四联疗法和序贯疗法治疗服用非甾体类消炎药人群幽门螺杆菌感染的临 床对照研究

目的:对比四联疗法和序贯疗法对根除服用非甾体类消炎药(NSAID)人群幽门螺杆菌(Hp),改善其消化道不良症状及促进消化性溃疡愈合的临床效果。方法:对有消化不良症状的服用非甾体类消炎药物患者行胃镜检查、快速尿激酶及13C呼气试验检查,将155例幽门螺杆菌阳性合并有慢性胃炎或消化性溃疡患者作为研究对象,随机分为两组,A组采用四联疗法,B组采用序贯疗法。A组予雷贝拉唑+克拉霉素+阿莫西林+枸橼酸铋钾治疗10天;B组前5天予雷贝拉唑+阿莫西林,后5天予雷贝拉唑+克拉霉素+甲硝唑。治疗结束后,予雷贝拉唑和胃黏膜保护剂治疗8周。停药4周后,复查胃镜、13C呼气试验,观察和比较两组Hp根除率、消化不良症状缓解率及溃疡愈合率。结果:A、B两组Hp根除率分别为(ITT分析:86.7%和81.9%;PP分析:87.8%和84.3%);症状缓解率为(81.9%对79.2%);胃溃疡愈合率为(68.8%对66.7%),十二指肠球部溃疡的愈合率为(68.2%对70.0%),两组患者间Hp根除率、症状缓解率及溃疡愈合率比较均未见明显统计学差异(P>0.05)。四联疗法组和序贯疗法组不良反应的发生率分别为4.9%和4.3%。两组比较无明显差异(P>0.05)。结论:四联疗法和序贯疗法对长期服用非甾体类消炎药物人群的Hp根除疗效、消化不良症状的缓解及促进溃疡愈合的治疗作用均无明显差异。     

瑞倍三联1周疗法根除幽门螺杆菌的临床研究

目的 :观察枸橼酸铋雷尼替丁 (RanitidineBismuthCitrate ,RBC瑞倍 )为主的 1周三联疗法的幽门螺杆菌 (Helicobaterpylori,Hp)根除疗效及安全性。方法 :随机将 10 0例Hp阳性患者分为瑞倍治疗组 (A组 )与奥美拉唑三联疗法组 (B组 ) ,疗程 1周 ,14 C 尿素呼气试验及粪抗原检测判断Hp根除效果。结果 :根据意图治疗 (ITT)分析Hp根除率分别为A组 84 0 %及B组 78 0 %。根据试验方案分析 (PP)Hp根除率分别为A组 87 5 %及B组 83 0 %。A组副反应发生率 12 5 % ,B组为 6 4 %。两组变化均无统计学意义 (P >0 0 5 )。结论 ;瑞倍为主短程三联方案的Hp根除疗效与奥美拉唑为主的短程疗效相当 ,副反应发生相似     

Detection of serum antibodies to Bartonella henselae and Coxiella burnetii from Japanese children and pregnant women

The participation of Bartonella henselae and Coxiella burnetii in the pathogenesis of fever of unknown origin (FUO) and lymphadenopathy has not been completely clarified. Prevalence of these two agents in Japanese children is also unknown. Serum IgG and IgM antibodies to B. henselae and to C. burnetii were examined by the indirect fluorescence antibody assay. Enzyme immunoassay kits were used to detect serum IgG and IgA antibodies against Chlamydia trachomatis. Out of 200 healthy normal pregnant women, two (1.0%) had serum IgG antibodies to B. henselae, four (2.0%) to C. burnetii and 49 (24.5%) to C. trachomatis. Out of 29 patients with FUO, one (3.4%) had serum IgG antibodies to B. henselae, four (13.8%) to C. burnetii and none to C. trachomatis. Out of 31 patients with cervical lymphadenopathy, three (9.6%) had serum IgG antibodies to B. henselae, two (6.5%) to C. burnetii and none to C. trachomatis. Out of 22 patients with generalized lymphadenopathy, one (4.5%) had serum IgG antibodies to B. henselae, three (13.6%) to C. burnetii and none to C. trachomatis. Prevalences of serum antibodies to C. burnetii in the patients with FUO and generalized lymphadenopathy and to B. henselae in the patients with cervical lymphadenopathy were significantly higher than those of normal pregnant women (Welch's t-test; P<0.01). These two agents may have some roles in the pathogenesis of FUO and lymphadenopathy in Japanese children.     

