Effects of saikosaponins on hepatic damage induced by halothane and hypoxia in phenobarbital-pretreated rats

The effects of saikosaponins-a.-b₁,-b₂,-c, and-d on hepatic damage induced by halothane and hypoxia were investigated in the rat. Inhalation of halothane under a hypoxic condition significantly increased serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) and glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT) levels in rats pretreated with phenobarbital compared with rats pretreated without phenobarbital. Pretreatment with saikosaponin (especially-a and-d) and with phenobarbital suppressed the increase in serum GOT and GPT levels in comparison with the rats treated with phenobarbital, halothane, and hypoxia. Histological observation also confirmed that pretreatment with saikosaponin had a protective effect against liver cell damage caused by halothane and hypoxia. Saikosaponins-a and-d, the most effective saikosaponins against hepatic damage, inhibited the increases in cytochrome P450 and NADPH-cytochromec reductase activity which are induced by phenobarbital treatment. Therefore, it is suggested that the cytoprotective effect of saikosaponin against halothane-induced hepatitis under hypoxia is caused by inhibition of phenobarbital stimulation of the enzyme system for hepatic drug metabolism.     

Change in condylar long axis and skeletal stability following sagittal split ramus osteotomy and intraoral vertical ramus osteotomy for mandibular prognathia.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare postsurgical time course changes in condylar long axis and skeletal stability between sagittal split ramus osteotomy (SSRO) and intraoral vertical ramus osteotomy (IVRO). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Of 40 Japanese patients with a diagnosed jaw deformity, 20 underwent IVRO without internal fixation and 20 underwent SSRO with rigid internal fixation. The time course change in condylar long axis and skeletal stability were assessed with axial, frontal, and lateral cephalograms. RESULTS: A significant difference in the rotation direction of condylar long axis was seen in horizontal axial cephalogram images (P <.01). In Pog-N perpendicular to SN, the IVRO group showed gradual decrease, although SSRO group showed gradual increase in lateral cephalogram (P <.05). CONCLUSION: The present results suggest a significant difference between SSRO and IVRO in time course changes in proximal segment including condyle and distal segment.     

Changes in the chewing path of patients in skeletal class III with and without asymmetry before and after orthognathic surgery.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the relation between changes in the condylar long axis and the chewing path before and after mandibular ramus osteotomy for patients with prognathism with and without asymmetry. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eleven men and 16 women with mandibular prognathism were divided into groups on the basis of symmetry and osteotomy procedure. Preoperative and postoperative frontal chewing paths were recorded. The chewing path consisted of 4 components: deviated side range, undeviated side range, vertical range, and incisal path angle. The angle of the condylar long axis and the 4 components of the chewing path were compared between groups and the differences were analyzed statistically. RESULTS: No significant differences in each of the 4 chewing path components were found between groups on the basis of symmetry or osteotomy procedure. A positive correlation was found between the changes in incisal path angle when chewing on the undeviated side and condylar long axis angle on the undeviated side (P < .05). A positive correlation was also found between the changes in undeviated side range when chewing on the deviated side and condylar long axis angle on the deviated side (P < .05). CONCLUSION: This study suggests that surgically induced increase in the condylar long axis is correlated with increase in side range and incisor path angle, although surgical orthodontic treatment does not significantly change the chewing pattern.     

Interleukin-18 Induces Acute Biphasic Reduction in the Levels of Circulating Leukocytes in Mice

We investigated the acute hematological changes caused by interleukin-18 (IL-18) in mice. Intraperitoneal administration of IL-18 (2 μg/mouse) resulted in biphasic decreases in the number of leukocytes in the blood. The first phase of decrease occurred within 2 h of IL-18 administration and was followed by a transient increase at 5 h. The second phase of decrease occurred at around 6 h, reaching a nadir which lasted for more than 24 h. In mice deficient in inducible nitric oxide (NO) synthase, the first phase of reduction of leukocytes did not occur although the second phase of decrease was observed. In mice deficient in gamma interferon (IFN-γ) or in mice depleted of natural killer cells and incapable of producing IFN-γ, IL-18 had no effect on the number of circulating leukocytes. Levels of nitrite and/or nitrate in the serum were elevated within 2 h after administration of IL-18, reaching a peak at 4 h and then decreasing gradually to the basal level over a 24-h period of time. On the other hand, serum IFN-γ levels changed in a biphasic manner, reaching a peak at 2 h after IL-18 administration, followed by a decrease in the basal level and a second increase at 6 h. Levels of IL-18 receptor mRNAs also showed biphasic changes in correlation with the changes in serum IFN-γ levels. These results suggest that the changes in the leukocyte number following IL-18 administration are mediated by NO and IFN-γ, with NO being involved in the first phase of reduction and IFN-γ being involved in both phases.     

