Utility and Safety of Tolvaptan in Cirrhotic Patients with Hyponatremia: a Prospective Cohort Study

Abstract: Introduction and aim. Hyponatremia is common in patients with decompensated cirrhosis and is associated with increased mortality. Tolvaptan, a vasopressor V2 receptor antagonist, can increase free wáter excretion, but its efficacy and safety in cirrhotic patients remain unclear. Material and methods. We studied the usage and safety of tolvaptan in cirrhotic patients in a real-life, non-randomized, multicenter prospective cohort study. Forty-nine cirrhotic patients with hyponatremia were treated with tolvaptan 15 mg daily, and 48 patients not treated with tolvaptan in the same period served as controls. Improvement in serum sodium level was defined as an increase in serum sodium from < 125 to ≥ 125 mmol/L or from 125-134 to ≥ 135 mmol/L on day 7. Results. Twenty-three (47%) patients in the tolvaptan group and 17 (35%) in the control group had normal serum sodium on day 7 (p = 0.25). Serum sodium improved in 30 (61%) patients in the tolvaptan group and 17 (35%) patients in the control group (p = 0.011). Adverse events occurred in 46-47% of patients in both groups, and tolvaptan was not associated with worsened liver function. No patient with normal serum sodium on day 7 died within 30 days of treatment, whereas 16% of those with persistent hyponatremia died (p = 0.0019). Conclusion. In conclusion, short-term tolvaptan treatment is safe and can improve serum sodium level in cirrhotic patients with hyponatremia. Normalization of serum sodium level is associated with better survival.

SIADH secundario a adenocarcinoma seroso de ovario tratado con tolvaptán / SIADH secondary to serous ovarian adenocarcinoma treated with tolvaptan

La hiponatremia es la alteración electrolítica más frecuente en el medio hospitalario, y en un 30% de los casos se debe a un síndrome de secreción inapropiada de vasopresina (SIADH). El SIADH está descrito como cuadro paraneoplásico endocrinológico en múltiples tumores, entre los que excepcionalmente se encuentra el de ovario y las neoplasias ginecológicas en general. Presentamos un caso de SIADH paraneoplásico por un citoadenocarcinoma seroso de ovario de alto grado, estadio IV. Se trata del primer caso de SIADH crónico por cáncer de ovario tratado con Tolvaptán. En el presente caso el objetivo de eunatremia se alcanzó con una dosis baja de acuarético, lo que apoya la elevada sensibilidad, ya previamente documentada, de los SIADH tumorales al tratamiento con Tolvaptán.

Hyponatremia is the most common electrolyte disturbance in hospitals, and 30% of cases are due to syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone (SIADH). SIADH is described as an endocrine paraneoplastic syndrome in multiple tumors including, ovary and gynecological malignancies in general, although these are exceptional. We report a case of paraneoplastic SIADH for high-grade serous ovarian cystoadenocarcinoma stage IV. This is the first case of chronic SIADH for ovarian cancer treated with Tolvaptan. In this case the target of eunatremia was reached with a low dose of aquaretic, which supports the high sensitivity, as previously documented, of paraneoplasic SIADH to Tolvaptan.

Ivabradina para o tratamento de insuficiência cardíaca crônica moderada a grave em indivíduos com frequência cardíaca ≥70 bpm e que toleram menos de 50% da dose alvo recomendada de agentes betabloqueadores / Ivabradine for the treatment of moderate to severe chronic heart failure in subjects with heart rate ≥70 bpm and tolerating less than 50% of the recommended target dose of beta-blocking agents