Separation and quantitation of serum beta-carotene and other carotenoids by high performance liquid chromatography

We describe a specific assay for serum provitamin A (alpha- and beta-carotene) by high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). The system separates alpha- and beta-carotene in 7.4 min using a C18 muBondapak, 10-micron particle size column with a mobile phase of acetonitrile-chloroform 92:8 at 2 ml per min and a 462 nm detector. The HPLC assay had a recovery of 94.8% of added beta-carotene and, at a serum concentration of 215.2 micrograms/L, had within-run and between-run precisions of 3.1% and 3.6%, respectively. In 65 subjects, the HPLC-determined provitamin A (alpha- and beta-carotene) value was 343 +/- 166 micrograms/L and averaged 23.4 +/- 7.9% (range 9-43%) of the values obtained by a traditional colorimetric assay for total serum "carotenes." Although total serum carotenes showed no relationship to serum vitamin A (r = -0.048; P = 0.78), HPLC-determined alpha- and beta-carotene was significantly inversely correlated (r = -0.357; P = 0.05).     

慢性胃病患者胃蛋白酶原I、II水平与幽门螺旋杆菌感染的关系研究

目的:探讨慢性胃病患者胃蛋白酶原(PG)Ⅰ、PG Ⅱ水平与幽门螺旋杆菌(HP)感染的关系。方法:选取2012年12月-2016年12月期间我院收治的慢性胃病患者64例作为研究对象,根据疾病类型分为慢性胃炎组23例、胃溃疡组22例以及胃癌组19例。另取同期于我院接受体检的健康志愿者30例作为对照组,应用免疫比浊法测定各组血清PG Ⅰ与PG Ⅱ水平,采用快速尿激酶法测定各组HP感染情况,分别对比各组研究对象HP感染发生情况,血清PG Ⅰ、PG Ⅱ、PG Ⅰ/PG Ⅱ水平,HP感染情况与血清PG Ⅰ、PG Ⅱ、PG Ⅰ/PG Ⅱ水平关系。结果:慢性胃炎组、胃溃疡组以及胃癌组患者HP阳性率分别为60.87%、63.64%、78.95%,均明显高于对照组的13.33%(P0.05)。慢性胃炎组、胃溃疡组以及胃癌组患者血清PG Ⅰ、PG Ⅰ/PG Ⅱ水平均低于对照组,且胃癌组低于慢性胃炎组与胃溃疡组(P0.05),慢性胃炎组和胃溃疡组血清PG Ⅰ、PG Ⅰ/PG Ⅱ水平比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05),各组血清PG Ⅱ比较无统计学差异(P0.05)。各组研究对象HP阳性血清PG Ⅰ、PG Ⅰ/PG Ⅱ水平均低于HP阴性(P0.05),而PG Ⅱ水平比较无统计学差异(P0.05),慢性胃炎组、胃溃疡组、胃癌组HP阳性血清PG Ⅰ水平低于对照组,且胃癌组低于慢性胃炎组、胃溃疡组(P0.05),胃溃疡组、胃癌组HP阳性血清PG Ⅰ/PG Ⅱ水平低于对照组,且胃癌组低于慢性胃炎组(P0.05)。结论:慢性胃病患者PG Ⅰ、PG Ⅱ水平异常降低,HP阳性患者PG Ⅰ、PG Ⅱ水平降低更为明显,随病变的程度增加,血清PG Ⅰ、PG Ⅰ/PG Ⅱ水平也呈现出下降的趋势。     

