Influence Of Long-term Treatment Research Articles

Changes in liver stiffness values assessed using transient elastography in chronic hepatitis B patients treated with tenofovir disoproxil fumarate: a prospective observational study

Background/AimsRegression of liver fibrosis during antiviral therapy in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients has been demonstrated, but data on the influence of long-term treatment with tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) on liver stiffness (LS) measured by transient elastography are scarce. We aimed to investigate the changes in LS values during the 144-week TDF therapy in treatment-naïve CHB patients.MethodsThis prospective observational study was conducted from April 2015 to July 2020 at CHA Bundang Medical Center. Laboratory tests and LS measurements were performed at baseline and repeated at weeks 12, 24, 48, 96, and 144. A significant decline in LS was defined as ≥ 30% decrease in LS value at week 96 from baseline.ResultsA total of 48 treatment-naïve CHB patients initiating TDF therapy were screened, and 36 patients were included in the final analysis (median age, 46 [interquartile range, 34.5–55.8] years; 19 men [52.8%]). During TDF therapy, the median LS values decreased from 13.8 kPa at baseline to 8.7 kPa, 6.5 kPa, and 6.4 kPa at weeks 48, 96, and 144, respectively (all P < 0.001). At week 96, virological and biochemical responses were achieved in 34 (94.4%) patients and 20 (76.9%) patients, respectively. Moreover, 21 of 36 (58.3%) patients showed a significant decline in LS value. A higher baseline LS value was a single independent predictor for the reduction in LS value at week 96 from baseline (P < 0.001).ConclusionsDuring the 144-week TDF therapy, LS values declined significantly in treatment-naïve CHB patients.

The Influence of Long-Term Treatment with Asenapine on Liver Cytochrome P450 Expression and Activity in the Rat. The Involvement of Different Mechanisms.

Therapy of schizophrenia requires long-term treatment with a relevant antipsychotic drug to achieve a therapeutic effect. The aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of prolonged treatment with the atypical neuroleptic asenapine on the expression and activity of rat cytochrome P450 (CYP) in the liver. The experiment was carried out on male Wistar rats. Asenapine (0.3 mg/kg s.c.) was administered for two weeks. The levels of CYP mRNA protein and activity were determined in the liver and hormone concentrations were measured in the pituitary gland and blood serum. Asenapine significantly decreased the activity of CYP1A (caffeine 8-hydroxylation and 3-N-demethylation), CYP2B, CYP2C11 and CYP3A (testosterone hydroxylation at positions 16β; 2α and 16α; 2β and 6β, respectively). The neuroleptic did not affect the activity of CYP2A (testosterone 7α-hydroxylation), CYP2C6 (warfarin 7-hydroxylation) and CYP2E1 (chlorzoxazone 6-hydroxylation). The mRNA and protein levels of CYP1A2, CYP2B1, CYP2C11 and CYP3A1 were decreased, while those of CYP2B2 and CYP3A2 were not changed. Simultaneously, pituitary level of growth hormone-releasing hormone and serum concentrations of growth hormone and corticosterone were reduced, while that of triiodothyronine was enhanced. In conclusion, chronic treatment with asenapine down-regulates liver cytochrome P450 enzymes, which involves neuroendocrine mechanisms. Thus, chronic asenapine treatment may slow the metabolism of CYP1A, CYP2B, CYP2C11 and CYP3A substrates (steroids and drugs). Since asenapine is metabolized by CYP1A and CYP3A, the neuroleptic may inhibit its own metabolism, therefore, the plasma concentration of asenapine in patients after prolonged treatment may be higher than expected based on a single dose.

Long-term use of dipeptyl peptidase-4 inhibitors suppresses systemic oxidative stress in rats with type 2 diabetes

