Levels of soluble IL-2 receptor in plasma from asthmatics. Correlations with blood eosinophilia, lung function, and corticosteroid therapy.

Evidence now suggests that eosinophils and T lymphocytes infiltrating bronchial tissues may play a key role in the pathophysiology of asthma. Circulating eosinophils, lung function, and plasma soluble IL-2 receptor (sIL-2R) were measured in 42 asthmatic patients referred for symptomatic asthma. The patients were divided into two groups based on the presence or absence of atopy. The group of non-atopic asthmatics was further divided according to the patients' requirement for long term oral corticosteroids. The mean sIL-2R +/- s.d. was 36.3 +/- 9.9 pM in the control group, 28.9 +/- 9.2 pM in the atopic asthmatics, 43.3 +/- 18.07 pM in the non-atopic asthmatics without oral steroid therapy, but was increased in the steroid-treated group (62.2 +/- 19.3 pM, P less than 0.01). A significant correlation was found between FEV1 and circulating eosinophils in atopic asthmatics and in non-atopic asthmatics without oral corticosteroid therapy, but not in the steroid-treated group. Furthermore, significant correlations were found between sIL-2R and FEV1, and between sIL-2R and blood eosinophils, in the group of non-atopic asthmatics not on oral steroid therapy. No such correlations were evidenced in the other groups of asthmatics. Similar results were obtained during the clinical course of three non-atopic patients followed for more than 1 year. These data suggest that T cell activation appears more prominent in non-atopic asthma than in atopic asthma. Moreover, it appears that T cell activation can occur in severe forms of asthma despite steroid treatment. Finally, the results suggest a possible link between T cell activation, eosinophils, and lung function, which may reflect a particular pathogenetic mechanism involved in non-atopic asthma.

Hepato- and thyreotoxicity of tifemoxone.

The oral toxicity of Tifemoxone, phenoxymethyl-6 tetrahydroxazine-1, 3 thione-2, a new potential antidepressant was studied during 6 months in rats at 30, 85 and 230 mg/kg/d and in beagle dogs at 10, 55 and 300 mg/kg/d. Thyroid hyperplasia and hypoactivity were observed in the rats and dogs plasma triiodothyronine, determined in dogs, was modified. A dose dependent hepatotoxic effect was observed in the rats and dogs. In dogs at low dose, one animal died after B.S.P. test. Water consumption and urinary volume increased, weight loss and anemia appeared at high doses in both rats and dogs. Hair loss was observed in rats and convulsions in dogs. In conclusion, Tifemoxone like tetrahydroxazine thione and some derivatives caused thyreotoxicity, hairlessness and increased in water comsumption and diuresis and in addition it had strong hepatotoxic effect especially in the dog.

Pharmacological study of a new substance, mecinarone.

Mecinarone, a benzofuranic chalcone, shows considerable vasodilating activity on the peripheral and cerebral circulation. The intramuscular irrigation is thus improved and the cerebral blood supply increased. This vasodilating activity is accompanied by only a slight drop in the systemic arterial pressure and occurs without cardiac depression. Mecinarone has also antibradykinin, antiserotonin and antiaggregation properties which added to the vasodilating activity, greatly increase its pharmacological interest.