Ninth Day Of Treatment Research Articles

Effect of Alcoholic Extract of the Plant Conyza bonariensis on the Parasite Hymenolepis nana in Albino Mice Infected with it Experimentally

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of an alcoholic extract of the Mountain grass plant Conyza bonariensis on adults of the dwarf tapeworm Hymenolepis nana in albino mice infected with it experimentally, where Albino mice of the strain Balb/C were infected with these worms experimentally, it was divided into 5 groups, each group consisting of 6 rats, where the first group (control) was given distilled water only. As for the other groups, they were dosed with different concentrations of the alcoholic extract of the plant 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg, The last group was given 15 mg/kg of Niclosamide in one dose per day for 13 days. The results showed the effective effect of the concentrations of the alcoholic extract and the drug Niclosamide in the treatment of albino mice, and it produced a high therapeutic efficiency of 100%, with a variation in the period required for complete treatment and complete elimination of helminths, where the highest concentration of 200 mg/kg and the use of the drug led to a complete recovery of the infected Albino mice during the ninth day of treatment, and it was noted that the worm eggs disappeared from the swabs of the treated mice, while the infection continued in the control group until the thirteenth day, then died after that.

Therapeutic Comparison Between Alcoholic and Aqueous Plant Extract of Tannins with Metronidazole in Experimentally Infected Laboratory Mice Cryptosporidium parvum Oocysts

The current study was conducted during the period between from the beginning of October 2021 until the end of March 2022. The aim of the study was to measure the therapeutic efficacy of alcoholic and aqueous extracts from the local tannins Cupressus sempervirens for the treatment of experimental infected laboratory mice with Cryptosporidiosis.
 Through a significant decrease in the number of Oocyst of the parasite that causes infection Cryptosporidium parvum after oral administration of the aqueous and alcoholic extracts with three concentrations (2, 1.3, 1) mg/ml compared to MTZ drug, as the alcoholic extract proved its efficacy by stopping the shedding of parasite Oocyst at the ninth day of treatment with its total absence on the eleventh day of treatment, while the shedding of parasite Oocysts in the group treated with aqueous extract stopped on the eleventh day and completely absent on the thirteenth day of infection.

The Action of 2-Aminoethyldiphenyl Borinate on the Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension and Remodeling of High-Altitude Hypoxemic Lambs.

Calcium signaling is key for the contraction, differentiation, and proliferation of pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells. Furthermore, calcium influx through store-operated channels (SOCs) is particularly important in the vasoconstrictor response to hypoxia. Previously, we found a decrease in pulmonary hypertension and remodeling in normoxic newborn lambs partially gestated under chronic hypoxia, when treated with 2-aminoethyldiphenyl borinate (2-APB), a non-specific SOC blocker. However, the effects of 2-APB are unknown in neonates completely gestated, born, and raised under environmental hypoxia. Accordingly, we studied the effects of 2-APB-treatment on the cardiopulmonary variables in lambs under chronic hypobaric hypoxia. Experiments were done in nine newborn lambs gestated, born, and raised in high altitude (3,600 m): five animals were treated with 2-APB [intravenous (i.v.) 10 mg kg–1] for 10 days, while other four animals received vehicle. During the treatment, cardiopulmonary variables were measured daily, and these were also evaluated during an acute episode of superimposed hypoxia, 1 day after the end of the treatment. Furthermore, pulmonary vascular remodeling was assessed by histological analysis 2 days after the end of the treatment. Basal cardiac output and mean systemic arterial pressure (SAP) and resistance from 2-APB- and vehicle-treated lambs did not differ along with the treatment. Mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP) decreased after the first day of 2-APB treatment and remained lower than the vehicle-treated group until the third day, and during the fifth, sixth, and ninth day of treatment. The net mPAP increase in response to acute hypoxia did not change, but the pressure area under the curve (AUC) during hypoxia was slightly lower in 2-APB-treated lambs than in vehicle-treated lambs. Moreover, the 2-APB treatment decreased the pulmonary arterial wall thickness and the α-actin immunoreactivity and increased the luminal area with no changes in the vascular density. Our findings show that 2-APB treatment partially reduced the contractile hypoxic response and reverted the pulmonary vascular remodeling, but this is not enough to normalize the pulmonary hemodynamics in chronically hypoxic newborn lambs.

