Effect of single and repeated doses of oral omeprazole on gastric acid and pepsin secretion and fasting serum gastrin and serum pepsinogen I levels

The effect of omeprazole on gastric acid and pepsin secretion and fasting serum gastrin and serum pepsinogen I levels was studied in 12 healthy volunteers. Omeprazole, 40 mg enteric-coated granules, or placebo was given once daily for nine days in a double-blind crossover study design. Twenty-four hours after a single dose of omeprazole, mean basal and mean pentagastrin-stimulated acid output decreased significantly. This effect was more pronounced after nine days of treatment. Basal pepsin output was significantly reduced only in those subjects with basal anacidity during omeprazole treatment. Stimulated pepsin output was slightly reduced after a single dose but unaltered after nine days of omeprazole. Fasting serum gastrin and serum pepsinogen I levels increased significantly during omeprazole treatment. It is concluded that omeprazole is a potent and selective inhibitor of gastric acid secretion, probably without a direct effect on pepsin secretion. However, in cases of basal anacidity during omeprazole administration, basal pepsin secretion is reduced. During omeprazole treatment, fasting serum levels of gastrin and pepsinogen I rise.Omeprazole was supplied by A. B. Hässle, Mölndal, Sweden.     

Bronchial vagal tone and responsiveness to histamine, exercise and bronchodilators in adult patients with cystic fibrosis.

Atopy and bronchial responsiveness to histamine, exercise and bronchodilators were investigated in 18 adult patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). Reversibility of airflow limitation was measured after ipratropium bromide and terbutaline, and histamine and exercise provocation tests were performed. Histamine hyperresponsiveness was observed in 10 out of 18 patients and was not confined to those with severe airway obstruction. The positive histamine responders showed significantly better bronchodilatation after terbutaline, when compared to negative histamine responders. Histamine responsiveness was not related to atopy or exercise responsiveness. Exercise challenge caused bronchodilatation without bronchoconstriction in all patients. The exercise-induced bronchodilatation correlated with bronchodilatation after ipratropium bromide. It is proposed that an increased vagal tone may lead to an increased resting bronchomotor tone which can be reduced by ipratropium bromide and by exercise in adult patients with cystic fibrosis.     

Growth hormone combined with child-specific motor training improves motor development in infants with Prader-Willi syndrome: A randomized controlled trial

Although severe motor problems in infants with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) are striking, motor development has never been studied longitudinally and the results of growth hormone (GH) treatment on motor development are contradictory. The authors studied whether GH treatment can enhance the effect of physical training on motor development in infants with PWS. Twenty-two infants were followed for two years during a randomized controlled trial. The treatment and control groups began GH after baseline or following a control period, respectively. Both groups followed a child-specific physical training program. Motor performance was measured every three months. Multi-level regression analysis revealed that motor development differed significantly between infants (p < .001), and this could be partially explained by baseline motor developmental level (p < .01). GH treatment enhanced the effects of child-specific physical training on both motor developmental rate and motor developmental potential. Moreover, this effect was more pronounced when GH treatment was initiated at a younger age.     

Repeated high oral doses of omeprazole do not affect intrinsic factor secretion: proof of a selective mode of action

The effect of 60 mg oral omeprazole daily for 9 days on intrinsic factor and gastric acid secretion was studied in eight healthy volunteers. Gastric secretion studies were performed during saline and 0.1 M HCl perfusion before and after omeprazole administration. During dosing with omeprazole, basal gastric acid output diminished by 94%, and pentagastrin-stimulated acid output by 97%. Basal, peak and steady-state stimulated intrinsic factor output were unaffected by omeprazole. It is concluded that high oral doses of omeprazole suppress gastric acid secretion to very low levels but they do not affect intrinsic factor secretion. Intrinsic factor secretion was also unaffected by profound hypochlorhydria.     

Effect of positive expiratory pressure mask physiotherapy (PEP) versus forced expiration technique (FET/PD) on regional lung clearance in chronic bronchitics.

On theoretical grounds it is assumed that positive expiratory pressure mask physiotherapy (PEP) as a means of promoting mucus clearance is especially effective in the more distal airways. In a randomized cross-over trial including a control measurement the effect of PEP and of the forced expiration technique combined with postural drainage (FET/PD) on regional lung clearance was evaluated in seven patients with chronic bronchitis and abundant sputum production (mean 32 g.day-1). PEP consisted of positive expiratory pressure mask breathing interspersed with breathing exercises, forced expiration manoeuvres (huffing) and, if necessary, coughing. FET consisted of breathing exercises, huffing and also, if necessary, coughing. FET was combined with PD. Following inhalation of a radio-aerosol regional lung clearance was estimated by means of gamma camera imaging. The results after PEP appeared to be not significantly different from control. The mean clearance in all three lung zones (peripheral, intermediate and inner) was largest after FET/PD as compared with PEP and control. Statistical significance (p less than 0.02) was reached only for clearance in the inner region. It is concluded that PEP has no demonstrable effect on regional lung clearance in these patients.     

Early closure of enterostomy after exteriorization of the small intestine for abdominal catastrophies

Little has been written about the follow-up after temporary exteriorization of the small bowel for intraabdominal catastrophies in neonates and small infants. This report summarizes our results in 27 patients who had as a rule intestinal continuity restored electively within 4 weeks. There was a leakage rate of 10% and no mortality.     

Noncontraceptive hormones and rheumatoid arthritis in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women

The use of noncontraceptive hormones before onset of joint disease was compared between 490 perimenopausal and postmenopausal women with rheumatoid arthritis and a control group of 659 women with soft-tissue rheumatologic disorders and/or osteoarthritis. Both groups were sampled randomly from the attendees of five rheumatologic clinics. A negative association was found between the onset of rheumatoid arthritis and the previous use of noncontraceptive hormones (odds ratio, 0.32; 95% confidence interval, 0.16 to 0.64). This association persisted on univariate and multivariate control of potentially confounding variables and on subgroup analysis. The protective effect of oral contraceptives on the development of rheumatoid arthritis was confirmed.