微创针刺旋切制备兔椎间盘退变模型

目的探讨微创针刺旋切制备兔椎间盘退变(intervertebral disc degeneration,IDD)模型的可行性。方法取40只新西兰大白兔,雌雄不限,体质量(2.9±0.3)kg;随机分为对照组和实验组(n=20)。对照组不予处理;实验组采用18G穿刺针在C臂X线机引导下经皮侧后方穿刺进入L4、5、L5、6椎间盘内,旋切髓核组织以促进椎间盘的退变。术后4、8、12、16周行大体观察、MRI观察并根据Pfirrmann分级法评价椎间盘退变情况,然后处死动物取材行Masson染色和番红O染色观察。结果实验组髓核组织颜色较对照组暗,弹性降低。对照组MRI T2加权像椎间盘信号强度早期未见明显改变,后期略减弱;实验组椎间盘信号强度随时间延长呈减弱趋势。根据Pfirrmann分级法评价椎间盘退变程度,两组随时间延长椎间盘退变程度均逐渐加重(P0.05);两组间比较除术后4周差异无统计学意义(P0.05)外,其余术后各时间点实验组椎间盘退变程度较对照组严重(P0.05)。Masson染色示随时间延长,对照组纤维环出现排列不规整,但结构仍完整;实验组纤维环排列紊乱,甚至出现断裂现象。番红O染色示对照组髓核细胞未见明显减少,实验组髓核细胞明显减少。结论微创针刺旋切法可成功制备兔IDD模型。     

大鼠尾椎椎间盘退变静态压力模型的构建

目的采用静态压力构建稳定的大鼠尾椎椎间盘退变模型。方法将40只12周龄大鼠随机分为静态压力组和针刺组,每组20只。静态压力组:在尾椎C_(4~7)椎体上安装静态压力环形外固定支架,压缩的4根弹簧施加的压强均为10 kPa,维持8周。针刺组:采用16 G针头刺入尾椎C_4/C_5/C_6/C_7椎间盘,限制损伤深度5 mm、朝向椎间盘中心,损伤后留置10 s。分别于术后8周进行组织病理学切片观察,采用秩和检验比较2组Thompson椎间盘退变病理分级。结果对2组大鼠尾椎共120个椎间盘髓核组织标本进行病理分级,统计结果显示静态压力组退变级别明显高于针刺组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论采用静态压力构建的椎间盘退变模型稳定可靠,较传统针刺模型具有优势,可为临床椎间盘退变研究提供可靠的动物模型。     

大鼠正常与退变性髓核突出导致神经根性疼痛的对比研究

目的探讨正常与退变髓核突出对大鼠疼痛阈值以及背根神经节中TNF-α表达的影响,研究椎间盘退变与神经根性疼痛之间的关系。方法72只大鼠随机分为4组:正常对照组(n=18)、假手术组(n=19)、正常髓核(N-NP)组(n=16)和退变髓核(P-NP)组(n=19)。对P-NP组大鼠利用尾椎椎间盘纤维环穿刺的方法建立椎间盘退变模型。分别取出N-NP组和P-NP组大鼠自体的正常髓核与退变髓核组织,置于手术显露后的腰5左侧神经根处,建立髓核突出致神经根性疼痛动物模型。采用行为学测试的方法分别观察各组大鼠术前1天,术后1、4、7、10、14、21天机械刺激阈值与热刺激阈值的变化;采用免疫组化方法分别检测术后第4、14天各组大鼠背根神经节中TNF-α的表达。结果行尾椎间盘纤维环穿刺后2周,组织学与MRI检查均证实椎间盘组织发生明显退变。对照组和假手术组动物未出现明显的痛觉过敏现象,N-NP组和P-NP组大鼠机械性刺激阈值均显著下降,该痛觉过敏现象持续至术后2周消失;与正常髓核组织相比,退变髓核所致机械性刺激阈值下降程度更为严重。各实验组均未发生热刺激阈值的规律性变化。术后第4、14天对照组和假手术组背根神经节中未见TNF-α明显表达,而正常及退变髓核组TNF-α表达量均显著升高。结论大鼠尾椎纤维环穿刺是建立大鼠椎间盘退变模型的一种有效方法。与正常髓核组织相比,发生退变的髓核组织可导致神经根性疼痛的加重,提示椎间盘退变过程中释放的炎症因子在疼痛的发生机制中可能起到了重要作用。     

