Therapeutic effects and modulatory mechanism of Alpiniae oxyphyllae Fructus in chronic intermittent hypoxia induced enuresis in rats.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to explore the effect of Alpiniae oxyphyllae Fructus (AOF) on a rat model of chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH)-induced enuresis. Findings of this study may help identify therapeutic targets in children with nocturnal enuresis (NE). METHODS: Female rats were randomly divided into a control group (saline gavage, 4 weeks of normal air), CIH group (saline gavage, 4 weeks of CIH), and AOF group (AOF gavage, 4 weeks of CIH). The variables measured in this study included water intake, urine output, bladder leak point pressure (BLPP), malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. The expression levels of the purinergic P2X3 receptor, muscarinic M3 receptor, and ß3-adrenergic receptor (ß3-AR) in the bladder were also measured. The bladder was subjected to haematoxylin and eosin (HE) and Weigert staining, and histological changes were observed under a light microscope to evaluate the morphological changes in the bladder in each group. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, urine output was increased, and the BLPP was decreased in the CIH group, but AOF administration decreased urine output and increased BLPP. In addition, the serum MDA level increased and the SOD activity decreased in the CIH group compared with the control group. Administration of AOF decreased the MDA level and increased the SOD activity. Additionally, compared with the control group, HE and Weigert staining in the CIH group showed that the bladder detrusor muscle bundles were disordered and loose, some muscle bundles were broken, the content of collagen fibres in the gap was reduced, and the gap was significantly widened. However, following the administration of AOF, the bladder detrusor muscle bundles were neatly arranged, and the content of collagen fibres in the gap was increased. Furthermore, compared with the control group, the purinergic P2X3 receptor and muscarinic M3 receptor were expressed at higher levels, and ß3-AR was expressed at lower levels in the CIH group, but AOF administration decreased the expression of the purinergic P2X3 receptor and muscarinic M3 receptor and increased the expression of the ß3-AR. CONCLUSIONS: AOF improves enuresis by inhibiting oxidative stress and regulating the expression of the purinergic P2X3 receptor, muscarinic M3 receptor, and ß3 adrenergic receptor.

Effect of traditional Chinese medicine Zhiyi decoction and acupuncture on serum ADH & inflammatory factors in patients of enuresis.

.This study was designed to investigate the curative effect of traditional Chinese medicine Zhiyi decoction combined with acupuncture in the treatment of enuresis and its influence on serum ADH and inflammatory factors. A total of 84 enuresis patients treated were selected as cases from September 2014 to January 2017, randomly divided into study and control group with 42 cases each. The control group was treated with traditional Chinese medicine Zhiyi decoction while the study group was treated with traditional Chinese medicine Zhiyi decoction combined with acupuncture. The clinical efficacy and levels of serum ADH, serum inflammatory factors (TNF-α and IL-6) were compared between two groups before and after treatment. In study group, there were 34 cases cured and 5 cases were improved. Total effective rate was 92.9% and recurrence rate was 4%. In control group, there were 23 and 7 cases cured and improved respectively. Total effective rate was 71.4% and recurrence rate was 14.3%. The total efficiency of study group was significantly higher than that of control group (P<0.05), and the recurrence rate was significantly lower than control group (P<0.05). After treatment, there was no significant change in ADH level of study group at 10am and 11pm (P>0.05). In control group, the level of ADH at 11pm before treatment was lower than that after treatment (P<0.05) and the level of ADH at 10am before treatment was not significantly different from that after treatment (P>0.05). The levels of serum TNF-α and IL-6 in study group and control group decreased at 10am and 11pm after treatment (P<0.05) There was no significant difference in serum TNF-α and IL-6 levels between study group and control group before treatment (P>0.05). Compared with simple acupuncture, traditional Chinese medicine Zhiyi decoction combined with acupuncture of children had more exact effect, changed enuresis symptoms effectively.

[Desmopressin in the Treatment of Enuresis: Is Lyophilisate Superior to Tablets?] / Desmopressin in der Behandlung der Enuresis: Ist das Lyophilisat den Tabletten überlegen?

