Prostaglandin antagonist relieves blood-retinal barrier breakdown induced by anterior segment intraocular surgery in a rat model / O antagonista das prostaglandinas alivia a ruptura da barreira sanguínea retiniana induzida pela cirurgia intraocular do segmento anterior em um modelo em ratos

ABSTRACT Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of prostaglandin antagonists on blood-retinal barrier breakdown induced by anterior segment intraocular simulated surgery. Methods: Rats were randomly assigned to a negative control group, model group, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs prophylactic treatment group, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs treatment group, corticosteroid prophylactic treatment group, and corticosteroid treatment group. Four hours and 48h after modeling, the concentrations of PGE1, PGE2, and PGF2 α in the aqueous humor and vitreous body of the rat model were visualized using ELISA. The integrity of the blood-retinal barrier was quantitatively measured using Evan's blue as a tracer. Results: Four hours after modeling, the concentrations of PGE1, PGE2, and PGF2α in the aqueous humor and vitreous body in the negative control group and the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs prophylactic treatment group were significantly lower than those in the model group. The concentrations of PGE1, PGE2, and PGF2α in the aqueous humor and vitreous body in the corticosteroid prophylactic treatment group were higher than those in the negative control group and the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs prophylactic treatment group. Forty-eight hours after modeling, the concentrations of PGE1, PGE2, and PGF2α in the aqueous humor and vitreous body in the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs prophylactic treatment group, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs treatment group, corticosteroid prophylactic treatment group, and corticosteroid treatment group were lower than those in the model group, but higher than those in the negative group. Retinal Evan's blue leakage in the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs prophylactic treatment group was higher than that in the negative control group, and lower than those in the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs treatment group, corticosteroid prophylactic treatment group, corticosteroid treatment group, and model group. Retinal Evan's blue leakage in the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs treatment group, corticosteroid prophylactic treatment group, and corticosteroid treatment group were lower than those in the model group. Conclusions: This study confirms that prostaglandin antagonists can relieve blood-retinal barrier breakdown in a rat model and that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs prophylactic treatment can achieve better efficacy.

RESUMO Objetivos: Avaliar a eficácia do antagonista de prostaglandinas no rompimento da barreira hemato-retiniana induzida por cirurgia simulada intraocular do segmento anterior. Métodos: Os ratos foram divididos aleatoriamente em grupo controle negativo, grupo modelo, grupo de tratamento profilático com drogas anti-inflamatórias não esteroides, grupo de tratamento com anti-inflamatórias não esteroides, grupo de tratamento profilático com corticosteroides e grupo de tratamento com corticosteroides. Quatro e 48h após a modelagem, as concentrações de PGE1, PGE2 e PGF2 α no humor aquoso e no corpo vítreo em modelo em ratos foram detectadas através de Elisa. A integridade da barreira hemato-retiniana foi quantitativamente mensurada utilizando o azul de Evans como marcador. Resultados: Quatro horas após a modelagem, as concentrações de PGE1, PGE2 e PGF2α no humor aquoso e no corpo vítreo no grupo controle negativo e no grupo de tratamento profilático com anti-inflamatórias não esteroides foram significativamente menores do que as do grupo modelo. As concentrações de PGE1, PGE2 e PGF2α no humor aquoso e no corpo vítreo no grupo de tratamento profilático com corticosteroides foram maiores do que as observadas no grupo controle negativo e no grupo de tratamento profilático com anti-inflamatórias não esteroides. 48h após a modelagem, as concentrações de PGE1, PGE2 e PGF2α no humor aquoso e no corpo vítreo no grupo de tratamento profilático com anti-inflamatórias não esteroides, no grupo de tratamento com anti-inflamatórias não esteroides, no grupo de tratamento profilático com corticosteroides e no grupo de tratamento com corticosteroides foram menores do que as observadas no grupo modelo e maiores que as observadas no grupo negativo. O extravasamento retinal de azul de Evans no grupo de tratamento profilático com anti-inflamatórias não esteroides foi maior que no grupo controle negativo e menor que nos grupos de tratamento com anti-inflamatórias não esteroides, de tratamento profilático com corticosteroides, de tratamento com corticosteroides e no grupo modelo. O extravasamento retinal de azul de Evans observado nos grupos de tratamento com anti-inflamatórias não esteroides, de tratamento profilático com corticosteroides e de tratamento com corticosteroides foi inferior ao observado no grupo modelo. Conclusões: Este estudo valida que o antagonista das prostaglandinas pode aliviar a ruptura da barreira hemato-retiniana em um modelo em ratos e que o tratamento profilático com anti-inflamatórias não esteroides pode alcançar melhor eficácia.

