Na depletion-induced Na appetite of sheep is independent of brain angiotensin II.

Previous experiments indicated that the Na appetite of Na-deplete sheep is decreased by systemically administered captopril. The assumption that captopril does not readily cross the blood-brain barrier, lead to the conclusion that circulating ANG II acting in brain areas without a blood-brain barrier, i.e., circumventricular organs such as the subfornical organ or organum vasculosum of the lamina terminalis, contributes to Na appetite induced by Na depletion. The present experiments investigated the possibility that systemically administered captopril does, in fact, cross the blood-brain-barrier and thereby influence brain angiotensin II formation and that brain angiotensin II contributes to Na depletion-induced Na appetite of sheep. The results showed that systemically administered captopril blocked water intake caused by intracerebroventricular infusion of angiotensin I, and that Na depletion induced Na appetite was not decreased by intracerebroventricular infusion of various antagonists of the renin-angiotensin system. Thus, the results suggest that although captopril crosses the blood-brain-barrier and can influence the formation of brain angiotensin II, brain angiotensin II is not involved in the Na appetite of Na-deplete sheep.

Role of brain angiotensin II in thirst and sodium appetite of sheep.

The contribution of brain angiotensin II (ANG II) to thirst and Na+ appetite of sheep was evaluated. Thirst was stimulated by water deprivation, intracarotid or intracerebroventricular infusion of ANG II, or intracarotid or intracerebroventricular infusion of hypertonic solution. Intracerebroventricular infusion, over 1-3 h, of the ANG II type 1 (AT1) receptor antagonist, losartan, decreased or abolished water intake caused by all of the stimuli tested. Intracerebroventricular infusion of ZD-7155, another AT1-receptor antagonist, blocked ANG II-induced water intake. Neither losartan nor ZD-7155 infused intracerebroventricularly altered the Na+ appetite of Na(+)-depleted sheep. Intracerebroventricular infusion of losartan over 3 h, however, did block the increase in water intake and the decrease in Na+ intake caused by intracerebroventricular infusion of hypertonic NaCl in Na(+)-depleted sheep. Intracerebroventricular infusion of the ANG II type 2 (AT2) receptor antagonist, PD-123319, over 1-3 h, did not alter ANG II-induced water intake or Na+ depletion-induced Na+ intake. These results are consistent with the proposition that brain ANG II, working via AT1 receptors, is involved in the neural system controlling some aspects of physiological thirst and Na+ appetite. A role for AT2 receptors in physiological thirst or Na+ appetite is not supported by the present results.

Role of brain angiotensin in thirst and sodium appetite of rats.

The role of brain angiotensin II (ANG II) in water, Na and food intake of rats was studied. Intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) infusion (100 micrograms/h) of the non-peptide ANG II receptor antagonist losartan (type 1), but not PD123319 (type 2), completely blocked water intake caused by i.c.v. infusion of ANG II at 50 ng/h. Following food deprivation, food intake was reduced by PD123319 and associated water intake was decreased by losartan or PD123319. Neither water intake after water deprivation nor Na intake after Na depletion was altered by losartan or PD123319. In conclusion, evidence was consistent with a role for brain ANG II in both food and water intake after food deprivation but not in thirst subsequent to water deprivation or Na intake after Na depletion alone.

The role of angiotensin II in ingestive behaviour: a brief review of angiotensin II, thirst and Na appetite.

From the outset, the study of angiotensin II (Ang II) in body fluid homeostasis has been both complicated and intriguing. Since the publication of an early report of the dipsogenic action of this peptide, the pursuit of the role of Ang II in thirst and Na appetite has continued for the last 25 years. This pursuit captured the attention of all workers interested in the behavioural/physiological regulation of body fluid balance, with major contributions being made by James T. Fitzsimons and his colleagues. In spite of its powerful dipsogenic actions, delineation of its precise role in physiological thirst has been elusive and difficult to demonstrate. The influence of Ang II on Na intake took longer to show convincingly. However, in contrast to thirst, the role of Ang II in physiological Na appetite has been demonstrated clearly. The technological advances made during the recent years have greatly increased our ability to delineate the neurobiological context of Ang II-mediated responses. Thus, the future is promising in regard to illuminating the subtleties of the role of Ang II in body fluid balance.

[Pulmonary echinococcosis]. / Pulmonalis echinococcosis.

