Miocardiopatía hipertrófica en un recién nacido pretérmino con madre trasplantada renal / Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in preterm newborn with kidney transplanted mother

La miocardiopatía hipertrófica en el recién nacido es una entidad poco frecuente y de etiología heterogénea. Se han descrito formas transitorias en hijos de madres con diabetes gestacional y en recién nacidos pretérminos expuestos a corticoides tanto prenatal como posnatalmente. Se presenta un caso de un recién nacido pretérmino, hijo de madre trasplantada renal al que se le detectó una miocardiopatía hipertrófica y que había estado expuesto prenatalmente a corticoides y tacrolimus que recibía la madre como tratamiento inmunosupresor. Ambos fármacos cruzan la barrera placentaria y, al llegar al feto, podrían haber favorecido su desarrollo. La miocardiopatía hipertrófica puede ser un efecto secundario poco común del tratamiento con tacrolimus en adultos y niños, y es reversible al retirarlo. En nuestro conocimiento, es el primer caso publicado de miocardiopatía hipertrófica transitoria tras la exposición fetal tanto a corticoides como a tacrolimus en un hijo de madre trasplantada renal.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in the newborn is a rare entity with heterogeneous etiology. Transient forms have been described in children of mothers with gestational diabetes and in preterm infants exposed both to prenatal and postnatal corticosteroids. We report a case of a preterm infant son of a mother who received renal transplant in whom hypertrophic cardiomyopathy was detected. He had been prenatally exposed to corticosteroids and tacrolimus that received the mother as immunosuppressive therapy. Both drugs cross the placental barrier and, on reaching the fetus, could have favored its development. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy may be an uncommon side effect of treatment with tacrolimus in adults and children and it is reversible upon withdrawal. To our knowledge, it is the first published case of transient hypertrophic cardiomyopathy after fetal exposure to both corticosteroids and tacrolimus in the son of a renal transplanted mother.

Estudio comparativo de perfiles de disolución de tabletas de prednisona 20 mg comercializados en Perú / Comparative study of dissolution profiles of prednisone 20 mg tablets marketed in Peru

El estudio tuvo como finalidad comparar los perfiles de disolución de tabletas de prednisona 20 mg comercializados en Perú. Se realizó un estudio cuantitativo comparativo con diseño no experimental, que incluyó doce tabletas para cada formulación a evaluar (referente y multifuente), bajo condiciones similares de trabajo, en tres medios de disolución: buffer ácido clorhídrico pH 1,2; buffer acetato pH 4,5 y buffer fosfato pH 6,8. Los porcentajes temporales disueltos de prednisona fueron evaluados mediante el orden cinético cero, uno, Higuchi, raíz cúbica y Weibull para el modelo dependiente; mientras que el factor de similitud (f2), tiempo medio de disolución y eficiencia de disolución fueron utilizados para el modelo independiente. En el modelo dependiente, la liberación de prednisona; se ajustó a la cinética de función de Weibull; evaluada mediante el criterio de información de Akaike. En el modelo independiente, los valores de f2 en todos los medios de disolución cumplieron con el rango 50 - 100 establecida por la Food and Drug Adminstration, para indicar similitud in vitro entre los perfiles de disolución. Asimismo, se evidenció que no existe diferencia estadísticamente significativa entre las formulaciones, respecto al tiempo medio de disolución y la eficiencia de disolución. Las tabletas de prednisona 20 mg referente y multifuente comercializados en Perú son similares, con base en pruebas de perfiles de disolución in vitro(AU)

The purpose of the study was to compare the dissolution profiles of prednisone 20 mg tablets marketed in Peru. A comparative quantitative study with a non-experimental design was carried out, which included twelve tablets for each formulation to be evaluated (referent and multi-source), under similar work conditions in three dissolution media: hydrochloric acid buffer pH 1.2, acetate buffer pH 4.5 and phosphate buffer pH 6.8. The dissolved temporal percentages of prednisone were evaluated by zero kinetic order and first kinetic order, Higuchi, cubic root and Weibull models for the dependent model; while the similarity factor (f2), mean dissolution time and dissolution efficiency were used for the independent model. In the dependent model, the release of prednisone was adjusted to the Weibull function kinetics, evaluated using the Akaike information criterion. In the independent model, the values of f2 in all the dissolution media fulfilled the range 50 - 100 established by the Food and Drug Administration, to indicate in vitro similarity between the dissolution profiles. Likewise, it was evidenced that there is no statistically significant difference between the formulations with respect to the mean dissolution time and the dissolution efficiency. The reference and multi-source prednisone 20 mg tablets marketed in Peru are similar based on in vitro dissolution profiles tests(AU)