Perfuração gástrica em um canino induzida por nimesulida / Gastric perforation in a canine induced by nimesulide

Os anti-inflamatórios não esteroides (AINEs) têm sido muito utilizados na clínica de pequenos animais (FOX e JOHNSTON, 1997). Esses medicamentos possuem excelentes efeitos terapêuticos no alívio da dor e no tratamento de processos inflamatórios, no entanto possuem efeitos adversos especialmente no trato gastrointestinal onde podem promover o aparecimento de úlceras focais. As úlceras são lesões caracterizadas pela destruição da mucosa do trato gastroentérico (WILLARD, 2003). O objetivo deste trabalho é relatar o tratamento cirúrgico de um canino diagnosticado com úlcera gástrica perfurante devido ao uso de nimesulida.

Anti-inflammatory effects of Zingiber officinale roscoe involve suppression of nitric oxide and prostaglandin E2 production

Inflammation is a physiological response to injury and infection. However, chronic inflammation causes tissue damage and is a feature of most chronic diseases. Despite significant progress in developing therapies to target chronic inflammation over the years, almost all current therapies have serious side effects. The current investigation is to identify naturally-existing anti-inflammatory therapies with fewer side effects. The anti-inflammatory effects and mechanisms of action of extracts and fractions obtained using vacuum liquid chromatography [VLC] from ginger [Zingiber officinale] on the production of nitric oxide [NO] and prostaglandin E[2] [PGE[2]] were investigated. NO and PGE[2] production were induced by stimulating the mouse RAW264.7 monocyte/macrophage cell line with lipopolysaccharide [LPS]. Levels of NO and PGE[2] were deter-mined using the Griess method and enzyme linked sorbent assay [ELISA], respectively. Extracts of two Zingiber officinale species obtained with chloroform showed po-tent inhibitory effects on NO and PGE[2] production. The extracts had a higher potency than N[G]-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester [L-NAME], a known specific inducible nitric oxide synthase [iNOS] inhibitor and were comparable in their effects on PGE[2] with Indomethacin, a specific PGE[2] inhibitor. Further, we identified a fraction [F6] that had most potent inhibi-tory effects. The study shows that extract of Zingiber officinale have strong inhibitory effects on key pro-inflammatory mediators involved in chronic inflammation. Both the extracts and F6 had better inhibitory effects than established pharmaceutical inhibitors of NO and PGE[2]

[Application of L-arginine as nitric oxide inducer and indomethacin as prostaglandin inhibitor in Balb/c mice infected with leishmania major MRHO/IR/75/ER]