Clinical case of peripheral facial palsy as first and single COVID-19 symptom in an immunized patient

SARS-CoV-2 virus affects the central as well as the peripheral nervous system. Peripheral facial palsy is possible as the first and single COVID-19 symptom. The author presents own clinical observation of a 58-year-old patient with peripheral facial palsy. It is known that the patient completed the vaccination 8 weeks ago and also had direct contact with the patient SARS-CoV-2 (the patient's son). Facial nerve palsy was the first and only symptom of coronavirus infection. In the blood there was a moderate lymphocytopenia, increased interleukin-6, C-reactive protein, seromukoids. MRI of the brain and CT of the temporal bones did not reveal focal and diffuse pathology. After treatment, there was a complete recovery on the ninth day of treatment. Treatment included antiviral drugs, vitamins, steroids, kinesiotaping of facial muscles. The author substantiates necessity and demonstrates the results of treatment with endothelioprotective therapy (combination of L-arginine and L-carnitine) , which is aimed at elimination of systemic inflammation, oxidative stress caused by SARS-CoV-2 virus. Conclusions. General practitioner need to be alert when examining patients, including those who have been vaccinated and those who have direct contact with patients with coronavirus infection. Pathogenesis of peripheral facial palsy in COVID-19 multidirectional: neuroinvasive and neurotropic effect of the virus on the nerve, hypercoagulation, ischemia of the peripheral nerve on the background of systemic inflammatory reaction, oxidative stress. Timely detection, careful monitoring and adequate treatment of pathology are necessary to prevent complications (persistent facial contractures, synkinesis). Further in-depth studies are needed on a larger sample of patients to identify the incidence of peripheral facial nerve palsy in COVID-19 and the possibility of a link to vaccination.

Effect of dermal fibroblasts and mesenchymal stem cells seeded on an amniotic membrane scaffold in skin regeneration: A case series

Skin wound healing has always been a challenging subject as it involves the coordinated functioning of various cells and molecules. Any disorder in wound healing can cause healing failure and result in chronic wounds. In this study, we hypothesized that co-cultured dermal fibroblasts (DFs) and Wharton's jelly mesenchymal stem cells (WJ-MSCs) seeded on an acellular amniotic membrane scaffold could be used to promote skin regeneration in chronic ulcers. In this case series, the chronic wounds of five diabetic patients aged between 30 and 60 years were treated with co-cultured WJ-MSCs and DFs seeded on an acellular amniotic membrane. Treatment was applied and the wound healing process was evaluated every three days for nine days, with the patients being subsequently followed up for one month. The wound healing percentage, time taken for the wound to heal, and wound size were monitored. The mean wound healing rate (WHR) increased progressively in all lesions. The mean percentage of wound healing after transplantation of the biological scaffold enriched with WJ-MSCs and autologous DFs after treatment was 93.92 %, respectively. The healing percentage significantly increased after three days; significant decreases in wound size and healing time were recorded after six and nine days of treatment, respectively (P < 0.002), and Total skin regeneration and re-epithelialization were achieved by the ninth day of treatment. There were no side effects or complications. Given the current problems and complications presented by chronic wounds, Novel Clinical approaches involving cell therapy and tissue engineering can be regarded as an attractive therapeutic option for the treatment of chronic and difficult-to-heal wounds.