Glucocorticoides: paradigma de medicina traslacional. De lo molecular al uso clínico / Glucocorticoids: examples of translational medicine; from molecular aspects to bedside

Los glucocorticoides o corticosteroides son fármacos antiinflamatorios, antialérgicos e inmunosupresores derivados del cortisol o hidrocortisona, hormona producida por la corteza adrenal. Su uso terapéutico fuera de la endocrinología data de la observación hecha por el reumatólogo Philip Hench quien, suponiendo que los pacientes con artritis reumatoidea tenían un déficit adrenal, inyectó en algunos cortisona, molécula de reciente producción industrial. El resultado obtenido fue tan contundente que se toma como ejemplo de la medicina traslacional. En la actualidad, los glucocorticoides figuran entre las drogas más usadas y, paralelamente, más temidas. Así, el objetivo de esta revisión es señalar los aspectos destacados de su farmacología para su uso racional en la práctica clínica.

Glucocorticoids are anti-inflammatory, immunosuppressant and anti-allergic drugs derived from hydrocortisone. Their widespread use was originated from Hench's observations in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. These drugs are examples of translational medicine and they can be envisaged as one of the most prescribed and feared drugs. The objective of this review is to highlight their pharmacological properties and thus, allow a more suitable prescription.

Síndrome de Cushing exógena e retirada de glicocorticóides: [revisão] / Exogenous Cushing's syndrome and glucocorticoid withdrawal: [review]

Glicocorticóides são amplamente utilizados na prática clínica para o controle da atividade de doenças auto-imunes, inflamatórias, alérgicas e outras entidades nosológicas. Doses terapêuticas de glicocorticóides são muita vezes administradas inapropriadamente e isto é um problema particular, pois a terapia crônica tem muitos efeitos colaterais que se estendem desde a supressão do eixo hipotálamo-hipofisário-adrenal e síndrome de Cushing até infecções e alterações do status mental. Fatores que influenciam tanto nos efeitos adversos quanto nos terapêuticos dos glicocorticóides incluem propriedades farmacocinéticas do glicocorticóide, dose diária, diferenças individuais no metabolismo esteróide e duração do tratamento. Quando utilizados para o controle da atividade destas doenças, quatro aspectos da retirada de glicocorticóide merecem atenção especial. Primeiro, a doença tratada pelo esteróide pode recorrer. Segundo, o eixo hipotálamo- hipófise-adrenal pode permanecer suprimido por um longo período. Terceiro, muitas vezes desenvolve-se dependência psicológica a esses hormônios. Quarto, uma síndrome de retirada inespecífica pode desenvolver mesmo enquanto os pacientes estão recebendo doses de reposição fisiológica de glicocorticóides. A gravidade da síndrome de retirada depende da fase e o grau de dependência e inclui sintomas tais como anorexia, náusea, vômitos, perda de peso, fadiga, mialgias, artralgias, cefaléia, dor abdominal, letargia, hipotensão postural, febre e descamação da pele.

Glucocorticoids are widely used in clinical practice to control the activity of autoimmune, inflammatory, allergic diseases and other nosological entities. Therapeutic doses of glucocorticoids are often administered inappropriately and it is a particular problem because chronic therapy has many side effects, ranging from suppression of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and Cushing's syndrome to infections and changes in mental status. Factors influencing both the therapeutic and adverse effects of glucocorticoids include the pharmacokinetic properties of the glucocorticoid, daily dosage, individual differences in steroid metabolism and the duration of treatment. When used to control the activity of these diseases, four aspects of glucocorticoid withdrawal deserve special attention. First, the illness treated by steroids may relapse. Second, the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis may remain suppressed for a long time. Third, psychological dependence to these hormones often develops. Fourth, a nonspecific withdrawal syndrome may develop even while patients are receiving physiological replacement doses of glucocorticoids. The severity of the withdrawal syndrome depends on the phase and degree of dependence and includes many symptoms as anorexia, nausea, emesis, weight loss, fatigue, myalgias, arthralgias, headache, abdominal pain, lethargy, postural hypotension, fever, and skin desquamation.