Leishmaniasis is one of the health problems in. This study is designed to inhibit PG production by Indomethacin and induce NO by L-Arginine precursor in L. major infected Balb/c mice. This was an experimental study. Animals, Male inbred Balb/c mice were used in this study. The total number of animals used in this experiment was 48 Balb/c mice, divided into 6 groups [n =8 mice/group] including Group 1 [naive], Group 2 [L. major + 0.4% Ethanol], Group 3 [L. major + lndomethacin], Group 4 [L. major + DW], Group 5 [L. major + L- Arginine] and Group 6 [L. major + Indomethacin + L-Arginine]. In addition to serum, liver and spleen suspensions were investigated for NO induction by using Griess microassay. The data was analyzed by Analysis of Variances [ANOVA] and Student's t-test using Graph Pad Prism Software. The results indicated that production of NO was inhibited in infected Balb/c mice by L. major as compared with naive animals [Group 1]. INDO as inhibitor PG [Group 2] showed their ability to elevate RNI levels in infect animals. INDO showed anti-leishmanial activity, as these compounds reduced the lesion sizes [P<0.001]. INDO as inhibitor PG [Group 3] showed ability to decrease PG levels in infect animals. Our data may indicate a possible role for L-Arg and INDO as novel drug targets for the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis in mouse model

Falsificação de medicamentos no Brasil / Counterfeiting of drugs in Brazil / Falsificación de medicamentos en Brasil

OBJETIVO: Identificar os principais medicamentos falsificados apreendidos pela Polícia Federal brasileira e os estados em que houve a apreensão. MÉTODOS: Estudo retrospectivo descritivo dos laudos periciais elaborados por Peritos Criminais da Polícia Federal sobre medicamentos contrafeitos entre janeiro de 2007 e setembro de 2010. RESULTADOS: Os medicamentos com maior número de apreensões foram inibidores seletivos da fosfodiesterase 5, utilizados para tratar a disfunção erétil masculina (Cialis® e Viagra®, em média 66 por cento), seguidos por esteróides anabolizantes (Durateston® e Hemogenin®, 8,9 por cento e 5,7 por cento, respectivamente). A maior parte dos medicamentos falsos foi apreendida nos estados do Paraná, São Paulo e Santa Catarina, com incremento superior a 200 por cento no número de medicamentos inautênticos encaminhados à perícia no período. Houve aumento nas apreensões de medicamentos contrabandeados arrecadados em conjunto com os falsos; 67 por cento das apreensões incluíram no mínimo um medicamento contrabandeado. CONCLUSÕES: A falsificação de medicamentos é um grave problema de saúde pública. A identificação das classes de medicamentos falsos no País e os principais estados brasileiros com essa problemática podem facilitar ações futuras de prevenção e repressão pelos órgãos brasileiros responsáveis.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the main counterfeit drugs seized by the Brazilian Federal Police and the states where seizures have been made. METHODS: A retrospective descriptive study on expert reports produced by criminal investigators of the Federal Police between January 2007 and September 2010, in relation to counterfeit drugs, was carried out. RESULTS: The drugs with greatest numbers of seizures were selective phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors that are used for treating male erectile dysfunction (Cialis® and Viagra®, mean = 66 percent ), followed by anabolic steroids (Durateston® and Hemogenin®: 8.9 percent and 5.7 percent, respectively). The greatest proportions of the counterfeit drugs were seized in the states of Paraná, Santa Catarina (both Southeastern Brazil) and São Paulo (Southeastern), and the number of non-authentic drugs sent for investigation increased by more than 200 percent over the study period. There were increases in seizures of smuggled drugs found together with counterfeit drugs: 67 percent of the seizures included at least one smuggled drug. CONCLUSIONS: Counterfeiting of drugs is a severe public health problem. Identification of the classes of counterfeit drugs present in Brazil and the main Brazilian states with this problem may facilitate future preventive and suppressive actions by the Brazilian bodies responsible for such actions.

