[Effect of chlormandinone acetate upon seizures in epileptic children with latent signs of hyperandrogenism]. / Efecto del acetato de clormadinona sobre las crisis convulsivas en niños epilèpticos con signos sugestivos de hiperandrogenismo

The effect of chlormadinone acetate (24 mg/day) upon the plasma levels of pituitary gonadotropins and gonadal hormones on the number of generalized convulsions and spike EEG density was investigated in a group of epileptic children with intractable seizures and with clinical signs suggestive of hyperandrogenism. In each case, the effect of chlormadinone was evaluated in relation to hormonal levels and seizures observed during a control period and under the effect of placebo as follows: Control (PC)-Chlormadinone acetate (PCL1)-Placebo (PP)-Chlormadinone acetate (PCL2). In a male child (4MS), the number of convulsive attacks observed in the control period (26/month) was reduced during PCL1 (2/month) increased during PP (12/month) and was reduced again during PCL2 (0/month). Spike EEG density showed a parallel course to the clinical attacks. In this case, control levels of testosterone were markedly elevated (40 ng/ml) and were decreased during PCL1 to 4.0 increased again during PP to 34.0 and decreased again during PCL2 to 1.2 ng/ml. Plasma levels of pituitary gonadotropins were unchanged throughout the entire period of study. In other cases, neither the number of epileptic attacks nor spike EEG density were apparently affected by this regime and plasma levels of pituitary gonadotropins and gonadal hormones were also unmodified. These results suggest that a latent state of hyperandrogenism may be detected in some epileptic patients with intractable seizures and that chlormadinone may reduce convulsive attacks in these patients, probably by decreasing testosterone plasma levels.

PIP: The effect of chlormadinone acetate (24 mg/day) upon the plasma levels of pituitary gonadotropins and gonadal hormones on the number of generalized convulsions and spike EEG density was studied in a group of epileptic children with intractable seizures and with clinical signs suggestive of hyperandrogenism. In each case, the effect of chlormadino ne was evaluated in relation to hormone levels and seizures observed during a control period and under the effect of placebo, as follows: Control (PC); Chlormadinone acetate (PCL1); Placebo (PP); Chlormadinone acetate (PCL2). In a male child, the number of convulsive attacks observed in the control period (26/month) was reduced during PCL1 (2/month), increased during PP (12/month) and reduced again during PCL2 (0/month). Spike EEG density showed a parallel course to the clinical attacks. In this case, control testosterone levels were markedly high (40 ng/ml) and decreased during PCL1 to 4.0, increased again during PP to 34.0 and decreased again during PCL2 to 1.2 ng/ml. Plasma levels of pituitary gonadotropins were unchanged during the entire period of study. In other cases, neither the number of epileptic attacks nor spik e EEG density were apparently affected by this treatment and plasma levels of pituitary gonadotropins and gonadal hormones were also unchanged. These findings suggest that a latent state of hyperandrogenism may be detected in some epileptic patients with intractable seizures and that chlormadinone may reduce convulsive attacks in these patients, probably by decreasing plasma testosterone levels.

[Use of norethindrone .35 mg in disorders of the menstrual cycle].

PIP: Norethindrone was administered continuously in daily doses of .35 mg to 74 women suffering from menstrual disorders for 576 cycles. The cases included 39 women suffering from dysmenorrhea (treated for 296 cycles) and 35 women suffering from premenstrual tension (treated for 280 cycles). The symptoms improved or disappeared in 87.2% of the dysmenorrhea cases, and in 93.9% of the premenstrual tension cases; the percentages by number of cycles studied were 90.3% and 95.0%, respectively. Only 1 case of dysmenorrhea worsened. The findings are regarded as conclusive and demonstrating the usefulness of norethindrone in the treatment of these disorders.^ieng

[Suppression of lactation by using a trihormone preparation]. / Inhibición de la lactanca mediante un preparado trihormonal.

PIP: Ablacton, and andro-estro-progestagen hormone combination, was administered to 59 postpartum and postcurettage patients to suppress lactation: primary inhibition was attempted in 40 cases and secondary in 19. In primary suppression, results were excellent in 83.5% of the cases, good in 10.0% and bad in 2.5%. In secondary suppression, results were excellent in all cases. The suppression of lactation was total and permanent. Tolerance to medication was very good. Because of the very small number of cases and the type of study, the study is limited to this single product.^ieng

[Therapeutic effects of low doses of norethindrone in disorders of the menstrual cycle].

PIP: A tablet of .35 mg of norethindrone was administered daily and continuously for 6 complete cycles to 30 patients suffering from premenstrual tension syndrome and 5 suffering from functional sterility related to a deficiency of the corpus luteum. In the case of premenstrual tension, particularly good results were obtained in reducing pelvic pains, mastalgia, and headache, especially when related to disorders of the estrogen metabolism. In the sterility cases, 2 patients out of 5 responded to the treatment: 1 was in the 7th month of pregnancy at the time of writing and 1 suffered a spontaneous abortion from unknown causes in the 3rd month of pregnancy. It is concluded that this is a promising treatment, especially for premenstrual disorders.^ieng

Growth hormone secretion in idiopathic precocious puberty: effect of medroxyprogesterone.

PIP: 6 girls and 2 boys with isosexual precocious puberty were treated with 200 mg of medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) and studied to determine the drug's effect on plasma growth hormone response to insulin-induced hypoglycemia. There was no clear difference between plasma growth hormone response to hypoglycemia observed in untreated patients, in patients receiving a single injection of MPA, or in patients receiving a longterm treatment with MPA. There was a high frequency of elevated fasting levels (greater than 15 mmcg/ml) of circulating growth hormone prior to injection of insulin in subjects with isosexual precosity, which may have been due in part to apprehension. The high peak levels of growth hormone in children with isosexual precosity seen to be due to excess quantities of circulating gonadal hormones. There was no evidence that 200 mg of MPA or long term treatment with MPA impaired release of growth hormone.^ieng