Repeated use of SSRIs potentially associated with an increase on serum CK and CK-MB in patients with major depressive disorder: a retrospective study.

There is a large amount of evidence that selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are related to cardiovascular toxicity, which has aroused concern regarding their safety. However, few studies have evaluated the effects of SSRIs on cardiac injury biomarkers, such as creatine kinase (CK) and creatine kinase isoenzyme (CK-MB). The purpose of our study was to determine whether SSRIs elevated CK and CK-MB levels of prior medicated depressive patients (PMDP) compared to first-episode drug-naïve depressive patients (FDDPs). We performed an observational and retrospective study involving 128 patients with major depressive disorder. Patients who had never used any type of antidepressant were designated FDDP; patients who had used only one type of SSRI but were not treated after a recent relapse were designated PMDP. Serum CK and CK-MB levels were measured before and after using SSRIs for a period of time. The duration of current treatment in the FDDP and PMDP groups was 16.200 ± 16.726 weeks and 15.618 ± 16.902 weeks, respectively. After SSRI treatment, levels of serum CK in the PMDP group were significantly higher than in the FDDP group. Univariate ANCOVA results revealed that PMDP was 22.313 times more likely to elevate CK (OR 22.313, 95% CI 9.605-35.022) and 2.615 times more likely to elevate CK-MB (OR 2.615, 95% CI 1.287-3.943) than FDDP. Multivariate ANCOVA revealed an interaction between the group and sex of CK and CK-MB. Further pairwise analysis of the interaction results showed that in female patients, the mean difference (MD) of CK and CK-MB in PMDP was significantly greater than that in FDDP (MD = 33.410, P = 0.000, 95% CI 15.935-50.886; MD = 4.613, P = 0.000, 95% CI 2.846-6.381). Our findings suggest that patients, especially females, who had previously used SSRI antidepressants were more likely to have elevated CK and CK-MB, indicators of myocardial muscle injury. Use of SSRIs should not be assumed to be completely safe and without any cardiovascular risks.

[Observation on therapeutic effect of electroacupuncture on obesity induced by antipsychotics].

OBJECTIVE: To find out an effective therapy for obesity induced by antipsychotic agents. METHODS: One hundred and one cases of obesity who were being treated with antipsychotic agents were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group. The observation group were treated with electroacupuncture at Quchi (LI 11), Zusanli (ST 36), Fenglong (ST 40), Shangjuxu (ST 37) and Xiajuxu (ST 39), once a day for 8 weeks; and no treatment was given to the control group. The Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) was used for assessment of therapeutic effect and the Treatment Emergent Symptom Scale (TESS) for adverse effects. RESULTS: The clinically effective rate of the observation group (54.9%) was superior to the control group (10.0%) with a significant difference between the two groups (P<0.05). The BPRS score-reducing rate was 24.92% and 28.62% in the both groups respectively, and with no adverse effects. CONCLUSION: Electroacupuncture has a good therapeutic effect on obesity induced by antipsychotic agents, and it improves the patient's compliance with no adverse effect.

[Assessment on effect of treatment for childhood hyperkinetic syndrome by combined therapy of yizhi mixture and ritalin].

OBJECTIVE: To seek for a good therapy for childhood hyperkinetic syndrome (CHS). METHODS: Two hundred and ten patients of CHS were randomly divided into three groups, the Yizhi mixture (YZM) group, the Ritalin group and the combined treated group, 70 in each group. They were treated with YZM alone, Ritalin alone and combined YZM and Ritalin respectively for 12 weeks. The effect was assessed by Conners' questionnaire for hyperkinetic scoring, Achenbach's questionnaire for behavior estimation, clinical general image questionnaire and Tess's questionnaire before and after treatment. RESULTS: The total effective rate in the YZM group, Ritalin group and combined treated group was 75.7%, 74.2% and 82.8% respectively, and the markedly effective rate in the three groups was 44.3%, 45.7% and 80.0% respectively. By chi 2 test, comparison among the three groups showed that the difference of the total effective rate was insignificant, while that of the markedly effective rate was significant (chi 2 = 23.31, P < 0.01). Further analysis conducted by partitioning method to make comparison between each two groups showed that the markedly effective rate was significantly higher in the combined treated group than that in the YZM group (chi 2 = 18.98, P < 0.01) and in the Ritalin group (chi 2 = 17.62, P < 0.01). The low hyperkinetic score, behavior score, achievement of Chinese and mathematics in the CHS patients were improved after treatment, the improvements were significantly higher in the combined treated group than those in the other two groups (P < 0.05, by q-test). Moreover, the soft nerve signs and abnormal encephalogram were significantly improved in the combined treated and the YZM groups, and the side-effect occurred in the two groups was less than that in the Ritalin group (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The therapeutic effect of combined treatment of YZM and Ritalin was better than that of YZM or Ritalin alone.

[Simulation of N2O emissions in agroecosystems].

A numerical model for simulating N2O emissions in agroecosystem was established. Validation of the model with the observed data showed that the model simulated the process of N2O emissions in fields fairly well. The numerical analysis showed that the N2O emissions were interrelated well with average temperature during rice growth periods. Analysis of N2O emissions and meteorological factors by using power spectrum found that the change of N2O emissions had 7-9 year cycles. Sensitivity test showed that the N2O emission increased with temperature enhancement.

[Determination of volatile hydrocarbon in atmosphere by two-dimensional capillary column gas chromatography].

Fifty-seven volatile hydrocarbons (VHCs) (C3-C10) in the atmosphere have been determined by two-dimensional capillary column gas chromatography. The samples were preconcentrated using adsorption/two stages of thermal desorption. The samples were analysed by dual columns (PLOT, 50 m x 0.32 mm i.d. x 8 microns, Al2O3/Na2SO4; HP-1, 50 m x 0.22 mm i.d. x 0.5 micron, methyl silicone)/dual flame ionization detectors(FID). The qualitative stability of the method is good. The relative standard deviation of the peak area response is smaller than 20%. The correlation coefficients(r2) for linear regression equations for PLOT and HP-1 columns were 0.9990 and 0.9997 respectively. Analytical period was 48 min. The 182 atmospheric samples from the Ecological Station of Changshu, Jiangsu were measured. The results show that the method is accurate, rapid and practically useful for the determination of the VHCs in atmosphere.