1-磷酸鞘氨醇受体在不同退变程度髓核组织中的表达变化

目的 :比较不同退变程度人椎间盘髓核组织中3种1-磷酸鞘氨醇受体(S1PR1/2/3)表达水平的差异,探讨椎间盘中S1PR表达水平与椎间盘退变的关系。方法:收集腰椎间盘退行性病变患者手术切除的椎间盘组织,其中轻度退变(Pfirrmann分级Ⅳ级)22例,严重退变(Pfirrmann分级Ⅴ级)14例;同时取6例无椎间盘退变患者(单纯腰椎椎体骨折,Pfirrmann分级Ⅱ级)手术切除的椎间盘组织作为对照组;通过HE染色以及Saf-O染色观察不同退变程度椎间盘的组织学变化,免疫组化检测不同退变程度组织中的S1PR表达水平;Ⅱ型胶原酶消化分离提取原代髓核细胞,通过Real-time PCR、Western-bolt检测不同退变程度椎间盘髓核细胞中S1PR的表达水平,并通过细胞免疫化学方法对S1PR进行定位。结果:HE染色及Saf-O染色结果显示退变椎间盘的纤维环出现破损,髓核细胞形成明显的集落,细胞外基质减少。免疫组化结果显示正常和轻度退变的髓核组织中3种受体(S1PR1/2/3)都有表达,严重退变的组织中表达极弱;Real-time PCR结果显示对照组髓核细胞中S1PR1/2/3的m RNA表达水平分别是严重退变组的5.34±0.52倍、7.25±0.04倍、1.92±0.06倍,轻度退变组S1PR1/2/3的m RNA表达水平分别是严重退变组的4.35±2.45倍、4.96±3.44倍、2.19±0.82倍;Western-blot发现对照组和轻度退变组髓核细胞中S1PR1/2/3均有表达,严重退变组表达水平较低;免疫细胞化学显示S1PR主要集中在髓核细胞的细胞质和细胞膜上。结论:髓核组织中主要表达S1PR1/2/3,在严重退变的髓核组织和细胞中其表达水平明显下降,S1P及其受体可能参与椎间盘髓核组织的退变过程。     

应用微创技术建立恒河猴腰椎间盘早期退变模型

目的 应用CT定位,经皮穿刺纤维环诱导恒河猴腰椎间盘退变,建立灵长类动物腰椎间盘早期退变模型.方法 恒河猴13只,随机分为三组:(1)造模组:在CT定位下,用20G穿刺针从左侧后方入路经皮穿刺L1,2:(n=12),L2,3、L3,4、L4,5、L5,6(n=13)椎间盘的纤维环全层至椎间盘髓核正中,共64个椎间盘.(2)穿刺对照组:15G穿刺针穿刺1只猴的L1,2椎间盘.(3)正常对照组:L6,7,L7-S1,共26个椎间盘.造模前及造模后4、8、12周对各组椎间盘行MRI检查,并行HE、Masson、番红O、免疫组织化学染色组织学观察.结果 (1)MRI:20G穿刺针穿刺的造模组椎间盘造模前及造模后4、8、12周,椎间盘信号强度按Pfirmann分级均为Ⅰ级.15G穿刺针穿刺椎间盘4周时信号降低(Pfirrmann Ⅲ级),8周时为黑色椎间盘(Pfirmann Ⅳ级).正常对照组椎间盘为Pfirmann Ⅰ级.(2)组织学:造模组椎间盘造模后4周未见改变,8周时HE染色示髓核内细胞数减少,12周时较为明显.Masson染色4周未见改变,8周时各层纤维间出现裂隙,12周时裂隙增宽.番红O染色见8、12周髓核内蛋白聚糖进行性减少.免疫组织化学结果显示4周和8周时同正常椎间盘比较差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05),12周时,Ⅱ型胶原合成减少(P＜0.05).15G穿刺对照组在8周时HE染色见髓核内细胞减少明显,Masson染色见纤维环各层间裂隙明显,呈波浪状.番红O染色示髓核内蛋白聚糖数量明显减少.免疫组织化学染色示Ⅱ型胶原合成减少.正常对照组在各时间点未见到形态学改变.结论 20G穿刺针可以诱发椎间盘缓慢进展的轻度退变.MRI平均信号强度观察椎间盘轻度退变时,不是敏感的指标,需要依靠组织学证实.     

