EFFECTS OF LOCALLY ADMINISTERED ARGATROBAN ON RESTENOSIS AFTER BALLOON ANGIOPLASTY: EXPERIMENTAL AND CLINICAL STUDY

1. This study was undertaken to evaluate the preventive effects of locally administered argatroban, a competitive inhibitor of thrombin-induced platelet activation, on restenosis after balloon angioplasty. 2. A hydrogel-coated balloon catheter was immersed three times in argatroban/saline solution (1 mg/mL) for 60 s, inflated to a pressure of 606 kPa and left in the rabbit common carotid artery for 1 min. The same procedure was performed, without drug, as a control. The pharmacokinetics of delivered argatroban in the arterial wall were assessed using [¹⁴C]-argatroban. Platelet deposition 2h after balloon injury was quantified by fluorescence studies using antiplatelet antibody. Vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation 3 days after balloon injury was assessed by immunohistochemical staining for proliferative cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). In a clinical study, we divided 50 elective patients into two groups: argatroban and control. 3. In the experimental study, the mean quantities of argatroban at 0, 2 and 6 h after deflation wer. 24.63, 0.49 and 0.11 nmol/g wet weight of artery, respectively. Argatroban was undetected 24 h after deflation. Two hours after deflation, argatroban-treated arteries showed less platelet adhesion than saline-treated controls. The mean number of PCNA-positive cells was 16.9 and 43.8% in the argatroban and control groups, respectively (P < 0.01). In the clinical study, the mean late gain loss was 8.2 and 27.3% in the argatroban and control groups, respectively (P < 0.05). The mean late restenosis rate was 11.1 and 41.4% in the argatroban and control groups, respectively (P<0.05). 4. These data suggest that blood coagulation plays a significant role in VSMC proliferation after balloon injury and that locally administered argatroban using hydrogel-coated balloon catheter may prevent post-percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplast. restenosis.     

Common bile duct calculi: updated experience with dissolution with methyl tertiary butyl ether

The authors describe their experience with methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) in a larger series of patients than previously reported in order to acquaint physicians with both its effectiveness for dissolution of common bile duct calculi and the limitations of its use. Ten patients with 13 biliary calculi underwent percutaneous stone dissolution treatment with the experimental cholesterol solvent, MTBE. Three stones completely dissolved within 30 minutes, seven were reduced in size, and three were visibly unaffected. All stones not completely dissolved were easily extracted by means of a stone basket except for one in a patient taken to surgery. Although MTBE perfusion is an effective technique for management of biliary calculi, practitioners should be aware that its use is quite time consuming and its odor difficult to control.     

Expression of cadherins and CD44 isoforms in ovarian endometrial cysts

We evaluated the immunohistochemical expression of cadherins and CD44 variants in 20 endometriomas, 20 cystadenomas, 20 borderline ovarian tumours as well as 20 ovarian carcinomas, and the serological and cystic fluid concentrations of soluble E-cadherin and soluble CD44 standard (sCD44sdt) in 20 endometriomas, 20 cystadenomas, six borderline and 11 carcinomas of the ovary. In endometriomas, immunostaining of E- and N-cadherin was negative (20 and 30% respectively). CD44 H, v3 and v6 immunostaining were detected in 63, 10 and 40% respectively. A difference in immunostaining for E-cadherin was found between endometriomas and cystadenomas (P < 0.001) and for N- cadherin between endometriomas and carcinomas (P < 0.001). A difference in CD44H immunostaining was observed between endometriomas and cystadenomas (P < 0.035) but not with borderline ovarian tumours and carcinomas. No difference in serum concentrations of soluble E- cadherins and CD44 standard was found between the four groups of tumours. Cystic fluid concentrations of E-cadherin were lower in endometriomas than in borderline tumours and ovarian carcinomas (P < 0.001). High concentrations of soluble CD44 standard cystic fluid were found in endometriomas than in other ovarian cysts. Endometriomas and borderline tumours share alterations of cadherins and CD44 isoforms which may help in the understanding of the aggressive and invasive potentials of endometriotic cells.      