Spontaneous and induced secretion of the pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and diabetic foot syndrome

AIMS:Investigation of spontaneous and induced secretion of the pro-inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor- (TNF-) and the anti-inflammatory chemokine C-C Motif Chemokine Ligand 18 (CCL18) by monocytes isolated from blood of patients with long-term type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), both with or without foot ulcers and the effect of the course use of the combined metabolic drug Kokarnit as part of complex therapy on the dynamics of the severity of symptoms of DSPN and the cytokine phenotype in patients with long-term non-healing ulcers of the lower extremities&#x0D; MATERIALS AND METHODS:121 patients with T2DM, 79 without diabetic foot syndrome (DFS) and 42 patients with DFS were included. CD14+ monocytes were isolated from patients blood and stimulated by interferon- (IFN-) and interleukine-4 (IL-4) for induction of pro- and anti-inflammatory monocyte activation, respectively. The concentrations of TNF- and CCL18 in the culture medium were measured using ELISA on day 1 and day 6 after cell stimulation in all patients before taking the combined metabolic drug Kokarnit. Then they were randomly allocated either to the control group (57 people), to whom Kokarnit was added to standard treatment, or to the comparison group. After a 9-day course of application of Kokarnit, the dynamics of indicators was evaluated on a TSS scale. Assessment of cytokine status was carried out in 18 people with long-term non-healing ulcerative defects of the lower extremities, on the first and ninth day of treatment.&#x0D; RESULTS:A correlation was found between HbA1cand levels of stimulated secretion of TNF (r=0.726, p=0.027), CCL18 (r=-0.949, p=0.051) in patients with DSPN. In all patients with different duration of VDS, an increase in secretion of TNF- and CCL18 was observed (p0.05). However, stimulation of anti-inflammatory activation was not observed in patients with ulcerative defects lasting more than 6 months (p=0.033). The use of cocarnit in these patients had a decrease in stimulated secretion of TNF and an increase in CCL18. Throughout the entire observation period with the therapy, the score for the symptoms of polyneuropathy on the TSS scale in patients of the control group was statistically significantly higher.&#x0D; CONCLUSION:Against the background of therapy in patients of the main group, a statistically significant dynamics of indicators on the TSS scale was established. The cytokine modulating ability of Kokarnit to switch the cytokine status into the category of anti-inflammatory.

Role of radiotherapy combined with halofuginone in enhancing therapeutic effect on Lewis lung cancer transplanted in mice and related mechanisms

Objective To investigate the role of radiotherapy combined with halofuginone in enhancing the therapeutic effect on Lewis lung cancer (LLC) and influence on tumor invasion and metastasis, and to explore possible molecular mechanisms. Methods The model mice with LLC xenograft were randomly divided into blank control group, halofuginone group, irradiation group, and combination group. On day 3 after the treatment ended, 4 mice in each group were randomly sacrificed, and immunohistochemistry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were performed. The other mice were observed for survival time and liver/lung metastases. Analysis of variance was applied for comparison of results between groups. Results On the ninth day of treatment, the mean tumor volume was 175.2 mm3 in the blank control group, 118.5 mm3 in the halofuginone group, 106.6 mm3 in the irradiation group, and 85.6 mm3 in the combination group (P=0.000). The median survival times for these groups were 39 days, 61.5 days, 78.5 days, and 84.5 days, respectively (P=0.002). The combination group had the lowest number of liver and lung metastases. The results of immunohistochemistry and ELISA showed that compared with the blank control group, the irradiation group had a higher level of transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1), while the combination group had a lower level of TGF-β1. The combination group had a lower mean tumor vascular density than the blank control group. The blank control group and the irradiation group had higher expression levels of collagen, while the halofuginone group and the combination group had lower expression levels of collagen. Conclusions Radiotherapy combined with halofuginone may enhance the effect of antitumor therapies, and potential mechanisms still need further investigation. Key words: Transforming growth factor; Irradiation; Halofuginone; Lewis lung neoplasms; Transplanted tumor in mice

“Cahul” ozonated mineral water in the treatment of experimentally induced chronic rhinosinusitis

