Healing of chronic gastroduodenal ulcerations by antacids. Role of prostaglandins and epidermal growth factor.

Antacids show gastroprotective action against various irritants in experimental animals and enhance the healing of chronic gastroduodenal ulcers in humans but the mechanisms of these effects are unknown. The present study was designed to determine whether prostaglandin (PG) and epidermal growth factor (EGF), which also have protective and antiulcer properties, contribute to the action of antacids on rat's stomach. It was found that Maalox 70 and its active component, Al(OH)3, enhance significantly the healing of chronic gastric and duodenal ulcers observed during 7 and 14 days after their induction. Pretreatment with indomethacin caused a significant prolongation of ulcer healing, and this was accompanied by a significant reduction in PG and EGF formation, suggesting that both factors may be involved in ulcer healing. Maalox and Al(OH)3 failed to prevent the suppression of PG by indomethacin but were equally effective in ulcer healing in rats without and with indomethacin administration, suggesting that endogenous PG may not play any important role in the healing process by these drugs. Removal of salivary glands, the major source of EGF, also prolonged ulcer healing but, again, Maalox was as effective in ulcer healing as in rats with intact salivary glands. Our findings that Maalox at pH above 3.0 binds significant amounts of EGF, enhances the binding of EGF to the ulcer area, and stimulates mucosal growth, suggest that EGF may be involved in ulcer healing; however, because antacids are also effective after sialoadenectomy, EGF does not seem to be the major factor in ulcer healing by these drugs.

The use of 'Fluor Protector', a fluoride varnish, as a caries prevention method under orthodontic molar bands.

The aim of this study was to determine whether Fluor Protector, a fluoride varnish, applied to molars before orthodontic banding could prevent white spot formation. In the in vitro study 93 human premolars were used, divided in five different groups, representing different clinical situations. Each tooth was sliced in half, one as a control and the other as a test specimen. All tooth halves were stored in a demineralizing solution, in an attempt to induce white spot formation. In the in vivo study 104 molars (52 controls and 52 tests) of 28 orthodontic patients were involved. The 'split-mouth technique' was used. After evaluation of the results of both studies, it is evident that Fluor Protector is very effective in the prevention of white spot formation under molar bands.

A comparison of the anti-hypertensive effectiveness of two triameterene/hydrochlorothiazide combinations: Maxzide versus Dyazide.

The hydrochlorothiazide component of Maxzide (Lederle Laboratories, Pearl River, NY) has been shown to be more bioavailable than the hydrochlorothiazide component of Dyazide (Smith, Kline and French Laboratories, Philadelphia, PA). The authors compared the antihypertensive effectiveness of a half-tablet of Maxzide (25 mg of hydrochlorothiazide and 37.5 mg of triamterene) to one capsule of Dyazide (25 mg of hydrochlorothiazide and 50 mg of triamterene) to determine if the difference in bioavailability would be reflected in differences in blood pressure control and metabolic changes. Thirty patients were studied in a randomized open-label crossover design study. There was a significant reduction in systolic blood pressure for both treatments although there was no difference in blood pressures at any time during the study between the two agents. There were no statistically significant differences between Maxzide and Dyazide in terms of metabolic changes for potassium, magnesium, glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, uric acid, or calcium. Although the hydrochlorothiazide component of Maxzide is more bioavailable than that of Dyazide this did not translate into enhanced hypotensive efficacy.

New drugs for Parkinson's disease.

Parkinson's disease continues to be a tragic debilitator of close to half a million Americans. As more is learned about the disease, pharmacological treatment improves. Just recently, deprenyl became a part of our therapeutic armamentarium, and it appears that Sinemet CR will soon be following. It is hoped that these drugs will improve the quality and quantity of life for patients with PD until the disease can be cured.

What about whiteners? Safety concerns explored.

The quest for a brighter, more attractive smile has fueled rapid growth in the marketplace for tooth whiteners. With names like BriteSmile, Denta-Lite, Ultra Lite and Whiter Teeth, these products are grabbing the attention of looks-conscious consumers. More than a dozen whiteners have flooded the market recently, most of them available by dentist prescription, a few being sold directly to consumers over the counter. There's no doubt these products work as whiteners, at least on mild to moderate stains. The looming questions is this: are they safe? This article explores that safety question and seeks to provide practicing dentists with some perspective on the issue. We don't pretend to have the definitive answer. As always, it's up to you, doctor, to decide what's best for your patients. It's up to us to provide information that helps you make those crucial decisions. That's our goal.

Evaluation of carboprost tromethamine in the treatment of cyclophosphamide-induced hemorrhagic cystitis.

The treatment of cyclophosphamide-induced hemorrhagic cystitis has been difficult, with overall poor results using intensive and costly therapy. The authors evaluated the treatment of this problem in four patients with prostaglandin intravesical therapy. Each patient had failed to respond to conservative management. Carboprost tromethamine (Hemabate) was instilled into the bladder, with dwell times ranging from 45 to 60 minutes, three to four times a day for 4 to 5 days. Two of the patients required a second course with carboprost tromethamine at an increased concentration. A third patient's treatment was stopped after the first 5-day course because of intractable bladder spasms and persistent hematuria. In the three patients who completed the full course of therapy the hematuria resolved completely. The only side effect noted was bladder spasms, which were controlled in three of the four patients with oxybutynin chloride. This preliminary evaluation suggests that carboprost tromethamine may be a safe and effective bedside treatment of cyclophosphamide-induced hemorrhagic cystitis.