Two patients with pulmonal Echinococcosis are presented by the authors. Contact with cestoda carrier animals cannot be revealed. At the first patient, who was without any complaints, the two round shadows in her chest X-ray were detected accidentally by screening examination and before the operation only eosinophilia, many eosinophil granulocytes in the pleural effusion and the positive complement binding reaction were related to the Echinococcosis, which was proved by the histological examination of the intraoperative biopsy. The other patient had complaints during months. In this case the Echinococcus granulosus broke into the bronchus and emptied in the sputum. Postoperative histological diagnosis can be obtained by help of the excision from the intraluminal alteration which was visible during bronchoscopy. The authors summarize the etiology, the clinical signs, the diagnose and the therapy of Echinococcosis. They call attention to the incidence of this mainly tropical disease in Hungary and to the rare soliter pulmonal manifestation of the Echinococcosis.

Effect of ICV infusion of CRF on blood pressure and adrenal steroids in rabbits.

The effect of prolonged, 22 h long, intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) infusion of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRF) on plasma cortisol, corticosterone and electrolyte concentrations, mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) were investigated in conscious rabbits. During i.c.v. infusion of CRF, 1 and 3 micrograms/h, at a rate of 17 microliters/h, plasma cortisol and corticosterone concentrations rose to the level noted after ACTH stimulation in rabbits. Plasma [Na] did not change, but plasma [K] was reduced and plasma osmolality increased during the infusion of CRF, 3 micrograms/h. MAP and HR, recorded continuously during i.c.v. infusion of CRF, changed only with the higher dose of CRF: MAP was elevated during the first 5 h of infusion, and then returned to the control level. HR was lower than control at the end of the first hour of infusion and again between 9 and 15 h of infusion. The prolonged rise of CRF concentration in the brain induced a sustained rise in circulating adrenal steroid hormones. MAP did not increase to the level noted after bolus i.c.v. injection of CRF and the rise in MAP was not sustained.

Behavior of sheep drinking ethanol solution.

Sheep that were habituated to drinking 10% (vol/vol) ethanol solution instead of water were subjected to proven thirst stimuli to study the effect of chronic ethanol intake on brain mechanisms subserving thirst. Sheep that had not previously drunk 10% ethanol were also tested. All sheep were trained to press a pedal that delivered 50 ml/press of fluid (either 10% ethanol or water) into a drinking cup. In some experiments, fluids were presented in bins. All animals had access to only one fluid at a time. Five ethanol-drinking sheep appeared healthy and maintained body weight over 18 mo. They always preferred water to 10% ethanol. The intracerebroventricular (icv) infusion of angiotensin II (ANG II) at 3.8 micrograms/h for 2 h increased ethanol intake from 15 +/- 10 to 200 +/- 55 ml in the 1st h, but 2,850 +/- 320 ml of water was drunk in the 2nd h. The icv infusion of 500 mM NaCl had a similar effect. After fluid deprivation for 22 or 46 h, ethanol intake in 1 h of access was only 280 +/- 40 and 400 +/- 90 ml, respectively, and 24-h intake was not increased. Water-drinking sheep drank 1,300 +/- 195 ml of water in 1 h after 22-h water deprivation, and 24-h intake was 1.5 times normal. The icv infusion of ANG II in these sheep increased water intake in 1 h from 10 +/- 10 to 1,630 +/- 250 ml and intake of 10% ethanol to only 310 +/- 60 ml. In conclusion, sheep accept 10% ethanol as a substitute for water for daily drinking.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Influence of adrenal steroid hormones on sodium appetite of Balb/c mice.

The effects of adrenal steroid hormones on sodium appetite were determined in female Balb/c mice by the subcutaneous implantation for 7 days of slow-release pellets containing aldosterone, corticosterone, deoxycorticosterone (DOC) or 11-deoxycortisol, separately or in a "cocktail" combination. Placebo pellets were also implanted. The daily intake of 0.3 M NaCl was increased for 2 days by aldosterone (calculated 2.9 micrograms/day released) or corticosterone (240 micrograms/day) and for 7 days by DOC (4.8 micrograms/day). The combination of these steroids plus 11-deoxycortisol (95 micrograms/day) increased daily sodium intake nine-fold (days 3-7) and also increased water intake 1.5-fold. Placebo pellets had small effects on water intake on three days. Subcutaneous infusion of ACTH (Synacthen) at 2.8 micrograms/day for 7 days by mini-osmotic pump increased sodium intake five-fold and water intake three- or four-fold. Thus, several adrenal steroids evoked sodium appetite in Balb/c mice, DOC being the most potent at the doses used. The effects of individual steroids are consistent with their contribution to the effect of ACTH on sodium appetite.

Longitudinal lung function study in heterozygous PiMZ phenotype subjects.

