Improved recovery of myocardial segment function following a short coronary occlusion in dogs by nicorandil, a potential new antianginal agent, and nifedipine

The effects of nicorandil [SG-75, 2-nicotinamidoethyl nitrate (ester)] and nifedipine on the recovery of myocardial segment shortening were compared to a vehicle-treated group following a short occlusion (15 min) of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) and reperfusion (5 h). The relationship between myocardial blood flow and myocardial segment shortening was examined by means of the radioactive microsphere technique and sonomicrometry. Nicorandil (100 micrograms/kg followed by 25 micrograms/kg/min, i.v.) or nifedipine (3 micrograms/kg followed by 1 microgram/kg/min, i.v.) was administered 10 min prior to and throughout the occlusion period. Both drugs produced similar decreases in mean arterial pressure (approximately 25 mm Hg) during LAD occlusion. Similar degrees of ischemia (flow deprivation) were produced in the vehicle, nicorandil, and nifedipine groups; however, nicorandil produced a significantly greater decrease in the heart rate-left ventricular systolic pressure product during coronary occlusion. During reperfusion of the LAD there was no difference in the hemodynamics of the vehicle, nicorandil, or nifedipine groups. Neither drug altered myocardial blood flow to the ischemic region during the occlusion or reperfusion period when compared to the vehicle-treated group; however, both nicorandil and nifedipine pretreatment significantly improved recovery of percentage of segment shortening of the ischemic region. Nicorandil improved the recovery of function (percentage of segment shortening) to a greater extent than did nifedipine throughout the reperfusion period, most likely because of the greater decrease in afterload produced by nicorandil.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

The effect of different calcium antagonists and a calcium agonist on the metabolism of propranolol by isolated rat hepatocytes

Summary— The influence of the dihydropyridine calcium entry blockers nicardipine, amlodipine, nifedipine, isradipine and of the dihydropyridine calcium entry promotor BAY K 8644 on the disappearance rate of propranolol by isolated rat hepatocytes was compared to the effect of diltiazem and verapamil, two non-dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers and known inhibitors of hepatic cytochrome P450 mixed function oxidases. All compounds dose-dependently inhibited the disappearance rate of propranolol. Nicardipine and isradipine were more potent in inhibiting the disappearance rate of propranolol than the other dihydropyridines and than diltiazem and verapamil. The inhibitory effect of nicardipine on the disappearance rate of propranolol was not stereoselective and was not influenced by age.     

Interleukin-4 inhibits indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase expression in human monocytes

Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), a flavin-dependent enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of tryptophan to kynurenine, is induced in peripheral blood mononuclear cells by interferon-gamma (IFN gamma). Interleukin-4 (IL-4) is a cytokine that modulates the functional properties of monocytes/macrophages, and we investigated the effects of IL-4 on IDO. We showed that IL-4 inhibited the induction of IDO mRNA and IDO activity by IFN gamma in human monocytes. The inhibitory effect was evident with as little as 2 U/mL of IL-4. These results provide the first evidence that a cytokine can provide a negative signal for IDO expression and that IL-4 can influence the catabolism of tryptophan.     

Bone scintigraphy in chondroblastoma

Scintigraphy in 3 patients with chondroblastoma showed that the tumors were hyperemic and avidly accumulated the radionuclide. These changes were also present in adjacent normal bone, but to a lesser degree. This suggest that radionuclide uptake in chondroblastoma is a function of the blood supply to the tumor rather than primary matrix extraction.     

Congenital hepatic artery aneurysm simulating pancreatic carcinoma

The authors report a case of a hepatic artery aneurysm that simulated a mass in the head of the pancreas. The correct diagnosis was made preoperatively based on several findings: curvilinear calcification within the mass on CT, a well-defined cystic collection on ultrasound, absence of biliary duct dilatation or jaundice, and presence of other aneurysms.