脐带华通胶间充质干细胞移植对退变椎间盘影响的实验研究

目的:探讨人华通胶间充质干细胞(Wharton′s jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells,WJMSCs)移植对犬退变椎间盘的影响。方法:从新生儿脐带中提取WJMSCs,取增殖良好的第3代细胞,用含有绿色荧光蛋白的腺相关病毒(r AAV2-EGFP)感染标记细胞。选择20只健康成年比格犬作为实验动物,使用穿刺抽吸髓核组织法建立椎间盘退变模型(L4/5、L5/6、L6/7)。4周后将犬各节段椎间盘进行分组:L3/4为对照组(A组);L4/5为退变组(B组);L5/6为注射组(C组),注射生理盐水;L6/7为移植组(D组),移植绿色荧光蛋白标记的WJMSCs细胞悬液。造模术前、术后4、8、12、24周行腰椎X线及MRI检查。24周后处死动物取材进行冰冻切片荧光、HE染色及番红O染色等组织学检测,提取髓核组织总RNA,反转录后行Real Time PCR检测,观察蛋白多糖、Ⅱ型胶原、SOX-9及Ⅰ型胶原基因表达变化。结果:分离培养的WJMSCs贴壁生长,呈梭形形态,r AAV2-EGFP病毒感染后第3天表达绿色荧光。影像学检查结果显示各组椎间盘高度指数及相对灰度指数在造模术前、术后第4周无统计学差异,术后8、12、24周,D组椎间盘相对高度指数及相对灰度指数较B、C组高(P0.05),比A组低(P0.05)。术后24周,D组髓核组织冰冻切片内能够检测到GFP阳性的WJMSC细胞,HE染色显示D组髓核组织退变比B组和C组轻,番红O染色结果显示D组染色较B组和C组深,基因表达检测结果显示D组Ⅱ型胶原、蛋白多糖及SOX-9基因表达比B、C组高(P0.05),但比A组低(P0.05)。结论:人WJMSCs移植入犬退变椎间盘内能够存活,促进椎间盘细胞外基质Ⅱ型胶原及蛋白多糖合成,维持椎间盘高度及髓核含水量,能够有效延缓椎间盘退变进展。     

LOX在人体退变椎间盘髓核组织中的表达及临床意义

目的探讨赖氨酰氧化酶(LOX)在人体退变椎间盘髓核组织中的表达及其临床意义。方法选取自2018-01—2018-12诊治的22例腰椎间盘突出症患者作为观察组,将4例同期突发创伤导致腰椎椎体骨折行手术摘除椎间盘的年轻患者作为对照组。按照椎间盘Pfirrmann分级分组,对照组为Ⅰ级(A组);观察组细分为4组,B组为Ⅱ级,C组为Ⅲ级,D组为Ⅳ级,E组为Ⅴ级。取各组椎间盘髓核组织行免疫组化、Western Blot、PT-PCR检测。结果观察组髓核细胞数量及细胞外基质成分明显少于对照组。LOX在髓核细胞中的阳性表达率与Pfirrmann分级、年龄呈负相关。各组LOX蛋白表达量:A组2.69±0.24,B组2.24±0.32,C组1.34±0.19,D组1.30±0.32,E组1.01±0.12。各组LOXmRNA表达量:A组1.06±0.03,B组0.83±0.07,C组0.71±0.09,D组0.53±0.09,E组0.27±0.05。随着椎间盘退变程度加重,髓核组织LOX蛋白表达水平、mRNA表达水平呈逐渐降低趋势。结论 LOX的蛋白及mRNA表达水平随着人体椎间盘退变程度加重而降低,LOX可能参与了人体椎间盘髓核组织退变的发生与发展过程。     