Adrenal venous sampling analysis of primary aldosteronism: value of ACTH stimulation in the differentiation of adenoma and hyperplasia

Adrenal venous blood samples drawn before and after stimulation with adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) were analysed in 32 consecutive patients with primary aldosteronism. Twenty-six patients had aldosterone-producing adenomas and six patients had bilateral hyperplasia.The ratio of higher to lower levels of aldosterone in the right and left adrenals (aldosterone ratio), aldosterone to cortisol ratio (A/C ratio), and the ratio of higher to lower levels of A/C ratio in the right and left adrenals (ratio of A/C ratios) were calculated. We used both aldosterone ratio and ratio of A/C ratios as a means of diagnosis, a ratio of 3.0 or more for unilateral adenoma, and less than 3.0 for bilateral hyperplasia. With ACTH stimulation, correct characterization of lesions increased from 91% (29 of 32) to 97% (31 of 32) by aldosterone ratio and from 84% (27 of 32) to 97% (30 of 31) by ratio of A/C ratios. Correct diagnosis of bilateral hyperplasia increased markedly from 67% (4 of 6) to 100% and 50% (3 of 6) to 83% (5 of 6) with use of each criterion.In patients with adenoma, aldosterone ratio rose in 54% (14 of 26) from the pre-stimulation levels. Before stimulation, it ranged from 1.5 to 115.9 (mean 34.8), and afterwards, from 2.1 to 1097.9 (mean 95.5). In contrast, in all patients with bilateral hyperplasia aldosterone ratio fell to less than 3.0 following stimulation with ACTH. With ACTH stimulation, aldosterone ratio increased in patients with adenoma and decreased in patients with hyperplasia.Measurement of A/C ratio is used to ensure correct access to the adrenal veins, but it was useful in only one case and aldosterone ration was a more reliable diagnostic parameter than ratio of A/C ratios in both pre-and post-ACTH stimulations.Assay of aldosterone levels and calculation of aldosterone ratios before and after ACTH stimulation were valuable in locating small adenomas in the right and left adrenal and especially in differentiating bilateral hyperplasia from adenoma.     

Dynamic MRI of hepatocellular carcinoma with portal vein tumor thrombus]

Dynamic MRI with injection of Gd-DTPA was performed in 7 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma associated with portal vein tumor thrombus. A portal vein tumor thrombus was clearly visualized as a low intense structure. The segment supplied with this portal vein shows high intensity, probably due to the decrease in portal blood flow and compensated arterial blood flow. A tumor itself, located in this segment, was shown as a low intense area. Thus dynamic MRI is a useful method for differentiating the tumor from the surrounding nontumorous tissue with decrease in portal flow.     

The prevention of periodontal bone loss at the osteotomy site after anterior segmental and dento-osseous osteotomy.

PURPOSE: Degeneration of the gingival margin and periodontal bone loss between segments can occur in various segmental osteotomies. However, treatment and management of these problems have not yet been resolved; improvement of the conventional method is necessary. The purpose of this retrospective study is to evaluate the usefulness and advantage of orthodontic devices in osteotomies. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty Japanese adults presented with jaw deformities diagnosed as mandibular prognathism with maxillary protrusion, bimaxillary protrusion, and anterior crowding. Of these 40 patients, 20 (group 1) underwent anterior segmental osteotomy or dento-osseous osteotomy along with our original orthodontic periodontal management. The remaining 20 (group 2) patients underwent conventional procedures. After surgery, pocket depth and periodontal bone loss at the osteotomy site were evaluated. RESULTS: In all cases of patients who underwent our original technique, degeneration of the gingival marginal and periodontal defects at the osteotomy site were not found. The rate of alveolar bone height in group 1 significantly increased and that in group 2 significantly decreased after maxillary osteotomy (P < .05). CONCLUSION: This technique may prevent periodontal defects from occurring at the interdental osteotomy site.