (≥4 months) had a better analgesic response (73 against 29%, p = 0.0004). The patients with a less than four months survival and those with CIVD and liver metastasis had a higher risk of thrombopenia. This retrospective study suggests that these treatments should be given preferably to treat patients with a relatively long life expectancy and that the detection of subclinic CIVD and liver metastasis could help to avoid severe thrombopenia.     

Whole-body cryostimulation increases parasympathetic outflow and decreases core body temperature

The cardiovascular, autonomic and thermal response to whole-body cryostimulation exposure are not completely known. Thus the aim of this study was to evaluate objectively and noninvasively autonomic and thermal reactions observed after short exposure to very low temperatures. We examined 25 healthy men with mean age 30.1±3.7 years and comparable anthropomorphical characteristic. Each subject was exposed to cryotherapeutic temperatures in a cryogenic chamber for 3 min (approx. −120 °C). The cardiovascular and autonomic parameters were measured noninvasively with Task Force^® Monitor. The changes in core body temperature were determined with the Vital Sense^® telemetric measurement system. Results show that 3 min to cryotherapeutic temperatures causes significant changes in autonomic balance which are induced by peripheral and central blood volume changes. Cryostimulation also induced changes in core body temperature, maximum drop of core temperature was observed 50–60 min after the stimulation. Autonomic and thermal reactions to cryostimulation were observed up to 6 h after the exposure and were not harmful for examined subjects.     

Cyclic GMP-phosphodiesterase inhibition does not alter cerebral oxygen consumption

The effect of zaprinast, a cyclic guanosine monophosphate inhibitor, on the level of cyclic GMP and cerebral O₂ consumption was determined. Anesthetized male Long-Evans rats were divided into a control group (n=15) and a zaprinast treated group (n=15). Vehicle was applied topically to the left cortex and 3·10⁻³ M zaprinast was applied to the right cortex. A saline treated control group was also studied. Regional cerebral blood flow was determined by [¹⁴C]-iodoantipyrine and regional O₂ extraction was determined by microspectrophotometry. The level of cyclic GMP was measured by radioimmunoassay. There were no hemodynamic or blood gas differences between groups. The level of cyclic GMP was not significantly different between the right and left cerebral cortex of the control group (17.0±4.3 and 17.7±4.6 pmol/g). In the zaprinast treated group, there was a significant (46%) increase in the level of cyclic GMP in the zaprinast treated cortex (20.5±8.1) in comparison to the vehicle treated cortex (14.0±5.7). Zaprinast did not significantly alter cerebral blood flow. There were no significant differences in regional O₂ extraction. The O₂ consumption of the zaprinast treated cortex (8.0±3.3 ml O₂·min⁻¹·100 g⁻¹) was not different from that of the vehicle treated cortex (7.0±2.9) or those of the control group. Thus, our data indicated that the increased level of cyclic GMP had no significant effect on cerebral oxygen consumption.