Abstract BACKGROUND. Chronic maxillary sinusitis is a frequently encountered pathology, resistant to treatment, which can cause significant economic losses. Considering these aspects, it is necessary to develop new methods of treatment. OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study was to assess the therapeutic efficacy of the “Cahul” ozonated mineral water in the treatment of experimentally induced chronic rhinosinusitis and its action on the mucosa of the maxillary sinus. MATERIAL AND METHODS. The experimental study was conducted on a group of 14 chinchilla rabbits, aged between 8 and 12 months, weighing 2.5-3.0 kg, kept in vivarium conditions. In the first stage of the study, chronic rhinosinusitis was induced. 3 months after, maxillary antrostomy in the medial wall was performed on all animals included in the study; the intervention was performed under general anesthesia. The rabbits were divided into two groups. The rabbits enrolled in the study group underwent daily inhalations and maxillary sinus lavage with the “Cahul” ozonated mineral water. In the control group, inhalations and lavage were performed with 0.9% NaCl solution. Efficacy of the treatment was assessed observing the clinical character of the pathology. On days 2, 5 and 9 of the experiment, endoscopic and histological examinations were performed. RESULTS. On the ninth day of treatment, if in the study group the appearance of the sinus mucosa was almost normal, in the control group, the histological examination revealed: epithelial hyperplasia, cylindrical cell hyperplasia, thickening of the basement membrane and lymphocyte infiltration. Mucosal fragments harvested after 5 days revealed submucosal fibrosis, leukocyte infiltration in the control group being more pronounced than in the study group. CONCLUSION. Maxillary sinus lavage with the “Cahul” ozonated mineral water improves mucociliary clearance and stimulates regeneration of affected cells.

Effects of Duragesic on the treatment of moderate or severe pain caused by cancer and the nursing of its adverse effects

Objective To study the clinical effects and feasibility of nursing intervention for adverse effects of Duragesic when it prevented moderate or severe cancer pain. Methods A total of 192 patients, who had acquired moderate or serious cancer pain in our hospital during December 2011 and December 2013, had been chosen as objectives and divided into observation group (nursing intervention model) and control group (routine nursing) on average. The analgesic effect and adverse effects of patients were compared between two groups. Results Compared the results of pain relief, the effective rate of pain relief at sixth and ninth day of treatment were 44.79% (43/96) and 66.67% (64/96) higher than 22.92% (22/96) and 44.79% (43/96) of the control group (χ2=10.267, 9.310; P 0.05). Compared the adverse effect in two groups, the incidences of vomiting, nausea, constipation and dysuria in the control group were higher than these of the observation group (χ2=5.603, 5.438, 4.364, 3.544; P 0.05). Conclusions The nursing intervention model had apparent effect on preventing adverse effects of patients with moderate or serious cancer pain treating with Duragesic. It could effectively improve psychological status of patients and life quality, and be helpful to restore their health. Key words: Nursing intervention; Moderate or severe cancer pain; Adverse effects; Duragesic

Frequency of Massive Proteinuria in Childhood Pyelonephritis and the Response to Antibiotic Therapy

Introduction: Urinary tract infection (UTI) is one of the most common bacterial infections in childhood which can contribute to high blood pressure and renal failure later in life. There are diffident methods for evaluation of a child with UTI for differentiation of cystitis from acute pyelonephritis. One of which is measuring protein in urine. The aim of this study is to investigate the role of UTI in provoking proteinuria. Material and Methods: This is Quasi- experimental study, before and after, in patients with acute pyelonephritis in Mofid Children's Hospital during 2004-2006. All pyelonephritic patients were treated by intravenous ceftriaxone for at least for 10 days. Random urine samples were taken from all patients at the onset of admission before starting the antibiotic and at the ninth day of treatment for the evaluation of urine protein and creatinine. Results: 152 children between 1 to 2 years of age entered the study. The prevalence of proteinuria in the acute phase of pyelonephritis was 94.8%. According to our study the prevalence of proteinuria during pyelonephritis is higher in children less than 2 years old (97.3%) and 20% of patients showed nephrotic range of proteinuria. In all cases random urine samples were normal after completion of treatment (p<0.005). Conclusions: the results of this study illustrate that proteinuria has a high frequency during UTI and acute pyelonephritis. Proteinuria during pyelonephritis may be massive and in the nephrotic range but should not be the cause of concern because in the majority of cases it disappears following treatment. Keywords : Pyelonephritis; Proteinuria; Antibiotics; Child.

