Changes in lipid, peroxide, and anti-oxidant blood levels during piroxicam (Hotemin) treatment.

The authors examined the lipid-peroxide (malondialdehyde) blood concentration of patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis of osteoarthrosis. Of the anti-oxidant compounds, they examined the vitamin E concentration of blood plasma and catalase as well as glutathione-peroxidase enzyme activities. They also measured the oxidation capacity of blood plasma. It has been observed that the functional condition of patients in both disease groups improved following a 14-day treatment (20 md/day Hotemin). The degree of lipid-peroxidation (malondialdehyde content) as well as plasma oxidation capacity decreased in patients with osteoarthrosis, while these values did not change in patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. When examining the anti-oxidant enzymes in rheumatoid arthritis, a significant change was observed in glutathione-peroxidase activity. On the basis of the results it may be concluded that piroxicam has no direct anti-inflammatory action, but as an anti-oxidant, it exerts an action which is disease specific.

Investigation of an experimental weight-training programme.

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of conventional weight-training (control) with an experimental programme. The training programme consisted of 12 sessions, 3 a week for 4 weeks. The experimental group (n = 12) performed sets of forearm flexion with a barbell until a 20% decline in maximal force was noted. The controls (n = 11) trained according to established weight-training principles. Isometric tests were performed on both the right and left forearm flexors and during forearm flexion with a barbell: the tests were continued for a 3-week post-experimental period. The subjects were matched on all tests at the start of the experiment. Larger reductions in muscle torque within the training sessions were noted among the experimental subjects--19.8 +/- 2.0, 16.9 +/- 1.9 and 18.0 +/- 1.8% for right, left and combined elbow flexion respectively, compared to 11.8 +/- 2.7, 14.9 +/- 4.1 and 13.4 +/- 3.1% for the controls. The volume of training (number of lifts) was 30.4% higher for the experimental subjects. Muscle strength increased in both groups (P less than 0.05). The controls improved by 12.7 +/- 6.9, 24.9 +/- 22.1, 18.3 +/- 12.3 and 30.3 +/- 11.1% for right, left, combined isometric strength and the barbell test respectively. These did not differ significantly from the corresponding results for the experimental group--7.6 +/- 8.8, 17.0 +/- 12.4, 11.8 +/- 9.3 and 29.1 +/- 10.6% (P greater than 0.05). Neither the decrease in force during a single training session nor the volume of training were related to the training effect expressed as an increase in muscle force (P greater than 0.05). The effectiveness of the conventional programme in producing similar improvements in muscle strength to the experimental programme suggests that a high volume of training is unnecessary for strength gains.

Effects of glycosaminoglycan polysulphate in the treatment of chondrocalcinosis.

The effect of intra-articular injections of glycosaminoglycan polysulphate (Arteparon) on pain, joint mobility, inflammatory reactions, cartilage calcification and the urinary excretion of inorganic pyrophosphate was studied in 12 patients with chondrocalcinosis. All cases were bilateral and the less affected homologous joint served as an untreated control. The patients were followed over a one-year period. The glycosaminoglycan polysulphate treatment brought about a significant reduction of pain (p less than 0.01) and improvement of joint mobility (p less than 0.001). This effect continued for the whole one-year follow-up period, but could not be seen in the control joints. After the treatment period of 2-7 weeks there was a marked decrease in cartilage calcification paralleled with an increase in the excretion of inorganic pyrophosphate.

Vitamin E content and lipid peroxidation of blood in some chronic inflammatory diseases.

Patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, spondylosis, coxarthrosis, ankylosing spondylitis, chronic active and chronic alcoholic hepatitis were studied. The plasma vitamin E content remained unchanged. The TBA-reactive plasma substances (malondialdehyde) content of plasma increased in all patients except those with ankylosing spondylitis. Catalase activity of plasma increased in patients of both sexes suffering from rheumatoid arthritis and spondylosis and coxarthrosis, but decreased in the two hepatitis groups. The glutathione-peroxidase activity of RBC (1:9 haemolysate) increased in female rheumatoid arthritis patients and decreased in those suffering from chronic alcoholic hepatitis. The results showed that chronic inflammatory processes affect the rate of lipid peroxidation and the activity of the biological antioxidant mechanism.

Comparative investigations on vitamin A level of plasma in some rheumatic diseases.

The vitamin A levels in the plasma of patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, spondylosis, ankylosing hyperostosis (whether or not connected with diabetes) were investigated. Somatically healthy neurotic patients and patients suffering from diabetes without rheumatological problems served as controls. It was found that the retinol level of plasma decreased in patients of both sexes suffering from rheumatoid arthritis and clinically active ankylosing spondylitis, but increased in female patients suffering from ankylosing hyperostosis connected with diabetes, and also in the diabetes group. The retinyl-esters content of plasma decreased in the rheumatoid arthritis group and increased in female patients suffering from spondylosis and in the clinically inactive ankylosing spondylitis group. The total vitamin A content changed only in the rheumatoid arthritis group where a lower level was found compared to a somatically healthy control group.

Investigations on vitamin E and lipid peroxide status in rheumatic diseases.

Patients of both sexes suffering from two types of rheumatic diseases-- rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthrosis--were examined. Healthy volunteers of similar age served as controls. No significant difference was found in the plasma vitamin E content of the patients. Plasma malondialdehyde content was significantly higher /P less than 0.001/ in both sexes in the RA and OA groups as compared to the controls. Plasma catalase activity in both sexes was significantly higher (P less than 0.01) in RA and OA groups while RBC glutathione-peroxidase showed significantly (P less than 0.001) higher activity only in the female RA group, as compared to the control subjects. A difference was found between RA and OA groups in malondialdehyde content and in glutathione-peroxidase activity in subjects of both sexes.

[Pathogenesis of Sudeck's syndrom and a new possibility for its treatment (author's transl)]. / A Sudeck-szindróma patogenetikája és új kezelési lehetösége.

Authors describe the microcircular haemodynamics of Sudeck's syndrom together with the characteristic vitious circle of pain, rigidity, oedema and osteoporosis. Based on theoretical considerations and own results the infusion of dextran (Rheomacrodex 10%) as a pathogenetic base therapy is recommended. For increasing efficiency according to their experiences early treatment is suggested.