Induction of oxidative stress is one of the main mechanisms responsible for the development of micro- and macrovascular angiopathy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM-2).Aim. To evaluate the influence of long-term treatment with inhibitors of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) on the characteristics of oxidative stress and the state of antioxidant defense system in rats with induced DM 2.Materials and methods. We divided 60 Wistar albino rats into 5 groups: group 1 (control) – normal animals; groups 2–5 rats with DM 2, induced by streptozotocin: group 2 – without treatment with DPP 4; group 3 – rats, treated with saxagliptin (0.45 mg/kg); group 4 – rats, treated with sitagliptin for 3 weeks (0.6 mg/kg); group 5 – rats, treated with vildagliptin (9 mg/kg). At the end of the experimental phase we determined the level of superoxide anion radical (O2-), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), nitrite (NO2-), reduced glutathione, as well as the activity of catalase and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the blood of rats using a diode array spectrophotometer.Results. Induction of DM-2 in experimental animals led to a significant increase of reactive oxygen species (ROS): superoxide radical and hydrogen peroxide and to decrease in NO2-, reduced glutathione, catalase and SOD activity. Comparing groups 3–5 with group 2, treatment with DPP-4 inhibitors reduced excessive generation of superoxide radical (O2-) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) (especially significant in the group with vildagliptin) and increased the activity of catalase and superoxide dismutase (especially significant in the group with v sitagliptin) but the normal values, received in group 1, were not reached. Treatment with all DPP-4 inhibitors brought the level of nitrite (NO2-) up to normal, comparable with group 1.Conclusions. DPP-4 inhibitors suppress systemic oxidative stress in rats with induced DM 2 via reduction of prooxidative molecules production and activation of antioxidant defensive system.

HELP-(Heparin-induced Extracorporeal LDL Precipitation)-apheresis in heart recipients with cardiac allograft vasculopathy and concomitant hypercholesterolemia: Influence of long-term treatment on the microcirculation.

Hyperlipidemic heart transplant patients who develop cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) benefit from HELP-apheresis (Heparin-induced Extracorporeal LDL Precipitation) which enables drastic lowering of plasma low-density lipoprotein, lipoprotein (a), and fibrinogen. There is evidence that HELP-apheresis also improves microcirculation by an immediate improvement of impaired endothelial-dependent vasodilatation and additive hemorheological effects.Therefore, cutaneous microcirculation was examined before, during, and after the first HELP-apheresis in eight hyperlipidemic cardiac transplant recipients with CAV. To study the long-term effect the intravital microscopy was repeated after three and 12 months of weekly apheresis treatment.In CAV patients the baseline mean erythrocyte velocity was pathologically reduced with 0.13±0.07 mm/s. During the first HELP-apheresis the erythrocyte velocity increased significantly (p = 0.0001) and remained increased until the end of the HELP procedure (p < 0.05). After three months of weekly apheresis treatment a decrease of temporary flow stops in the capillaries with a progressive homogenization (concordance) of the cutaneous microcirculation was observed. After one year of weekly treatment a markedly increase in mean erythrocyte velocity under resting conditions occurred. In addition, a reactive post-ischemic hyperemia could be established for the first time.Even the first single HELP-apheresis resulted in a significant improvement of the cutaneous microcirculation. The long-term treatment of these patients resulted in a marked improvement of the cutaneous microcirculation with the tendency to a normalization of the regulation of the capillary perfusion.

Influence of long-term treatment with glyceryl trinitrate on remote ischemic conditioning.

Remote ischemic conditioning (RIC) protects against sustained myocardial ischemia. Because of overlapping mechanisms, this protection may be altered by glyceryl trinitrate (GTN), which is commonly used in the treatment of patients with chronic ischemic heart disease. We investigated whether long-term GTN treatment modifies the protection by RIC in the rat myocardium and human endothelium. We studied infarct size (IS) in rat hearts subjected to global ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) in vitro and endothelial function in healthy volunteers subjected to I/R of the upper arm. In addition to allocated treatment, rats were coadministered with reactive oxygen species (ROS) or nitric oxide (NO) scavengers. Rats and humans were randomized to 1) control, 2) RIC, 3) GTN, and 4) GTN + RIC. In protocols 3 and 4, rats and humans underwent long-term GTN treatment for 7 consecutive days, applied subcutaneously or 2 h daily transdermally. In rats, RIC and long-term GTN treatment reduced mean IS (18 ± 12%, P = 0.007 and 15 ± 5%, P = 0.002) compared with control (35 ± 13%). RIC and long-term GTN treatment in combination did not reduce IS (29 ± 12%, P = 0.55 vs. control). ROS and NO scavengers both attenuated IS reduction by RIC and long-term GTN treatment. In humans, I/R reduced endothelial function ( P = 0.01 vs. baseline). Separately, RIC and long-term GTN prevented the reduction in endothelial function caused by I/R; given in combination, prevention was lost. RIC and long-term GTN treatment both protect against rat myocardial and human endothelial I/R injury through ROS and NO-dependent mechanisms. However, when given in combination, RIC and long-term GTN treatment fail to confer protection. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Remote ischemic conditioning (RIC) and long-term glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) treatment protect against ischemia-reperfusion injury in both human endothelium and rat myocardium. However, combined application of RIC and long-term GTN treatment abolishes the individual protective effects of RIC and GTN treatment on ischemia-reperfusion injury, suggesting an interaction of clinical importance.

