Physical training decreases total plasma homocysteine and cysteine in middle-aged subjects.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether endurance exercise in middle-aged men induces changes in plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) and total cysteine (tCys), and whether these changes depend on the diet especially on vitamin B(6), folic acid and vitamin B(12) intakes. METHODS: Twelve trained subjects (52.33 +/- 2.4 years) and twelve untrained subjects (56.23 +/- 0.9 years) volunteered for the present study. tHcy and tCys were measured with high-pressure liquid chromatography at rest in both groups and during an incremental exercise performed on a cycle ergometer until exhaustion in the trained subjects. RESULTS: At baseline homocysteinemia and cysteinemia were lower in trained subjects (7.48 +/- 0.4 and 183.45 +/- 13.6 micromol/l) compared with untrained subjects (9.79 +/- 0.4 micromol/l, p < 0.001; 229.01 +/-14.7 micromol/l, p < 0.05, respectively). Incremental exercise also induced a decrease in tHcy and tCys concentrations. Moreover, tHcy concentration was negatively related to the folic acid and B(12) intakes in untrained (r = -0.589, p < 0.05; r = -0.580, p < 0.05, respectively) as well as in trained groups (r = -0.709, p < 0.01; r = -0.731, p < 0.01, respectively) whereas no correlation between tCys and vitamin in the diet was observed. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that the combined effects of a chronic physical exercise and a high folate and vitamin B(12) intake could be responsible for the reduction of plasma tHcy and tCys concentrations that might be a key for the prevention of many diseases.

Oxatomide in the treatment of chronic allergic rhinitis.

Fifty-six patients with chronic allergic rhinitis were selected for a randomized double-blind study comparing oxatomide with a placebo. At the end of the 1-month treatment period symptoms had disappeared or were markedly improved in 81% of the oxatomide-treated patients compared with only 17% of the placebo group. Therapeutic control was achieved in most patients with a dose of 30 mg bid. Improvements were characterized by a reduction in the number, duration and severity of episodes of rhinitis. Oxatomide also significantly reduced the requirements of patients for additional antiallergic medication. No significant side effects were reported.

Double-blind placebo-controlled clinical evaluation of oxatimide (R 35443). A novel potent anti-allergic drug in the treatment of hay fever.

The efficacy of the new anti-allergic compound oxatimide was tested in a double-blind study against a placebo during the pollen season of 1976 in 215 patients (4 1/2--69 years) with hay fever. Adult patients were instructed to take two tablets (= 20 mg) three times a day for 2 weeks, children received one tablet/10 kg of body weight daily; in addition, they were given a supply of diphenhydramine as a potential supplement. Twelve patients, six from either group, were excluded from the analysis. A significantly higher proportion of patients from the active drug group (n = 104) experienced no or only a few days of complaints, i.e. rhinitis and conjunctivitis, as well as asthma-like complaints, as compared with those of the control group (n = 99). Also, diphenhydramine consumption became significantly lower in the active drug group from the second day onwards, whereas a gradual increase and continuous need were seen in the greater part of the control group. One week of treatment appears sufficient to judge whether the individual patient benefits from the drug or not.

[Physiological exploration of the eustachian tube using labeled compounds. Applications in the control of treatment (author's transl)]. / Exploration physiologique de la trompe par les molécules marquées. Application à la surveillance thérapeutique.

Sequential scintigraphy enables the qualitative and quantitative study of the drainage function of the Eustachian tube. Use is made of serum albumin labeled with technetium 99 m. After reviewing the various methods employed in an exploration of the functions of the Eustachian tube, and in particular the drainage function, the writers explain the method in detail (indicator, detection system, examination procedure, normal scintigraphic aspects) while stressing the control factors (onset of passage, speed and intensity of passage, length of time for the appearance of a trace on the pharynx, eventual aspects of blocking) and giving the basic characteristics; persistant spotting of the drum, transient image of the tube, partial stoppage at the ostium, and traces along the pharynx. The role of swallowing and the position of the head appear to be essential. Results obtained in various disorders of the middle ear, accessory cavities, the tube and the cavum are given in the form of tables. The writers then indicate the principal merits of the method: demonstration of the pathological role of the Eustachian tube in a work-up of transmission deafness, with its impact on treatment, the role of a deficient drainage function in surgical failures, and control of the efficacy of treatment, in particular crenotherapy. A study of the drainage function of the Eustachian tube, as a complement to the function of equalizing pressure, in an essential factor in formulating indications and in establishing the prognosis for tympanoplasties.