Background: Prognosis of MNE is good when adequate treatment starts in a timely manner. First-line treatment for monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis (MNE) includes desmopressin (Grade A/Level 1 recommendation from the ICI). Missing or insufficient response to pharmacological treatment can be caused by incomplete compliance, but might also be associated with differences in bioavailability from the tablet form. This prospective, non-interventional study was designed to compare desmopressin tablets to the newer ,,melt'' formulation, also known as lyophilisate or orally disintegrating tablet (ODT). The primary endpoint of this study was the patients'/parents' acceptance; the secondary end point was a decrease in the number of wet nights. Materials and Methods: Each of the scheduled 100 participating doctors had to recruit two MNE candidates, one for each treatment group, with a planned total of 200 participants. At the end of the treatment period, treatment satisfaction, difficulties in taking the medication, forgotten doses and treatment success were reported. Results: In total, 134 patients were included (49 on tablet and 84 on melt). Difficulties in taking the medication and forgotten doses were significantly less with the melt than with the tablet formulation. Treatment satisfaction was better with melt. After the 3 months study, the number of wet nights was considerably reduced in both groups. With lyophilisate, a statistically significant greater reduction in wet nights was recorded as early as 2 weeks after starting the treatment. Conclusion: Desmopressin as orally disintegrating tablets is an effective treatment and is associated with improved patient compliance.

Nocturnal enuresis and allergy.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether an interaction exists between nocturnal enuresis and allergy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty-seven (20 boys, 17 girls) children with monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis were recruited. We studied an allergy panel that included total IgE, 10 examples of inhalant-specific IgE, 10 examples of food-specific IgE, eosinophilic cationic protein (ECP) and Phadiotop. The same panel was studied in a control group of 18 children without monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis. RESULTS: We did not determine statistically significant differences between the enuretic group and the control group in terms of levels of total IgE, the 10 examples of inhalant-specific IgE and Phadiotop. However, two (soybean and hazelnut) of the 10 food-specific IgE and ECP levels did differ significantly between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: This first specific IgE study showed that there may be a relationship between nocturnal enuresis and soybean and hazelnut food allergens. Our findings may explain some cases of nocturnal enuresis. However, further studies are necessary to explain the underlying mechanisms and management of this disorder.

Urinary aquaporin-2 excretion in nocturnal enuresis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the role of the arginine vasopressin (AVP)-aquaporin-2 (AQP-2) axis in the pathogenesis of nocturnal enuresis. STUDY PARTICIPANTS: Twelve children (seven male and five female), aged 11.6+/-4.3 (6.7-15.6) years, suffering from primary monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis and 12 healthy children, matched for sex and age. Enuretic children were further subdivided into responders and non-responders to treatment with 1-desamino-8-d-AVP (DDAVP). METHODS: Serum concentrations of AVP, and plasma and urine osmolality were measured at night (0100, 0400 and 0700 h), together with nocturnal urinary excretion of AQP-2 (2000-0800 h). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the pituitary gland was carried out to evaluate the amount of AVP stored in the posthypophysis. RESULTS: Mean AVP serum concentrations were similar in patients and controls. Urinary AQP-2 was also similar in patients and controls, but responders had a significantly lower level of AQP-2 than non-responders (P<0.005). Plasma osmolality was greater in patients than in controls (P<0.001), whereas urinary osmolality was similar in both groups. No difference in the ratio of the signal intensity of the posterior lobe of the hypophysis to that of the pons (AVP content) was found between patients and controls or between responders and non-responders. CONCLUSION: A decreased urinary excretion of AQP-2 is associated with, and seems to have a role in, nocturnal enuresis, at least in some children, and this could also explain why only some of them respond to DDAVP treatment.

Smokeless nicotinergic stimulation of vasopressin secretion in patients with persisting nocturnal enuresis and controls.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of nicotine stimulation on pituitary release of plasma arginine vasopressin (P(AVP)) in patients with primary monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis (PMNE) and healthy control subjects. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Postpubertal teenagers and adult enuretics as well as control subjects were enrolled into the study and admitted to hospital for measurements of P(AVP) in relation to intake of orally administered nicotine. Sixteen patients with PMNE (9 females, 7 males; aged 15-51 years, mean 23.5) and nine normal subjects (4 females, 5 males; aged 24-31 years, mean 27.3) were studied. The enuretics were characterized prior to investigation as either 1-desamino-8-D-arginine vasopressin (DDAVP) responders (n = 8; 16-51 years, mean 28.9) or DDAVP non-responders (n = 8; 15-24 years, mean 18.1) based on the reduction in the number of wet nights. P(AVP), mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) were measured 0, 5, 10, 15 and 30 min, and plasma osmolality (P(osm)) 0 and 30 min after receiving 4 mg nicotine (Nicorette, Pharmacia & Upjohn) chewing gum. RESULTS: In the compiled material a slight but statistically significant increase was observed in P(AVP) at 30 min compared with baseline levels, concurrent with significant rises in MAP and HR above baseline levels at 15 and 30 min. No difference was seen in P(osm) before and after nicotine administration. No other significant variation over time, assessed by an ANOVA, was detected. No difference was encountered in any measured parameter between controls and enuretics or between DDAVP responders and non-responders. CONCLUSION: Smokeless nicotine chewing gum induces non-osmotic vasopressin release in humans. The secretory AVP capacity to this stimulation is normal in PMNE.