Contexto: A insuficiência cardíaca crônica é uma síndrome sistêmica complexa e progressiva que se caracteriza por comprometimento da perfusão tecidual, com sintomas característicos de dispneia, fadiga, além de piora da qualidade de vida. A síndrome está relacionada a altas taxas de mortalidade e hospitalização. Ivabradina é um protótipo de medicamentos que agem na frequência cardíaca e que recentemente foi aprovada para tratamento de insuficiência cardíaca crônica associada a betabloqueadores em indivíduos em estágios mais avançados da doença e que mantêm a frequência cardíaca alta mesmo em tratamento com as doses mais altas toleradas desses medicamentos. Pergunta: A associação de ivabradina ao tratamento convencional com betabloqueadores é eficaz e segura no tratamento de pacientes com insuficiência cardíaca crônica, quando comparada ao tratamento com betabloqueadores? Evidências científicas: Foram avaliados 15 estudos, dentre os quais um ensaio clínico duplo-cego, randomizado e controlado por placebo no qual se incluíram 6.500 indivíduos com insuficiência cardíaca crônica em estágio funcional NYHA II a IV e frequência cardíaca ≥70 bpm. O tratamento com ivabradina em dose média de 6 mg duas vezes ao dia em associação a betabloqueadores por 23 meses diminuiu o risco de internação por piora no quadro de insuficiência cardíaca em 26%, ao que se associa um NNT de 20 (IC 95% 15 a 31). O medicamento não demonstrou efeito no desfecho primário mortalidade por causas cardiovasculares como também não se observou diminuição de risco de mortalidade por todas as causas. Observou-se uma diminuição no risco de mortalidade por insuficiência cardíaca, desfecho secundário, embora associada à imprecisão importante, em função das baixas taxas de eventos e do amplo intervalo de confiança (NNT 83, IC 95% 52 a 333). Por meio de outros estudos sugere-se que o medicamento tenha efeitos na reversão do remodelamento cardíaco associada à progressividade da doença, diminuição de biomarcadores relacionados à insuficiência cardíaca e na diminuição da pós-carga cardíaca, melhorando o funcionamento ventricular e acoplamento ventrículo arterial, sem, entretanto, interferir na função renal. Identificaram-se efeitos na diminuição da frequência cardíaca e da variação da frequência cardíaca. O uso do medicamento está associado a um NNH de 58 (no período de dois anos) em relação ao desfecho fibrilação atrial em indivíduos com frequência cardíaca maior que 70 bpm. Discussão: O principal benefício do medicamento, cujo efeito foi avaliado por meio de evidência de alta qualidade, é evitar internações por piora no quadro de insuficiência cardíaca. O efeito relativo é de uma diminuição de 26% quando se compara ao uso isolado de betabloqueadores. Entretanto, mesmo para o desfecho de maior benefício, o efeito absoluto ainda é muito baixo, atingindo uma diminuição de 4,9% apenas. Para outros desfechos de hospitalização, o efeito absoluto é ainda mais baixo e mais impreciso. Não houve efeito na mortalidade de forma que o uso do medicamento não obteve efeito nos desfechos mortalidade por todas as causas e por causas cardiovasculares. O efeito estatisticamente significativo observado para diminuição em mortalidade por insuficiência cardíaca partiu de uma medida de baixa qualidade e, portanto, um efeito de baixa confiabilidade e bastante passível de modificação por trabalhos futuros. O medicamento aumenta o risco de fibrilação atrial, como um NNH de 83. Os resultados da análise econômica são frágeis e partem de informações imprecisas, principalmente sobre a estimativa, em termos quantitativos, da população elegível ao tratamento com ivabradina. Decisão: Não incorporar a ivabradina para o tratamento de insuficiência cardíaca crônica moderada a grave em indivíduos com frequência cardíaca ≥ 70 bpm e que toleram menos de 50% da dose alvo recomendada de agentes betabloqueadores, no âmbito do Sistema Único de Saúde - SUS. Foi publicada a Portaria Nº 19, de 24 de maio de 2016.