移植骨髓间充质干细胞对兔退变椎间盘髓核细胞凋亡的影响

目的 观察骨髓间充质干细胞(MSCs)移植对兔退变椎间盘髓核细胞凋亡的影响.方法 以各兔L2/3、L3/4、L4/5、L5/6节段分为正常组、退变组、成纤维细胞(SFs)移植对照组、MSCs移植治疗组.MSCs和SFs分别经绿色荧光蛋白(GFP)转染后,注射植入退变椎间盘的髓核.通过透射电镜观察退变椎间盘凋亡髓核细胞形态;用实时定量聚合酶链反应(PCR)检测退变组织中髓核细胞凋亡相关基因bcl-2和box mRNA的表达;免疫荧光法标记髓核细胞凋亡相关蛋白Caspase-3,并通过TUNEL法标记凋亡髓核细胞,激光共聚焦显微镜检测髓核细胞凋亡蛋白表达率和细胞凋亡比率.结果 透射电镜下,退变椎间盘中凋亡髓核细胞呈现出核染色质边集,空泡形成,核膜断裂,凋亡小体形成等变化.MSCs移植治疗组bcl-2 mRNA的表达量高于退变组和SFs移植对照组(P<0.05),bax mRNA的表达量与退变组差异无统计学意义(P>0.05).MSCs移植治疗组细胞凋亡率和Caspase-3表达率均高于正常组[细胞凋亡率分别为(16.75±2.14)%和(6.86±1.08)%;Caspase-3表达率分别为[(20.34±1.03)%和(6.09±0.77)%](P<0.05),低于退变组和SFs移植对照组[细胞凋亡率分别为(31.87±4.16)%和(29.02±2.16)%;Caspase-3表达率分别为(31.50±3.78)%和(30.20±4.93)%](P<0.05).结论 髓核细胞凋亡在椎间盘退变过程中起重要作用.MSCs移植能有效抑制椎间盘髓核细胞凋亡,延缓椎间盘退变过程.     

新型微支架装载脂肪间充质干细胞移植修复椎间盘退行性变

目的探讨一种新型生物材料明胶微支架装载脂肪间充质干细胞(ADMSC)移植修复犬椎间盘退行性变的治疗效果。方法选用12只健康成年比格犬,采用穿刺抽吸髓核法建立椎间盘退行性变模型(L37),提取自体ADMSC并应用Luc-GFP慢病毒标记。4周后将犬椎间盘节段分为对照组(L7/S1)、模型组(L3/L4)、干细胞组(L4/L5,造模后注射ADMSC)、微支架组(L5/L6,造模后注射明胶微支架)、微支架装载干细胞组(L6/L7,造模后注射ADMSC和微支架共培养物)。分别于造模前及造模后4、8、12、24周行腰椎X线及MRI检查,观察椎间盘相对高度(术后椎间盘高度与术前椎间盘高度的比值)及相对灰度(MRI髓核组织灰度值与脑脊液灰度值的比值)的变化。24周后取椎间盘髓核组织,行冰冻切片荧光、HE染色及番红O染色观察,用ELISA法检测软骨相关蛋白SOX-9、PG和COL2的含量。结果影像学结果显示,造模后各组椎间盘相对高度及相对灰度与对照组相比均明显降低;造模后8、12、24周,微支架装载干细胞组椎间盘相对高度及相对灰度高于模型组、干细胞组和微支架组,差异均有统计学意义(P 0.05)。术后24周,微支架装载干细胞组和干细胞组髓核组织冰冻切片内能够检测到Luc-GFP+-ADMSC表达,且微支架装载干细胞组表达比干细胞组多。HE和番红O染色显示微支架装载干细胞组椎间盘退行性变比模型组、干细胞组和微支架组轻,蛋白定量检测结果显示微支架装载干细胞组髓核组织内SOX-9、PG和COL2表达高于模型组、微支架组和干细胞组,差异均有统计学意义(P 0.05)。结论明胶微支架装载ADMSC移植可延缓比格犬椎间盘退行性变,有望为发生退行性变的椎间盘组织的修复治疗提供新的策略。     

