3-(Methylnitrosamino)propionitrile: occurrence in saliva of betel quid chewers, carcinogenicity, and DNA methylation in F344 rats

3-(Methylnitrosamino)propionitrile (MNPN), a potent carcinogen in F344 rats, was detected for the first time in the saliva of betel quid chewers at levels ranging from 0.5 to 11.4 micrograms/liter. The tumorigenic properties of MNPN and its potential to methylate DNA in F344 rats were evaluated. Groups of 21 male and 21 female rats were given 60 s.c. injections over a 20-week period (total doses 0.055 and 0.23 mmol per rat). The experiment was terminated after 106 weeks. MNPN at the higher dose induced 18 (86%) malignant tumors of the nasal cavity in male and 15 (71%) in female rats. The lower dose induced nine (43%) liver tumors. Groups of four or five male F344 rats were treated with a single s.c. or i.v. injection of MNPN (0.4 mmol/kg). MNPN was also administered to rats by swabbing the oral cavity (2.21 mmol/kg). The levels of 7-methylguanine and O6-methylguanine, formed 0.5-36 h after treatment, were measured in the liver, nasal mucosa, esophagus, and oral issues. The highest levels of methylated guanines were detected in the nasal cavity independent of the route of administration. The results of this study demonstrate that MNPN is present in the saliva of betel quid chewers and is a potent carcinogen in F344 rats.     

Pharmacokinetic interactions of cimetidine 1987

The number of studies on drug interactions with cimetidine has increased at a rapid rate over the past 5 years, with many of the interactions being solely pharmacokinetic in origin. Very few studies have investigated the clinical relevance of such pharmacokinetic interactions by measuring pharmacodynamic responses or clinical endpoints. Apart from pharmacokinetic studies, invariably conducted in young, healthy subjects, there have been a large number of in vitro and in vivo animal studies, case reports, clinical observations and general reviews on the subject, which is tending to develop an industry of its own accord. Nevertheless, where specific mechanisms have been considered, these have undoubtedly increased our knowledge on the way in which humans eliminate xenobiotics. There is now sufficient information to predict the likelihood of a pharmacokinetic drug-drug interaction with cimetidine and to make specific clinical recommendations. Pharmacokinetic drug interactions with cimetidine occur at the sites of gastrointestinal absorption and elimination including metabolism and excretion. Cimetidine has been found to reduce the plasma concentrations of ketoconazole, indomethacin and chlorpromazine by reducing their absorption. In the case of ketoconazole the interaction was clinically important. Cimetidine does not inhibit conjugation mechanisms including glucuronidation, sulphation and acetylation, or deacetylation or ethanol dehydrogenation. It binds to the haem portion of cytochrome P-450 and is thus an inhibitor of phase I drug metabolism (i.e. hydroxylation, dealkylation). Although generally recognised as a nonspecific inhibitor of this type of metabolism, cimetidine does demonstrate some degree of specificity. To date, theophylline 8-oxidation, tolbutamide hydroxylation, ibuprofen hydroxylation, misonidazole demethylation, carbamazepine epoxidation, mexiletine oxidation and steroid hydroxylation have not been shown to be inhibited by cimetidine in humans but the metabolism of at least 30 other drugs is affected. Recent evidence indicates negligible effects of cimetidine on liver blood flow. Cimetidine reduces the renal clearance of drugs which are organic cations, by competing for active tubular secretion in the proximal tubule of the kidney, reducing the renal clearances of procainamide, ranitidine, triamterene, metformin, flecainide and the active metabolite N-acetylprocainamide. This previously unrecognised form of drug interaction with cimetidine may be clinically important for both parent drug, and metabolites which may be active.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

The effects of caffeine on various body systems: a review

Caffeine is the most widely consumed drug in Western society. The intake of caffeine-containing beverages in many adults and children often reaches levels that can induce pharmacological effects. Ninety-nine percent of ingested caffeine is absorbed and distributed to all tissues and organs. The effects of caffeine intake differ greatly according to acute or chronic intake, level of intake, and the development of tolerance. Caffeine administered acutely to non-users or recent abstainers can induce hypertension, arrhythmias, altered myocardial function, increased plasma catecholamine levels, plasma renin activity, serum cholesterol levels, increased production of urine, gastric acid secretion, and alterations in mood and sleep patterns. Tolerance to chronic caffeine intake develops in most individuals, with the cessation of its effects on the renal system, the cardiovascular system, the gastrointestinal system and, to some extent, the central nervous system. Moderate caffeine consumers probably need to have little concern for the effect of caffeine intake on their health if their other life-style habits are also moderate.     

Influence of pregnancy, lactation, litter size and diet energy density on the stomach and intestine of sows

In the first experiment, 52 sows, each having raised one litter, were randomly assigned to the five following groups: control (nongravid) for pregnancy (CP), 110 d pregnancy (P110), control (nongravid) for lactation (CL), 4-wk lactation with 8 (L8) and with 12 (L12) piglets. In a second experiment, 36 sows, each having raised three litters, were randomly assigned to the following groups: control group (nongravid) fed a low-energy-density, 1% tallow diet (CLED) and two lactating groups, one fed the low-energy-density diet (LLED) and one fed a high-energy-density, 10% tallow diet (LHED). At slaughter, the stomach, small and large intestine and cecum were excised, emptied and freed from fat. Lengths and pre- and post-defatting weights were measured. Portions of tissues were homogenized and analyzed for protein, pepsin, maltase, RNA and DNA. Pregnancy had no effect on the weights of the different components of the gastrointestinal tract. Liver and small intestine weights were larger in lactating sows than in the CL group. Sows nursing 12 piglets had heavier livers than those nursing 8. The fundic mucosa of the latter had higher total pepsin activity and total protein and RNA contents than that of L12 sows. LHED sows had heavier small intestine and lower total pepsin content of the fundic mucosa than LLED sows.     

Health risks among submarine personnel in the U.S. Navy, 1974-1979

This study evaluated health risks associated with U.S. Navy submarine duty by comparing hospitalization rates of submariners with surface ship personnel. The groups were compared using age-adjusted hospitalization rates for 16 major diagnostic categories and several specific diagnoses postulated to be submarine associated. Submarine personnel did not have significantly higher hospitalization rates for any diagnostic categories nor for any of the submarine-associated illnesses. Submariner relative risk of hospital admissions was greater for a few selected diagnoses but statistical significance was not attained. Submarine personnel had lower hospitalization rates for nearly all of the diagnostic categories examined. Reasons for these lower rates may be stringent screening of submariners, higher levels of education among submariners, difficulty of evacuation from a submarine, and the healthy-worker effect. The health status of U.S. Navy personnel does not seem to be adversely affected by submarine duty.     

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the detection of Entamoeba histolytica antigens in faecal material

This paper describes a method for the detection of Entamoeba histolytica antigens in stool samples using a multi-layer ELISA. The method is sensitive and specific, showing no interference with other intestinal parasites, e.g. E. coli, E. hartmanni, Endolimax nana, Iodamoeba buetschlii, Hymenolepis nana, Giardia lamblia, Trichomonas and Ascaris. The method provides a rapid and simple screening assay for E. histolytica infections and should assist in diagnosis and epidemiological studies of the disease.     

Methods of ultrasonic angiography and spectrum analysis of the Doppler signal in the diagnosis of the degree of occlusive lesions of the brachiocephalic arteries

Results of an examination of 39 patients are described and critically assessed. An analysis of the resolving power of the method of ultrasonic angiography in pathological formations of major vessels of the neck is given.