Urinary catecholamines in depressed patients before and after tricyclic drugs and electroconvulsive therapy [ECT]

Catecholamine metabolites [VMA, adrenaline, noradrenaline and total catecholamines] were estimated in urine of 42 patients suffering from unipolar depression as well as in ten normal controls for comparison. 21 depressed patients were treated by tricyclics and the other 21 were treated by ECT. The results showed a significant increase of urinary excretion of VMA, adrenaline, noradrenaline as well as total catecholamines in depressed patients compared to controls. This increase was attributed to an increased peripheral sympathetic nervous system outflow. A significant reduction in the urinary excretion of VMA and adrenaline and noradrenaline after tricyclics was noticed compared to before therapy. This decrease in VMA excretion was attributed to a decrease in the intracellular deamination of norepinephrine

Pirenzepine and ranitidine as single agents and in combination in protection of the gastric mucosa against phenylbutazone injury

The protective effect of pirenzepine and/or ranitidine on phenylbutazone induced gastric ulcerations has been studied in the rat. Phenylbutazone produced severe gastric lesions in the glandular part of the stomach, which was accompanied with a significant increase in acid and pepsin. Pretreatment of the phenylbutazone treated rats with pirenzepine [100 mg/kg, X2 orally] significantly protected the rats and this was accompanied by significant lowering in acid and pepsin and a significant rise in the mucin content. While, pretreatment of the phenylbutazone treated rats with ranitidine [150 mg, X2 orally], also protected the animals against ulceration, but was accompanied with only a drop in acidity. Pretreatment of these animals with the drug combination [using only half of the dose of that used singly] afforded a higher protection ratio, a higher drop in acidity and pepsin and a marked rise in the mucin content. The data presented confirm the role of reduced acidity and peptic activity [aggressive factors] in the protection against phenylbutazone induced gastric lesions. It also emphasizes the necessity of giving preventive medications in the form of anti-ulcer agents when given anti inflammatory agents, bearing in mind the defensive factors involved. The study might also explain the synergistic anti-ulcer effect of the combined treatment with muscurinic M-blockers and histamine H2 blockers