外源性肿瘤坏死因子-α诱发兔椎间盘退变中β-catenin蛋白的表达及意义

目的 通过外源性肿瘤坏死因子(TNF)-α注射构建兔椎间盘退变动物模型,探讨该模型中β-catenin蛋白的表达及意义和炎性细胞因子在促进腰椎间盘退变过程中Wnt/β-catenin信号通路的作用.方法 选取12只健康成年日本白兔,雌雄随机,体质量2.5～3.0kg.手术暴露L2～5 3个间隙共36个椎间盘.随机分为4组,分别注入生理盐水、TNF-α 5 ng、TNF-α 10ng、TNF-α 20 ng,于术后第8周统一处死,取椎间盘髓核组织作苏木素-伊红(HE)-番红O染色病理切片进行形态学观察;各组分别随机选取4个椎间盘髓核组织标本,采用蛋白印迹法(Western blot)测定β-catenin蛋白含量并比较各组间差异.结果 HE-番红O染色病理切片显示,在5、10、20 ng组椎间盘组织中髓核细胞数量减少,正常网状结构破坏,细胞形态发生改变,出现肥大空泡样软骨细胞,组织基质蛋白聚糖含量明显降低,番红O淡染,生理盐水对照组椎间盘形态基本正常,无退变发生.蛋白印迹结果显示β-catenin蛋白含量在注射TNF-α组明显增加,各组吸光度比值分别为:0.142±0.036、0.351±0.041、0.472±0.052和0.710±0.063,组间差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05)且与TNF-α浓度相关.结论 通过外源性TNF-α盘内注射能够成功构建兔椎间盘退变动物模型,且退变程度与TNF-α呈浓度依赖性;在退变模型髓核组织中β-catenin蛋白含量增高且与TNF-α浓度正相关,提示炎症细胞因子触发了Wnt/β-catenin信号通路,在椎间盘退变过程中可能发挥了重要作用.     

Reduction of Plasma Fibrinogen, Immunoglobulin G, and Immunoglobulin M Concentrations by Immunoadsorption Therapy with Tryptophan and Phenylalanine Adsorbents

Abstract Immunoadsorption (1A) therapy with tryptophan (TR-350) or phenylalanine (PH-350) adsorbents has been used to reduce the concentration of serum antibodies in human lymphocyte antigen (HLA)-immunized patients. Other forms of plasma purification have been reported to reduce the level of fibrinogen, which affects the blood properties. In this study we investigated the effects of IA therapy using both adsorbents on plasma fibrinogen and immunoglobulins G and M in 13 patients (8 patients were treated with TR-350, and 5 patients were treated with PH-350). During each session 1 plasma volume (2.8 ± 0.4 L of plasma) was processed through the immunocolumn and then returned to the patient together with the blood cells. Compared with the pretreatment values, the plasma fibrinogen, IgG, and IgM concentrations were significantly reduced after IA therapy (p < 0.01 for TR-350; p < 0.04 for PH-350). There was a positive correlation between the degree of reduction of plasma proteins and the number of IA treatments given. A nonpara-metric test (Wilcoxon's signed-rank test or the Mann-Whitney test) was used for statistical analysis. We conclude from our study that IA therapy effectively lowers the plasma levels of fibrinogen, IgG, and IgM and thus can be considered a valuable alternative to other blood purification methods.     

Is the recovery profile of mivacurium independent of the rate of decay of its plasma concentration in patients with normal plasma cholinesterase activity?

Background: The duration of action of muscle relaxants is poorly correlated to the rate of decay of their plasma concentration. The plasma concentration of mivacurium may rapidly decrease below its active concentration because of the extensive hydrolysis of mivacurium. By inflating a tourniquet on one upper limb for 3 min after the administration of atracurium, mivacurium or vecuronium, we studied the influence of the initial decline of their plasma concentration on their effect. Methods: In 50 patients anaesthetised with thiopental, isoflurane and fentanyl, the effect of bolus doses of 0.15 or 0.25 mg . kg^?1 mivacurium (MIV 15, MIV 25), 0.3 or 0.5 mg . kg^?1 atracurium (ATR 30, ATR 50) and 0.06 or 0.1 mg . kg^?1 vecuronium (VEC 06, VEC 10) were measured on both arms (evoked response of the adductor pollicis to train-of-four stimulation every 12 s), a tourniquet being applied on one arm just before and during 3 min after the muscle relaxant bolus. Results: Tourniquet inflation of 3 min almost abolished the neuromuscular effect of mivacurium. In the vecuronium groups and in the ATR 50 group, tourniquet inflation did not modify the maximum degree of depression of the twitch response. Also, the duration of action of vecuronium was unaffected by the tourniquet. In the ATR 30 group, times to return of the twitch response to 25% (duration 25%) and 75% (duration 75%) of control response were significantly shorter in the cuffed arm, 23 min vs 27 min, and 41 min vs 45 min, respectively. In the ATR 50 group, only duration 25% was significantly shorter in the cuffed arm (41 min vs 45 min). Conclusion: The results suggest that the rate of decline of the plasma concentration of mivacurium is so rapid, that a very low and almost clinically ineffective concentration is present as soon as 3 min after its administration. The results also indicate that the recovery from a mivacurium-induced neuromuscular blockade is not influenced by the rate of decay of its plasma concentration in patients with genotypically normal plasma cholinesterase.     