Subclinical cardiovascular disease and it's improvement after long-term TNF-α inhibitor therapy in severe psoriatic patients.

There are conflicting data on the occurrence of subclinical myocardial dysfunction in psoriatic patients and on the impact of long-term tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) inhibitor therapy on cardiac function. In this study, we explored whether there are any signs of subclinical cardiovascular disease (echocardiographic abnormalities) in severe psoriatic patients without clinically overt heart disease. As a second objective, the influence of long-term treatment with TNF-α inhibitors on the ventricular functions of psoriatic patients was also investigated. Clinical and echocardiographic data from 44 psoriatic patients and 45 age- and sex-matched controls were processed. As a first step, the echocardiographic parameters of psoriatic patients obtained before anti-TNF-α treatment were compared with controls. As a second step, to detect the effect of long-term anti-TNF-α treatment on echocardiographic parameters, data of patients before and after therapy were analysed. The right ventricular Tei index was higher (P<0.001), whereas the tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) and right ventricular free wall peak systolic velocity were lower (P<0.001 and P<0.0001, respectively) in the psoriatic patients than in the controls. Following treatment with TNF-α inhibitors, TAPSE and right ventricular free wall peak systolic velocity significantly improved (P<0.0001 for both parameters). The Tei index of both ventricles improved during biological therapy; however, this change did not reach statistical significance. Patients with severe psoriasis exhibit signs of subclinical cardiovascular disease compared to control, and prolonged anti-TNF-α therapy has a potentially beneficial effect on these signs.

878 Influence of Long-Term Treatment With Topical Corticosteroids on Natural Course of Eosinophilic Esophagitis and Correlation Between Symptoms and Endoscopy, Histology, and Blood Eosinophils

878 Influence of Long-Term Treatment With Topical Corticosteroids on Natural Course of Eosinophilic Esophagitis and Correlation Between Symptoms and Endoscopy, Histology, and Blood Eosinophils

Influence of chronic dopamine transporter inhibition by RTI-336 on motor behavior, sleep, and hormone levels in rhesus monkeys.

Dopamine transporter (DAT) inhibitors have been developed as a promising treatment approach for cocaine dependence. However, the stimulant effects of DAT inhibitors have the potential to disrupt sleep patterns, and the influence of long-term treatment on dopamine neurochemistry is still unknown. The objectives of this study were to (1) explore the stimulant-related effects of chronic DAT inhibitor (RTI-336) treatment on motor activity and sleep-like measures in male rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta; n = 4) and (2) to determine the effect of drug treatment on prolactin and cortisol levels. Subjects were fitted with a collar-mounted activity monitor to evaluate their motor activity, with 4 days of baseline recording preceding 21 days of daily saline or RTI-336 (1 mg/kg/day; intramuscular) injections. Blood samples were collected immediately prior to and following chronic treatment to assess hormone levels. RTI-336 produced a significant increase in locomotor activity at the end of the daytime period compared to saline administration. During the 3-week treatment period, sleep efficiency was decreased and the fragmentation index and latency to sleep onset were significantly increased. Hormone levels were not changed throughout the study. Chronic treatment with RTI-336 has a mild but significant stimulant effect, as evidenced by the significant increase in activity during the evening period which may cause minor disruptions in sleep measures.