Renin-Angiotensin System Blockade Associated with Statin Improves Endothelial Function in Diabetics / Bloqueio do Sistema Renina-Angiotensina Associado a Estatina Melhora a Função Endotelial em Diabéticos

Abstract Background: Studies suggest that statins have pleiotropic effects, such as reduction in blood pressure, and improvement in endothelial function and vascular stiffness. Objective: To analyze if prior statin use influences the effect of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors on blood pressure, endothelial function, and vascular stiffness. Methods: Patients with diabetes and hypertension with office systolic blood pressure ≥ 130 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure ≥ 80 mmHg had their antihypertensive medications replaced by amlodipine during 6 weeks. They were then randomized to either benazepril or losartan for 12 additional weeks while continuing on amlodipine. Blood pressure (assessed with ambulatory blood pressure monitoring), endothelial function (brachial artery flow-mediated dilation), and vascular stiffness (pulse wave velocity) were evaluated before and after the combined treatment. In this study, a post hoc analysis was performed to compare patients who were or were not on statins (SU and NSU groups, respectively). Results: The SU group presented a greater reduction in the 24-hour systolic blood pressure (from 134 to 122 mmHg, p = 0.007), and in the brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (from 6.5 to 10.9%, p = 0.003) when compared with the NSU group (from 137 to 128 mmHg, p = 0.362, and from 7.5 to 8.3%, p = 0.820). There was no statistically significant difference in pulse wave velocity (SU group: from 9.95 to 9.90 m/s, p = 0.650; NSU group: from 10.65 to 11.05 m/s, p = 0.586). Conclusion: Combined use of statins, amlodipine, and renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors improves the antihypertensive response and endothelial function in patients with hypertension and diabetes.

Resumo Fundamentos: Estudos sugerem que as estatinas possuem efeitos pleotrópicos, como melhora da função endotelial, da rigidez vascular e redução da pressão arterial. Objetivo: Analisar se o uso prévio de estatina influenciou o efeito sobre a pressão arterial, a função endotelial e a rigidez vascular de drogas inibidoras do sistema renina-angiotensina-aldosterona. Métodos: Pacientes hipertensos e diabéticos com pressão arterial de consultório sistólica ≥ 130 mmHg e/ou diastólica ≥ 80 mmHg tiveram suas medicações anti-hipertensivas substituídas por anlodipino durante 6 semanas. Em seguida, foram randomizados para associação de benazepril ou losartana por mais 12 semanas. Pressão arterial (através da monitorização ambulatorial da pressão arterial), função endotelial (dilatação mediada por fluxo da artéria braquial) e rigidez vascular (velocidade da onda de pulso) foram avaliados antes e após o tratamento combinado. Neste trabalho, uma análise post-hoc foi realizada para comparar pacientes que vinham (grupo CE) ou não (grupo SE) em uso de estatina. Resultados: O grupo CE apresentou maior redução na pressão arterial sistólica nas 24 horas (134 para 122 mmHg, p = 0,007) e na dilatação mediada por fluxo da artéria braquial (6,5 para 10,9%, p = 0,003) quando comparado com o grupo SE (137 para 128 mmHg, p = 0,362, e 7,5 para 8,3%, p = 0,820). Não houve diferença estatisticamente significante na velocidade de onda de pulso (grupo CE 9,95 para 9,90 m/s, p = 0,650 e grupo SE 10,65 para 11,05 m/s, p = 0,586). Conclusão: O uso combinado de estatinas, anlodipino e inibidores do sistema renina-angiotensina-aldosterona melhora a resposta anti-hipertensiva e a função endotelial em pacientes hipertensos e diabéticos.

Ivabradine Improves Heart Rate Variability in Patients with Nonischemic Dilated Cardiomyopathy / Ivabradina Melhora a Variabilidade da Frequência Cardíaca em Pacientes com Cardiomiopatia Dilatada Não Isquêmica

