Cortisone-induced changes in myosin heavy chain distribution in respiratory and hindlimb muscles.

In this study the effects of administration of cortisone acetate (100 mg kg-1 body weight subcutaneously for 11 days) on distribution and cross-sectional area of different fibre types of rat skeletal muscles were investigated. Diaphragm, parasternal intercostal (PI), extensor digitorum longus (EDL) and soleus muscles were examined in cortisone treated animals (CA) in comparison with ad libitum controls (CTRL) and pair-fed (PF) controls. Four fibre types (I or slow and IIA, IIX, IIB or fast) were identified on the basis of their myosin heavy chain composition using a set of monoclonal antibodies. In CA rats the reduction of cross-sectional area was above 30% in IIX fibres of diaphragm, IIB fibres of PI and in all fast fibres of EDL. In all muscles slow fibres were spared from atrophy. Significant variations in fibre type distribution were found in the muscles of CA rats when compared to CTRL. The percentage of IIB fibres decreased in EDL, PI and diaphragm. This decrease was accompanied by an increase in the percentage of IIA fibres in the same muscles. No changes in the percentage of slow fibres and of fast IIX fibres were observed in EDL, PI and diaphragm of CA rats in comparison with CTRL. In soleus of CA rats the proportion of IIA fibres was lower than in CTRL. In EDL of PF rats atrophy of IIA fibres and changes in fibre type distribution were similar to those observed in CA rats.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

RV11 (propionyl erythromycin mercaptosuccinate) pharmacokinetics in bronchial secretions.

The kinetics of RV11 (propionyl erythromycin mercaptosuccinate) in serum and bronchial secretions was investigated in heterogeneous bronchopneumopathic patients requiring diagnostic bronchoscopy. A single oral dose, equivalent to 500 mg of erythromycin base, was administered to all patients and the bronchial secretion and plasma concentrations were determined after 2, 3 and 4 hr. The bronchial secretion and plasma levels consistently exceeded those reported previously for erythromycin per os, suggesting that RV11 may have an unusually high affinity for bronchial secretions in humans. The results of this study also suggested that RV11 might have different kinetics in bronchial secretions and serum, though further studies are required to provide definitive evidence.

[The cost of energy and cardiovascular expenditure in basketball players during a game]. / Stima dell'impegno energetico e cardiovascolare del giocatore di basket nel corso di una gara.

Energy expenditure was evaluated for 6 Basket players while exercising on a cyclergometer. Oxygen consumption (VO2), pulmonary ventilation (VE), heart rate (HR), respiratory quotient (QR) and other parameters were estimated at various levels of load (25 Watt each step of 3 minutes duration), till to submaximal load of 175 Watt. The same subjects participate to a regular Basket game and their heart rate was continuously stored on a tape recorder (Holter). Arterial blood pressure was also taken whenever possible (timeout, etc). From the laboratory and field data, estimates were made for the oxygen consumption together with energy cost of the game. This can be assume a net value of 0.1339 Kcal X Kg-1 X min-1.

Spontaneous closure of ventricular septal defect in a case of double outlet right ventricle.

A 5 year old child, previously diagnosed as having tetralogy of Fallot, was admitted to hospital in severe congestive heart failure. The electrocardiogram showed left anterior hemiblock and incomplete right bundle-branch block, neither of which was previously present. The child died in intractable congestive heart failure and the necropsy showed a double outlet right ventricle with complete spontaneous closure of the subaortic ventricular septal defect by fibrous tissue. The possible mechanism involved in the production of this unusual complication of double outlet right ventricle is discussed, together with an explanation for the electrocardiographic changes.

[Serum and bronchial concentrations of amoxicillin administered with a bronchial fluidizer]. / Osservazioni sperimentali sulle concentrazioni seriche e bronchiali dell'amoxicillina somministrata in associazone ad un fluidificante bronchiale.

The authors compared the serum and bronchial concentration of amoxycillin administered alone and in association with carboxymethylcysteine. The determinations were carried out in 10 patients affected with exacerbated acute and chronic bronchopneumopathies, treated first with amoxycillin alone (15 g/day in 3 administrations) and then with amoxycillin at the same dosage and carboxymethylcysteine (450 mg/day in 3 administrations). The bronchial secretions were collected during bronchoscopy performed 2 hours after the last administration of antibiotic. The bronchial secretion values of amoxycillin administered alone varied from 0.92 mcg/ml to 1.88 mcg/ml with a mean value of 1.44 mcg/ml. The percentage ratio between levels in bronchial secretion and levels in the serum varied from 12.7 to 36.1 with a mean value of 23.2. The administration of the amoxycillin-fluidizing agent association determined a statistically significant increase of the antibiotic levels in the bronchial secretions, varying from 1.26 mcg/ml to 6.39 mcg/ml, with a percentage ratio from 19.6 to 103.0.

Peptichemio induction therapy in myelomatosis.

Fifteen patients with multiple myeloma, two of whom had plasma cell leukemia, were treated between May 1974 and December 1978. Peptichemio was administered intravenously at doses of 40-80 mg/48 h, courses including 4-17 administrations in association with moderate doses of prednisone (15-50 mg/day) and androstanes at high dosages (250 mg weekly). In two patients PTC was associated with vincristine (VCR) administered on the first day of the course. Eight patients were previously untreated, four had been resistant to melphalan (MPH) and/or cyclophosphamide (CTX), and three had been treated irregularly with one or both of these alkylating agents. The criteria of response to therapy are reported. Out of a total of 15 PTC courses administered we obtained 13 responses, eight complete and five partial; no response was achieved in the other two patients. In the four patients who were resistant to MPH and/or CTX we obtained three responses, which were maintained with the same alkylating agent to which they had been resistant previously. The time needed to obtain a response in 90% of the patients was 6 weeks. Peptichemio was shown to be effective in patients in an advanced stage of the disease, in patients with light-chain myeloma and in those with plasma cell leukemia. The association of VCR potentiated the antitumor effect, but also increased the myelotoxicity. The PTC treatment was well tolerated. It is suggested that PTC be used in induction treatment of myelomatosis and in patients resistant to traditional alkylating agents.