[Homocysteine--a risk factor for atherosclerosis]. / Homocisztein--az érelmeszesedés rizikófaktora.

Elevated plasma homocysteine is a new risk factor for atherosclerotic vascular disease resulting in progressive atherogenesis in the arteries of the limbs, the coronary arteries and the cerebrovascular system. Hyperhomocysteinemia may be induced by failure or decreased enzyme activity of the cystathionine-beta-synthase and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase due to genetic mutation or deficiency of folic acid, vitamin B12 and vitamin B6. Oxidation of homocysteine to homocystine is accompanied with production of hydrogen peroxide inducing damage of endothelium through oxidative stress. The injury of the endothelium by homocysteine can be shown by measuring flow-induced vasodilation in men. The abnormalities of coagulation found in hyperhomocysteinemia is related to the impairment of the function of endothelial cells and inhibition of the thrombomodulin-protein C and glycosaminoglycan-antithrombin-III anticoagulant system. Homocysteine decreases the level of glutathione peroxidase in the endothelial cells, and inhibits its activation leading to the impairment of oxidative defensive mechanism, and to the free radical-induced NO-inactivation. In decreasing of plasma homocysteine level and preventing its influence on endothelium, moreover in improving of endothelial function the folic acid has cardinal importance, however the vitamin B12 and vitamin B6 also play role in the maintenance of normal homocysteine level of blood.

Results of transcutaneous electrical stimulation (TES) in cure of lower extremity arterial disease.

The results of the treatment of 24 subjects--10 of them diabetic--with peripheral obstructive arterial disease of the lower limbs by transcutaneous electrical stimulation (TES) have been studied. The chronic ischemia of the lower extremities was complicated with ulceration in 12 and initial or advanced gangrene in 6 patients. All patients had been treated with antiplatelet drugs, pentoxifylline, and vasodilating drugs for many years. The drug therapy was continued, and TES was given daily for twenty minutes. The results were estimated after four to eight weeks of hospitalization and during a one-year follow-up in numerous cases. Except for 4 patients the improvement was very significant in all cases: the pain disappeared, the gangrenous process of the toes stopped, regression or complete healing of the ulceration could be observed, and the painfree walking distance increased. The oxygen saturation measured on the toes increased significantly during electrical stimulation. The blood pressure measured in the tibial artery showed very different changes. According to these observations TES appears to be a useful method superior to drug therapy in curing arterial circulatory disturbances of the lower extremities.

Effect of morphine on hypothalamic catecholamine and serotonin level in relation to the stress-induced pituitary-adrenocortical activation in the rat.

The relationship between the hypothalamic catecholamine and serotonin level as well as the activation of the pituitary-adrenal axis was investigated after administration or morphine (MO) in the rat. Five mg/kg b. wt. of MO induced a significant increase in norepinephrine and a 78%, but insignificant, increase in dopamine level of the hypothalamus within 60 min without changing corticosterone secretion. Electric footshock, in addition to elevating hypothalamic norepinephrine and dopamine levels, significantly increased the pituitary-adrenocortical response in the MO pretreated rats. Five mg/kg b. wt. of MO, or electric footshock alone did not influence the hypothalamic serotonin level within 60 min, but the hypothalamic serotonin level decreased significantly in the MO pretreated, electrically shocked animals. We conclude, that 1) low dose of MO may induce changes of the hypothalamic catecholamine levels without influencing pituitary-adrenocortical activation. 2) enhanced hypothalamic catecholamines by MO did not prevent increasing pituitary-adrenocortical response elicited by stress. It appears, that the hypothalamic catecholaminergic mechanism which may inhibit ACTH release during stimulation does not function in the MO treated rats.

The effect of electrical stimulation of the ear points on the plasma ACTH and GH level in humans.

The effect of electrical stimulation of the ear points on the plasma ACTH and GH level was investigated in healthy female subjects. Electrical stimulation by 20 pulses/sec for 20 min. induced an elevation of plasma GH; however, no changes were found in the plasma level of ACTH at 20 min. after the needle removal. The mechanism of action of electroacupuncture in inducing GH secretion may involve the brain endorphin, serotoninergic and catecholaminergic systems. The results obtained from the determination of ACTH suggest the conclusion that electroacupuncture did not induce stress and the increased level of GH may be due to specific effects of electrical stimulation on the neuroendocrine processes.