OBJETIVO: Identificar los principales medicamentos falsificados incautados por la Policía Federal Brasileña y los estados donde hubo incautación. MÉTODOS: Estudio retrospectivo descriptivo de los laudos periciales elaborados por Peritos Criminales de la Policía Federal brasileña sobre medicamentos falsos entre enero de 2007 y septiembre de 2010. RESULTADOS: Los medicamentos con mayor número de incautaciones fueron los inhibidores selectivos de la fosfodiesterasa 5, utilizados para tratar la disfunción eréctil masculina (Ciallis® y Viagra®, en medio 66 por ciento), seguidos por esteroides anabolizantes (Durateston® y Hemogenin®, 8,9 por ciento y 5,7 por ciento, respectivamente). La mayor parte de los medicamentos falsos fue incautada en los estados Paraná, Sao Paulo y Santa Catarina, con incremento superior a 200 por ciento en el número de medicamentos inauténticos encaminados a la pericia en el período. Hubo aumento en las incautaciones de medicamentos contrabandeados arrecadados en conjunto con los falsos, 67 por ciento de las incautaciones incluyeron al menos un medicamento contrabandeado. CONCLUSIONES: La falsificación de medicamentos es un grave problema de salud pública. La identificación de las clases de medicamentos falsos en Brasil y los principales estados brasileños con esta problemática pueden facilitar acciones futuras de prevención y represión por los órganos brasileños responsables.

Inibidores das prostaglandinas para profilaxia da patência do canal arterial em recém-nascidos prematuros: revisão sistemática / Prostaglandin inhibitors for prevention of patent ductus arteriosus in preterm infants: a systematic review

A avaliação das tecnologias neonatais assume grande importância em face dapredominância atual do componente neonatal na mortalidade infantil e da necessidade de melhor avaliação dos recursos tecnológicos utilizados na assistência a essa faixa etária. Oestudo teve por objetivo examinar as evidências acerca do uso profilático dosantiinflamatórios não-esteróides – indometacina e ibuprofeno - no fechamento do canal arterial em recém-nascidos prematuros, por intermédio de uma revisão sistemática. Foi executada busca nas bases de referências bibliográficas MEDLINE, Web of Science, Scopus e LILACS, além dos registros da Colaboração Cochrane e da International Network of Agencies for Health Technology Assessment (INAHTA). Foram encontradas 226 citações, dos quais 93 foram para avaliação de resumos. Destes, foram excluídos 68 trabalhos por não preencherem os critérios estabelecidos de inclusão e qualidade, restando 25 artigos para a revisão sistemática, sendo seis envolvendo o uso de ibuprofeno e 19, o de indometacina. O fechamento farmacológico do canal arterial, eleito como desfecho primário,esteve presente em todos os trabalhos incluídos. Outros desfechos estudados foram: fechamento cirúrgico do canal arterial, mortalidade neonatal, doença da membrana hialina, hemorragia intracraniana, sepse neonatal, enterocolite necrosante, tempo de ventilação mecânica invasiva, tempo de oxigenioterapia, tempo de internação hospitalar, pneumotórax, hemorragia pulmonar, hemorragia gastrointestinal, distúrbio de coagulação, creatinina,oligúria, retinopatia da prematuridade, broncodisplasia pulmonar e alterações neurológicas aos 36 meses...

Role of nitric oxide and prostaglandin in the maintenance of cortical and renal medullary blood flow

This study was undertaken in anesthetized dogs to evaluate the relative participation of prostaglandins (PGs) and nitric oxide (NO) in the maintenance of total renal blood flow (TRBF), and renal medullary blood flow (RMBF). It was hypothesized that the inhibition of NO should impair cortical and medullary circulation because of the synthesis of this compound in the endothelial cells of these two territories. In contrast, under normal conditions of perfusion pressure PG synthesis is confined to the renal medulla. Hence PG inhibition should predominantly impair the medullary circulation. The initial administration of 25 µM kg-1 min-1 NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester produced a significant 26 percent decrease in TRBF and a concomitant 34 percent fall in RMBF, while the subsequent inhibition of PGs with 5 mg/kg meclofenamate further reduced TRBF by 33 percent and RMBF by 89 percent. In contrast, the initial administration of meclofenamate failed to change TRBF, while decreasing RMBF by 49 percent. The subsequent blockade of NO decreased TRBF by 35 percent without further altering RMBF. These results indicate that initial PG synthesis inhibition predominantly alters the medullary circulation, whereas NO inhibition decreases both cortical and medullary flow. This latter change induced by NO renders cortical and RMBF susceptible to a further decrease by PG inhibition. However, the decrease in medullary circulation produced by NO inhibition is not further enhanced by subsequent PG inhibition.