Membranes in Artificial Organs

Abstract: Membrane processes play a pivotal and enabling role in modern replacement therapy for acute and chronic organ failure and in the management of immunologic diseases. In fact, virtually all contemporary extracorporeal blood purification methods employ membrane devices, and the next generation of artificial organs and tissue engineering therapies are almost certain to be similarly grounded in membrane technology. In this short essay, we comment on the similarities and differences among synthetic membranes and their natural counterparts and also provide a critical overview of the demographics and technology of hemodialysis, hemofiltration, apheresis, oxygenation, and emerging membrane technologies and applications.     

The multiply injured child

Blunt trauma is the principal cause of childhood death in many developed countries. This review outlines the differences between adults and children with respect to resuscitation and treatment of orthopaedic injuries in a child with polytrauma. Recent advances in techniques of fracture stabilization are reported.     

Dilemma of Membrane Biocompatibility and Reuse

Abstract: Numerous articles have been published on the multiple use of dialyzers and on the effect of different reprocessing chemicals and techniques on the dialyzer biocompatibility and performance. The results often appear contradictory, especially those comparing standard biocompatibility parameters. Despite this confusion, a discerning review of the published works allows certain limited conclusions to be drawn. Reprocessing of used hemodialyzers changes the biocompatibility profile of a dialyzer as defined by the parameters complement activation. leukopenia, and cytokine release. The effect of reprocessing depends on the chemicals and reprocessing technique applied and also on the type of membrane polymer being subjected to the reprocessing procedure. Reports of pyrogenic reactions indicate that the flux of the membrane also influences how suitable it is for safe reuse. An increased risk of allergic and pyrogenic reactions appears to be associated with dialyzer reuse. Furthermore, there has been a lack of investigations into the immunologic effect of the layer of adsorbed and chemically altered proteins that remains on the inner surface of reprocessed dialyzers. We conclude that the clinical benefit of dialyzer reuse cannot be generally accepted from a biocompatibility point of view.     

The analgesic effect of racemic ketamine in patients with chronic ischemic pain due to lower extremity arteriosclerosis obliterans

Background : Ketamine in sub-dissociative doses has been shown to have analgesic and phantom-Limb pain, where conventional treatment has often failed. Chronic ischemic pain due to lower extremity arteriosclerosis obliterans often responds poorly to analgesics, and the pain-generating mechanisms are not well understood.
Methods : Eight patients with rest pain in the lower extremity due to arteriosclerosis obliterans were given sub-dissociative doses of 0.15, 0.30, or 0.45 mg/kg racemic ketamine and morphine 10 mg as a 5-min infusion on four separate days in a cross-over, double-blind, randomised protocol. Plasma levels of (S)- and (R)-ketamine and their nor-metabolites were analysed with an enantioselective high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method. Pain levels were evaluated with a visual analogue scale (VAS).
Results : Individual pain levels were highly variable during and after all the infusions but the pooled pain levels showed a dose-dependent analgesic effect of ketamine with a transient but complete pain relief in all patients at the highest dose (0.45 mg/ kg). Side-effects, mainly disturbed cognition and perception, were pronounced and dose-dependent. Morphine 10 mg had an analgesic peak at 20 min and 5/8 patients had complete pain relief. The remaining 3 patients also had high baseline pain scores, indicating a higher analgesic potency for the 0.30 and 0.45 mg/ kg ketamine doses than for morphine 10 mg.
Conclusion : We have demonstrated a potent dose-dependent analgesic effect of racemic ketamine in clinical ischemic pain. Due to a narrow therapeutic window, this analgesic effect is probably best utilised in combination with other analgesics.     

