Verification of therapeutic levels of procainamide and N-acetyl- procainamide in ventricular arrhythmia]

Therapeutical efficacy was clinically evaluated in 21 patients with ventricular cardiac arrhythmias. The drug was given orally with preceded intramuscular dose. Therapeutic effect was verified by the measurements of procainamide and N-acetylprocainamide concentrations in blood serum to determine the minimal effective concentration of the drug required to obtain satisfactory antiarrhythmic effect. Procainamide proved effective in cardiac arrhythmias in 14 patients (66.7%) with statistical significance in the acute myocardial infarctions; blood serum procainamide plus N-acetylprocainamide levels being were below the therapeutical range. The poor correlation of the dose of the drug and respective procainamide, N-acetylprocainamide concentrations in blood was observed. Relationship of the therapeutical effects blood serum level of the drug should be estimated basing of the assays of both procainamide and N-acetylprocainamide .     

Effect of propranolol on lidocaine pharmacokinetics

The study aimed at investigating an effect of propranolol on lidocaine pharmacokinetic parameters, especially elimination rate and total clearance rate. The study was carried out in 8 rabbits with cross-over technique. The animals were examined twice. Sequence of therapy was established randomly. Some group of the animals were given propranolol and lidocaine first while the remaining animals were given lidocaine alone. Sequence of drugs administration was changed after one week. Propranolol was given in a single dose of 0.05 mg/kg b.w. intravenously. Lidocaine was injected in a single dose of 3 mg/kg b.w. during 5 minutes i.v. after a 30-minute interval. All drugs were injected into ear vein. Blood for assays was collected 8 times within 6 hours after lidocaine administration. TDx system manufactured by Abbott was used for drug concentration assay with immunofluorescence polarization method. One-compartment open model was used for calculations. The results were analysed with Student t-test for pairs. Significant decrease in AUC, marked decrease in distribution volume and total body clearance following lidocaine and propranolol were noted. The study has shown that there is interaction between propranolol and lidocaine leading to a decrease in total body lidocaine clearance.     

Usefulness of testing histamine release from isolated human basophils in anti-allergic and anti-asthmatic drug assessment]

Histamine release from isolated human basophils test was used to evaluate an activity of: histamine receptors H1 and H2 blockers, agonists of beta-receptors, calcium channel blocking agents, hydrocortisone, and disodium cromoglycate (Intal). The study involved 84 patients hospitalized for the bronchial asthma. Basophils were isolated with Day's technique modified by Shov and Norn. Histamine was measured with Shov's spectrofluorimetric technique. It was found that histamine release from isolated human basophils may be used in both evaluation of the mechanism of action and efficiency of drugs used in allergic diseases therapy.