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[Therapeutic results with tamoxifen in oligospermia. II. Hormonal analysis and semen parameters]. / Ergebnisse der Tamoxifen-Therapie bei Oligozoospermie. Teil II: Hormonanalysen und Ejakulatbefunde.

During a five months lasting treatment with tamoxifen (2 X 10 resp. 2 X 20 mg daily) a significant increase of testosterone, LH, FSH, estradiol, free testosterone and SHBG was found. The prolactin levels diminished. In semen analysis the values of pH and fructose decreased within the normal range. The sperm density increased significantly, but we could not ascertain whether a dosage of 2 X 20 mg/die will provide better therapeutic results. Furthermore the hormonal and seminal investigations described in this paper did not allow to predict those patients who would be good responders on tamoxifen therapy. Tamoxifen seems to be effective in normo-, but also in hypo- and hypergonadotropic patients.

[Tamoxifen treatment of oligospermia. Mechanism of action and metabolism]. / Ergebnisse der Tamoxifen-Therapie bei Oligozoospermie. I. Bemerkungen nhand klinischer Befunde und Laboratoriumsuntersuchungen.

210 males with idiopathic oligozoospermia or oligo-astheno-teratozoospermia were treated with tamoxifen (2 X 10 resp. 2 X 20 mg daily) over a period of five months. Investigations which were performed concomitantly revealed no significant changes in body weight, blood pressure, blood sedimentation rate, red and white blood count including the number of thrombocytes. In the multi-analysis of serum we found significant differences within the normal range concerning the following parameters: creatinine, albumin, cholesterol, phosphorus, sodium, calcium, alkaline phosphatase, LAP and gamma-GT. Most of those changes in serum values could be explained by an anabolic metabolism due to an increased testosterone level and by additional stress of the liver function. On 41 of those patients an ultrasonography of the testes was performed; in more than 50% the testicular volume increased during therapy with tamoxifen.

[13-cis-retinoic acid. Low dosage oral use in acne papulopustulosa. Results of a multicenter study]. / 13-cis-Retinsäure. Niedrig dosierte orale Anwendung bei Acne papulopustulosa. Ergebnisse einer multizentrischen Studie.

Successful treatment of acne conglobata with 13-cis-retinoic acid (isotretinoin, Ro 4-3780) has already been reported in this journal [25, 36]. The aim of the present study was to treat severe forms of papulopustular acne, unresponsive to conventional therapy, with low doses of 13-cis-retinoic acid to obtain good results with few side effects. A total of 191 patients from 14 departments of dermatology in the Federal Republic of Germany received 13-cis-retinoic acid under open randomized conditions in parallel dose groups of 0.05, 0.1, and 0.2 mg/kg body weight for 20 weeks in order to establish efficacy and tolerance. All inflammatory and non-inflammatory skin lesions were counted. The intensity of seborrhea was graded by using a scale. Adverse effects as well as laboratory values were registered. After 20 weeks of treatment a 79% (0.05 mg), 80% (0.1 mg), and 84% (0.2 mg) decrease in the number of inflammatory skin lesions was seen. Fourteen patients in the lowest dose group were considered to be dropouts. The decrease in non-inflammatory skin lesions was less marked and amounted to between 49% and 69%. A significant reduction of seborrhea could be observed in all patients. The main side effect was dryness of the skin and mucous membranes, which was, however, of low intensity. The elevation of triglyceride and cholesterol levels reported with higher doses of 13-cis-acid, especially in patients with high-risk factors, were not encountered in this study.

Absence of mucosal atrophy in human small intestine after prolonged isolation.

Light and electron microscopic evaluation of segments of human jejunum (bypassed for 3 1/3 years in treatment of morbid obesity) and ileum (bypassed for 6 years as a Thirty-Vella fistula in treatment of postsurgical fistula) showed no obvious evidence of widespread mucosal atrophy. The findings contrast with those reported in experimental animals and in most human patients with ileal urinary conduits, where atrophy of the isolated segment is the rule. Perhaps nonluminal factors in the human subject are sufficient to maintain small intestinal mucosa for long periods in the absence of intestinal chyme.