Background: Ivabradine is a novel specific heart rate (HR)-lowering agent that improves event-free survival in patients with heart failure (HF). Objectives: We aimed to evaluate the effect of ivabradine on time domain indices of heart rate variability (HRV) in patients with HF. Methods: Forty-eight patients with compensated HF of nonischemic origin were included. Ivabradine treatment was initiated according to the latest HF guidelines. For HRV analysis, 24-h Holter recording was obtained from each patient before and after 8 weeks of treatment with ivabradine. Results: The mean RR interval, standard deviation of all normal to normal RR intervals (SDNN), the standard deviation of 5-min mean RR intervals (SDANN), the mean of the standard deviation of all normal-to-normal RR intervals for all 5-min segments (SDNN index), the percentage of successive normal RR intervals exceeding 50 ms (pNN50), and the square root of the mean of the squares of the differences between successive normal to normal RR intervals (RMSSD) were low at baseline before treatment with ivabradine. After 8 weeks of treatment with ivabradine, the mean HR (83.6 ± 8.0 and 64.6 ± 5.8, p < 0.0001), mean RR interval (713 ± 74 and 943 ± 101 ms, p < 0.0001), SDNN (56.2 ± 15.7 and 87.9 ± 19.4 ms, p < 0.0001), SDANN (49.5 ± 14.7 and 76.4 ± 19.5 ms, p < 0.0001), SDNN index (24.7 ± 8.8 and 38.3 ± 13.1 ms, p < 0.0001), pNN50 (2.4 ± 1.6 and 3.2 ± 2.2 %, p < 0.0001), and RMSSD (13.5 ± 4.6 and 17.8 ± 5.4 ms, p < 0.0001) substantially improved, which sustained during both when awake and while asleep. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that treatment with ivabradine improves HRV in nonischemic patients with HF. .

Fundamento: A ivabradina é um novo agente redutor específico da frequência cardíaca (FC) que melhora a sobrevida livre de eventos de pacientes com insuficiência cardíaca (IC). Objetivo: Avaliar o efeito da ivabradina nos índices temporais da variabilidade da frequência cardíaca (VFC) em pacientes com IC. Métodos: Quarenta e oito pacientes com IC compensada de etiologia não-isquêmica foram incluídos no estudo. O tratamento com ivabradina foi iniciado de acordo com as recomendações mais recentes para a IC. O Holter de 24 horas foi utilizado para analisar os índices da VFC em cada paciente antes e após 8 semanas de tratamento com ivabradina. Resultados: Todos os índices da VFC, o intervalo RR médio, o desvio padrão de todos os intervalos RR normais (DPNN), o desvio padrão de intervalos RR médios de 5 minutos (DPNNM), a média do desvio padrão de todos os intervalos RR normais para todos os segmentos de 5 minutos (índice DPNN), porcentagem de intervalos RR normais sucessivos superiores a 50 milissegundos (pNN50), e a raiz quadrada da média dos quadrados das diferenças entre intervalos RR sucessivos (RMQQD) apresentaram redução no ínicio do estudo, antes do tratamento com ivabradina. Após 8 semanas de tratamento com ivabradina, as médias das FC (83,6 ± 8,0 e 64,6 ± 5,8, p < 0,0001) e todos os índices da VFC, médias dos intervalos RR (713 ± 74 e 943 ± 101 ms, p < 0,0001), DPNN (56,2 ± 15,7 e 87,9 ± 19,4 ms, p < 0,0001), DPNNM (49,5 ± 14,7 e 76,4 ± 19,5 ms, p < 0,0001), índice DPNN (24,7 ± 8,8 e 38,3 ± 13,1 ms, p < 0,0001), pNN50 (2,4 ± 1,6 e 3,2 ± 2,2%, p < 0,0001) e RMQQD (13,5 ± 4,6 e 17,8 ± 5,4 ms , p < 0,0001), foram substancialmente melhorados, e permaneceram nestas ...

Resultados de un programa multidisciplinario para el control del hábito tabáquico / Results of a multidisciplinary program to quit smoking