Genital asymmetry in men

This study examined genital asymmetry in a large sample of men. The probands were 6544 non-delinquent men who were interviewed by the Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender and Reproduction from 1938 to 1963. The measures were four indicators of penile and scrotal asymmetry, along with self-reported handedness, from Kinsey's interview protocol. Most men reported some degree of lateral asymmetry in their flaccid penis and in their testicles; less asymmetry was reported for their erect penis. The asymmetry typically occurred in the left direction, and this pattern occurred in both right- and nonright- handers. However, this 'leftward' pattern was significantly less pronounced in nonright-handers. The results are discussed in relation to previous findings of genital asymmetry in men, the possible relationship of genital asymmetry to functional cerebral asymmetry, and recent data suggesting genital asymmetry may predict patterns of cognitive performance and genital/sexual organ cancers.      

Effect of adrenergic blockade on gastric secretion altered by catecholamines in rats.

The effect of adrenergic blockade on gastric secretion altered by catecholamines was studied for 4 hr after injection in rats with chronic gastric fistulas. The alpha-adrenergic blockers phenoxybenzamine and phentolamine significantly inhibited the basal secretion of HCl and pepsin. Blockade of the beta-adrenergic receptors with propranolol did not change this secretion. Practolol in small doses slightly increased and in larger doses inhibited HCl out-put. Of the catecholamines, adrenaline and dopamine most markedly reduced HCl and pepsin secretion, while noradrenaline and isoprenaline had a weaker effect. Neither alpha- nor beta-adrenergic blockers prevented the inhibitory action of the catecholamines employed, but intensified the depression of the gastric secretion provoked by them. Adrenergic blockers inhibited secretion after catecholamines as well as basal secretion. This indicates that these two antagonistic groups of compounds act independently on the mechanism controlling gastric secretion. It is unlikely that this takes place indirectly through changes in the blood supply of the gastric mucosa.     

Components of root bark of morus lhou1 1. Structures of two new natural diels-alder adducts, kuwanons N and o

Kuwanons N and O, two new flavonoid derivatives with a fused dihydrochalcone partial moiety, and four known flavonoid derivatives, morusin, kuwanons G, H, and K, were isolated from the ethyl acetate extract of the root bark of MORUS LHOU (SER.) Koidz. The structures of kuwanons N and O were shown to be 1 and 2, respectively, on the basis of spectral data. They are regarded biogenetically as Diels-Alder adducts of a chalcone and a dehydroprenyl flavonoid.     

Structures of four new isoprenylated xanthones, cudraxanthones h,i,j, and k1,2

Four new isoprenylated xanthones, cudraxanthone H,I,J, and K were isolated from the ethanol extract of the root bark of CUDRANIA TRICUSPIDATA (Carr.) Bur. (Moraceae), collected in China. The structures of cudraxanthones H,I,J, and K were shown to be 1- 4, respectively, on the basis of chemical and spectral evidence.     

Structures of three new isoprenylated xanthones, cudraxanthones e, f, and g 1,2

Three new isoprenylated xanthones, cudraxanthones E, F, and G along with a known xanthone, 6-deoxyisojacareubin, were isolated from the ethanol extract of the root bark of CUDRANIA TRICUSPIDATA (Moraceae), collected in China. The structures of cudraxanthones E, F, and G were shown to be 1-3, respectively, on the basis of spectral evidence.     

Constituents of the chinese crude drug "Sāng-Bái-Pí" (morus root bark)

From the benzene extract of the Chinese crude drug "Sāng-Bái-Pí" (Japanese name Sōhakuhi), the root barks of MORUS sp. (Moraceae), a novel isoprene substituted flavanone derivative, named sanggenon B, was isolated; its structure was shown to be I on the basis of spectral and chemical data. Sanggenon B (I) is regarded biogenetically as a variation of a Diels-Alder adduct of a chalcone derivative and a dehydroprenylflavanone derivative.