Use of glue without graft replacement for type A dissections: a new surgical technique.

A new surgical technique for treating type A aortic dissections is described. It consists of the exclusive and extensive use of surgical glue without replacing a segment of the ascending aorta. Since 1984, 21 patients were operated on using this technique. No operative mortality occurred and one reoperation for redissection was required. The technique is simple and safe and yields excellent short-term and long-term results.

The emergency department treatment of dyspepsia with antacids and oral lidocaine.

The treatment of dyspepsia in the emergency department often consists of antacid in combination with viscous lidocaine, even though the specific etiology of the pain is frequently unknown. The efficacy of lidocaine as a component of symptomatic therapy was evaluated in a randomized, patient-blinded protocol. Patients presenting to the ED with dyspeptic symptoms were randomized to receive 30 mL of antacid (Mylanta II), or 30 mL of antacid plus 15 mL of 2% viscous lidocaine (GI cocktail). Patients recorded their pain score on an 11-cm linear analog scale prior to and 30 minutes after treatment. Seventy-six patients were enrolled; three were excluded from analysis due to incomplete data. Thirty-four patients were randomized to receive antacid and 39 to receive GI cocktail. Patients rated their baseline pain at 6.4 +/- 2.8 cm in the antacid group and 6.7 +/- 2.7 cm in the cocktail group (P greater than .50). Improvement in pain score with treatment was 0.9 +/- 2.9 cm in the antacid group compared with 4.0 +/- 3.4 cm in the GI cocktail group (P less than .0001). Assessment of pain relief using a five-point rating scale also indicated greater relief with GI cocktail therapy compared with antacid alone (P = .004). No adverse effects were noted with either treatment. We conclude that a single dose of antacid and viscous lidocaine provides a significantly greater degree of immediate pain relief than antacid alone in patients with dyspepsia.

Ceftazidime versus imipenem-cilastatin as initial monotherapy for febrile neutropenic patients.

One hundred febrile episodes in 89 neutropenic patients after cytotoxic chemotherapy were randomized to be treated with either ceftazidime or imipenem as initial monotherapy. The clinical characteristics of the two groups of patients were comparable. The response of the fever in patients who received imipenem was significantly better than that in those who received ceftazidime (77 versus 56%, respectively; P = 0.04), especially in those with microbiologically documented infection (81 versus 33%, respectively; P = 0.02). The in vitro susceptibilities and the clinical responses suggested that, with the possible exception of Pseudomonas spp., imipenem was more effective than ceftazidime in treating neutropenic infections caused by both gram-positive and -negative organisms. An additional 23 and 21% of the patients in the ceftazidime and imipenem groups, respectively, responded to the addition of cloxacillin and amikacin following failure of monotherapy. The majority of the treatment failures, relapses, and superinfections were related to resistant infective organisms such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus spp. and Pseudomonas spp. or disseminated fungal infections.

Clinical update: spironolactone and altizide as monotherapy in systemic hypertension.

A large-scale, open, nonrandomized, multicenter, 90-day study of the safety and efficacy of a thiazide diuretic and aldosterone antagonist combination (Aldactazine, 25 mg spironolactone and 15 mg altizide, 1/day) as monotherapy was performed in 946 patients with mild to moderate hypertension (diastolic blood pressure [BP] between 90 and 120 mm Hg). Adverse effects were assessed, and body weight, heart rate, serum potassium, creatinine and uric acid measurements were monitored. On day 45 of the study, BP was normalized (diastolic BP less than or equal to 90 mm Hg) in 72% of the patients. The dose was increased to 2 tablets per day in the patients whose BP did not reach normal levels. By the end of the study, BP was controlled in 83% of the patients. No significant changes were noted in body weight, heart rate or laboratory values; however, treatment had to be discontinued in 6 patients because of hypokalemia (n = 4) or elevated serum creatinine levels (n = 2). Serum uric acid levels were increased in 5.5% of patients. The rate of adverse effects, as reported by the patients, was low (5%). Thus, this study demonstrates that diuretics, especially the combination of a thiazide diuretic and aldosterone antagonist, remain a safe, effective and economical therapy for patients with mild to moderate hypertension.

Aldactazine/captopril combination, safe and effective in mild to moderate systemic hypertension: report on a multicenter study of 967 patients.

The safety and efficacy of a thiazide/potassium-sparing diuretic and an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor used concomitantly was evaluated in a large, multicenter study. Aldactazine was administered alone for 2 months, after which time captopril was added in those whose blood pressure had not normalized (332 patients). At the end of the 6-month study, control of blood pressure was achieved in 88% of the patients with one or the other regimen. No clinically significant changes were recorded for a number of biologic parameters. Specifically, there was 1 case of hyperkalemia (6 mmol/liter), a very low incidence of hypotension (1.6%), and a low rate of adverse effects. Therefore, such a combination could provide important therapeutic benefits in hypertensive patients.