Experimental evaluation of hepatic functional reserve using 111In colloid for clinical application.

We have postulated that reduced hepatic blood flow is the primary factor responsible for postoperative hepatic insufficiency, and have shown the usefulness of the hepatic blood flow index (KL) estimated by 198Au colloid. However, 198Au colloid has became unavailable due to its intense exposure activity. Therefore, we prepared 111In colloid as a substitute for 198Au colloid to evaluate hepatic functional reserve. In the present study, a 111In colloid was administered to rats to investigate the possibility of clinical application. First, liver cirrhosis was induced in rats using CCl4 Changes in KL and hepatic tissue blood flow were measured by hydrogen gas clearance (HL) after CCl4 injection, and was shown to correlates well with it. The correlation between KL and HL, together with normal and cirrhotic liver, was significant (r = 0.83, p < 0.01) Second, reticuloendothelial function was modulated with Zymosan A (stimulation) and Silica (suppression). The KL value remained unchanged in spite of the addition of an activator or suppressor to the reticuloendothelial system. Third, 30% and 70% hepatectomy models were studied according to the method of Higgins-Anderson. KL and HL was measured before and 1, 3 and 7 days after hepatectomy. KL and HL after 30% and 70% hepatectomy showed similar changes. These results indicate that the clearance of 111In colloid can be used clinically as an index of the hepatic blood flow.

Measurement of hepatic blood flow using 111In colloid.

The reduced hepatic blood flow calculated from hepatic scintigram with 198Au colloid was elucidated as the primary responsible factor for postoperative hepatic insufficiency. However 198Au colloid is no longer in use because of the high levels of radiation. Although 99mTc-phytate behaves similarly to 198Au on imaging, there were discrepancies between the hepatic blood flow index (KL) value and the severity of cirrhosis determined by laboratory data or by histology. In the measurement of hepatic blood flow using a radioactive colloid, factors like organ distribution, stability and uniformity of the colloid particles influence the values. In the present study, a 111In colloid was prepared and administered to rats to investigate the usefulness: as much as 95.4 (0.8) [Mean (+/- SD)]% of the colloid accumulated in the liver at pH 6.8. The distribution of particle diameter was within a relatively narrow range with the peak at 0.2 to 0.4 microns. Moreover, the KL values were not affected by condition of the reticuloendothelial system. The values showed a significant correlation with the measurements of the hepatic tissue blood flow obtained by the hydrogen gas clearance method (gamma = 0.83, P < 0.001). Thus, the 111In colloid can be clinically used as a substitute for 198Au colloid in the preoperative examination for estimation of the limit of resection.

[Ultrastructure of mucous cells from the oviduct epithelium of the rabbit (Lepus cuniculus). Preliminary study]. / Ultra-estrutura dos mucocitos presentes no epitélio do oviduto de coelha (Lepus cuniculus). Observações preliminares.

Authors studied the ultrastructural features of the mucous cells present in the three segments of the rabbit oviduct in anoestrous. Results showed that only one kind of mucous cell was present in the isthmus while two different kinds of mucous cells were found in the ampulla and infundibulum. The ultrastructural features observed in the isthmic cells correlated well with the histochemical data already described in that segment. However such correlations could not be made between the ampulla and infundibulum. Authors suggest that the ampulla can be considered a transitional segment between isthmus and infundibulum.

[Histochemical features of the mucus of the surface epithelium of the rabbit oviduct]. / Aspectos histoquímicos do muco do epitélio de revestimento do oviduto de coelha.

Some cytochemical observations were made on the secretion of the mucocytes in the surface epithelium of the different regions of the rabbit oviduct in anoestrous. It was concluded that the mucocytes of the oviduct contained mucin which was neutral or acid in nature. The three regions of the rabbit oviduct contained carboxylated acid mucopolysaccharide, but sialomucin was found in the infundibulum and sulphomucin was demonstrated in the isthmus and ampulla.

[Morphologic and morphometric aspects of the mammary gland of normal and oophorectomized rats treated with metoclopramide]. / Aspectos morfológicos e morfométricos da glândula mamária de ratas normais e ooforectomizadas tratadas com metoclopramida.

The authors performed an optical microscope morphologic and morphometric study of the mammary glands of rats treated and untreated with metoclopramide during estrous and after ovariectomy. They observed that in the group of normal rats treated with the drug the glands were well developed and contained secretion in the lumen of their ducts and alveoli. In the group of rats submitted to ovariectomy and treated with metoclopramide, however, the glands were atrophied and had the same aspect of glands during estrous. These findings are in agreement with the morphometric study, which showed a statistically significant increase of parenchyma in the group of normal treated rats as compared to the other groups and, further, a higher number of alveoli with secretion.

[Metoclopramide action on the mammary glands of albino rats in lactation or in early weaning: morphological study]. / Ação da metoclopramida sobre a glândula mamária de ratas albinas em aleitamento ou em desmame precoce: estudo morfológico.

The authors performed an optical microscope study of the histological features of mammary glands of albino rats during lactation and after early weaning, whether or not treated with metoclopramide. They observed that in the lactation group, the alveoli and ducts of both treated and untreated rats were quite developed and contained eosinophilic secretion. In the early weaning group, they saw that stroma predominated over the parenchyma, mammary glands being little developed. In the treated group that was submitted to early weaning, there was a balance between stroma and parenchyma, the latter containing secretion in the lumen. Mammary glands were less atrophied in the treated early weaning group than in the untreated group.

[Effects of food intake on the pharmacokinetics, metabolism and urinary excretion of two sustained release theophylline preparations in nonanesthetized dogs].

The disposition characteristics of theophylline from two sustained release formulations (Theolong and Theodur) administered orally at the dose of 100 mg/head were compared in two groups of nonanesthetized dogs following a 24-hr period of starvation (fasting) and immediately after feeding (nonfasting). The pharmacokinetics of the two sustained release theophylline preparations could be analyzed by a two-compartment open model. The peak plasma concentration, area under the curve and bioavailability of theophylline in Theolong in the fasting group were significantly higher the respective parameters in the nonfasting group, suggesting a decrease in the absorption process. In contrast, there were no significant differences in these parameters in Theodur between both the groups. The increase in urinary flow rate induced by Theolong was significantly lower in the nonfasting group. In both the groups, two metabolites of theophylline were isolated from the urine and identified as 3-methylxanthine and 1,3-dimethyluric acid by HPLC. When the animals were administered Theolong after feeding the cumulative urinary excretion of theophylline and its metabolites was about 50% lower than that after fasting medication. These results suggest that effects of food intake on the absorption of theophylline in dogs are different depending on the sustained release formulations.