Asymptomatic Helicobacter pylori Gastritis Is Associated with Increased Sucrose Permeability

Our aim was to investigate whether there arechanges in permeability to sucrose in asymptomaticHelicobacter pylori gastritis. Nineteen asymptomaticsubjects with Helicobacter pylori associated gastritis with no or mild mucosal atrophy and 19 age- andsex-matched normal controls were studied by peroral loadof sucrose (100 g). The fraction of the given oral doseof sucrose excreted in urine was increased in subjects with Helicobacter pylori gastritis(median 0.08% versus 0.04% in controls). Sucroseexcretion was not related to atrophy, intestinalmetaplasia, or inflammation in the gastric mucosa.However, sucrose permeability was related to the degreeof inflammatory (neutrophil) activity, since moderateactivity was associated with higher sucrose excretionthan mild activity (median 0.13% vs 0.07% ).Asymptomatic Helicobacter pylori gastritis was associatedwith an increased sucrose permeability, which could bea sign of gastric mucosal leakage. This could haveimplications for the diseases and complicationsassociated with Helicobacter pylori infection.     

The Effect of Extracellular Calcium on Thermal Excitability of the Sensory Units in the Tooth of the Cat

Intradental sensory nerve impulse activity was measured from dentinal cavities in canine teeth of anesthetized cats. No spontaneous activity was usually recorded in cavities filled with isotonic saline. Heat stimulation of 15–20^oC failed to give any impulse activity, while other stimuli, such as air blasts produced bursts of impulses. Lowering extracellular calcium ion concentration. by local application of sodium citrate, sodium oxalate or EDTA, induced impulse activity. Under these conditions, heat produced a rapid increase in discharge activity. which lasted as long as the stimulus was applied. Increased extracellular calcium concentration abolished this response to heat. The present findings show that a change in the extracellular calcium ion concentration modulates the excitability of intradental sensory units, and may thus also modulate the resulting experience of pain.     

Pharmacokinetics of theophylline in relation to increased pain sensitivity in the rat

In the rat, theophylline increases, in proportion to dose, the sensitivity to painful stimulation. A study of the pharmacological registration of this property combined with the determination of drug levels in plasma indicated that theophylline behaves according to a two-compartment open model. By relating the pharmacological activities to the drug level data using different pharmacokinetic types of calculation, it was concluded that the site of action of theophylline in the central nervous system lies closer to the central (plasma) compartment than to the peripheral one. The registered pharmacological effects of theophylline are thus directly reflected by the plasma concentration of this drug.     

New dystonic syndrome associated with butyrophenone therapy

Summary An acute syndrome in 3 elderly women with presenile dementia appeared as a side effect to treatment with methylperone (Buronil) and/or haloperidol (Haldol). In every case a tonic flexion of the trunk to the side was observed. Also a slight rotation of the trunk in the sagittal plane was noted. The rotation increased with walking and then the patients had a tendency to turn in a direction opposite to the path of walking. Postural and gait disturbances occurred as isolated symptoms and were different from the previously reported symptoms of acute dystonia with phenothiazine treatment. The symptoms were reversible and were improved by antiparkinson medication.The similarity in chemical structure of the butyrophenone preparations suggests a common, central mechanism of origin for the symptoms. A reversible functional disturbance in the monoamine transmission in the basal ganglia is a probable explanation.

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Zusammenfassung Als Nebenwirkung der Behandlung mit Methylperon (Buronil) und/oder Haloperidol (Haldol) wurde ein akutes Haltungssyndrom bei 3 älteren Frauen mit präseniler Demenz beobachtet. In jedem Falle kam es zu einer tonischen Flexion des Rumpfes zu einer Seite sowie zu einer leichten Rotation in der sagittalen Ebene. Die Rotation verstärkte sich beim Gang, wobei die Patienten die Tendenz hatten, sich in einer Richtung entgegen der Ganglinie zu drehen. Haltungs- und Gangstörungen kamen als isolierte Symptome vor und sind verschieden von den früher beobachteten und beschriebenen Symptomen der akuten Dystonie bei Phenothiazin-Behandlung. Die Symptome waren reversibel und wurden durch Anti-Parkinson-Medikamente gebessert. Die Ähnlichkeit in der chemischen Struktur der Butyrophenon-Medikamente macht einen gleichen zentralen Mechanismus in der Entstehung der Symptome wahrscheinlich. Als Erklärung kann man eine reversible Funktionsstörung in der Monoamin-Transmission der Stammganglien annehmen.

     

Evidence for the formation of 2-methylthiamine in nerve tissue

Rats and cats were injected with [³H]choline, [¹⁴C]choline or [³⁵S]thiamine. Choline and thiamine metabolites were extracted from different tissues by ion-pair extraction. Different Chromatographic techniques and the use of two separate precursors-choline and thiamine-showed that a fraction of the radioactivity was incorporated into a [³H]2-methylthiamine-like substance. A relationship was found between the amounts of radioactive acetylcholine and the 2-methylthiamine-like substance formed.     

CARDIOVASCULAR EFFECTS OF BETA-RECEPTOR BLOCKING DRUGS DURING HALOTHANE ANAESTHESIA IN MAN

Fifteen patients anaesthetized with halothane were given a beta-adrenergic receptor blocking substance intravenously, either propranolol or l-alprenolol.
The drugs usually induced an insignificant drop in blood pressure, a slight bradycardia, and a small reduction in cardiac output in patients not subjected to concomitant surgery. In one patient, the reaction was more pronounced. The immediate administration of atropine seemed to restore the circulatory state.
Nine patients were subjected to surgery during the administration of the beta-blocking agents. Pronounced hypotension resulted in seven of them. This effect was observed both after propranolol and l-alprenolol. Again, atropine reversed the hypotension.
These observations suggest that the administration of beta-adrenergic receptor blocking agents during anaesthesia should be limited by very strict indications, and be used under carefully controlled conditions.

ZUSAMMENFASSUNG

15 mit Halothan narkotisierte Patienten erhielten i.v. einen Beta-Rezep-torenblocker, und zwar entweder Propanolol oder 1-Alprenolol.
Diese Mittel fiihrten in der Regel zu einem nicht-signifikanten Blutdruck-abfall, zu einer geringgradigen Bradykardie und einer leichten Verminderung des Herzminutenvolumens bei Patienten, die nicht gleichzeitig operiert wurden. Bei einem Patienten war die Reaktion dramatischer. Die sofortige Gabe von Atropin schien den Kreislaufzustand wieder zu normalisieren.
Neun Patienten erhielten Betablocker wahrend einer Operation. Bei sieben von ihnen kam es zu ausgepragten Blutdruckabfall. Diese Wirkung wurde sowohl nach Propranolol als auch nach 1-Alprenolol beobachtet.
Diese Beobachtungen geben Grund zur Empfehlung, Betarezeptoren-blocker wahrend der Narkose nur bei strengster Indikation zu verabreichen und sie nur unter sorgfaltig kontrollierten Bedingungen anzuwenden.