不同胃癌前病变中医证型PG、G-17、CEA和叶酸水平变化及相关性研究

目的:对不同胃癌前病变中医证型和血清胃蛋白酶原(pepsinogen,PG)、胃泌素-17(gastrin-17,G-17)、癌胚抗原(carcinoembryonic antigen,CEA)和叶酸水平变化的关系进行探讨,为胃癌前病变的诊断提供一定的依据。方法:以80例胃癌前病变(precancerous lesion of gastric cancer,PLGC)患者研究组,80例健康者为对照组,对研究组患者进行中医临床辨证分型,对两组研究对象的血清PG、G-17、CEA和叶酸进行测定比较。结果:研究组PLGC患者中医证型分布不均匀,差异显著(P<0.05),由多到少依次为湿热蕴胃并/兼脾胃虚寒证>胃络瘀阻并/兼气阴两虚证>痰湿中阻并/兼脾胃气虚证>肝胃气滞并/兼气阴两虚证>肝胃气滞并/兼脾胃虚寒证>湿热蕴胃并/兼胃阴不足证。PLGC不同中医证型患者血清PG I和PG II水平差异显著(P<0.05);与对照组比较,各证型PG I水平均显著降低,PG II水平均显著升高(P<0.05)。且湿热蕴胃并/兼脾胃虚寒证和胃络瘀阻并/兼气阴两虚证的PG I水平显著低于其他证候,血清PG II水平显著高于其他(P<0.05)。与对照组比较,研究组不同证候的G-17、CEA水平显著升高,叶酸水平显著降低(P<0.05);观察组中湿热蕴胃并/兼脾胃虚寒证和胃络瘀阻并/兼气阴两虚证G-17、CEA显著高于其他证候,叶酸水平显著低于其他证候(P<0.05)。结论:胃癌前病变不同中医证型血清PG、G-17、CEA和叶酸存在明显差异。     

Iron status in runners of various running specialties.

The blood iron status of 44 male runners of various running specialties (18 sprinters, 13 middle- and 13 long-distance runners) is evaluated by measuring serum ferritin (SF), serum iron (Si), hemoglobin concentration (Hb), hematocrit (Ht), red blood cells content (RBC) and haptoglobin concentration (Hp). The results of these analyses (except Hp) are compared to those obtained in sedentary male subjects (control group) of the same mean age. Mean SF, SI, Hb and Ht measured in athletes are significantly lower than in control group. The remarkably low Hp values obtained in athletes suggests the occurrence of hemolysis. Using unpaired t test, it appears that the blood iron status of these runners does not depend on their running specialty.     

Study of serum haptoglobin and its glycoforms in the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma: a glycoproteomic approach

Increased serum haptoglobin concentration and changes in its glycosylation have been reported in certain cancer types. Information for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has not yet been available. In this study, we aimed to carry out a systematic analysis of serum concentrations of haptoglobin (Hp) and its glycoforms in the patients with HCC and noncancer patients only with chronic liver diseases (CLD) and to examine their clinical values. This study was divided into two major parts, (1) measurement of serum Hp concentration, and investigation of its value in the diagnosis of HCC, and (2) quantitative analysis of Hp glycoforms with alpha-2,6-sialylation and/or alpha-1,6-fucosylation by using lectin affinity purification and 2D gel electrophoresis and investigation of their relationships with tumor stage. The concentrations of serum Hp in HCC patients were significantly higher than those in noncancer patients with CLD. With the use of serum concentrations of Hp and alpha-fetoprotein, a logistic regression (LR) model was developed from the training data set and used to classify the validation cases. At a specificity of 95%, the sensitivity for HCC detection was 79%. Comparing serum concentrations of alpha-2,6-sialylated Hp (S-Hp) and alpha-1,6-fucosylated Hp (F-Hp) between HCC and CLD patients suggests that purification of S-Hp and F-Hp could enrich the glycosylation variants associated with HCC. 2D gel analysis of S-Hp and F-Hp identified a total of 18 glycoforms. A unique pattern of Hp glycoforms comprising both hypersialylated fucosylated and hyposialylated fucosylated species was found in the HCC patients. Serum concentrations of these glycoproteins were significantly higher in the patients with advanced tumors, suggesting their tumor-specific nature. We have shown that serum Hp is a potential biomarker in the diagnosis of HCC. The combined use of Hp and AFP could greatly improve the diagnostic accuracy. A unique pattern of Hp glycoforms with altered sialylation and fucosylation is specific to HCC and associated tumor progression.     

Haptoglobin baseline value in jennies and the effect of ovariectomy on its serum concentration

