Systemic absortion and adverse effects of topical ocular use of ketorolac tromethamine and sodium diclofenac in New Zealand rabbits for 90 days / Absorção sistêmica e efeitos adversos do uso tópico ocular por 90 dias de cetorolaco de trometamina e diclofenacode sódio em coelhos da raça Nova Zelândia

The effect of the systemic absorption of 0.1% diclofenac sodium (DS) eyedrop was compared to that of 0.5% ketorolac tromethamine (KT) in female New Zealand white rabbits treated on both eyes three times a day for 90 days. The rabbits were divided in three groups of six animals (n= 18): KT group, DS group, and control (Co) group, in which saline (0.9% NaCl) solution was instilled. Water and food consumption were measured daily, clinical examination was performed weekly, and blood samples were collected every 30 days for laboratory examination. The plasma was analyzed for the presence of KT and DS by solid-phase extraction (SPE) associated with mass spectrometry (MS). Systemic absorption of these drugs was confirmed by SPE-MS, allowing their separation and identification in the plasma. At the end of the treatment, the animals were euthanized and necropsied, and no macroscopic or microscopic changes were found. This observation confirmed the laboratory results, which were within normal reference standards for the species. According to the results obtained, it can be concluded that treatment with eyedrops containing KT and DS for 90 days in healthy rabbits does not cause adverse systemic effects.(AU)

Comparou-se o efeito da absorção sistêmica do colírio de diclofenaco de sódio 0,1% (DS) em relação ao de cetorolaco de trometamina 0,5% (CT) em coelhas da raça Nova Zelândia, tratadas nos dois olhos, três vezes ao dia, por 90 dias. As coelhas foram separadas em três grupos de seis animais (n=18): grupo CT, grupo DS e grupo controle (Co), no qual foi instilada solução fisiológica (NaCl 0,9%). Os consumos de água e ração foram mensurados diariamente, os exames clínicos foram realizados semanalmente e o sangue foi coletado a cada 30 dias para realização de exames laboratoriais. O plasma foi analisado para detectar a presença de CT e DS por extração em fase sólida (SPE) associada à espectrometria de massas (MS). A absorção sistêmica desses fármacos foi confirmada por SPE-MS, permitindo sua separação e identificação no plasma. Ao final do tratamento, os animais foram eutanasiados e necropsiados, e não foram encontradas alterações macroscópicas ou microscópicas. Essa observação confirmou os resultados laboratoriais, que estavam dentro dos padrões de referência para a espécie. De acordo com os resultados obtidos, pode-se concluir que o tratamento com colírio contendo KT e DS, por 90 dias, em coelhos saudáveis, não causa efeitos adversos sistêmicos.(AU)

P300 auditory event-related potentials and neuropsychological study during donepezil treatment in vascular dementia.

After Alzheimer's disease (AD), vascular dementia (VaD) is the most common cause of dementia among the elderly. Abnormalities in neurotransmitter pathways are common pathogenic mechanisms shared by AD and VaD. For one month we studied the effects of donepezil, an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor (5 mg daily), on the cognitive system using P300 auditory event-related potentials (P300) and neuropsychological tests in 10 patients affected by probable VaD according to the NINDS-AIREN criteria. Our data showed a significant improvement of neuropsychological items and P300 latency after one month of donepezil treatment. In conclusion both P300 and neuropsychological tests are indicated in patients with VaD to confirm the efficacy of donepezil treatment during follow-up.

The use of entacapone in patients with advanced Parkinson's disease: 2 years' experience.

Since January 2000 we have administered entacapone (200 mg) to 75 patients with severe Parkinson's disease in combination with their routine levodopa dose. At baseline the mean UPDRS (item III) score was 38+/-6. After 3 months of entacapone therapy the patients presented a significant improvement of motor fluctuations; the mean UPDRS score (item III) was 20+/-4. This improvement was also statistically significant after 2 years of entacapone therapy.

Symptoms and neurophysiological picture of carpal tunnel syndrome in pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the incidence of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) in pregnancy through a validated and multiperspective assessment of CTS. METHODS: During 2000, the Italian CTS study group focussed on the occurrence of CTS in women during the final stages of pregnancy, enrolled in 7 Italian centers. In addition to the physician-centered and neurophysiologic traditional evaluations, we used a validated patient-oriented measurement to obtain more comprehensive and consistent data for severity of symptoms and functional impairment. RESULTS: In our study, CTS was clinically diagnosed in more than half of women (62%). Neurophysiological evaluation provided diagnosis of CTS in around half of women (43% were positive in one hand at least). Our study provides evidence, reported here for the first time, of a correlation between edema and neurophysiological picture. Similarly, our study provides a correlation between validated patient-oriented measurement and edema. Moreover, a significant correlation between a negative trend (subjectively assessed) and smoking and alcohol consumption was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Our observations confirm that the edema of the tissues in the carpal tunnel could induce a mechanical compression of the nerve. Moreover, our data suggest that smoking and alcohol consumption have a negative role in the evolution of the syndrome probably due to impairment of the microcirculation.