Effects of Phosphorus Deficiency on Growth and Nitrogen Fixation of Soybean after Nodule Formation

Phosphorus had a key role in soybean growth, however, it is very different to separate the role in soybean growth from that in nodule function. The research was conducted to elucidate the effects of phosphorus deficiency on growth and nitrogen fixation after nodule formation in soybean. Soybean seedlings were cultivated in nutrient solution culture with normal phosphorus concentration (30 μmol L-1), which was shifted to 0 and 4 μmol L-1 after nodule formation resulting in phosphorus deficience for soybean plants. The results showed that phosphorus deficiency negatively influenced soybean plant growth at the ninth day of phosphorus deficiency treatment and nitrogen fixation at the beginning of the treatment. The nodule number increased by 11.8%, 15.4%, and 20.0%, respectively in 0, 4, and 30 μmol L?1 phosphorus treatments at the ninth day of treatment compared with that at the third day. Leghemoglobin concentration per gram of plant and per nodule biomass increased with phosphorus concentration increase. These suggested that phosphorus deficiency affected significantly nodule development and nitrogen fixation when soybean plants formed sufficient nodule.

Single Acute-Dose and Repeat-Doses Toxicity of anti-HIV-1 PNATAR–Penetratin Conjugate after Intraperitoneal Administration to Mice

Polyamide (peptide) nucleic acids conjugated with membrane-penetrating peptide are potential antisense therapeutic agents because of their unique chemical properties, high target specificity, and efficient cellular uptake. However, studies of their potential toxicity in animal models are lacking. In this study, we evaluated the toxicity of the response of Balb/C mice to anti-HIV-1 PNA TAR-penetratin conjugate targeted against the transactivation response (TAR) element of HIV-1 LTR. A single i.p. dose of 600 mg/kg of body weight was lethal, killing all mice within 72 hours. However, death did not occur after single doses of 100 and 300 mg/kg, although all mice experienced initial and transitory diarrhea and loss of agility. Repeated daily doses of 10, 30, and 100 mg/kg were well tolerated by mice during 8 days of treatment, although daily doses of 100 mg/kg caused diarrhea during the first 4 days of treatment. During 8 weeks of follow-up, mice fully recuperated. Serositis was observed in the spleens, livers, and kidneys at the ninth day of treatment, but not after the follow-up period. Necropsies, clinical chemistry studies, and hematological parameters demonstrated normal function of the major organs and no irreversible damage to the mice. These observations indicate that the PNA-peptide conjugate would be nontoxic at probable therapeutic doses and thus support its therapeutic potential as an antisense drug.

Antiinflammatory activity of leaf extracts ofKalanchoe crenataAndr

<b>Objective:</b> To evaluate the acute and chronic antiinflammatory properties of leaf extracts of <i> Kalanchoe crenata</i> in rats.<br><b> Material and methods:</b> The methylene chloride/methanol extract of <i> K. crenata</i> was extracted by using hexane, methylene chloride, ethyl acetate, and n-butanol. The antiinflammatory profile of these extracts was investigated on the basis of paw edema induced by carrageenan. The n-butanol fraction (most potent) was further assessed through acute inflammatory models induced by histamine, serotonin, and formalin. The chronic antiinflammatory and the ulcerogenic activities of the n-butanol fraction were also examined. <br><b> Results:</b> The oral administration of n-butanol fraction (600 mg/kg) caused a maximum inhibition of about 45% in paw edema induced by carrageenan. The n-butanol fraction also exhibited acute antiinflammatory activity on paw edema induced by histamine (47.51%), serotonin (54.71%), and formalin-(40.00%) . In the chronic inflammation model, this extract showed maximum inhibition of 61.26% on the ninth day of treatment. The ulcerogenic assessment showed that ulcer indices after oral treatment with n-butanol fraction were zero and 0.4±0.2, for the 300 and 600 mg/kg doses, respectively. <br><b> Conclusion:</b> On the basis of these findings, it may be inferred that <i> K. crenata </i> is an antiinflammatory and antiarthritic agent that blocks histamine and serotonin pathways. The results are in agreement with the traditional use of the plant in inflammatory conditions.