The clinical manifestations, the short- and long-term outcomes of Bartter syndrome / 소아과

PURPOSE: Bartter syndrome is a renal tubular defect in electrolyte transport characterized by hypokalemia, metabolic alkalosis and other clinical signs and symptoms. The aims of this study were to analyze the clinical manifestations and the short- and long-term outcomes of Bartter syndrome. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed clinical history, laboratory finding of blood and urine, renal ultrasonography, and hearing tests of five patients who were diagnosed and managed with Bartter syndrome at Asan Medical Center from April 1992 to May 2007. We also evaluated height and body weight periodically after institution of therapy. RESULTS: All patients had poor oral intake, failure to thrive and polyuria. Three of them had maternal history of polyhydramnios and premature delivery. The mean age at diagnosis was 11.8 months. All children presented with hypokalemia, metabolic alkalosis, hyperreninemia. Their blood pressures were normal. One patient had nephrocalcinosis on renal ultrasonography and all of them had normal result in hearing tests. After treatment with indomethacin or other prostaglandin inhibitors and potassium supplementation, their clinical features improved with catch-up growth and improvement in the development during long-term follow-up. CONCLUSION: We emphasize that early diagnosis and proper treatment in patient with Bartter syndrome are related to better prognosis.

Inflamação: o certo e o errado / Inflammation: the right and tre wrong

A inflamação é caracterizada por uma complexa série de eventos que surgem como resposta a uma agressão orgânica. O presente artigo descreve os mecanismos através do qual esse processo ocorre e as principais substâncias envolvidas. Dor, calor, rubor e edema são os sintomas cardinais, mas além dessas alterações locais, manifestações sistêmicas, como febre, podem estar presentes

Guidelines for Clinical Management of Premenstrual Syndrome

Premenstrual syndrome(PMS) refers to a group of menstruation-related symptoms that impair daily activity and interpersonal relationship. The therapeutic modality for PMS consists of non-pharmacologic and pharmacologic treatment. Generally, after confirmation of PMS, a set of non-pharmacologic treatments is recommended before pharmacologic treatment. Patients can be benefited from non-pharmacological treatments such as patient education, cognitive therapy, behavioral therapy, and dietary supplementation. Pharmacologic therapy including psychotropic agents, diuretics, and prostaglandin inhibitors may be used, when PMS symptoms are not sufficiently improved after non-pharmacologic treatments, or when symptoms fit the diagnostic criteria of premenstrual dysphoric disorder(PMDD). When treatment fails, hormonal therapy to manipulate menstrual cycle may be considered, and several trials showed improvement of physical and mood symptoms.

Prostaglandin inhibitor indomethacin inhibits afferent activities of Adelta and C units in the saphenous nerve of diabetic hyperalgesic rats / 生理学报

The effects of a non-selective inhibitor of cyclo-oxygenase (COX) indomethacin, and exogenous prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) on A(delta) units and C units in the saphenous nerve of diabetic hyperalgesic rats were studied. The results showed that the conduction velocity of A(delta) units and C units and their mechanical threshold in diabetic hyperalgesic rats were obviously decreased, and a small number of A(delta) units (4/24) and C units (2/18) produced increased spontaneous activities. Intraperitoneal injection of indomethacin in diabetic hyperalgesic rats significantly relieved mechanical hyperalgesia, and resulted in a decrease in spontaneous afferent activities of the A(delta) units and C units. Subcutaneous injection of exogenous PGE(2) into the diabetic hyperalgesic and control rats produced a significant decrease in mechanical threshold of the A(delta) units and C units, and elicited discharge from 3 A(delta) units (3/24) and 1 C unit (1/18) in diabetic hyperalgesic rats and from 2 A(delta) units (2/13) in control rats. The present data suggest that the synthesis and release of PGs are increased in diabetic neuropathy, PGs can sensitize and /or activate A(delta) units and C units and elicit hyperalgesia and allodynia in diabetic rats.

