Correlation between digoxin plasma levels and arterial blood pH.

The correlation between arterial blood pH and digoxin plasma levels was studied after digoxin (Eudigox) administration a) in a single p.o. dose, b) in a steady state p.o. regimen, or c) i.v. The clinical trial was carried out on 26 male hospitalized patients selected and divided into groups according to their arterial blood pH values, which ranged between 7.20 and 7.53. Arterial blood pH proved to be directly correlated with digoxin plasma levels and with the corresponding AUC and inversely with the total plasma clearance of the drug. The data may explain the strongly reduced activity shown by digoxin in patients suffering from respiratory acidosis in clinical practice.

Effects of Guar-enriched pasta in the treatment of diabetes and hyperlipidemia.

The effect of an alimentary pasta with a 20% (w/w) content of Guar gum was tested in normal volunteers, diabetic and hyperlipidemic patients in different out- and in-patient protocols. Acute experiments (A, B) were carried out in healthy volunteers and in diabetics, by evaluating plasma glucose, triglyceride and insulin changes after a single meal. Plasma glucose and triglyceride rises were almost completely prevented by the pasta in normal volunteers; plasma insulin levels were modified to a lesser extent. In diabetics, the rise of plasma glucose after the meal was significantly delayed. The pasta was also administered for more prolonged periods of time to diabetic and hyperlipidemic patients (experiments C-E). In the first instance, a significant improvement both in the plasma glucose levels, as well as in the daily glucose profile and glycosuria was observed. In hyperlipidemics, a reduction of triglyceride levels was particularly evident; however, in mixed types of hyperlipidemias, a significant hypocholesterolemic effect was also demonstrated. Guar gum pasta may provide a simple dietary addition for the management of common metabolic disorders.

[Preliminary evaluation of the effect of ibopamine on the secretion of prolactin]. / Valutazione preliminare dell'effetto della ibopamina sulla secrezione di prolattina.

Ibopamine, diisobutyric ester of N-methyl dopamine, is an orally active dopaminergic agonist. The prolactin-lowering activity of Ibopamine was studied in 8 subjects with normal prolactine levels given the drug in a single dose of 100 mg. Prolactin levels measured by radioimmuno assay were evaluated before and within 2, 4 and 8 h of administration. Afterwards prolactin levels were evaluated after 4 and 8 days of treatment with Ibopamine administered at a dose of 50 mg three times daily. Ibopamine was shown to decrease prolactin to a statistically significant extent at the 2nd h after administration. At the 4th h prolactin returned to baseline values. After 4 and 8 treatment days prolactin levels did not differ significantly from baseline values. These results provide further evidence for the dopaminergic activity of Ibopamine and suggest a more through investigation in hyperprolactinemic subjects.

[The medical practitioner facing arteriosclerotic vascular disease]. / Il medico pratico di fronte alla vasculopatia arteriosclerotica.

The results and validity of some of the latest and most significant epidemiological studies of the relation between risk factors and the clinical signs of arteriosclerosis are discussed, and the best rules for the prevention of arteriosclerotic vascular disease are suggested. Since primary prevention for the entire population is sound management, the practitioner should look for persons at risk, and initiate suitable hygienic, dietetic and, where necessary, pharmacological measures. This programme must not overlook secondary prevention, whose implementation demands the use of drugs (especially those that prevent the clumping of platelets). Under such conditions, ad is clear from the results of numerous multicentre studies, instigation of a multifactorial intervention has enabled the incidence of recurrences and mortality to be reduced.

Preliminiary data on the pharmacokinetics of glaziovine in man.

The pharmacokinetic parameters of Glaziovine, a pro-aporphine alkaloid with neuropharmacological properties, were investigated in healthy human volunteers. Glaziovine-14C 20 mg was administered in capsules (oral route) and in vials (i.v. route). Total radioactivity was meausred in plasma, urine and faeces. When administered orally, peak plasma levels were encountered at 2 h. The cumulative urinary excretion of total radioactivity over a 24 h period was 38% after oral and 50% after i.v. administration. Investigation of metabolites in urine revealed Glaziovine glucuronide as the sole metabolite of the drug. By comparing the percentage of urinary excretion or the area under the plasma level-time curve (AUC) obtained in the first 24 hours after i.v. and oral administration, enteral absorption was found to range from 78 to 84%. Thus, glaziovine appears to show very high enteratral absorption.

Bioavailability of digoxin in a new soluble pharmaceutical formulation in capsules.

The in vitro dissolution and the bioavailability of two pharmaceutical formulations of digoxin were compared, one being a common commercial tablet form and the other a solution of the glycoside in soft gelatin capsules. Digoxin capsules dissolved more readily in vitro and showed higher bioavailability than digoxin tablets in both dogs and humans. In dogs, the capsules and tablets were compared with an elixir of digoxin, which possesses complete bioavailability. The better bioavailability of digoxin capsules as compared with tablets may be explained by the fact that this formulation contains the cardiac glycoside in a solution.