Background: Therapies to quit smoking are based on counseling, psychological therapy (PT), nicotine replacement therapy, bupropion or varenidine. Aim: To report the results of a multidisciplinary program to quit smoking Material and Methods: Patients agedl8years or more, motivated to quit smoking were admitted in a program based in counseling and PT, with or without pharmacological therapy. They were assessed by telephone during one year offollow up. Patients with unstable psychiatric diseases were excluded. Results were considered as "successful" when patients maintained abstinence during the year offollow up. A logistic regression analysis was done to identify factors associated with treatment success. Results: Between 2005 and 2011, 198 patients aged 45 ± 11 years (56% males), who smoked 31.5 ± 20.6 packages/year, were treated. Ofthese, 155 (78%) were treated with varenidine, 26 (13%) with bupropion and 17 (9%>) did not receive pharmacological therapy. One hundred sixty eightpatients completed the year offollow up. In 82 (49%>), treatment was successful and was negatively associated with a history of depression (odds ratio = 4 (95% confidence intervals 1.23-38.33). The main side effeets associated to varenidine and bupropion were nausea in 37 and 23%o, sleep disorders in 20 and 19%o and headache in 12 and 0%>, respectively Conclusions: A multidisciplinary program to quit smoking achieved a 49%> of abstinence during a year offollow up.

Efectos cardiovasculares de la vareniclina: revisión sistemática y metaanálisis / Cardiovascular effects of varenicline: a systematic review and metaanalysis

La vareniclina es un medicamento efectivo para dejar de fumar, pero recientemente se ha planteado que su empleo se asociaría a un aumento de eventos cardiovasculares graves. Con la finalidad de verificar este aspecto se realizó una revisión sistemática y metaanálisis del impacto de la vareniclina sobre la muerte de causa cardiovascular, el infarto agudo de miocardio y el accidente cerebrovascular. Se realizó una búsqueda en Medline y en otras dos bases de datos, incluyéndose en el análisis a todos los ensayos clínicos randomizados que compararon vareniclina con placebo, los que fueron realizados en pacientes con enfermedad cardiovascular estable y en pacientes sin enfermedad cardiovascular. Hubo 0,3% (18/5.200) eventos cardiovasculares graves con vareniclina y 0,2% (8/3.656) con placebo, no siendo esta diferencia estadísticamente significativa: odds ratio 1,91 IC 95% 0,84-0,94. En conclusión, la vareniclina es un fármaco efectivo para la cesación de tabaquismo y su administración podría estar asociada con un leve aumento en el riesgo de eventos cardiovasculares graves, pero aún ante esta eventualidad mantendría un adecuado perfil de riesgo-beneficio

Participación del odontólogo en una experiencia clínica utilizando Vareniclina para tratamiento de cesación tabáquica / Dentist´s participation in a clinical experience using Varenicline for the treatment of tobacco cessation

El uso del tabaco es un factor de riesgo para padecer cáncer bucal, lesiones de la mucosa, enfermedad periodontal y problemas de cicatrización después de tratamientos periodontal, cirugía e implantes, además de recesión gingival, caries coronal y radicular. La evidencia disponible sugiere que el riesgo de enfermedad oral se incrementa en pacientes fumadores y su cesación resulta en disminución del riesgo, pudiendo resolverse algunas lesiones de la mucosa oral. La AAP indica incluir cesación tabáquica en la terapia periodontal inicial. Se presenta una experiencia clínica cuyo objetivo era determinar el porcentaje de éxito, reducción o fracaso de los pacientes tratados con Vareniclina(Champix®). Fueron atendidos 75 pacientes fumadores por 10 periodoncistas y 8 cirujanos bucales a los cuales se les presentó una entrevista motivacional explicándoles la fisiopatología de la adicción, los daños y beneficios de dejar de fumar, así mismo, se les realizó historia clínica y Test de Fagerstron para evaluar dependencia a la nicotina y se trataron con terapia cognitiva conductual y farmacológica utilizando tratamiento con Vareniclina por 12 semanas, en dosis de 0,5mgs y 1 mg las primeras 2 semanas y 2 mgs por 10 semanas, se establecieron criterios de inclusión y exclusión, se firmó consentimiento informado, se hicieron consultas de seguimiento por 16 semanas, con un programa de soporte y apoyo conductual creado por Pfizer Venezuela. Los resultados muestran 90 por ciento de éxito, 5 por ciento reducción y 5 por ciento fracaso, siendo los efectos adversos más frecuentes: náuseas y cefaleas. Con bajos síntomas de abstinencia a la nicotina. La intervención del odontólogo en la cesación tabáquica con terapia conductual y vareniclina, resulta exitosa y contribuye con la salud bucal y sistémica de los pacientes.