Transcervical embryo recovery in Saanen goats

In order to study the embryo recovery rate using the transcervical technique in Saanen goats raised in the tropics, 20 donors were submitted to an oestrus synchronisation treatment using intravaginal progestagen sponges for 11 days. On the ninth day of treatment, goats received intramuscular injections of 50 µg cloprostenol and six injections of porcine follicle stimulating hormone (pFSH) at 12-hour intervals. Does in oestrus were mated by Saanen bucks. Donors received an intramuscular injection of 50 µg cloprostenol 24 hours before embryo collection. At this time, the ovaries were observed by laparoscopy to verify the ovulation rate. The embryo recovery was performed six to seven days after oestrus onset by transcervical technique. Goats in which the cervix was not penetrable were submitted to embryo recovery by laparotomy. The recovered embryos were classified according to the International Embryo Transfer Society (IETS) guidelines. Oestrus was observed in 85% of goats. A response to superovulatory treatment was observed in 65% of goats and a mean ovulation rate of 11.5 ± 6.6 was recorded. The cervix was penetrable in 61.5% of goats. In the remaining goats the embryo recovery was performed by laparotomy. The recovery rate was 53.2% and 36.9% using transcervical and surgical methods, respectively. Quanti-qualitative embryo production was similar in both techniques. Embryo recovery by the transcervical technique was shown to be an alternative for collection of embryos in Saanen goats. However, further studies should be done in order to improve both the cervix penetrability and embryo recovery rate. Keywords: Goats, Embryo recovery, Transcervical technique, Saanen, Tropics, Superovulation South African Journal of Animal Science Vol.33(2) 2003: 127-131

Neuroprotection by memantine against neurodegeneration induced by β-amyloid(1–40)

Progressive neuronal loss and cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) might be aggravated by β-amyloid-enhanced excitotoxicity. Memantine is an uncompetitive NMDA receptor antagonist under clinical development for the treatment of AD. Memantine has neuroprotective actions in several in vitro and in vivo models. In the present study, we determined whether memantine protected against β-amyloid induced neurotoxicity and learning impairment in rats. Twenty Sprague–Dawley rats received vehicle or vehicle plus memantine (steady-state plasma concentrations of 2.34±0.23 μM, n=10) s.c. by osmotic pump for 9 days. After 2 days of treatment, 2 μl of water containing β-amyloid 1–40 [Aβ(1–40)] were injected into the hippocampal fissure. On the ninth day of treatment, animals were sacrificed, and morphological and immunohistochemical techniques were used to determine the extent of neuronal degeneration and astrocytic and microglial activation in the hippocampus. Psychomotor activity and spatial discrimination were tested on the eighth day of treatment. Aβ(1–40), but not water, injections into hippocampus led to neuronal loss in the CA1 subfield, evidence of widespread apoptosis, and astrocytic and microglial activation and hypertrophy. Memantine treated animals had significant reductions in the amount of neuronal degeneration, pyknotic nuclei, and GFAP immunostaining as compared with vehicle treated animals. These data suggest that memantine, at therapeutically relevant concentrations, can protect against neuronal degeneration induced by β-amyloid.

Acute Dystonia during Fixed-Dose Neuroleptic Treatment

Eighty-six patients with acute psychotic exacerbations were treated with fixed dosage regimens of oral fluphenazine up to 10-30 mg/day in randomized, double-blind studies. Dystonic reactions occurred in 33.8% of the subjects at risk. Of these, 58% occurred by the third day, 88% by the fourth day, and 100% by the ninth day of treatment; most occurred later in the interdose interval. Significant predictors of dystonic reactions were higher fluphenazine mg/kg dosage and younger age. There was a trend toward a lower risk of dystonia in patients who received amobarbital sodium for agitation. Results are discussed in relation to possible mechanisms of neuroleptic-induced dystonia.