Plasma vasopressin and response to treatment in primary nocturnal enuresis.

AIMS: To examine the relation between nocturnal vasopressin release and response to treatment with the vasopressin analogue 1-desamino-8-D-arginine vasopressin (DDAVP) in children with primary monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis. DESIGN: Children were recruited from a specific enuresis clinic and entered into a defined treatment programme. Nocturnal vasopressin concentrations were measured every 15 minutes over a four hour period during overnight admission. RESULTS: Sixty seven children were eligible for entry into the study, 35 of whom agreed to overnight sampling. There was a quadratic relation between mean plasma AVP and response to treatment with DDAVP, with very high or very low concentrations being unresponsive. Plasma AVP profiles ranged from low concentrations with little variability to high concentrations with wide variability. CONCLUSION: The ability to respond to DDAVP is related to endogenous AVP production and is influenced by neuronal patterning in early infancy. The best predictors of success with treatment were a past history of breast feeding, mean nocturnal AVP concentration, and the height of the child. The response was adversely affected by poor weight at birth and poor linear growth. The study suggests differing causes of nocturnal enuresis related to different patterns of AVP release.

Regulation of arginine vasopressin in enuretic children under fluid restriction.

BACKGROUND: Treatment of primary nocturnal enuresis using 1-deamino-8-D-arginine-vasopressin is based on the hypothesis that antidiuretic hormone (arginine vasopressin [AVP]) secretion is insufficient during the night. Persisting doubts about the theoretical background of this treatment and first results pointing to a different AVP regulation in children with nocturnal enuresis were the motives for the present study. OBJECTIVE: To determine if children with primary nocturnal enuresis have different AVP levels during fluid restriction when compared with normal controls. METHODS: Twenty-three children with nocturnal enuresis (median age, 11 years) were compared with a corresponding control group of 18 healthy children. Plasma osmolality, urine osmolality, and plasma AVP concentrations were determined before and after a defined fluid restriction. RESULTS: Regarding plasma and urine osmolality, no differences were found between the two groups. AVP levels after fluid restriction, however, showed significant differences. To maintain osmolality, the plasma AVP concentrations of the controls rose to a median value of 5.7 pg/mL (range: 0.9-29.0 pg/mL) in comparison to a median of 14.0 pg/mL (range: 3.5-64.0 pg/mL, P =. 015) for the enuretic children. CONCLUSION: The results are consistent with the established fact that AVP secretion is a function of plasma osmolality. They contradict the hypothesis that enuretic children have a AVP deficiency that has to be supplemented. Rather, the results point to a defect at the AVP receptor level or of the signal transduction pathway.

Monosymptomatic primary enuresis: differences between patients responding or not responding to oral desmopressin.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the 24-h diuresis, urinary osmolality, plasma arginine vasopressin (AVP) and urinary prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) before and during desmopressin treatment in patients with monosymptomatic primary enuresis (MPE), and to investigate the possible depressor effect of desmopressin on the detrusor in such patients with urodynamically confirmed bladder instability. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Seven healthy children (control group) and 11 consecutive patients with MPE (mean age 10.4 years, range 7-15) were assessed using laboratory tests, renal and bladder ultrasonography, and video-urodynamic investigations. A 24-h inpatient assessment with a controlled water intake of 20 mL/kg per day included determinations of diuresis, urinary osmolality, AVP and PGE2 in both normal children and those with MPE. After 30 days of treatment at optimal doses of desmopressin, all children were hospitalized and re-evaluated during desmopressin treatment; all completed 3 months of treatment at optimal doses. At the end of this period, patients whose symptoms improved by > or = 80% were defined as 'responders' while those in whom they did not were defined as 'non-responders'. RESULTS: After treatment, six of the 11 patients with MPE were 'responders' and five 'non-responders'. Urodynamic evaluation showed bladder instability in seven of the 11 patients with MPE but in those with bladder dysfunction, urodynamic studies carried out during desmopressin treatment showed no changes in detrusor activity. There were significant differences in the morning values of AVP between normal children and responders (P < 0.03), and between responders and non-responders (P < 0.02); none of the non-responders had AVP levels of < 2.5 pg/mL, while none of the responders exceeded this value. At midnight, responders had the lowest mean AVP and non-responders the highest; this correlated with the highest PGE2 value in the nonresponders at 00.00-08.00 hours. Non-responders had an overnight mean PGE2 level greater than that in normal subjects or responders. CONCLUSIONS: Polyuria occurred in all patients with MPE, independently of the response to desmopressin. Responders had the lowest AVP values over the 24 h; the morning AVP levels differentiated normal subjects from enuretic patients and responders from non-responders. In patients with MPE, clinically undetected bladder instability was unrelated to the results of treatment and there were no urodynamic changes during desmopressin treatment. The differences between enuretic patients suggested a different aetiology of MPE, probably related to an increase in PGE2 concentration and an antagonistic mechanism of action of AVP or desmopressin.

