Effects of substances inhibiting or uncoupling respiratory-chain phosphorylation of Helicobacter pylori.

The effects of electron transport inhibitors and uncoupling agents as well as of bismuth compounds on the respiratory activity and oxidative phosphorylation of Helicobacter pylori were investigated. Bismuth gallate and bismuth subsalicylate reduced the respiratory chain-dependent phosphorylation. Inhibition was of the same magnitude as that observed with other known inhibitors. It is concluded that bismuth displays an antibacterial effect by inhibiting the respiratory chain of H. pylori.

Prevention of postoperative deep venous thrombosis. Low-dose heparin versus graded pressure stockings.

In a prospective, controlled clinical study prevention of postoperative deep venous thrombosis by low-dose heparin (Heparin Leo 5 000 I.U. subcutaneously twice daily) was compared with graded compression stockings (TED stockings, Kendall Co.). One hundred and twelve patients, admitted during a period of one year for elective major surgery, were allocated to one of the two treatment groups. In order to detect deep venous thrombosis the 99mTc-plasmin test was performed before the operative procedure and again 5 days later. Ninety-seven patients completed the study (45 patients in the heparin group and 52 patients in the stocking group). Venous thromboembolism was detected in 4 patients (8.9%) in the heparin group and in 3 patients (5.8%) in the stocking group (p greater than 0.05). In 6 patients the plasmin test was positive and one patient in the heparin group died following pulmonary embolism. It is concluded that graded compression stockings can be used as an alternative to low-dose heparin for prophylaxis against deep venous thrombosis in elective general surgery.

Heparin-induced increase in serum levels of aminotranferases. A controlled clinical trial.

Sixty-four patients over the age of 40 years, undergoing elective surgery of at least one hour's duration, were randomized to treatment with either a thromboembolic deterrent ( TED ) stocking (Kendall Co.) or subcutaneous low-dose heparin 5 000 IU every 12 hours. Serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (S-ALAT), aspartate aminotransferase (S-ASAT), gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (S-gamma-GT) and alkaline phosphatase (S-ALP) were measured. S-ALAT increased significantly on the 5th and 10th postoperative day, from 27 +/- 2 (x +/- SE) to 40 +/- 4 (p less than 0.01) and 55 +/- 7 U/l (p less than 0.001), respectively, in the heparin group and was significantly higher in the heparin than in the TED group both on the 5th (p less than 0.01) and 10th (p less than 0.05) postoperative day. S-ASAT and S-gamma-GT increased significantly during heparin treatment, but did not differ significantly from the values of the TED group. No change in S-ALP was registered in either group. It is concluded that prophylactic treatment with low-dose heparin induces a significant increase in S-aminotransferase levels, especially in S-ALAT. The phenomenon has profound differential diagnostic implications in conditions such as pulmonary embolism and acute myocardial infarction.

The effects of lysine-vasopressin on hemodynamics during early post burn period in pigs.

In order to investigate the central and peripheral circulatory effects of a vasoactive drug, lysin vasopressin (LVP), in the early postburn period, 18 piglets were submitted to an experimental study. Anaesthesia was performed by thiopentone sodium as i.v. infusion and mechanically controlled ventilation via endotracheal intubation. Burn injury was brought about by heated metal stamps applied to the back and sides of the animals causing a full thickness skin burn corresponding to 32-35% of the total body surface area. Cardiac output decreased significantly after burn and so did organ blood flow, measured with radioactively labelled microspheres, especially after 4 hours. LVP-infusion did not further decrease cardiac output after burn but decreased the blood flow to the skin, carcass and proximal gastrointestinal tract. The liver perfusion was increased, while the flow in the other organs was not different from that in burned pigs not given LVP. The therapeutical implications are discussed.