Treatment of Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis with Indomethacin / 대한소아혈액종양학회지

PURPOSE: As increased level of prostaglandin has been identified in the bony lesions of Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH), we speculated that indomethacin, a potent prostaglandin inhibitor, may be effective for patients with LCH. METHODS: Retrospective review of 8 children with LCH (male 7, female 1) treated with indomethacin at Seoul National University Children's Hospital from September 1999 to February 2001 was done. The dose of indomethacin ranged from 1.8 to 2.8 mg/kg/day in two divided doses. RESULTS: Four patients with single bony lesion had a complete response to treatment. Among them one patient was treated with indomethacin after fourth relapse. Two patients with multiple bony lesions seemed to have partial response to treatment with indomethacin initially but showed disease progression later. Two patients with extraosseous lesion did not respond, but skull lesions were resolved after treatment. No serious toxicities of indomethacin treatment were observed. CONCLUSION: Indomethacin seems to be a very convenient and useful therapy for LCH involving single bony lesion. The mechanism how the LCH imporves in response to indomethacin has to be elucidated. Whether it has a specific role in slowing disease progression or we are seeing merely a spontaneous remission has to be studied in large scale.

Estudo biofarmacotécnico de cápsulas e comprimidos de diclofenaco sódico de liberaçäo modificada, disponíveis no mercado nacional: avaliaçäo da eficiência de dissoluçäo / Biopharmaceutical study of diclofenac sodium modified release capsules and tablets available in national market: evaluation of dissolution efficiency

Foram avaliadas as propriedades biofarmacêuticas in vitro de amostras provenientes de três fabricantes - A (cápsulas), B e C (comprimidos), três lotes de cada, contendo 100 mg de diclofenaco sódico de liberação modificada. Para cápsulas e comprimidos foram realizados ensaios de peso médio, desintegração, uniformidade de conteúdo, teor e perfil de dissolução e também de dureza para comprimidos. O fármaco foi quantificado por espectrofotometria no UV a 278 nm. Apenas os lotes A3, B1 e B2 atenderam aos limites especificados para o teor (85 a 115 por cento). Os produtos A e B liberaram, após seis horas de ensaio, porcentagens do fármaco abaixo das especificações descritas na literatura, que se confirmam na eficiência de dissolução...

Endometriosis: revisión y nuevos conceptos / Endometriosis: review and new concepts

Desde hace algunos años se considera que la endometriosis no es sólo la presencia de tejido endometrial ectópico, sino que es una enfermedad en cuya patogenenia participan diversos sistemas. En esta revisión se explican la teorías clásicas, cuadro clínico, estudio de laboratorio y tratamiento, poniendo énfasis en los nuevos hallazgos en relación a los mecanismos inmunológicos involucrados en la patogénesis de esta enfermedad

Reactividad vascular pulmonar y formación de edema en presencia de inhibidores de prostaglandinas en el lóbulo canino aislado / Pulmonary vascular reactivity and edema formation in the presence of prostaglandins' inhibitors. Study in isolated canine pulmonary lobule