Efficacies of erythromycin and chloramphenicol in extinguishing fecal shedding of Campylobacter jejuni in dogs

Summary Oral treatment regimens of erythromycin stearate and chloramphenicol were evaluated in naturally infected laboratory colony dogs for their efficacies in extinguishing fecal shedding of Campylobacter jejuni. Of the 25 Campylobacter-infected English Foxhounds in the study, 9 were assigned to erythromycin treatment, 9 to chloramphenicol treatment, and 7 to no treatment. Antimicrobials were administered for 12 days. All of the dogs that received erythromycin stearate ceased shedding C jejuni by the fourth day of treatment and remained negative throughout the treatment period. Chloramphenicol was associated with a reduction in shedding from 100% to 57% by the ninth day of treatment. Within 9 days of the discontinuation of antimicrobial treatment, C jejuni was isolated from all chloramphenicol-treated dogs and 89% erythromycin-treated dogs.

The effect of an inhaled steroid on the hypothalamic‐pituitary‐adrenal axis‐which tests should be used?

Inhaled corticosteroids may produce systemic effects which include decreased hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activity. Four tests of HPA axis function were assessed in 12 healthy volunteers, during inhalation of two actuations of beclomethasone dipropionate (250 micrograms) aerosol four times daily for 15 days, to determine the most appropriate test for this effect of inhaled corticosteroids. Measurement of basal adrenal activity showed that both 24-hr urinary free cortisol and 0900 hr plasma cortisol were decreased by the fourth day of steroid treatment. All 12 subjects had decreases in basal adrenal activity. Overall the 24-hr urinary free cortisol showed the greater change, with mean pre-steroid baseline values of 497 and 515 nmol/24 hr reduced to 167 nmol/24 hr on the ninth day of treatment (P less than 0.001). The single-dose metyrapone test showed marked changes in each of the six subjects tested. The mean 11-deoxycortisol response was 96 nmol/l on the eleventh day of treatment, compared to baseline and eight-day post-treatment values of 439 and 407 nmol/l respectively (P less than 0.001). In contrast, no consistent treatment-related changes were observed with the short tetracosactrin test. Only two out of six subjects had an abnormal short tetracosactrin test, although all showed a decrease in basal adrenal activity. From these results, the 24-hr urinary free cortisol and single-dose metyrapone test at 0600 hr are recommended to assess the effect of inhaled glucocorticoids on the HPA axis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Proliferation of enterochromaffinlike cells in omeprazole-treated hypergastrinemic rats

The effect of high doses of omeprazole on the proliferation of the histamine-storing endocrine cells in the oxyntic mucosa, the so-called enterochromaffinlike (ECL) cells, was studied in the rat stomach by combining immunocytochemical staining for histamine with autoradiography after in vivo labeling with [3H]thymidine. Under basal conditions the ECL cells divided very slowly. A progressive increase in the ECL cell labeling index was observed from the second day of omeprazole treatment. The ECL cell density increased progressively from the ninth day of treatment. The plasma gastrin levels were doubled and the labeling index of the cells in the progenitor cell zone was significantly increased. Our data indicate that the omeprazole-evoked ECL cell hyperplasia is a result of accelerated selfreplication. The positive correlation between the plasma gastrin concentration and the ECL cell labeling index is compatible with a causal relationship between circulating gastrin levels and increased ECL cell density.

Proliferation of Enterochroma nlike Cells in Omeprazole-Treated Hypergastrinemic Rats

The effect of high doses of omeprazole on the proliferation of the histamine-storing endocrine cells in the oxyntic mucosa, the so-called enterochromaffinlike (ECL) cells, was studied in the rat stomach by combining immunocytochemical staining for histamine with autoradiography after in vivo labeling with [3H]thymidine. Under basal conditions the ECL cells divided very slowly. A progressive increase in the ECL cell labeling index was observed from the second day of omeprazole treatment. The ECL cell density increased progressively from the ninth day of treatment. The plasma gastrin levels were doubled and the labeling index of the cells in the progenitor cell zone was significantly increased. Our data indicate that the omeprazole-evoked ECL cell hyperplasia is a result of accelerated self-replication. The positive correlation between the plasma gastrin concentration and the ECL cell labeling index is compatible with a causal relationship between circulating gastrin levels and increased ECL cell density.