The study was conducted to determine the baseline concentration of serum haptoglobin (Hp) in jennies during the breeding and nonbreeding season and to evaluate the effects of ovariectomy on serum Hp concentrations in jennies. Eighteen adult jennies were divided in three groups: nine jennies (OVA) were ovariectomized using laparoscopic surgery, six jennies (LAP) were exploratory examined by laparoscopic surgery, and three jennies were used as a control group. Blood samples were collected from the animals at Day -6, -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, 5, 8, 15, 22, 29 and 36 of surgery. Serum samples were analyzed by an ELISA specifically developed for determining equine Hp. The mean weekly Hp concentration ranged between 149.76 ± 7.55 and 178.94 ± 6.67 mg/L. The Hp concentrations of clinically healthy jennies revealed no significant variation among time, and there was no effect of reproductive season on Hp concentrations in jennies. Serum Hp concentration was elevated at the first day after operations in the OVA and LAP group. Five days after the operation, the Hp concentration reached the maximum in the LAP and OVA group (278.84 ± 34.22 and 359.88 ± 35.45 mg/L, respectively) and decreased at Day 8 after the operations. On Day 22, 29 and 32 after the operations, the concentration of Hp in LAP and OVA animals was close to its concentration in the control group. In conclusion, Hp is not related to reproductive status of jennies and it can be used as an indicator for cell and tissue damage after surgical operations.     

ABO blood groups, intestinal alkaline phosphatase and haptoglobin types in patients with serum hepatitis

A series of 150 patients with serum hepatitis were examined for the incidence of the Australia antigen (HBsAg) and associations with ABO blood groups, haptoglobin types and occurrence of intestinal serum alkaline phosphatase. Among the patients studied 11.3% were positive for HBsAg. When compared to controls patients with blood group O showed a significantly increased risk for serum hepatitis (p less than 0.05), while those with group B showed a decreased risk (p less than 0.01). The presence of the intestinal fraction of alkaline phosphatase showed a negative association with serum hepatitis (p less than 0.01) and there was no significant association between alkaline phosphatase types and ABO groups among the patients. The frequency of the Hp1 gene was significantly increased (p less than 0.01) among the patients as compared to controls.     

The histologic detection of Helicobacter pylori in seropositive subjects is affected by pathology and secretory ability of the stomach

Background

Helicobacter pylori is unevenly distributed in hypochlorhydric environments. The study aim was to elucidate the risk factors for a negative Giemsa staining finding in seropositive subjects by measuring the secretory ability of the stomach.

Methods

Subjects aged over 18 years were included consecutively after endoscopic biopsy at gastric lesions with color or structural changes. Blood was sampled for the serum pepsinogen (PG) assay and H. pylori serology test. After excluding the subjects with past H. pylori eradication, the risk factors for a negative Giemsa staining finding in seropositive subjects were analyzed.

Results

Among 872 included subjects, a discrepancy between the serum anti‐H. pylori IgG and Giemsa staining findings was found in 158 (18.1%) subjects, including 145 Giemsa‐negative, seropositive subjects. Gastric adenocarcinoma/adenoma (OR = 11.090, 95% CI = 3.490‐35.236) and low serum PG II level (OR = 0.931, 95% CI = 0.899‐0.963) were the independent risk factors for a negative Giemsa staining finding in seropositive subjects. The cutoff value of serum PG II level was 7.45 ng/mL (area under curve [AUC] = 0.904, 95% CI = 0.881‐0.927). Follow‐up studies of Giemsa staining at different sites of the stomach revealed that 75% of the Giemsa‐negative seropositive subjects with adenocarcinoma are positive, whereas none of those with low serum PG II level of <7.45 ng/mL revealed positive findings.

Conclusions

The risk of a negative Giemsa staining finding in seropositive subjects is increased in gastric adenocarcinoma/adenoma specimens and in subjects with a diminished gastric secretory ability with low serum PG II level of <7.45 ng/mL. A false‐negative Giemsa staining finding is common in subjects with adenocarcinoma, and therefore, additional biopsies at different sites should be performed in these subjects.     

Role of Salmonella and Yersinia in the pathogenesis of spondyloarthropathies and rheumatoid arthritis. II. Antibodies to Salmonella and Yersinia in sera and synovial fluids

IgA, IgG and IgM antibodies against Yersinia Yop proteins, Yersinia LPS and Salmonella LPS from different serogroups were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in a 885 serum samples and 92 synovial fluids. The control group consisted of 200 healthy blood donors. Compared with control subjects, patients with arthritis showed significantly increased titres of antibodies against Yersinia Yop, Yersinia LPS and Salmonella LPS appropriately in 21.7%, 44.0% and 56.0% serum samples. The prevalence of positive antibody levels was highest in Yersinia serogroup O3 and Salmonella serogroup B and D antibodies. The IgA titres were found to be much higher in adults than in children and youngsters but IgM titres consequently decreased with age. Investigation of synovial fluids obtained from patients with arthritis showed that Yersinia and Salmonella antibodies in synovial fluid mirror those in serum by concentration, by specificity and by distribution in classes.     