[Adenocarcinoma (Klatskin tumor) of the hepatic duct simulating viral hepatitis]. / Virushepatitis képében megjelenö ductus hepaticus adenocarcinoma (Klatskin tumor).

The authors review the experiences obtained during investigation of a patient with Klatskin tumor and whose clinical syndromes were developing as of virus hepatitis. In the first two weeks of the illness the clinical symptoms, the chemical laboratory findings and among the virus investigations the positive (experimental) Non-A Non-B hepatitis virus antigen suggested the existence of virus hepatitis. Later the laboratory investigations and the symptoms showed on obstructive icterus. The subsequent performed investigations as ultrasonography and PTC--showed the Klatskin tumor, which was proven by the operation performed and histology. The patient is free from the complaints more than 1 year after the operation, moreover recidivation or metastasis was not indicated by the investigations performed in the latest time.

The glucose-induced insulin release after adrenalectomy in the rat.

Plasma glucose and insulin levels following glucose loading were investigated in adrenalectomized rats. Both oral and intravenous administration of glucose induced an elevation in plasma glucose and insulin level. The increases of plasma glucose and insulin concentrations were significantly higher in the adrenalectomized rats compared with the controls. We conclude, that corticoid hormones are capable of inhibiting glucose-induced insulin release in the rat.

Lack of inhibitory effect of verapamil on glucose-induced insulin release in the rat.

The effect of the calcium-antagonist Verapamil was investigated on the blood glucose and insulin release in rats. Verapamil induced a significant elevation of the blood glucose and increased the insulin release too, however, it was not able to inhibit the glucose-induced insulin release. The authors suggest, that the effect of glucose is not restricted for the calcium turnover of the islets of the pancreas, and may be there are other cellular mechanisms apart from the effect on the calcium movements by which glucose induces insulin release.

Unique changes found on the Qi Gong (Chi Gong) Master's and patient's body during Qi Gong treatment; their relationships to certain meridians & acupuncture points and the re-creation of therapeutic Qi Gong states by children & adults.

Changes taking place in both Qi Gong Masters and their patients during Qi Gong treatment were evaluated using the Bi-Digital O-Ring Test. During the Qi Gong state, on the Qi-Gong Master's body, as well as the body of the patient being treated, acupuncture points CV5 (Shi Men) and CV6 (Qi Hai)-- located below the umbilicus-- show changes from +4 in the pre-Qi Gong state to between -3 and -4 during the Qi Gong state. Before and after the Qi Gong, there is a normal +4 response to the Bi-Digital O-Ring Test at these acupuncture points. Similar changes were also observed on acupuncture points CV17 (Shan Zhong), CV 22 (Tian Tu), Yin Tang (at an area just between the eyebrows: the pituitary gland representation area, colloquially known as the "third eye") and GV20(Bai Hui), the entire pericardium meridian & triple burner meridian, their acupuncture points, the adrenal glands, testes, ovaries and perineum, as well as along the entire spinal vertebrae, particularly on and above the 12th thoracic vertebra, medulla oblongata, pons, and the intestinal representation areas of the brain located just above and behind the upper ear. Using these findings as criteria for evaluating the effectiveness of reaching the Qi Gong state, we were able to reproduce during the experimental trials similar changes in ourselves and the patient being treated with therapeutic effects comparable to those of the Qi Gong Master. Beneficial effects of external Qi Gong treatment given by a Qi Gong practitioner 1 to 3 times for 10-20 seconds each (although most Qi Gong masters take 3-20 minutes per treatment) often resulted in improvement of circulation and lowering of high blood pressure, as well as relaxation of spastic muscles, relief of pain, and enhanced general well-being, all of which resemble acupuncture effects. In order to reproduce the same procedure with others, we selected 4 children ranging between 8 and 11 years of age who had no knowledge of Qi Gong or Oriental medicine. One of these four children, the 8 year old, was able to consistently reach the same Qi Gong state after less than a half day and another child, 11, after less than 2 days. Within a week, the other two were sometimes able to reproduce the Qi Gong state but not always. Using the Qi Gong state thus obtained, it was found that this type of Qi Gong energy is directed to specific directions from the hand and can even penetrate wooden or metal doors.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Acupuncture treatment for duodenal ulcer.