Intravenous endotoxin does not increase tissue extravasation of albumin in rats

Background : It is unclear whether activation of the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) increases or decreases the extravasation of plasma.
Methods : Chloralose anaesthetised male Wistar rats received E. coli lipopolysacharide (LPS), 3 mg kg^-1 i.v., or the corresponding volume of saline, 3 or 5 h before the end of the experiment. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) were recorded. Tissue clearance of radio-labelled albumin, during the last 2 h of each experiment, was determined by a double-isotope method. In separate animals, the serum concentration of nitrite and nitrate was determined, 5 h after LPS or the solvent.
Main Results : LPS initially decreased MAP and lastingly increased HR. In the 3-h LPS animals (n=8), tissue plasma clearance was lower in the heart and calf muscle and increased only in diaphragm, compared to corresponding control animals (n=8). In the 5-h LPS rats, clearance was lowered (n=8) in the entire gastrointestinal tract and in testes, compared to controls (n=8). The serum nitrite/nitrate concentration was higher in animals given LPS (n=6) than in controls (n=6).
Conclusion : After LPS, tissue clearance of albumin was not increased in any major tissue, in spite of increased serum levels of NO end products. Apparently, after activation of iNOS, the augmented release of NO is not necessarily associated with increased albumin extravasation.     

Adrenaline markedly improves thoracic epidural analgesia produced by a low-dose infusion of bupivacaine, fentanyl and adrenaline after major surgery: A randomised, double-blind, cross-over study with and without adrenaline

Background: Basic pharmacological research indicates that there are synergistic antinociceptive effects at the spinal cord level between adrenaline, fentanyl and bupivacaine. Our clinical experience with such a mixture in a thoracic epidural infusion after major surgery confirms this. The objectives of the present study were to evaluate the effects on postoperative pain intensity, pain relief and side effects when removing adrenaline from this triple epidural mixture. Methods: A prospective, randomised, double-blind, cross-over study was carried out in 24 patients after major thoracic or abdominal surgery. Patients with only mild pain when coughing during a titrated thoracic epidural infusion of about 10 ml · h^?1 of bupivacaine 1 mg · ml^?1, fentanyl 2 μg · ml^?1, and adrenaline 2 μg · ml^?1 were included. On the 1^st and 2^nd postoperative days each patient was given a double-blind epidural infusion, at the same rate, with or without adrenaline. The effect was observed for 4 h or until pain when coughing became unacceptable in spite of a rescue analgesic procedure. Rescue analgesia consisted of up to two epidural bolus injections per hour and i.v. morphine if necessary. All patients received rectal paracetamol 1 g, every 8 h. Fentanyl serum concentrations were measured with a radioimmunoassay technique at the start and end of each study period. Main outcome measures were extent of sensory blockade and pain intensity at rest and when coughing, evaluated by a visual analogue scale, a verbal categorical rating scale, the Prince Henry Hospital pain score, and an overall quality of pain relief score. Results: The number of hypaesthetic dermatomal segments decreased (P <0.001) and pain intensity at rest and when coughing increased (P <0.001) when adrenaline was omitted from the triple epidural mixture. This change started within the first hour after removing adrenaline. After 3 h pain intensity when coughing had increased to unacceptable levels in spite of rescue analgesia (epidural bolus injections and i.v. morphine). Within 15–20 min after restarting the triple epidural mixture with adrenaline, pain intensity was again reduced to mild pain when coughing. Serum concentration of fentanyl doubled from 0.22 to 0.45 ng · ml^?1 (P <0.01), and there was more sedation during the period without adrenaline. Conclusions: Adrenaline increases sensory block and improves the pain-relieving effect of a mixture of bupivacaine and fentanyl infused epidurally at a thoracic level after major thoracic or abdominal surgery. Serum fentanyl concentrations doubled and sedation increased when adrenaline was removed from the epidural infusion, indicating more rapid vascular absorption and systemic effects of fentanyl.