Cephalic spreading levels after volumetric caudal epidural injections in chronic low back pain

The volumetric caudal epidural steroid injection has been advocated to facilitate the delivery of medications to the lesion site. This study was aimed to examine the actual spreading patterns of this technique, using epidurogram. A total of 32 patients with chronic low back pain accompanied by radiculopathy of various causes (degenerative spondylosis, herniated nucleus pulposus, spondylolisthesis, and spinal stenosis) were included. The volumetric caudal epidural injection of the 10 mL mixture of contrast medium 5 mL, 0.5% bupivacaine 1 mL, triamcinolone 1.5 mL (60 mg) and normal saline 25 mL was performed. Immediately after the cessation of the first spread, the subsequent solution of another 10 mL of contrast medium 5 mL, 0.5% bupivacaine 1 mL and normal saline 4 mL was injected. This procedure was repeated serially until the total volume to be 50 mL. Continuous fluoroscopic imaging was obtained after each injection. Average time taken to complete the study was 37 sec per every 10 mL. The spreading levels of the mixture were distributed mainly at mid to lower lumbar area in the majority of the patients. During the subsequent injections, the levels were not changed significantly. This was thought to be due to the minimal resistance in cephalad direction, anatomic variations and Starling effect of epidural space.

Efecto supresivo de los ciclos cortos de glucocorticoides utilizados en asma sobre el eje hipotálamo-hipófisis-suprarrenal

Para aclarar el efecto supresivo que podrían tener los ciclos cortos de glucocorticoides sobre el eje hipotálamo-hipófisis-suprarrenal (H-H-S) se realizó un estudio prospectivo experimental, controlado, incluyendo en forma aleatoria 49 niños que consultaron al servicio de urgencias por presentar crisis asmática, y a quienes se les administró un ciclo corto de prednisolona a dosis de 1 mg/Kg/día durante 5 días. Se tomó una muestra para la medición del cortisol sérico inicial fue de 32 más o menos 24.2 microgr/dl, y el cortisol sérico posterior a la corticoterapia fue de 5.8 más o menos 3.3 microgr/dl. Aplicando la prueba t-student se encontró una diferencia significativa con p<0.0001. 35 pacientes (71.4 por ciento) tuvieron cortisol sérico bajo, lo que sugiere supresión del eje H-H-S. En tres pacientes (6.1 por ciento) se encontraron valores en el límite inferior normal. Los demás pacientes evidenciaron valores séricos normales. En conclusión, los ciclos cortos de glucocorticoides en niños pueden ocasionar supresión del eje H-H-S.

Pacientes con artritis reumatoidea: estudio de correlación entre la densidad de receptores de glucocorticoides en sinoviocitos y la respuesta clínica al tratamiento esteroidal / Patients with rheumatoid arthritis: correlation study between glucocorticoid receptors density in synoviocits and clinical response to steroidal treatment

The target cellular response to glucocorticoids is proportional to the concentration or affinity of specific receptors to these substances. To look for a correlation between glucocorticoid receptors concentrations in synovial wall cells and the clinical response to steroidal treatment in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Twenty eight patients with rheumatoid arthritis were studied. Each subject was subjected to a synovial biopsy in which a dry radioautographic technique for diffusable compounds was used. Patients were treated afterwards with 3 500mg iv pulses of methilprednisolone. A mean of 44.8 percent of synovial cells (range 30.1-62.8 percent) had binding sites for 3H dexamethasone. All patients had a significant clinical improvement after methilprednisolone. Multiple regression analysis did not show a correlation between clinical response and glucocorticoid receptor concentration. The lack of association between glucocorticoid receptor concentration and clinical response could be due to the large steroid dose used, that saturated all available receptors