El propósito de este trabajao es el estudio de la reactividad vascular pulmonar y la formación de edema al acentuar la vasoconstricción arterial pulmonar a la hipoxia mediante un inhibidor de la producción de prostaglandinas: el ácido tiaprofénico. Se utilizó un modelo experimental ex-vivo de lóbulo canino aislado. La formación de edema fue cuantificada utilizando el método de espectrofotometría, previamente publicado por nosotros. Se estudiaron 6 lóbulos caninos, todos bajo dos condiciones: normoxia (FIO2 21 por ciento) e hipoxia (FIO2 5 por ciento); en cuatro de los seis experimentos de iniciaron con el periodo de normoxia y en dos en condición de hipoxia. El ácido tiaprofénico se administró en los 6 perros en forma intravenosa 2 horas antes de extraer los lóbulos. Resultados: No se observó con cambios significativos en la tasa de filtración, periodo de normoxia: 0.42 ñ 0.41, periodo de hipoxia: 0.37 ñ 0.51 ml/min/100 g de tejido pulmonar. La presión arterial pulmonar se incrementó significativamente, normoxia basal: 25.1 ñ 6.21 y durante la hipoxia: 37 ñ 7.19 cm de agua (delta de presión 12.0 ñ 1.2) con P< 0.001. Conclusiones: la reactividad vascular en hipoxia se acentuó significativamente con la administración de ácido tiaprofénico, no se demostró incremento en la permeabilidad vascular pulmonar o incremento en las tasas de filtración capilar

Experimental Fetal Cardiopulmonary Bypass in the Fetal Lamb Model / 대한흉부외과학회지

BACKGROUND: We tested the technical feasibility of fetal cardiac bypass and collected baseline data on the fetal hemodynamics and placental functions related to the cardiopulmonary bypass in the fetal lamb model. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Eleven fetuses at 120 to 150 days of gestation were subjected to bypass via trans-sternal approach with a 12 G pulmonary arterial cannula and 14 to 18 F venous cannula for 30 minutes. All ewes received general anesthesia with ketamine. In all the fetuses, no anesthetic agents were used except muscle relaxant. Eight served as a group in which placenta was excluded from the extracorporeal circulation by clamping the umbilical cord during the bypass(the oxygenator group) and in the remaining three, the placenta worked as the only source of oxygen supply(the placenta group). Observations were made every 10 minute during a 30-minute bypass and 30-minute post bypass period. No prostaglandin inhibitors were used both in ewes and in fetuses. RESULT: Weights of the fetuses ranged from 1.9 to 5.2 kg. In the oxygenator group, means of arterial pressure, PaO2, atrial pressure, heart rate, and bypass flow rate ranged 69.8 to 82.6 mmHg, 201.7 to 220.9 mmHg, 4.1 to 4.3 mmHg, 169 to 182/min, and 140.3 to 164.0 ml/kg/min, respectively during bypass, but rapid deterioration of the fetal cardiac functions and the placental gas exchange was observed after the cessation of bypass. In the placenta group, means of arterial pressure decreased from 44.7 to 14.4 mmHg and means of PaCO2 increased from 61.9 to 129.6 mmHg during bypass. Flow rate was suboptimal(74.3 to 97.0 ml/kg/min) during bypass. All hearts fibrillated immediately after the discontinuation of bypass. CONCLUSION: In this study, the technical feasibility of fetal cardiopulmonary bypass was confirmed in the fetal lamb model. However, further studies with modifications of the bypass including an addition of prostaglandin inhibitor, an application of the total spinal anesthesia on the fetus, a creation of more concise bypass circuit, and a use of active pump are mandatory to improve the outcome.

Role of endogenous prostaglandins in excitation contraction of skeletal muscle in rats

Prostaglandins are present in every mammalian tissue. Inhibition of their synthesis by piroxicam was used as a tool to study the role of endogenous PGs in nerve excitability, neuromuscular transmission and direct muscle contraction using isolated gastrocnemius-sciatic preparations from albino rats. It was observed that inhibition of PGs synthesis by piroxicam inhibited directly as well as and to a greater extent indirectly evoked muscle contractions. It decreased peak tetanic tension and produced tetanic fade. Its inhibitory effect on indirect muscle contraction was not reversed by prostigmine. Piroxicam inhibited also acetyl choline-induced-and caffeine induced contractures. But, there was no significant effect on rheobase, utilization time and chronaxia of sciatic nerve by inhibition of PGs synthesis