Reversal of toxic and non-toxic effects of digoxin by digoxin-specific fab fragments in isolated human ventricular myocardium

Summary The time course of the reversal of toxic and nontoxic effects of digoxin by digoxin-specific antibody fragments (Fab) was measured in isolated human ventricular myocardium. A concentration of 2×10^–6 mol/l digoxin was used to produce positive inotropy followed by mechanical signs of toxicity. After addition of a 1.5-fold higher molar concentration of digoxin-specific Fab, signs of toxicity disappeared within 30 min and digoxin-induced force of contraction decayed with a monoexponential time course with a half-life of 52 min. This rate of decay was almost identical to that observed for the dissociation of the digoxin-(Na⁺+K⁺)-ATPase complex in human heart cell membranes. It is concluded that (a) digoxin-specific Fab are capable of completely removing digoxin from its binding sites, (b) the maximal rate of removal of digitalis glycosides from the (Na⁺+K⁺)-ATPase is limited by the dissociation rate constant, and (c) there is a close correlation between the degree of binding of digitalis glycosides to the (Na⁺+K⁺)-ATPase and the increase in force of contraction.Abbreviation Fab Fragment antibody binding (digitalis antidote)     

In-vivo quantification of myocardial Na-K pump rate during β-adrenergic stimulation of intact pig hearts

Maintenance of adequate electrical activity of the heart depends critically on the ability of the Na-K pump to compensate for normal passive sodium and potassium fluxes. Using sudden injections of [³H]ouabain into the left coronary artery in anaesthetized open-chest pigs, we monitored transient changes in myocardial potassium balance by PVC-valinomycin mini-electrodes. When related to the number of pumps blocked and fractional inhibition, these data provided estimates of total Na-K pump capacity as well as actual pump rate and perturbations of the Na-K balance. Experiments were performed in hearts with and without intracoronary isoprenaline infusion (2.5 nmol min^-1). After injection of 120 nmol [³H]ouabain into the left coronary artery, myocardial [³H]ouabain concentrations were 118 (74–178) and 103 (76–145) pmol g^-1 and total concentrations of [³H]oubain binding sites were 893 (752–1076) and 785 (691–877) pmol g^-1 (median, 95% confidence interval) in isoprenaline-treated and control hearts respectively (differences not significant). The [³H]ouabain injection caused a net potassium release of 81 (56–132) and 43 (23–75) μcool 100 g^-1 (median, 95% confidence interval) in isoprenaline-treated and control hearts respectively (n= 6–8; significance of difference, P= 0.03). Na–K pump rate estimated from mono-exponential release curves was 6363 (3942–10,858) K⁺ ions min^-1 site^-1 during β-adrenoceptor stimulation and 2514 (1380–4322) in control (significance of difference, P= 0.03). This corresponds to 40 and 16%, respectively, of the maximum possible pump rate determined from ATP hydrolysis. Comparison of accumulated potassium release and relative Na-K pump rate indicates that catecholamines enhance the sensitivity of the Na-K pump for intracellular sodium.     

Serum digoxin concentration and half-life in newborns

Summary Serum digoxin concentration and half-life were radioimmunologically determined in 9 mature newborns after 7 days medication with digoxin. The newborns were in respiratory distress treated with continuous positive airway pressure or were suspected to have serious congenital heart disease. Loading dose was 26 µg/kg body weight intravenously and 35 µg/kg body weight orally, respectively. Maintenance dose corresponded to 1/8^th of the digitalization dose twice daily.The serum digoxin level 12 h after the last dose varied between 1.4 and 2.5 ng/ml (mean 2.0 ng/ml, Sx=0.4). The serum half-life of digoxin varied between 21.7 and 42.4 h (mean 30.0 h, Sx=7.7). The mean serum half-life of digoxin of 30 h attained values found in adults without renal disease. This suggests that the serum digoxin levels of newborns which are usually higher if compared with those of adults result from higher digoxin doses per unit body weight and not from diminished digoxin elimination.     