Tratamiento farmacológico del tabaquismo / Pharmacotherapy for tobbaco dependence

Currently, tobacco smoking is considered to be a chronic systemic disease that belongs to the group of addictions. Nicotine is the responsible substance of this dependence, producing a variety of disorders at the central nervous system, mainly through a raise of the dopamine levels. Tobacco dependence treatment has two main branches: psychosocial and pharmacological. Nicotine replacement therapy, Bupropion and Varenicline have been approved by the FDA as first-line treatments for nicotine dependence. There are some second-line drugs, such as Clonidine and Nortriptyline that have shown less efficacy and more adverse effects. Currently there are many other drugs in research, such as antinicotine vaccine and Rimonobant, that will probably be available for its use in the coming years. The current review analyzes the pharmacological choices existing today for treating tobacco dependence and those coming in the future.

Actualmente se considera que el tabaquismo es una enfermedad crónica sistémica, perteneciente al grupo de las adicciones. La nicotina es la sustancia responsable de esta dependencia, produciendo una serie de alteraciones en el SNC, principalmente mediante el aumento de dopamina. El tratamiento del tabaquismo incluye dos componentes: psicosocial y farmacológico. Hasta la actualidad, la FDA ha aprobado 3 medicamentos que han demostrado ser eficaces: Terapia de reemplazo de Nicotina, Bupropión y Vareniclina. Además existen drogas de segunda línea, como la Clonidina y Nortriptilina, menos eficaces y con mayores efectos adversos. Actualmente, hay muchos otros medicamentos en investigación, entre otros la Vacuna antinicotina y el Rimonobant, que probablemente estarán disponibles para su uso en los próximos años. En este artículo se analizan las alternativas farmacológicas existentes hoy en día para el tratamiento del tabaquismo y lo que podría venir en el futuro.

Dopaminergic modulation of grooming behavior in virgin and pregnant rats

Dopamine receptors are involved in the expression of grooming behavior. The pregnancy-induced increase in self-licking observed in rats is important for mammary gland development and lactation. This study focuses on the role of dopamine receptor subtypes in grooming behavior of virgin and pregnant female rats. General and mammary gland grooming were measured in virgin rats treated with 0.25 mg/kg of the D1-like agonist SKF-81297 and antagonist SKF-83566 and the D2-like agonist lisuride and antagonist sulpiride. The effects of 0.01 and 0.25 mg/kg doses of the same agonists and antagonists were evaluated in pregnant rats as well. In virgin animals both SKF-83566 and sulpiride treatments significantly reduced the time spent in general grooming, while none of the dopamine agonists was able to significantly change any parameter of general grooming. Time spent in grooming directed at the mammary glands was not affected significantly by any of the drug treatments in virgin rats. All drugs tested significantly decreased the frequency of and the time spent with general grooming, while SKF-81297 treatment alone did not significantly reduce the duration of mammary gland grooming in pregnant rats. These data show that in female rats the behavioral effects of D1-like and D2-like dopamine receptor stimulation and blockade differ according to physiological state. The results suggest that dopamine receptors may play specific roles modulating grooming behavior in pregnant rats. Since grooming of the mammary gland during pregnancy may influence lactation, this aspect is relevant for studies regarding the perinatal use of dopamine-related drugs

Agents that affect cAMP levels or protein kinase A activity modulate memory consolidation when injected into rat hippocampus but not amygdala