Influence of long-term treatment with pravastatin on the survival, evolution of cutaneous lesion and weight of animals infected by Leishmania amazonensis

The high toxicity of current drugs for treatment of leishmaniasis is a major hindrance for controlling the disease. Pravastatin is a well-known drug with anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties that may modulate host defense mechanisms against Leishmania. We evaluated the influence of prolonged pravastatin treatment on the survival of Leishmania amazonensis-infected animals (BALB/c, C57BL6 mice and Syrian hamsters), including weekly measurement of cutaneous lesions (footpad thickness) and weight. Pravastatin improved survival of Leishmania-infected BALB/c mice but not of infected C57BL6 mice or hamsters. On the 50th week of follow-up, 71% of pravastatin-treated Leishmania-infected BALB/c mice were alive against 29% of control group (p<0.01). Low footpad thickness was found on BALB/c pravastatin treated mice from the 14th week (p<0.05), and 20th week onward for C57BL6 treated mice. Pravastatin treatment decreased weight loss in Leishmania-infected C57BL6 mice and Syrian hamsters, but not infected BALB/c mice. Our results points to beneficial effects of pravastatin on the evolution of the disease in the murine leishmaniasis model.

Sulfur flow in a soil-plant system—effects of long-term treatment history and soil properties

The influence of long-term treatment and soil type on sulfur (S) flow patterns within soil and from soil to plant was studied in a pot experiment with Italian rye grass (Lolium multiflorum cv. SW Fredrik) with (+S) or without (-S) added S. Soil samples were taken from two field treatments (farmyard manure (FYM) application or crop residue (CR) incorporation) at four sites with differing soil types within the Swedish long-term fertility experiment series. To follow gross processes, the initial soil sulfate pool was labeled with carrier-free H 2 35 SO4. The –S treatment resulted in visual symptoms of S deficiency, reduced biomass production and lower total S uptake by the rye grass. The isotopic measurements revealed that more than two thirds of the plant S was derived from non-labeled soil organic S, even in the + S treatment, and that all organic S pools (physically unprotected/protected and residual organic S) in the soil were involved in the S transformations. The long-term FYM treatment had resulted in higher S cycling rates and a slightly higher resistance to S deficiency than the CR treatment. The influence of soil type on S flow patterns was important, but probably only partly related to the soil S properties.

Prospective Multicentric Survey On Pulmonary Hypertension (PH) in Adults with Sickle Cell Disease.

Abstract 572 Introduction :Pulmonary hypertension (PH) has emerged as life threatening complication in patients with sickle cell disease. It is usually diagnosed at echocardiography by estimating systolic Pulmonary Artery Pressure (PAP) through the measurement of a velocity of tricuspid regurgitation (TRV) > 2.5 m/s. Pulmonary Hypertension diagnosed as so could affect up to 30% of patients with sickle cell disease (SCD). However, according to most guidelines, PH is rather defined by measurement of mean PAP ≥ 25 mmHg at right heart catheterism. Whether measurement of TRV ≥ 2.5 m/s at echocardiography accurately identifies patients with PH in patients with SCD, has never been evaluated.We conducted a prospective multicentre study in 403 consecutive adult out-patients in stable clinical condition, recruited after informed consent, during 2 years (from Feb.2007 to March 2009) from 2 SCD referral centers in France (1 in Paris and 1 in Martinique). Follow -up was planned for 3 years. All patients had Doppler echocardiography, pulmonary function tests and 6 min walk test. RHC was systematically performed in case of TRV3 2.5m/sec. Results.Of the 385/403 patients (SS in 379, 6 Sb0thalassemia) with all data availabel, sex ratio 1.5 , mean age 34±10 yrs, 96 had TRV 3 2.5m/s (25 %) and underwent RHC. There was no PH in 72/96 with mPAp=19 ±3mmHg (false positive of echocardiography=75%). In 24 patients, m PAP was elevated (30 ± 0.4m/s). Mechanism of PH was: post-capillary PH in 13 patients (elevated pulmonary capillary wedge pressure) - hyperkinetic state in 5 patients (high cardiac output, normal pulmonary vascular resistance) - pre-capillary pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) in 6 patients (normal capillary wedge pressure, increased vascular resistance). Patients with a confirmed PH at RHC were significantly older (45 vs 33 yrs), had higher LDH, NT-Pro BNP, and a lower 6 min walk distance. There was no influence of long term treatment (hydroxyurea, chronic transfusion) on PH.During follow-up (mean=11 months), 3 patients died, all in the group of patients with TRV32.5 m/sec and confirmed PH at RHC (mPAP 3 25 mmHg). The 24 patients having confirmed PH with RHC display similar biological and hemodynamic profile to the 18/42 with TRV3 2.5m/sec among the 195 patients (132 SS,35SC,23S-Thalassemia b0or b+) of the Gladwin study(1), consenting to have RHC. The use of a higher cut-off value of TRV, 2.8 m/sec, decreases the false positive rate from 75% to 50%. However, 29% of patients with pulmonary hypertension (7/24) would have been undiagnosed. ConclusionPH confirmed by gold-standard technique (RHC) is relatively rare among SCD patients, with a prevalence of 24/385 (6%). PAH was present in only 6 patients (1.6%). In this population, a TRV 2.5m/s on Doppler echocardiography is inadequate to diagnose PH. The loose relationship found between TRV and pulmonary hypertension in patients with sickle cell disease does not support its use as a routine screening tool, whatever the cut-off used. Although PH on RHC was generally modest, PH seems to be an important prognostic factor. The large difference on mortality compared to previous studies will be discussed. Disclosures:No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Influence of long-term treatment with a green tea (Camellia sinensis) decoction with or without citrus juice on liver steatosis and some plasma variables in the elderly rat