The effect of acupuncture therapy for duodenal ulcer was investigated in 21 male and female patients. The diagnosis and healing were verified by gastroscopy. It was found that the needle therapy for 3 weeks led to complete recovery in 76 percent of the patients. Diet, alcohol and cigarette abstinency were necessary for healing. Cuti-visceral reflex activation eliciting the improvement of the secretory and motor function of the gastrointestinal tract and effects in the CNS leading to analgesia and tranquilization may play a role in the mechanism of action. Our conclusion is that acupuncture can be satisfactory method to cure duodenal ulcer.

Persistent hypoglycemia due to hyperinsulinemia, hypoglucagonemia and mild adrenal insufficiency.

The case history of a patient with serious hypoglycemia (with 0.6-3 mmol/l blood glucose) persisting for eight years and treated as epilepsy during the time of observation is reported. As the cause of hypoglycemia hyperinsulinemia, hypoglucagonemia, and moderate adrenal insufficiency was suggested. The pattern of secretion of insulin as well as of C-peptide indicated, that hyperinsulinemia was induced by hypersecretion of immunoreactive insulin. As the cause of hypersecretion of insulin insulinoma might have been ruled out. Hypoglucagonemia was shown by the low concentration of plasma glucagon. Adrenal insufficiency seemed to be due to ACTH deficiency. Replacement therapy with dexamethasone or administration of ACTH led to elevation of the blood glucose to normal, and the plasma cortisol also reached normal levels. On the basis of other data as well as of our own investigations we suggest a central origin of the illness. The patient has been free from his complaints with normal blood glucose and plasma cortisol concentrations for two years.

Inhibition of ethanol absorption by butyl-biguanide in rat gastrointestinal tract in vivo.

The effect of 1-butyl-biguanide and glibenclamide on the ethanol absorption in the rat gastrointestinal tract has been investigated. Oral administration of biguanide (100 mg/kg) inhibited the appearance of ethanol in the blood following oral ethanol loading. Glibenclamide (10 mg/kg) did not induce any alteration in the blood alcohol concentration as compared with the control's level. Oral biguanide pretreatment did not induce any change in the blood alcohol concentration when ethanol was given i.v. We conclude that 1-butyl-biguanide does exert an inhibitory effect on the absorption of ethyl alcohol in vivo in the rat.

Effect of stress and cholinergic stimulation on ACTH release in alpha-methyl-dopa pretreated rats.

Pituitary-adrenocortical function and the changes of hypothalamic catecholamine content were studied following alpha-methyl-dopa treatment in rats. After three-day administration of alpha-methyl-dopa the plasma corticosterone concentration increased significantly and at the same time ether stress failed to elicit a pituitary-adrenocortical response. Moreover, the alpha-methyl-dopa pretreatment prevented the facilitatory effect of physostigmine on pituitary-adrenocortical activation. As the result of alpha-methyl-dopa treatment the norepinephrine content decreased significantly and the amount of compounds measured as dopamine (dopamine, alpha-methyl-dopamine and alpha-methyl-dopa) increased in the hypothalamus. It is concluded that the impaired metabolism of catecholamines may inhibit the pituitary-adrenocortical activation to stimulation, and that not only norepinephrine and dopamine, but other phenylalanine derivatives and alpha-methyl-dopa may also influence the responsiveness of pituitary-adrenocortical function.

On the possible specific role of acupuncture loci in therapeutics.

The case history of a patient with thoracic vertebra fracture and following pain syndrome of the inferior limbs is reported. As a result of acupuncture treatment the pain was significantly reduced, but it could be reinduced by stimulation of the B1-31-33 loci during treatment. On needling the connecting locus of the related meridian of the bladder (Ki-6) the pain disappeared; otherwise stimulation of other loci showed a failure to stop the pain induced by the stimulation of B1-31-33 loci. It is remarkable that both the bladder's and the Ki-6 loci belong to the lumbal 4 spinal segment. The problem of the specific role of the acupuncture loci also is discussed.