Immunomodulatory Effects of γ-HCH (Lindane) in Mice

Mice were fed for 24 weeks with three different subtoxic dosages of γ-HCH (0.012, 0.12 and 1.2 mg/kg) mixed in powdered feed. The immunological profile was assessed at an interval of one month during the entire exposure period. Both the cell mediated and humoral components of immunity showed a biphasic response characterized initially by stimulation followed by suppression in a dose dependent manner. However, γ-HCH did not affect the functional properties of peritoneal macrophages. Histological changes in lymphoid organs were in accordance with the biphasic immunomodulatory effects of γ -HCH.     

Verrucous carcinoma maxilla — A case report

A case of veruccous carcinoma of the maxilla extending to alveulus and palate is reported. Treated with radical maxillectomy: there has been no recurrence within one year. The coexistance of submicous fibrosis and veruccous carcinoma is observed and the histological features of the later are highlighted.     

Effects of selective dopamine-1 receptor activation on intraocular pressure in man

The lack of specific agonists and antagonists has, until recently, precluded investigation of a role for dopamine receptors in the control of intraocular pressure. In the present study, we have examined the effects of fenoldopam, a novel selective dopamine1 (DA1) receptor agonist, on intraocular pressure, in eight healthy human volunteers. Fenoldopam, infused intravenously at 0.5 micrograms kg-1 min-1, increased intraocular pressure from 14.6 +/- 0.9 to 17.6 +/- 1.4 mmHg (P less than 0.05) while a control saline infusion had no effect. Pupil diameter and blood pressure did not change. In the same subjects, i.v. norepinephrine or angiotensin II both increased intraocular pressure--from 13.8 +/- 1.4- to 17.6 +/- 1.4 mmHg and from 13.4 +/- 1.3- to 17.5 +/- 1.7 mmHg respectively (P less than 0.05), and mean arterial pressure by about 20 mmHg. These data suggest that: (1) DA1 receptor activation can modulate intraocular pressure; (2) the intraocular pressure effects of the DA1 receptor agonist, fenoldopam, are independent of changes in systemic blood pressure, in contrast to those of norepinephrine or angiotensin II where intraocular and systemic blood pressures increase in parallel; (3) the ability of a DA1 receptor antagonist to lower intraocular pressure merits investigation.     

Aminophylline targeting to lung: optimization of the size and drug loading of albumin microspheres.

Aminophylline, a bronchodilator, was considered a suitable drug for targeting to the lung to treat emphysema. Factorial concept was utilized to optimize the size and drug loading of microspheres suitable for targeting. Aminophylline-loaded albumin microspheres were prepared by heat denaturation adjusting the manufacturing variables, namely albumin concentration, drug concentration, water-oil phase ratio and stirring rate at low and high levels. For two levels of the four variables the experimentation was performed in 16 batches. A good yield of well-defined microspheres of the size range, 2-30 microns, were obtained from all the batches. The drug loading was found maximum (36.33 per cent) in batch XV of microspheres prepared with low albumin concentration, high drug concentration, low water-oil phase ratio and low stirring rate. The least number (13 per cent) of microspheres of batch XV were below 7 microns and the remaining 87 per cent were above this size. Considering the payload and size, microspheres of batch XV were found suitable for targeting to the lung.