Evaluation of antidiuretic hormone before and after long-term treatment with desmopressin in a group of enuretic children.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of long-term desmopressin therapy in enuretic patients on the levels of antidiuretic hormone (ADH) during and after the end of therapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study comprised 25 outpatients (18 boys and seven girls) aged 8-12 years at the start of therapy and 12-16 years at the end. The morning (08.00 hours) plasma ADH level was determined before treatment (T0) with desmopressin and 2 years after (T1) ending the therapy. Seven of the 25 patients evaluated had monosymptomatic (simple enuresis, SE) and 18 had other symptoms (complex enuresis, CE). RESULTS: In the patients with SE, the mean (SD) duration of therapy was 305 (183) days and they were reevaluated 2.5 (0.67) years later. Of 18 patients with CE, eight were treated only with desmopressin for 204 (117) days. In 10 with an incomplete response after 30 days with only desmopressin, oxybutynin (5 mg twice daily) was added; the duration of their therapy was 255 (152) days and they were re-evaluated 3.9 (0.6) years later. The mean (SD) ADH level in those with SE and CE was 2.14 (0.93) ng/L and 2.53 (1.16) ng/L), respectively, both significantly lower (P < 0.001) than in controls, at 5.1 (1.6) ng/L. On re-evaluation at T1, there was a significant (P < 0.001) increase in ADH levels over those at T0 in both groups, at 5.2 (0.8) and 5.3 (1.9) ng/L, respectively. CONCLUSION: These results seem to confirm the role played by ADH in the pathophysiology of enuresis.

The arginine-vasopressin secretion profile of children with primary nocturnal enuresis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this group of studies was to determine the relationship between primary nocturnal enuresis and arginine-vasopressin (AVP) secretion. METHODS: The first study compared the 24-hour AVP secretion profiles of an enuretic group and a control group. Blood samples were collected every hour. In the second study, we compared nocturnal AVP secretion in group A, with low urinary osmotic pressure (UOP) and large nocturnal urinary volume (NUV), with that of group D, with normal UOP and small NUV. The plasma AVP level was measured at 30-min sampling intervals. In the third study, the change in nocturnal AVP secretion from before to after treatment was determined. RESULTS: The plasma AVP level was significantly lower in the enuretic group from 23:00 through 04:00 h. The mean plasma AVP level was significantly lower in group A than in group D at all points of measurement. The mean nocturnal AVP level in group A (0.64 +/- 0.23 pg/ml) was lower than that in group D (1.43 +/- 0.72 pg/ml) (p < 0.0001). The mean nocturnal AVP level after treatment was significantly increased, from 0.47 pg/ml before treatment to 0.78 pg/ml after treatment (p = 0.01). However, a significant increase was noted in only 10 cases. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that decreased nocturnal AVP secretion is one of the causes of bed-wetting. However, the improvement of bed-wetting was not solely due to the increased nocturnal AVP secretion.

The efficacy of DDAVP is related to the circadian rhythm of urine output in patients with persisting nocturnal enuresis.