Influence of long-term treatment with a green tea (<i>Camellia sinensis</i>) decoction with or without citrus juice on liver steatosis and some plasma variables in the elderly rat

Influence of long-term treatment with a green tea (Camellia sinensis) decoction with or without citrus juice on liver steatosis and some plasma variables in the elderly rat

Influence of long-term treatment with a green tea (<i>Camellia sinensis</i>) decoction with or without citrus juice on liver steatosis and some plasma variables in the elderly rat

Influence of long-term treatment with equine somato-tropin (EquiGen®) on gonadal function in stallions with poor semen quality

The aim of the present study was to investigate the spermatogenic and Leydig cell activity in stallions with impaired semen quality after treatment with equine somatotropin. Experiments were performed using 18 adult clinically healthy stallions with poor semen quality which did not pass breeding soundness evaluation. The animals were randomly divided into a treatment (n = 9) and a control (n = 9) group. Over a period of 90 days, nine stallions received a daily intramuscular injection of 10 mg recombinant equine somatotropin (EquiGen, BresaGen Limited, Adelaide, Australia) and 9 control animals were injected with the same amount of physiological saline solution. During and until 2 months after treatment, semen characteristics and daily sperm output as well as plasma testosterone concentrations were determined monthly in all stallions. In addition, testosterone concentration measurement after stimulation with hCG was performed in all animals immediately before and at the end of the treatment period as well as 2 months later. Our results demonstrate that equine somatotropin (EquiGen) given daily in a dose of 10 mg per animal during 90 days had no significant effect neither on plasma testosterone concentrations and hCG-induced testosterone release nor on semen quality parameters in adult stallions with poor semen characteristics.

Effect of treatment with choline alphoscerate on hippocampus microanatomy and glial reaction in spontaneously hypertensive rats

The influence of long term treatment with choline alphoscerate on microanatomy of hippocampus and glial reaction was assessed in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) used as an animal model of cerebrovascular disease. Choline alphoscerate is a cholinergic precursor, which has shown to be effective in countering cognitive symptoms in forms of dementia disorders of degenerative, vascular or combined origin. Male spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) aged 6 months and age-matched normotensive Wistar–Kyoto (WKY) rats were treated for 8 weeks with an oral daily dose of 100 mg/kg of choline alphoscerate, 285 mg/kg of phosphatidylcholine (lecithin) or vehicle. On the hippocampus of different animal groups, nerve cell number and GFAP-immunoreactive astrocytes were assessed by neuroanatomical, immunochemical and immunohistochemical techniques associated with quantitative analysis. Treatment with choline alphoscerate countered nerve cell loss and glial reaction primarily in the CA1 subfields and in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus of SHR. Phosphatidylcholine did not affect hypertension-dependent changes in hippocampal microanatomy. Both compounds did not affect blood pressure values in SHR. These data suggest that choline alphoscerate may play a role in the countering hippocampal changes induced by cerebrovascular involvement. The observation that treatment with choline alphoscerate attenuates the extent of glial reaction in the hippocampus of SHR suggests also that the compound may afford neuroprotection in this animal model of vascular brain damage.