Male Wistar rats were trained in one-trial step-down inhibitory avoidance using a 0.4-mA footshock. At various times after training (0, 1.5, 3,6 and 9 h for the animals implanted into the CA1 region of the hippocampus; 0 and 3 h for those implanted into the amygdala), these animals received microinfusions of SKF38393 (7.5 mug/side), SCH23390 (0.5 mug/side), norepinephrine (0.3 mug/side), timolol (0.3 mug/side), 8-OH-DPAT (2.5 mug/side), NAN-190 (2.5 mug/side), forskolin (0.5 mug/side), KT5720 (0.5 mug/side) or 8-Br-cAMP (1.25 mug/side). Rats were tested for retention 24 h after training. When given into the hippocampus 0 h post-training, norepinephrine enhanced memory whereas KT5720 was amnestic. When given 1.5 h after training, all treatments were ineffective. When given 3 or 6 h post-training, 8-Br-cAMP, forskolin, SKF38393, norepinephrine and NAN-190 caused memory facilitation, while KT5720, SCH23390, timolol and 8-OH-DPAT caused retrograde amnesia. Again, at 9 h after training, all treatments were inffective. When given into the amygdala, norepinephrine caused retrograde facilitation at 0 h after training. The other drugs infused into the amygdala did not cause any significant effect. These data suggest that in the hippocampus, but not in the amygdala, a cAMP/protein kinase A pathway is involved in memory cosolidation at 3 and 6 h after training, which is regulated by D1, Beta, and 5HT1A receptors. This correlates with data on increased post-training cAMP levels and a dual peak of protein kinase A activity and CREB-P levels (at 0 and 3-6 h) in rat hippocampus after training in this task. These results suggest that the hippocampus, but not the amygdala, is involved in long-term storage of step-down inhibitory avoidance in the rat.

Transient expression of an atypical D1-like dopamine receptor system during avian retina differentiation

Intact cultured retina cells from chick embryos at stage E9C5 (cultures initiated with retinae from 9-day old embryos followed by 5 days in culture), preincubated with 2 nM unlabelled SCH 23390 (R(+)-7-chloro-8-hydroxy-3-methyl-1-phenyl-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-3-benzazepine hydrochloride) for 20 to 60 min at 37 degrees Celsius and then washed 5 to 25 times (approximately 1.5 min/wash) with 2 ml SCH 23390 free medium, responded to dopamine with cAMP accumulation that corresponded to 30-50 per cent of the dopamine-promoted cAMP accumulation observed in untreated cells or in cells exposed to the inactive isomer of SCH 23390. Therefore, 50 to 70 per cent of the dopamine response of SCH 23390-pretreated cells was inhibited after extensive washings of the cultures. At E9C12 the fraction of the dopamine response that remained inhibited by SCH 23390 after the washings declined to 30 per cent of the control cultures or the cultures exposed to the SCH 23390 enantiomer. Cultures at stage E9C5 treated with SCH 23390 followed by extensive washings as above and then used for measuring the number of [3H]-SCH 23390 specific binding sites revealed that 60 per cent of the sites did not interact with the tritiated compound when compared to untreated cultures or to cultures preincubated with the inactive isomer of SCH 23390. When E9C12 cultures were subjected to the same experimental protocol less than 10 per cent of D1-like sites did not interact with [3H]-SCH 23390 after the cells had been exposed to the unlabelled compound. Dissociated cells prepared from intact retinae obtained from 12-13-day old embryos also displayed a subpopulation of D1-like sites that interacted irreversibly with SCH 23390 in a stereospecific way. These sites corresponded to 25 per cent of the total number of D1-like sites present in the retina at this developmental stage. In retina cells obtained from one-day old posthatched chicks these sites were no longer detected. These data show that cultured retina cells as well as cells obtained from retina developing in ovo display two populations of D1-like receptors. One interacts irreversibly with SCH 23390 and is present only in the undifferentiated tissue or in cells at the early stages of culture and the other has a lower affinity for SCH 23390 with which its interaction follows reversible kinetics. These sites are present throughout the differentiation stages studied.

