Dexamethasone effects on microvascular endothelial cell lipid composition.

Previous studies have shown that treatment of cultured rabbit coronary microvessel endothelial (RCME) cells with dexamethasone results in a dose-, time-, and glucocorticoid-dependent inhibition of prostaglandin release. In the present study, the effects of dexamethasone on RCME membrane lipid composition and release of arachidonic acid were examined. This study demonstrated that dexamethasone treatment did not significantly alter the relative distribution of membrane phospholipids but did result in changes of fatty acid composition. There was an increase in saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids and a decrease in polyunsaturated fatty acids. Dexamethasone treatment did not reduce A23187-stimulated arachidonic acid release, despite inhibiting prostaglandin release by 50%. Studies with radiolabeled arachidonic acid suggest that dexamethasone may exert some actions on membrane remodeling, an effect that will require further investigation. Our data strongly suggest that the inhibitory actions of glucocorticoids on prostaglandin release in cultured RCME cells are not the result of a generalized inhibition of arachidonic acid release, and alternate mechanisms must therefore be considered.

[Medical therapy of gastroesophageal reflux. Evaluation of the activity of clebopride by continuous intraluminal pH measurement]. / Terapia medica del reflusso gastroesofageo. Valutazione dell'attività della clebopride mediante pHmetria endoluminale continua.

Seven female and three male outpatients (mean age 45, range 37-54), suffering from gastroesophageal reflux underwent therapy with clebopride, a new selective antidopaminergic agent. Before and after treatment (1 mg b.i.d. for ten days) 24 h-continuous monitoring of esophageal pH was done. Clebopride significantly lowered the number and the extension of gastroesophageal acid refluxes.

Rociverine for nocturia in the elderly.

Forty inpatient men and women, between 50 and 80 years of age, with nocturia due to bladder instability, resorption of postural edema, or senile involution were admitted to a clinical trial designed to test the possibility of reducing or eliminating nocturnal voidings by means of a single evening dose of rociverine or flavoxate. This six-day crossover trial was divided into three periods of two days each: pretrial, treatment with one drug, and treatment with the other drug. Either 20 mg of rociverine or 200 mg of flavoxate was given at 8 PM in randomized sequence. For each night of the study, the following data were recorded: interval between drug administration and first voiding, volume of first voiding, total volume of nocturnal urine, total volume of nocturnal urine plus volume of urine passed on waking, and total number of nocturnal voidings. The outcome was a significant reduction of the number of nocturnal voidings together with a marked lengthening of the interval between drug administration and first voiding, with no noteworthy differences between the two drugs. Considering the efficacy of rociverine and, even more important, the excellent tolerance of elderly patients to the drug, further study of rociverine in nocturia and in urinary incontinence seems indicated.