It is a matter of controversy whether subjects who are heterozygous (PiMZ) for alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency are at risk of developing pulmonary emphysema. To assess the role of MZ phenotype in the development of abnormal lung function the authors performed a 10 year follow-up study of 28 PiMZ subjects, compared to 28 matched-paired normal PiMM subjects. Maximal expiratory flows and mechanical properties of the lungs were studied, in order to determine the changes of the lung function parameters characteristic of pulmonary emphysema. Total lung capacity and residual volume increased, whereas forced expiratory volume in one second, expiratory flows, diffusing capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide, and static transpulmonary pressures decreased in the PiMZ patients. The majority of the controlled functional parameters were found to deteriorate significantly in PiMZ patients during the 10 year period. Trypsin inhibitory capacity in the PiMZ group (mean +/- SD) was 0.65 +/- 0.17 mg.ml-1 as compared to 1.52 +/- 0.3 mg.ml-1 in the PiMM group. These changes exceeded the values expected as physiological changes due to ageing. The findings in the present longitudinal study--especially the decrease in elasticity, which is the primary pathophysiological damage in alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency--support the concept that the PiMZ phenotype is a risk factor for the development of pulmonary emphysema at younger age than in those without the deficiency.

Thirst induced by increasing brain sodium concentration is mediated by brain angiotensin.

Thirst, the longing or compelling desire to drink, arises physiologically by two main mechanisms-extracellular and cellular dehydration. The hormone angiotensin II has been implicated in the former but not in the latter brain mechanism. To test this apparent difference, experiments in 5 mammalian species examined the effect of intracerebroventricular infusion of losartan, an angiotensin II type I receptor antagonist, on the third induced by intracerebroventricular infusion of an artificial cerebrospinal fluid made hypertonic by the inclusion of 500 mM NaCl. The losartan infusion reduced the water intake due to increased brain sodium concentration in all 5 species, cattle, sheep, rabbits, rats and mice. Thus, the thirst evoked by cellular dehydration, as well as the thirst evoked by extracellular dehydration, may be mediated by angiotensin II.

Converting enzyme inhibition in rabbits: effects on sodium and water intake/excretion and blood pressure.

Earlier studies in rabbits revealed that in this species, in contrast to most other species studied, water intake was not influenced by injection or infusion of angiotensin II (ANG II). In order to establish whether ANG II has any role in the regulation of water intake of rabbits, a comprehensive study of the effect of converting enzyme inhibition was undertaken. Enalaprilat was given systemically in various doses to sodium- and water-replete, sodium-deplete, and water-deprived rabbits, and the intake and excretion of water and sodium was measured. In replete rabbits systemic injection of enalaprilat, 8 mg/kg and 8 micrograms/kg, but not 0.8 mg/kg, was followed by increased daily water intake. In sodium-deplete rabbits injection of enalaprilat, 80 mg/kg, was followed by water drinking within 1 h, and daily sodium intake was reduced. Systemic administration of ANG II increased, but did not restore to control level the sodium appetite of sodium-deplete rabbits attenuated by 80 mg/kg enalaprilat. Rabbits deprived of water for 24 h, however, drank the same amount of water after injection of vehicle or enalaprilat, 80 and 8 mg/kg. The efficacy of converting enzyme inhibition was also tested by measuring the blood pressure response to ANG I. Blood pressure responses revealed that in replete animals converting enzyme activity was depressed below control levels for 30 h after injection of 80 mg/kg enalaprilat. In sodium-deplete rabbits blood pressure fell following injection of 80 mg/kg enalaprilat and did not return to control level until 48 h after the injection.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Use of Taleum 1-mg inhalation aerosol in bronchial asthma patients.

The effect of 2 sodium chromoglycate products: Taleum 1-mg aerosol (EGIS) and Intal powder capsule (Fisons) has been examined for 4-4 weeks in 15 extrinsic asthma patients by cross-over self-controlled open method. The patients measured peak expiratory flow (PEF) 5 times daily and recorded the time of dyspneic periods in a diary as well as the amount of bronchodilator spray (Berodual, Boehringer) used as adjuvant therapy during dyspnea. The results of the weekly evaluation of the complaints and PEF values proved that both drugs are similarly effective in the prevention of dyspnea caused by bronchial asthma. The adjuvant inhalation betamimetic and anticholinergic drug requirement was lowered, the number, intensity and total time of dyspneic episodes decreased. In the course of the examinations Taleum 1-mg inhalation aerosol proved to be of identical value with Intal powder capsule. Some patients who do not like powder inhalation found the Taleum aerosol drug form to be more advantageous. Side-effect of drug was not observed.