Reversão de hipertrofia ventricular esquerda após o uso de benazepril / Reversal of Left Ventricular Hypertrophy After Benazepril

PURPOSE--To assess the effects of benazepril (ACE inhibitor) on arterial blood pressure (ABP) and left ventricular mass index (LVMI). METHODS--Nineteen patients (7 men, 12 women) with mean age 38.2 +/- 10.2 years, with mild to moderate hypertension were evaluated. Besides raised blood pressure, the necessary inclusion criterion was the presence of left ventricular hypertrophy detected by echocardiogram. After a wash-out period, all patients were given placebo followed by the active drug benazepril at a dose of 10 mg once a day. For those patients who did not achieve a satisfactory control of the blood pressure (BP) 25 mg of chlorthalidone was added. All patients underwent 180 days of benazepril treatment. RESULTS--The ABP was gradually controlled as follow: at seated position the systolic BP changed from 156.05 +/- 5.07 mmHg to 129 +/- 3.74 mmHg (p < 0.001) and the diastolic BP from 99.74 +/- 1.59 mmHg to 81.8 +/- 2.27 mmHg (p < 0.001). At orthostatic position the systolic BP changed from 156.9 +/- 5.35 mmHg to 124.28 +/- 5.33 mmHg (p < 0.001) and the diastolic BP from 101.7 +/- 1.34 to 81.36 +/- 2.81 (p < 0.001). The heart rate did not change significantly during the study. The LVMI decreased significantly from 182.4 +/- 9.2g/m2 to 122.6 +/- 4.2g/m2 (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION--Our data revealed that 100 per cent of the patients achieved satisfactory degrees of LVMI regression and in 34 per cent there was a normalization of it

Estudo multicêntrico comparativo entre efeitos do benazepril e captopril na hipertensäo arterial sistêmica leve e moderada / Comparison Between Effects of Benazepril versus Captopril in Mild to Moderate Essential Hypertension

PURPOSE--To evaluate the efficacy and safety of benazepril versus captopril in patients with mild or moderate systemic arterial hypertension (SAH). METHODS--A multicenter, double-blind, randomized trial analyzed 174 patients, mean age of 52 +/- 9 years, 68 (39 per cent ) men. After 2 weeks under placebo, 90 patients were treated, during 6 weeks, with 10 mg, once a day, of benazepril (BZ) and 50 mg, twice a day, of captopril (CPT). At week 3, 25 mg of hydrochlorothiazide (HCT) was added if diastolic blood pressure (DBP) was greater than 90 mmHg. Side effects were analyzed as a not related, unlikely, possible, probable and definitive regard to treatment. RESULTS--Systolic (p < 0.001) and DBP (p < 0.0001) reductions were observed in both groups. Additional reduction was observed in both groups when 25 mg of HCT was added in patients with DBP > 90 mmHg at week 3. Heart rate was unchanged. The response to treatment was better at BZ group (74 per cent versus 59 per cent of good and excellent response; p = 0.037). Side effects classified as probable or definitive in relation to the treatment occur in 3 (3 per cent ) and 10 (11 per cent ), respectively at BZ an CPT groups. Laboratorial changes were not observed during treatment. CONCLUSION--BZ (10 mg) was superior to CPT (50 mg) in patients with discrete and moderate SAH

Effects of central epinephrine synthesis inhibition on stress-induced prolactin secretion in male rats

1. The present study was designed to examine the role of central epinephrine pathways in the control of stress-induced prolactin secretion in male adulto Wistar rats. 2. Intracerebroventricular adminsitration of two epinephrine synthesis inhibitors, SKF64139 (5 and 10 µg/rat) and LY 134046 (10 and 20 µg/rat), 6 h before the onset of immobilization stress blocked prolactin secretion in a dose-dependent manner. Prolactin values before stress were about 4.0 ng/ml and increased to almost 50 ng/ml in the control group. SKF 64139 injection in the higher dose (10 µg/rat) induced a complete blockade of the stress-induced prolactin release, whereas partial blockade was observed after the higher dose (20 µg/rat) of LY 134046. 3.Salbutamol pretreatment (10 µg/rat) completely restored stress-induced prolactin secretion in animals receiving a central injection of both epinephrine synthesis inhibitors under the same conditions as described above. 4. It is suggested that epinephrine pathways in the brain play an important role in the control of prolactin release occuring during immobilization stress