Identification of epididymis-specific antigens using neonatal tolerization

PROBLEM: Conventional immunization using whole sperm containing multiple antigens as the immunogen followed by hybridoma technology usually gives antibodies to antigens invariably of testicular origin, probably because of the strong immunogenic nature of these antigens. Therefore, an alternate approach of neonatal tolerization or subtractive immunization has been utilized to raise antibodies specific to epididymis by suppressing immune response to testicular antigens. METHOD OF STUDY: Neonatal mice were tolerized with testicular sperm proteins on days 0 and 5. These animals were then immunized with epididymal sperm proteins on day 21, followed by two boosters at biweekly intervals. Sera from these mice were used to localize epididymis-specific antigens. RESULTS: Sera from mice that were tolerized to testicular sperm proteins and later immunized with epididymal sperm proteins reacted only with epididymal proteins. CONCLUSION: The results of this study demonstrate that neonatal tolerization with testicular sperm proteins, followed by immunization with epididymal sperm proteins, enhances the production of antibodies to proteins exclusively of epididymal origin.     

One-Year Follow-up of Duodenal Ulcers after 1-Wk Triple Therapy for Helicobacter pylori

Objective : to study the ulcer recurrence rate of Helicobacter pylori-positive duodenal ulcers at 1 yr after eradication of the bacteria by triple therapy. Method : Patients with H. pylori-positive duodenal ulcers were randomized to receive either triple therapy for 1 wk plus omeprazole for 4 wk (THple+OMP) (n = 78), or omeprazole alone (OMP) for 4 wk (N = 77). Patients were followed up every 3 months for symptom enquiry. At 1 yr, all asymptomatic patients were invited to attend for gastroscopy. Results : At 8 wk, 16 patients in the OMP group and four in the Triple+OMP group had an ulcer. During the 1-yr period, 12 patients in the OMP group and no patient in the Triple+OMP group developed symptomatic ulcers. At follow-up endoscopy at 1 yr, another 10 ulcers were detected in the OMP group and two in the Triple+OMP group. Fifteen patients in the OMP group and 13 in the Triple+OMP group were lost to follow-up. In total, ulcers were de-tected in 39 of 61 (64%) assessahle patients in the OMP group, and in six of 65 (97o) assessahle patients in the Triple+OMP group after I yr (χ² test: p < 0.001). Of the patients whose H, pytori were successfully eradicated hy Triple+OMP at 8 wk, 90% remained H. pylori negative at 1 yr. Conclusion : Triple therapy for 1 wk eradicates H, pylori infection and significantly reduces duodenal ulcer relapses.     

Efficacy of nimodipine in the prophylaxis of migraine

The efficacy of nimodipine in the prophylaxis of migraine was assessed in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over study carried out on 33 patients, 20 of whom suffered from classic and 13 from common migraine. Four patients dropped out, but not as a result of the side effects of the drug. The duration of drug treatment was 8 weeks. The dosage used was 30 mg four times daily. Nimodipine proved to be better than placebo, the number of migraine attacks and severity of headache showing a significant reduction. The drug was well tolerated and no marked side effects were noted. The results suggest that nimodipine is a useful new prophylactic drug for migraine, but further studies are needed before its final value can be evaluated.