Genetic markers in patients with intracranial aneurysms

HLA antigens, blood group systems (ABO, Rh, MNSs, P, Kell, Lewis and Duffy) and serum group systems (Hp, Tf, Gc, Pi, Bf, C3 and C4) were studied in a series of patients with intracranial aneurysms. A significantly increased frequency of HLA antigen A28, a significantly decreased frequency of HLA antigen B40, and a significantly decreased frequency of complement factor C4 B2 was found among the patients when compared with controls from the same geographic area.     

HLA antigens, blood groups and serum protein groups in patients with intermittent claudication

HLA (A and B) antigens, blood group systems (AB0, Rh, MNSs P, Kell, Lewis and Duffy) and serum group systems (Hp, Tf, Pi, C3 and C4) were studied in patients with intermittent claudication (IC) and controls. HLA antigen A 28 was significantly more common, and blood group 0 was significantly less common among the patients than among the controls. A comparison between patients with IC and those with abdominal aortic aneurysms showed a significant difference between these two groups concerning the MN blood groups.     

血清胃蛋白酶原Ⅰ/Ⅱ、铁蛋白及肿瘤坏死因子-alpha对胃癌的诊断价值

目的：探讨血清胃蛋白酶原Ⅰ/Ⅱ(PGⅠ/Ⅱ)、铁蛋白、肿瘤坏死因子-alpha联合检查诊断胃癌的临床意义。方法：选择2013 年5 月至2014 年10 月收治的胃病住院患者及健康体检者,根据胃镜及病理组织学结果,将其分良性胃病组、胃癌组以及健康组,比 较三组血清胃蛋白酶原Ⅰ/Ⅱ、铁蛋白及肿瘤坏死因子-alpha水平,分析血清胃蛋白酶原Ⅰ/Ⅱ(PGⅠ/Ⅱ)、铁蛋白、肿瘤坏死因子-alpha单 独和联合诊断胃癌的敏感性、特异性和准确性。结果：与健康组比较,良性胃病组以及胃癌组的血清PGⅠ/Ⅱ水平较低(P＜0.05), 与良性胃病组比较,胃癌组血清PGⅠ/Ⅱ水平较低(P＜0.05);与健康组比较,良性胃病组以及胃癌组的血清铁蛋白以及TNF-alpha水 平较高(P＜0.05),与良性胃病组比较,胃癌组血清铁蛋白以及TNF-alpha水平较高(P＜0.05)。PGⅠ/Ⅱ、铁蛋白以及TNF-alpha联合检测 诊断胃癌的敏感度以及准确度分别为88.4％以及83.1％,高于单一检测。结论：血清PGⅠ/Ⅱ、血清铁蛋白、肿瘤坏死因子-alpha联合 检测诊断胃癌的效能优于单一检测。     

健胃消痞汤联合雷贝拉唑治疗慢性萎缩性胃炎的临床疗效及对血清G-17、ET-1、胃蛋白酶原、EGF及NO水平的影响

目的:探讨健胃消痞汤联合雷贝拉唑治疗慢性萎缩性胃炎(chronic atrophic gastritis,CAG)的临床疗效及对血清胃泌素-17(G-17)、内皮素-1(endothelin-1,ET-1)、胃蛋白酶原、表皮生长因子(EGF)及一氧化氮(NO)水平的影响。方法:选择2015年6月到2017年3月我院收治的100例CAG患者,随机分为对照组和治疗组,每组各50例。对照组患者给予雷贝拉唑治疗,治疗组患者在对照组治疗的基础上联合健胃消痞汤治疗,两组患者均治疗8周。评价并比较两组患者的临床疗效、治疗前后血清G-17、ET-1、胃蛋白酶原I(PG I)、胃蛋白酶原II(PG II)、EGF及NO水平的变化及治疗期间不良反应的发生情况。结果:治疗后,治疗组患者的总有效率为94.00%,明显高于对照组(78.00%)(P=0.021);两组患者血清G-17、PG I、PG II及NO水平均较治疗前明显升高,血清ET-1和EGF水平均明显下降,且治疗组以上指标的改善情况均显著优于对照组(P0.05)。两组患者治疗期间不良反应的发生率比较差异无统计学意义(P=0.461)。结论:健胃消痞汤联合雷贝拉唑治疗CAG的临床疗效显著,且安全性较高,可能与其明显改善患者血清G-17、ET-1、PG I、PG II、EGF及NO水平有关。     

