The effect of the polyethylene intrauterine device on peritoneal fluid cell distribution of adult female mice

At Hahnemann Medical College and Hospital in Philadelphia, researchers attempted to determine whether uterine cavity IUD-induced inflammation extends into the abdominal cavity. Adult female mice were used. In each experimental animal (14), a piece of polyethylene intramedic tubing (1.3 cm long) was fixed in place by suture within each uterine horn. In the sham-operated controls (15), a silk suture was sutured into each horn. 3 weeks later peritoneal fluid specimens were obtained from the 2 groups and compared. The IUD resulted in significant increases in histiocytes (pl.001) and polymorphonuclear leukocytes (pl.001). Mesothelial cells were significantly decreased (pl.001), but mesothelial cells were somehwat higher in the controls than is usually found. No significant changes in lymphocytes or monocytes were observed. Only experimental animals showed daisy cells. Thus, the IUD resulted in a definite abdominal inflammatory effect. Judging by the spontaneous activity measured on an Electronic Activity Monitor, the IUD produced no animal discomfort. 25% of the IUDs were expelled.     

Haemocompatibility of extracorporeal circulation technique with autooxygenation: influence on platelet function and homologous blood requirement.

Forty male patients: group A-autooxygenation and group B-bubble oxygenator used in extracorporeal circulation (ECC) were studied to evaluate the haemocompatibility of 2 types of ECC. The Plt count dropped significantly in group B patients: -73% of initial value vs only -27% in group A, (p less than 0.001). In both groups a rise in BTG was shown, but higher in group B, p less than 0.001. At the end of CPB aggregation decreased only slightly in group A after epinephrine and 4-ADP, and decreased hardly in group B with the significant difference between two groups (p less than 0.02 and p less than 0.001, respectively). In group A the mean blood loss was 278 +/- 49 ml/m2 and 483 +/- 67 ml/m2 in group B, p less than 0.001. The mean blood transfusion in group A and B was 198 +/- 82 ml/m2 and 427 +/- 85 ml/m2, respectively (p less than 0.001). We are positive that the elimination of artificial oxygenator from the ECC diminished markedly the decline in Plt count and Plt activation during CPB.     

Clinical studies on aclacinomycin A cardiotoxicity in adult patients with acute non lymphoblastic leukaemia

Nine patients with acute non lymphoblastic leukaemia (ANLL) were treated with Aclacinomycin in the doses of 20 mg/m2/day x 7 days in 30' lasting intravenous infusion and Cytosin arabinosid 100 mg/m2/day x 7 days in continuous infusion as well as control group consisted of 30 healthy people were examined by means of 24 hrs Holter ECG monitoring and ultrasonocardiography (UCG) to evaluate the influence of Aclacinomycin A (Aclaplastin - Behring) on cardiac rhythm and function. The UCG and Holter examinations were performed before Aclacinomycin and after 7-10 days from the beginning of the therapy. There were no statistical differences between the results of UCG examination in Aclacinomycin-treated group before the therapy and the control group. A slight nonsignificant decrease in left ventricular stroke volume and ejection fraction were observed after Aclacinomycin. Cardiac index decreased after the therapy (p less than 0.05) but was of normal value. The only true significant (p less than 0.001) decrease was observed in the contractility of cardiac fibres but the cardiac failure was not observed. No alterations in left ventricular posterior wall and intraventricular septum thickness were found. The effusion to pericardium was observed in 2 pts in the initial study and in 1 of them also after the therapy. The obtained results supported the clinical observations that Aclacinomycin A is promising agent for the treatment of ANLL because of its low cardiotoxicity.     

Rapid metabolic inactivation of tipredane, a structurally novel topical steroid

[3H]Tipredane ([3H]TP), [3H]triamcinolone acetonide ([ 3H]TAAC), [3H]hydrocortisone ([3H]HC), and [3H]betamethasone-17 alpha-valerate ([3H]BMV), each at a concentration of 1 microM, were separately incubated with the 10,000 g supernatant fraction of the liver and skin homogenates of humans, rats and mice (BMV was studied only in human liver). Sequential samples were taken for up to 1 h during each incubation. The radioactivity in each sample was extracted with methanol, and the methanolic extracts were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography. Among the four compounds studied, [3H]TP was most rapidly biotransformed by the liver preparations of the three species. The rates of in vitro biotransformation of TP were 2.5-30 times faster than those of TAAC, HC and BMV. In the human liver preparation, the rates of biotransformation were in the order of: TP greater than TAAC greater than HC = BMV. In the mouse and rat liver preparations, the orders were: TP greater than TAAC greater than HC and TP greater than HC greater than TAAC, respectively. In the skin preparations, little, if any, biotransformation of [3H]TP and [3H]TAAC was observed in any of the species studied; however, [3H]HC underwent a slow, steady biotransformation in the skin preparations of humans and rats but not of mice. [3H]TP was biotransformed by the liver preparations of all three species to numerous metabolites, thirteen of which have been identified. The biotransformation reactions included: (1) sulfoxidation; (2) elimination of either one or both alkylthio groups; and (3) hydroxylation of the steroid nucleus. Some metabolites were synthesized and tested for glucocorticoid receptor binding and anti-inflammatory activities; all were found to be much less potent than TP. The observed separation of local anti-inflammatory activity from systemic side effects of TP is most probably due to its rapid metabolic inactivation; the liver, rather than the skin, is mainly responsible for the metabolic inactivation of TP.