Changes of mental stress biomarkers in ultramarathon.

We investigated the possible influence of an exhaustive physical exercise on mental stress biomarkers (serotonin, tryptophan, and beta-endorphin) along with dopamine, noradrenaline and free fatty acids in an ultramarathon race in which 45 km was run on the first day and 90 km on the second. We obtained serum samples at 6 different time points during and after the race from 18 Japanese male runners who completed the marathon. Overall changes of serum serotonin and tryptophan concentrations were statistically significant according to ANOVA for repeated measurements (p < 0.05). Serum serotonin levels elevated rapidly on the first day with the post hoc Tukey's test. Tryptophan concentrations inversely decreased during the race, possibly because of utilization for synthesis of serotonin. Levels of beta-endorphin appeared to increase on the first and second days, but were not statistically significant. In conclusion, serum serotonin, tryptophan and beta-endorphin appeared to be used for mental stress markers in physical exercise.

Optimal electric conditions in electrical impulse chemotherapy.

The relationship was examined between the tumoricidal effect and the electrical variables of in vivo electrical impulse chemotherapy. Donryu rats subcutaneously inoculated with AH-109AY hepatocellular carcinomas were given a single high-voltage electrical impulse of varying voltage and duration, 30 min after an intramuscular injection of 4 mg/kg bleomycin. As the voltage (V) was increased from 0 to 5 kV, the tumoricidal effect (E) increased in proportion to the square of the voltage. As the pulse duration (D) was increased from 2.5 to 5.8 ms, the tumoricidal effect increased in direct proportion to it. Combining these results yielded the formula, E = gamma V2D, which indicates that tumoricidal efficacy was proportional to the applied electrical energy. When the electrical energy was kept constant while varying the voltage and duration of pulse, the anticancer effect was the same, confirming this relationship for lower energy levels.

[The effect of menatetrenone on peritoneal adhesion].

The correlation between the dose of menatetrenone and the incidence of post-laparotomy peritoneal adhesion in Ryan's model was investigated with the use of rats. In the menatetrenone treated group, the menatetrenone was intramuscularly given in a dosage of 10 mg immediately after closure of the abdominal wound and every 24 hours for two days. In this group, the incidence of ceco-colonic adhesion was 54% (20/37), whereas the incidence in non-treated group was 26% (10/39) (p less than 0.012). Especially in cases with an air-drying time of 1-2 minutes, the difference between incidences of ceco-colonic adhesion in the menatetrenone and that of the non-treated group was high. The former incidence was 61% (17/28) and that of the latter was 21% (6/29) (p less than 0.01). In addition, the incidence of peritoneal adhesion was proportionally dose-dependent to the menatetrenone. In our clinical retrospective study, the incidence of post-gastrectomy adhesive ileus increased with menatetrenone treatment to a significant degree. It is concluded that prophylactic administration of a large dose of menatetrenone should be avoided, because the incidence of post-laparotomy peritoneal adhesion could be increased.

[Hemodynamic effects of a large dose injection of OK-432 (picibanil)].

Intratumoral administration of a large dose of OK-432 has two antitumor functions; a direct cytotoxic effect and an indirect effect through the host reticuloendotherial functions. It has been pointed out that this method, however, occasionally results in shock. Several investigators have suggested the importance of the use of general anesthesia to avoid such shock. In order to explore the hemodynamic effect of intratumoral injection of OK-432, a simulated experiment (OK-432 or saline intramuscular injection) was carried out utilizing 10 anesthetized and 10 unanesthetized dogs. In addition, hemodynamic alterations during the OK-432 administration were studied in nine patients under neuroleptal anesthesia. In both anesthetized and unanesthetized dogs, OK-432 intramuscular injection resulted in a slight decrease of the mean arterial pressure, left ventricular systolic pressure and cardiac output as compared with those of the saline injected dogs. The hemodynamic alterations, however, were minimal and were thought not to cause severe hemodynamic derangements. Clinical experiences also showed no serious hemodynamic effects by the OK-432 intratumoral injections. It was concluded that the OK-432 intratumoral injection appeared not to induce hemodynamic derangement when applied to euvolemic and hemodynamically stable patients.