The effect of cathartic agents on transmucosal electrical potential difference in the human rectum

Summary Active ion transport in the colon is generating a transmucosal electrical potential difference (PD) of about 40 mV. Cathartic agents inhibit electrolyte and water net-absorption or cause net-secretion which should be reflected in a change of PD.In 83 normal subjects the effect of an isotonic eletrolyte solution (control) and different cathartic agents on rectal PD was tested: Laxatives (bisacodyl, rhein), bile acids (cholic and deoxycholic acid), fatty acids (oleic and ricinoleic acid) and cardiac glycosides (meproscillarin, digitoxin, digoxin). Bisacodyl, deoxycholic acid in high concentration, meproscillarin and digitoxin significantly decreased PD, while the other substances did not.Cathartics act on different transport mechanisms which together with different absorption characteristics of the proximal and distal colon may explain the difference in effecting the PD. Rectal PD measurement provides an easy and convenient tool to document effects of cathartic agents on electrolyte transport, otherwise difficult to obtain, and is applicable for clinical use.To Prof. Dr. H.P. Wolff on the occasion of his 65th birthday     

强心甙中毒的心肌超微结构变化和甘露醇的保护作用

ⅳ羟自由基清除剂甘露醇,1.1mol/L 2g/kg和3 g/kg可分别使哇巴因致豚鼠LD_(100)由298.54±33.30 μg/kg增高至367.44±44.58μg/kg(P<0.05)和398.49±35.39 μg/kg(P<0.01)。甘露醇略可提高哇巴因致心律失常发生的阈值,但无统计学意义。取哇巴因致心脏出现室性早搏、室性心动过速、室性纤维性颤动和心跳停止时的左室游离壁心肌,用透射电子显微镜观察心肌超微结构的改变,结果表明心肌细胞膜结构发生明显的破坏,并随中毒的加重,心肌结构的破坏亦更严重。     

肉苁蓉总苷对~(60)Coγ射线损伤小鼠免疫功能的防护作用

目的　研究肉苁蓉总苷 (GCs)对 6 0 Co损伤小鼠免疫功能及 30 d存活率的影响。方法　小鼠在不同剂量6 0 Coγ射线照射前后 ,均服以 GCs,观察辐射及 GCs对其免疫功能的改变。结果　 6 0 Co照射剂量为 2 ,4及 7Gy时 ,可造成小鼠体液免疫、细胞免疫功能和非特异性免疫功能及 30 d存活率下降 (P<0 .0 5或 P<0 .0 1) ;GCs(31.2 5 ,6 2 .5 ,12 5 m g/ kg)组可促进上述各指标的恢复 ,对 6 0 Co损伤小鼠的抗体产生、外周血 T淋巴细胞数目、迟发型超敏反应、腹腔巨噬细胞的吞噬功能均有明显保护作用 (P<0 .0 1或 P<0 .0 5 ) ;且能提高受照小鼠的脾指数、胸腺指数及 30 d存活率 (P<0 .0 1或 P<0 .0 5 )。结论　 GCs对辐射损伤小鼠的免疫功能具有较强防护作用     

1—丙二烯基—2，3，4，6—四—氧—乙酰基—β—D—吡喃糖苷的合成及应用机理

分别采用化学、声化学及光辐射等方法合成了1-丙二烯基-2,3,4,6四-氧-乙酰基-β-D-吡喃糖苷,结果表明声化学方法最有效、快速;借助电子自旋共振（ESR）技术及相关实验,证实此类糖苷的生成为一离子消除反应,所合成的糖苷化合物脱去乙酰基后对T、B淋巴细胞具有体外免疫调节作用。     

中药抗药源性肝损伤评价模型及作用机制研究进展

肝脏是药物在机体内代谢的主要场所。药源性肝损伤（drug-induced liver injury,DILI）是药物过量或不当使用导致的机体不良反应之一。非甾体类抗炎药、抗菌药等均可能引起DILI。DILI发生机制主要与细胞色素P450酶、线粒体功能障碍、药物代谢反应、氧化应激、炎症反应等密切相关。中药可通过抑制氧化应激、炎症反应、减少细胞凋亡与影响细胞色素P450酶系统等发挥治疗肝损伤作用。通过对DILI发生机制、动物模型建立方法及中药干预机制等方面进行总结归纳,为DILI动物模型的合理选择及中药防治机制研究提供参考。     

Effect of configuration of muramyl dipeptide glycoside bond and structure of glycoside aglycon on their capacity to stimulate production of interleukin-1 and tumor necrosis factor by macrophages

Effects of 11 original glycoside derivatives of muramyl dipeptide on the production of interleukin-1 and tumor necrosis factor by mouse peritoneal macrophages were studied. The relationship between macrophage activation evaluated by induction of these cytokines and configuration of glycoside bond and aglycon structure of MDP was revealed.     

侧金盏花中强心甙的高效液相色谱分离和相对含量测定

作者研究了侧金盏花中强心甙的反相高效液相色谱测定方法,并对吉林产的侧金盏花中强心甙的相对含量进行了测定。测定结果表明,吉林产的侧金盏花中主要含甙元A、甙元B、加拿大麻甙、铃兰毒甙和毒毛旋花子甙元等强心成分。