[Cobalt-induced asthma in workers exposed to hard metal dust]. / Kobalt asthma keményfém porkohászati üzemben.

A case of 39 years old woman with asthma bronchiale associated with cobalt exposure is reported. Specific bronchial provocation tests in these patients supported the diagnosis of hard-metal-induced asthma and implicated cobalt as the agent responsible. The relevant literature data are reviewed.

Effect of CRF, ACTH and adrenal steroids on sodium intake and excretion of rabbits.

The effect of CRF, ACTH and adrenal steroid hormones on the sodium intake and excretion of wild and laboratory rabbits was studied in our laboratory in detail. All these hormones are known to play important roles in the initiation and maintenance of stress-reaction. Intracerebroventricular (icv) infusion of CRF increased both sodium intake and excretion of rabbits on the day of the infusion, and the stimulated sodium turnover persisted for several days after the infusion stopped. Systemic administration of the same dose of CRF did not influence sodium intake or excretion. Icv infusion of CRF was accompanied by a rise in plasma cortisol and plasma corticosterone concentration. Plasma sodium concentration was unchanged despite the increased turnover. The elevated plasma concentration of adrenal steroid hormones indicates that icv infused CRF resulted in ACTH and consequent cortisol and corticosterone release. Earlier studies in our laboratory established that ACTH, and similarly cortisol and corticosterone, when injected systemically, also elicited increased sodium intake, which was accompanied by increased sodium excretion. The rise in sodium turnover occurred on the second or third day of ACTH or steroid administration. The difference in the time of onset of sodium appetite between icv CRF and ACTH or adrenal steroids indicates that CRF influences sodium intake by other mechanisms as well. These other contributing mechanisms are probably activated by the binding of CRF to the specific binding sites demonstrated earlier in the rabbit's brain. Its is possible, that the small natriuresis accompanying icv infusion of CRF has some role in the initiation of the sodium appetite.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Current methods in the diagnosis of adult-age cystic fibrosis]. / Korszerü vizsgálóeljárások alkalmazása felnöttkori cysticus fibrosisban.

An 19 year old male patient with cystic fibrosis is reported. The clinical, pathogenetic, anatomical features and literature data are reviewed. Attention is called to recent diagnostic facilities.

Central administration of atrial natriuretic peptide suppresses sodium and water intake of sheep.

The effect of intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) infusion (20 micrograms/h) over 3 h) of human alpha-atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) on Na and water intake of sheep was studied. I.c.v. infusion of ANP decreased (p less than 0.01) Na and water intakes of water-deprived sheep but did not affect significantly Na or water intakes of Na and water-replete sheep. In addition, i.c.v. infusion of ANP decreased (P less than 0.05) Na and water intakes of sheep infused i.c.v. with angiotensin II. The results suggest that ANP may act on brain mechanisms concerned with both Na appetite and thirst. These mechanisms may involve action on the angiotensin II component of sodium appetite but effects on other factors determinant of appetite cannot be excluded at present.

[Solitary plasmacytoma of the lung]. / Soliter tüdö plasmacytoma.

A case of solitary plasmacytoma of the lung in a 64 year old woman is reported. The anatomical and clinical features of this exceedingly rare form are discussed. Stress is laid on the 'fact that diagnostic certainty can only be obtained by immunohistochemistry. It is also necessary that patients be subjected to periodical radiological and immunological studies in the postoperative period to detect the possible occurrence of multiple myeloma.

[Five-year follow-up pulmonary function studies in patients with anti-trypsin deficient pulmonary emphysema]. / Otéves tüdöfunkciós utánvizsgálatok részleges antitripszinhiányos pulmonális emphysemás betegeken.

Five-year follow-up study was carried out in pulmonary emphysematous patients with intermediate antitrypsin deficiency. The examinations showed no deterioration in the clinical state of the patients but in some parts of the controlled functional parameters a statistically significant worsening was found in this period of study.

[Therapeutic possibilities in the management of antitrypsin-deficient pulmonary emphysema]. / Terápiás lehetöségek az antitripszin hiányos pulmonális emphysema kezelésében.

Congenital alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency may lead to pulmonary emphysema in young adults. Authors review the therapeutic approaches of this disease. Attempts to augment the production of endogenous antitrypsin are discussed in detail. Possibilities of substitution by human alpha-1-antitrypsin and recombinant alpha-1-antitrypsin are summarized. Results with the use of specific elastase inhibitors as well as the role and the site of gen-therapy in treatment are reviewed.