Mixed pituitary tumours--effects of bromocriptine treatment: Parlodel MR and Parlodel LAR.

Majority of pituitary tumours secrete one of the named hormones: PRL, GH, ACTH, proopiomelanocortine, alpha and beta subunit of TSH, LH, and FSH. Some of those tumours secrete two or more hormones. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of bromocriptine (Parlodel MR and LAR) upon secretion of hormones and tumour size in 10 patients with mixed pituitary tumours. In all patients pituitary and peripheral hormones, CT scan and visual fields were examined before and after treatment with bromocriptine: Parlodel MR and LAR. Bromocriptine treatment decreased PRL secretion in all 10 patients; GH--in all 6 in whom it was increased; TSH--in 2, FSH--in 2 and alpha-subunit in all 6 in whom they were increased. In 5 patients treatment resulted in shrinkage of the tumour mass by 20 to 35%. In all examined subjects clinical improvement was achieved. Our results demonstrate that bromocriptine (Parlodel MR and LAR) is very effective and well tolerated in the treatment of patients with mixed pituitary tumours particularly those with hyperprolactinemia.     

Effect of methylguanidine and guanidine succinic acid on methemoglobin reductase activity in human red cells]

Activity of methemoglobin reductase was studied in human red cells treated with methylguanidine and guanidinosuccinic acid in concentrations similar to those in plasma of patients with chronic renal failure. Enzyme activity was measured with Richterich technique following an incubation at 37 degrees C for three hours. Results have shown that methylguanidine in concentration of 5.4 x 10(-5) mol/l decreases activity of methemoglobin reductase in human red cells on average by 13.9%. Higher concentrations potentiate this effect. Similar changes in methemoglobin reductase activity were noted after introduction of guanidine-succinic acid into the mixture. This agent in concentration 5.6 x 10(-5) mol/l inhibited activity of the tested enzyme by 34.2% on average. Combined methylguanidine in concentration of 5.4 x 10(-5) mol/l and guanidine-succinic acid in concentration of 2.8 x 10(-5) mol/l inhibited methemoglobin reductase activity by 33.0% on average. It may be suggested, that methylguanidine and guanidine-succinic acid being low molecular uremic toxins may significantly decrease methemoglobin reductase activity in red cells of patients with chronic renal failure.     

The effect of yeast cell immobilization on the proportion of selected by-products of ethanol fermentation

Determination was made of the proportion of selected by-products (acetaldehyde, ethyl acetate, methanol, propanol, isobutanol, 2-methyl-butanol, 3-methyl-butanol) of batch and continuous ethanol fermentation carried out with the use of yeastSaccharomyces cerevisiae, strain 0–11, cells immobilized by adsorption on selected carriers (foamed polystyrene, bone shot, beech wood chips, porous glass) as well as by entrapping in calcium alginate and calcium pectinate gel.     

The isolation and fluorometric determination of 3-methoxytyramine in urine and in tissues

A fluorometric methods is described for determination of cardiac and urinary 3-methoxytyramine, a metabolite of dopamine. Methoxy metabolites were isolated on Amberlite CG-50 resin and oxidation to emitter form was performed with K3Fe(CN)6. Good specificity and sensitivity of determination, and a high recovery of 3-MT were obtained.