Synthesis and Purine P2X Receptor Antagonist Activity of Thiazole Derivatives

The ability of 12 new thiazole derivatives to influence the muscle contractility mediated by purine P2X receptors has been studied in vitro using isolated tissues of rats and guinea pigs. Most of the synthesized compounds did not cause significant effects, but two compounds exhibited pronounced antagonism with respect to P2X-mediated contractility response. These compounds offer a good starting point for the synthesis of new effective antagonists of P2 receptors. __________ Translated from Khimiko-Farmatsevticheskii Zhurnal, Vol. 39, No. 6, pp. 22 – 25, June, 2005.     

Obesity: determinants and therapeutic initiatives.

There are several possible determinants of obesity, including impaired thermogenesis and the differential utilization of fuels in different tissues. Whereas hypometabolism may initiate obesity in some people, once obese, individuals tend to manifest a higher resting metabolic rate because of their greater fat-free mass, exhibit an impaired thermic response to food, and expend more calories than lean individuals for equivalent amounts of activity. As a result, over a 24-h period, obese people generally expend more energy than lean people. A second determinant of obesity is related to fuel utilization and suggests that those predisposed to be obese may have an innate insulin resistance in muscle, leading to decreased uptake, oxidation, and storage of glucose in this tissue. As a result, the glucose is shunted to adipose tissue, where it is stored. With regard to treatment of obesity, emphasis on increased energy expenditure through the inclusion of reasonable amounts of activity is essential. However, this must always be combined with restraint in caloric intake.     

Effect of kanamycin on the cochleas in guinea pigs

Kanamycin (400 mg/kg) was injected daily for 5 days in guinea pigs, the changes in CM and AP responses were recorded. The CM threshold was elevated in 34.5% of the animals and the CM amplitude was reduced when compared with normal animals (P less than 0.005). The AP threshold was elevated in 13.8%. The latency of N1 was increased (P less than 0.001) and the amplitude of N1 reduced at 80 dB (S-L) (P less than 0.001).cAMP and cGMP levels in the organ of Corti and stria vascularis spiral ligament decreased, and the decrease correlated with the changes in auditory function. We consider the reduction of cyclic nucleotides in the cochlea may be important in kanamycin ototoxicity.     

Freiberg’s Infraction in Identical Twins: A Case Report

Freiberg's infraction is an ostechondrosis of a lesser metatarsal head resulting in degeneration of the metatarsophalangeal joint. Several mechanisms have been suggested in its pathenogenesis. Freiberg first described the entity and believed single impact trauma was the underlying cause. Repetitive biomechanical microtrauma is the most widely accepted etiologic theory. Other factors contributing to its development include aseptic necrosis, ischemia, and a congenital predisposition. We present a case report of Freiberg's infraction occurring in identical twins involving multiple metatarsals in various stages of degeneration. One of the twins was affected unilaterally whereas the other twin was affected bilaterally. Both twins had involvement of the second metatarsal on the same side extremity. The occurrence of Freiberg's infraction in identical twins suggests that an underlying congenital predisposition to the condition may play more of a role than previously considered.     

神经化组织工程骨构建的初步观察

目的评估两种组织工程骨体内神经化重建方法的成骨效果,研究神经化与成骨的相互关系。方法26只新西兰大白兔,其中24只随机分成四组:组织工程骨组(A组),感觉神经束植入组(B组),运动神经束植入组(C组),血管束植入组(D组);另2只为空白对照组。每只动物均制备左侧股骨长1.5cm的段缺性骨与骨膜缺损,钢板固定后骨缺损处分别植入用四种方法制备的组织工程骨。植入的神经分别是隐神经和股神经肌支。术后4、8、12周摄股骨正位X线片,用放射影像学评分和X线阻射影分析比较骨缺损修复情况。结果在组织工程骨中植入感觉神经束后,比单纯组织工程骨和运动神经束植入的修复效果均有明显提高,而在组织工程骨中植入运动神经束与单纯组织工程骨修复骨缺损的效果相比较无明显差异,感觉神经束植入与血管束植入的成骨效果比较无明显差异,血管束植入组的成骨效果优于其它两组。结论利用感觉神经束植入的方法可以提高组织工程骨的成骨作用,而植入运动神经束却无此作用。     

Revascularization of the renal artery in renovascular hypertension with progressive renal insufficiency

Sixteen patients underwent surgical treatment for severe renovascular hypertension with rapidly progressive renal failure. These patients were assessed preoperatively with the measurement of serum creatinine and blood-urea levels (means 271 +/- 204 mumol/l and 15.6 +/- 10.3 mmol/l respectively), and renal clearances. 5 patients underwent aorto-renal bypass (bilateral in one case) and 11 patients were treated by autotransplantation of the kidney. Operative mortality was 6.2%. Early results were assessed at 1 and 6 months postoperatively. Renal function was normal in 8 patients, improved in 5 (p less than 0.05), unchanged in 1 and worse in 1 by aorto-renal bypass thrombosis. At long-term with a minimum follow-up of 12 months (mean 31 +/- 12 months), the initial improvement in renal function remained steady in 12 patients whilst 1 patient has gone on to hemodialysis. At middle and long-term, 81% of the patients were normotensive without medication or had improved blood pressure (p less than 0.001). These good results confirm the reversibility of renal ischemic lesions and support an aggressive attitude towards the use of revascularization in the surgical treatment of such patients with renovascular hypertension and renal failure.     

Enhanced myocardial necrosis induced in rats by the combined administration of hydralazine and prenalterol

The cardiotoxic effects of hydralazine and prenalterol, given alone and in combination, were assessed in rats and rabbits. Acute myocardial necrosis was induced by a single administration of each drug alone in rats. However, the incidence and severity of lesions were markedly enhanced when both drugs were given in combination. Rats that received the same treatment for 10 consecutive days showed minimal or no acute necrosis, demonstrating the development of a resistance to further cardiotoxic effects of the drugs. Rabbits showed only minimal lesions when either drug was used alone and no enhancement of lesions when they were given in combination. From these data, it is concluded that the possibility of a cardiotoxic interaction exists when these drugs are used in combination and that the heavy rat (500-600 g) is a more sensitive model than the rabbit for studies of this nature.