Increased glycosaminoglycans in the urine of asthmatic children on inhaled corticosteroids

Increased extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition in the airway wall contributes to the airway remodeling in asthmatics. Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) are polysaccharides attached to a protein core in order to form proteoglycans, a component of the ECM. In this study, we investigated the possible influence of long-term treatment with inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) on urinary GAGs levels of asthmatic children. Seventy asthmatic children (41 boys), aged 6.8-12.5 yr, participated in the study. About 44 were treated with inhaled budesonide via turbuhaler for 2-35 months (median 12 months) and 26 were on relief medications. About 30 healthy controls were also studied. GAGs were precipitated from early morning urine samples, collected, isolated and quantified using uronic acid-carbazole reaction and expressed as uronic acid (UA) in microg/g/Cr(u)/m2. Urinary GAGs values did not differ significantly between controls and asthmatics but significant differences were found between children on ICS and asthmatics on relief medications (p < 0.001). There was a positive correlation between the daily dose of inhaled budesonide and the urinary GAGs values (r = 0.32, p = 0.037) whereas a threshold distinguishing 'low' vs. 'high' doses of ICS was found to be at 300 microg/m2 per day with a significant difference in urinary GAGs secretion (p = 0.006). Our data show that urinary GAGs secretion is reduced in asthmatic children that used only relief medication but it is increased in those on long-term treatment with ICS. A dose dependent effect of ICS was also detected.

Influence of long-term treatment with cytosine arabinoside on telomere length in human HL60 cells

Immortal tumor cells employ a telomere length maintenance mechanism to escape the normal limits on proliferation. We investigated whether treatment with cytosine arabinoside (AraC), whose triphosphate derivative AraCTP might partially inhibit the synthesis of C-rich telomere strands, is effective for inducing telomere shortening in human HL60 cells. Long-term treatment with 0.01 microM AraC was found to cause significant telomere lengthening, but had no marked effects on cell population doubling rates or morphology.

The influence of long-term treatment with psychotropic drugs on cytochrome P450: the involvement of different mechanisms

This paper emphasises that besides the direct action of psychotropic drugs on cytochrome P450 (CYP) (i.e., the binding of the parent drug to the enzyme) indirect mechanisms of CYP–psychotropic interactions, namely the formation of CYP-reactive metabolite complexes and their influence on enzyme regulation, are also very important. The described interactions that are time-, drug- and CYP isoform-dependent may overlap during long-term treatment. The final result of the overlapping depends on the dosage and time interval after the last administration of a drug, which determines the concentration of the parent drug and its metabolites in the environment of the enzyme. These interactions may occur not only in the liver, but also in the brain, and may change the activity of CYP towards the metabolism of drugs, sex steroids, neurosteroids and amine neurotransmitters. The role of the CNS in the regulation of CYP by psychotropics and the significance of CYP–psychotropic interactions for pharmacological and clinical profiling of these drugs is discussed. In addition, different experimental approaches for studying CNS-acting drugs are compared.

Influence of long-term treatment with tetracycline and niacinamide on antibody production in dogs with discoid lupus erythematosus.

To evaluate the effect of long-term treatment with tetracycline and niacinamide on antibody production in dogs by measuring postvaccinal serum concentrations of antibodies against canine parvovirus and canine distemper virus. 10 dogs receiving long-term treatment with tetracycline and niacinamide (treatment group) and 10 healthy dogs (control group). The treatment group included 9 dogs with discoid lupus erythematosus and 1 dog with pemphigus foliaceus on long-term treatment (> 12 months) with tetracycline and niacinamide. The control group included 10 healthy dogs with no clinical signs of disease and no administered medications for the past 3 months. Blood samples were obtained from all dogs by jugular venipuncture. Serum antibody titers against canine parvovirus and canine distemper virus antigens were measured, using hemaglutination inhibition and serum neutralization, respectively, and compared between groups. A significant difference in antibody titers between treatment- and control-group dogs was not found. All dogs had protective antibody titers against canine distemper virus, and 8 of 10 dogs from each group had protective titers against canine parvovirus infection. These results provide evidence that long-term treatment with tetracycline and niacinamide does not interfere with routine vaccinations and thus does not seem to influence antibody production in dogs.

The influence of long-term treatment with histamine H1 receptor antagonists and theophylline on the incidence of febrile convulsion in children with atopic dermatitis and/or asthma

The influence of long-term treatment with histamine H1 receptor antagonists and theophylline on the incidence of febrile convulsion in children with atopic dermatitis and/or asthma