Effective use of rabbit gastric antral mucosal slices in prostaglandin synthesis and metabolism studies

Intact slice preparations of rabbit stomach (antral mucosa, corporal mucosa, antral muscle and corporal muscle) were incubated and the released prostaglandins (PGs) were measured by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography using 9-anthryldiazomethane for derivatization. With respect to total PG production, the highest amounts were generated by antral mucosal slices. Antral mucosal slices produced PGE2, 6-keto PGF1 alpha, thromboxane B2, PGF2 alpha and PGD2 (in descending order of magnitude) and possessed a high capacity for producing 13,14-dihydro-15-keto derivatives of both PGE2 and PGF2 alpha. Studies utilizing aspirin, EGTA or Ca2+ revealed that PG release by antral mucosal slices in the present in vitro system reflects a composite of the activities of phospholipase A3, PG cyclooxygenase and PG-metabolizing enzymes. These results show that antral mucosal slices will be useful in physiological and pharmacological studies on PG synthesis and metabolism of the stomach.     

Gastroesophageal dynamics during immersion in water to the neck.

This investigation was undertaken to study the effect of hydrostatic pressure on gastroesophageal dynamics during immersion in thermoneutral water to the neck. In 5 healthy male subjects (normal end-expiratory), gastric pressure (PG), esophageal pressure (PE), location and pressure of distal esophageal sphincter (des), location of respiratory inversion point (RIP), and gastroesophageal pH gradient were measured standing in air (A), standing in water to the neck (B), and standing in air with abdominal compression (C). The pressure was measured with a Honeywell esophageal catheter (model 31) with built-in pressure transducer. A Beckman stomach pH electrode (no. 39042) was positioned adjacent to the pressure transducer. PG increased from 4.6 +/- 0.6 (SE) mmHg in A to nearly 20 mmHg in B and C, while PE increased from -6.0 +/- 0.8 mmHg in A to -0.8 +/- 1.0 and -3.4 +/- 0.9 mmHg in B and C, respectively. However, PDES was always 11-15 mmHg higher than PG. The superior limit of DES was displaced cephalad by indicating a stretching of DES and a shortening of the esophagus. Qualitatively similar findings were obtained in C. In all experiments, the esophageal pH remained above 6, and no alteration in the amplitude of primary peristaltic waves was seen. It is concluded that a head-out immersion with increased gastroesophageal pressure gradient predisposes to gastric reflux in the absence of a competent DES mechanism.     

Ciprofloxacin concentrations in serum, bone and bone marrow of rabbits

Ciprofloxacin concentrations were determined in serum, bone and bone marrow of rabbits. Four experimental groups of animals were examined: group A (n = 6) received a dosage of 60 mg/kg/day intramuscularly for 4 weeks, groups B (n = 6), C (n = 15) and D (n = 15) received dosages of 120 mg/kg/day subcutaneously for 2 days, 2 weeks, and 4 weeks, respectively. In the kinetic portion of the study, peak serum concentrations of ciprofloxacin measured at the 15 min sampling time were: 2.61 +/- 0.27 micrograms/ml in the 60 mg/kg/day group (group A) and 3.24 +/- 0.78 micrograms/ml in the 120 mg/kg/day group (group B). At necropsy, rabbits in group A had mean ciprofloxacin concentrations of 3.60 +/- 2.27 micrograms/ml in serum, 2.24 +/- 1.19 micrograms/g in marrow and 1.19 +/- 0.44 micrograms/g in bone. Rabbits in group B achieved mean levels of 4.02 +/- 1.23 micrograms/ml in serum, 2.48 +/- 0.79 micrograms/g in marrow, and 1.35 +/- 0.40 micrograms/g in bone. Rabbits in group C achieved mean levels of 5.65 +/- 2.16 micrograms/ml in serum, 3.74 +/- 1.33 micrograms/g in marrow and 1.92 +/- 0.94 micrograms/g in bone. Rabbits in group D achieved mean levels of 7.24 +/- 2.50 micrograms/ml in serum, 4.48 +/- 1.68 micrograms/g in marrow, and 1.93 +/- 0.54 micrograms/g in bone. Differences between mean values for the four experimental groups were not statistically significant.