Ocular hypotensive effects of monoamine oxidase-A inhibitors in rabbit

The effects of monoamine oxidase-A (MAO-A) inhibitors with epinephrine on intraocular pressure in the pigmented rabbit were studied. MAO-A inhibitors were used topically with or without various concentrations of epinephrine. For the measurement of intraocular pressure, applanation pneumatonography was used and tissue MAO activities were determined by radiometric assay. After topical administration with clorgyline, MAO-A activities in the bulbar conjunctiva and the iris-ciliary body were remarkably inhibited, whereas MAO-B inhibition was minimal. Maximal reduction of intraocular pressure with 0.05% epinephrine was 3.2 mmHg. Single administration of clorgyline, amiflamine, moclobemide or CGP 11305-A caused decreases in the intraocular pressure of 2.0, 2.5, 1.8 and 2.4 mmHg, respectively. In the coadministration experiments with epinephrine, the ocular hypotensive effects of epinephrine were potentiated with clorgyline, amiflamine, moclobemide and CGP 11305-A (6.6, 4.8, 5.6 and 5.8 mmHg). On the contrary, they were not influenced by the MAO-B inhibitor deprenyl. These results indicated that MAO-A inhibitors potentiated the ocular hypotensive effects of epinephrine, and that the coadministration of a reversible MAO-A inhibitor with epinephrine might be useful for patients with glaucoma.     

Shape changes produced in detergent extracted bovine retinal pigment epithelium when exposed to ATP. A comparison with fibroblasts and smooth muscle cells

The response of single detergent treated bovine retinal pigment epithelial cells in culture to ATP was measured with an image analyser. The most pronounced contraction was produced by 1.0 mM ATP with most change taking place in the first 10 min. At 1 h the area had decreased by about 33%, perimeter 22% and maximum length 25%. By way of comparison rabbit skin fibroblasts had a decreased area of approximately 40%, perimeter 25% and maximum length 22%. Bovine aortic smooth muscle cells on the other hand decreased in area by 55%, perimeter 40% and maximum length 36%. It is hoped that this assay may be used to evaluate drugs which could counteract contractile events in proliferative vitreoretinopathy.     

Evaluation of keratoplasty in cases of post-inflammatory corneal opacity with vascularization

Penetrating keratoplasty was performed in 106 cases of post-inflammatory corneal opacity with vascularization. Donor material obtained post mortem was preserved in a moist chamber, MK-medium at 4 degrees C or in culture medium at room temperature. 55.7% of patients gained a useful vision after keratoplasty. The post-operative spherical error of refraction was found to be -1.4 +/- 3.6 D and the astigmatic error of refraction -3.3 +/- 2.0 D. The post-operative visual acuity was found to be 0.2 +/- 0.2. The ocular pathology associated with keratoplasty is discussed.     

Rapid change in height and body proportions of Maya American children

Maya families from Guatemala migrated to the United States in record numbers from the late 1970s to the early 1990s. Births to Maya immigrant women have created a sizable number of Maya American children. The height and sitting height of 5 to 12 years children (n = 431) were measured in 1999 and 2000. Leg length was estimated and the sitting height ratio was calculated. These data were compared with a sample of Maya children living in Guatemala measured in 1998 (n = 1,347). Maya American children are currently 11.54 cm taller and 6.83 cm longer‐legged, on average, than Maya children living in Guatemala. Consequently, the Maya Americans have a significantly lower average sitting height ratio (i.e., relatively longer legs in proportion to length of the head and trunk) than do the Maya in Guatemala. These results add support to the hypothesis that both the height and body proportions of human populations are sensitive indicators of the quality of the environment for growth. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 14:753–761, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

A randomized, double‐blind trial of the effect of glucocorticoid, antileukotriene and bβ‐agonist treatment on IL‐10 serum levels in children with asthma

BACKGROUND: Levels of an immunoregulatory and anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 are reduced in asthmatic airways, potentially contributing to more intense inflammation. Triamcinolone has anti-inflammatory properties and the anti-inflammatory effects of montelukast and formoterol have been discussed. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to define the effect of treatment with triamcinolone, montelukast and formoterol on the serum level of IL-10, eosinophil blood counts, eosinophil cationic response (ECP) and clinical parameters (symptom score, FEV1 and PC20H) in children with moderate asthma. METHODS: An 8-week, placebo-controlled and randomized, double-blind trial was carried out. The subjects were 91 children with moderate atopic asthma who were allergic to dust mite. Patients were randomly allocated to receive 400 microg triamcinolone (n = 19), 5 or 10 mg (according to age) montelukast (n = 18), 24 microg formoterol (n = 18) or placebo (n = 36). RESULTS: Seventy-nine children completed the study. After treatment with triamcinolone and montelukast the level of IL-10 in blood serum significantly increased, eosinophil blood counts and ECP levels significantly decreased and all clinical parameters improved; treatment with formoterol had no effect on IL-10 level, eosinophil blood counts in serum and bronchial hyper-reactivity; ECP level significantly decreased after treatment and asthma symptoms and FEV1 improved significantly. Mean IL-10 levels in serum before and after treatment with triamcinolone were 7.23 pg/mL with 95% CI, 6.74 -7.72% and 14.24 pg/mL with 95% CI, 11.6-16.88%, respectively (P < 0.001); with montelukast they were 6.59 pg/mL with 95% CI, 6.26-7.23% and 10.94 pg/mL with 95% CI, 8.24-12.65%, respectively (P < 0.002); with formoterol they were 7.06 pg/mL with 95% CI, 6.61-7.52% and 7.04 pg/mL with 95% CI, 6.15-7.93%. We found statistically significant correlations between serum level of IL-10 and serum level of ECP after treatment with triamcinolone and montelukast. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that one possible way by which triamcinolone and montelukast contribute to inhibition of inflammation is by increasing IL-10 levels.     

General Anesthetics Do Not Affect Release of the Neuropeptide Cholecystokinin from Isolated Rat Cortical Nerve Terminals

Background: General anesthetics inhibit evoked release of classic neurotransmitters. However, their actions on neuropeptide release in the central nervous system have not been well characterized.

Methods: The effects of representative intravenous and volatile anesthetics were studied on the release of sulfated cholecystokinin 8 (CCK8s), a representative excitatory neuropeptide, from isolated rat cerebrocortical nerve terminals (synaptosomes). Basal, elevated KCl depolarization-evoked and veratridine-evoked release of CCK8s from synaptosomes purified from rat cerebral cortex was evaluated at 35[degrees]C in the absence or presence of extracellular Ca2+. CCK8s released into the incubation medium was determined by enzyme-linked immunoassay after filtration.

Results: Elevation of extracellular KCl concentration (to 15-30 mm) or veratridine (10-20 [mu]m) stimulated Ca2+-dependent CCK8s release. Basal, elevated KCl- or veratridine-evoked CCK8s release was not affected significantly by propofol (12.5-50 [mu]m), pentobarbital (50 and 100 [mu]m), thiopental (20 [mu]m), etomidate (20 [mu]m), ketamine (20 [mu]m), isoflurane (0.6-0.8 mm), or halothane (0.6-0.8 mm).     

Sphincter injury after anal dilatation demonstrated by anal endosonography.

Anal dilatation is still used in the treatment of anal fissure and haemorrhoids. Using anorectal physiology and anal endosonography we have studied 12 men presenting with faecal incontinence following anal dilatation. Resting anal pressures were low, pudendal nerve latencies were normal; 11 men had a disrupted internal anal sphincter and in ten this was extensively fragmented. Three also had defects of the external anal sphincter. These findings demonstrate for the first time the nature of the structural injury which may be caused by anal dilatation.