OBJECTIVE: Desmopressin may be a useful treatment in some, but not all, patients with nocturnal enuresis. We have evaluated a relation between nocturnal urine output in patients with primary monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis and the treatment response to synthetic vasopressin. DESIGN: Adolescent or adult enuretics and normal subjects were enrolled in the study and admitted to hospital for a 24 hour investigation of the diurnal variation in urine output, plasma vasopressin (AVP) and plasma atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP). The enuretics were characterized prior to investigation as either 1-desamino-8-D-arginine vasopressin (DDAVP) responders or non-responders. During admission the fluid intake was restricted to 25 ml/kg per day. PATIENTS: Twenty-four patients (15-37 years) with primary monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis and 9 normal subjects (24-31 years). MEASUREMENTS: Circulating levels of AVP, ANP, plasma electrolytes and plasma osmolality were measured (1400, 2000, 2300, 0200, 0500 and 0800 hours) together with urine volume, urine osmolality and urine electrolytes during daytime and nighttime. Tubular reabsorptive capacity for water, osmoles and creatinine were assessed as well as urinary and fractional excretion rates of sodium and potassium. RESULTS: Controls and DDAVP non-responders had a significant decrease in urine output at night concomitant with a significant plasma AVP amplitude in peak/nadir values although both groups lacked a significant nocturnal increase in AVP. In contrast, in DDAVP responders there was no circadian variation in urine output and thus a nocturnal polyuria together with no oscillation in plasma AVP. The DDAVP responding group had a nocturnal urine production significantly larger than the two other groups. However, the mean 24 hour AVP levels were similar in all groups. The excessive urine production at night in DDAVP responders was accompanied by nocturnal natriuresis due to an increased fractional excretion of sodium. In contrast, nocturnal antidiuresis in controls and DDAVP non-responding enuretics coincided with diminished sodium excretion. Average ANP levels were elevated in both enuretic groups compared to normals, whereas a circadian variation was detected only in the latter. CONCLUSION: It is concluded that DDAVP responsiveness is linked to the nocturnal urine production and that no pathophysiological role can be ascribed to AVP or ANP in DDAVP refractory adolescent and adult enuretics. Moreover, it is suggested that an abnormal tubular handling of sodium may contribute to the nocturnal polyuria seen in DDAVP responders.

Diurnal plasma vasopressin and urinary output in adolescents with monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis.

Plasma arginine vasopressin (AVP) levels, urinary flow and urine osmolality were investigated in a group of adolescents (20 boys and 5 girls), aged 11-21 y, with severe monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis and a control group of healthy adolescents (16M and 4F) with similar age- and sex-distribution. Half of the control group was investigated twice, with an interval of 6 months. AVP samples were taken every fourth hour in all adolescents and half of the control group were also investigated every second hour to achieve more samples during controlled sleep. After the study the enuretic group were put on long-term oral desmopressin (DDAVP). The difference between day and night values of AVP was significant for both groups, but there was no difference in the day/night ratios of plasma-AVP. All the adolescents produced less urine while asleep, but the controls produced significantly more urine than the enuretics during day. The controls also had a significantly larger nocturnal elevation of urine osmolality than the enuretics, thus a tendency towards polyuria was found. We could not find any significant difference between responders to DDAVP treatment and non-responders in any of the parameters studied. AVP is secreted in a pulsatile fashion and with point hormone samples taken every fourth or second hour we were unable to find any difference in the diurnal AVP secretion between enuretics and normal controls.

[Effect of imipramine hydrochloride on urinary function and serum parameters in enuretic children: preliminary study]. / Action de l'Hydrochloride d'Imipramine sur la fonction urinaire et sur les paramètres sériques chez les enfants énurétiques: étude préliminaire.

We still do not know whether Imipramine works exactly as an antidiuretic. The aim of this study was to investigate any existing urinary or serum factor differences between 9 children with primary nocturnal enuresis and six age and sex matched controls and to see if therapy with Imipramine could modify these parameters. All subjects underwent an evaluation of daily and nightly urinary volume, daily fluid intake, morning plasma and urine osmolality, plasma aldosterone, electrolytes, blood urea nitrogen and plasma glucose. The results, using a one-way ANOVA, would suggest the following: 1) enuretic children have a higher 24 urinary volume with a reduced osmolality compared to controls; 2) Aldosterone does not seem to be involved in the pathogenesis of enuresis; 3) Imipramine HCL therapy does reduce the volume of urine lost in diapers, and its efficiency can be documented objectively; 4) Imipramine HCL's mechanism appears to be related to an increased renal water resorption.

Antidiuretic hormone regulation in patients with primary nocturnal enuresis.

Treatment of primary nocturnal enuresis using DDAVP is based upon the hypothesis that antidiuretic hormone (ADH) secretion is insufficient at night. The known efficacy of the treatment on the one hand, and persisting doubts about its theoretical basis on the other, formed the background of the present study. Ten children (mean age 10.5 years) with primary nocturnal enuresis were compared with a corresponding control group of eight patients. Diurnal and nocturnal urine production, ADH secretion, and plasma osmolality were determined. No differences between the two groups were found for urine production, ADH levels during day and night, or plasma osmolality. However, in order to regulate plasma osmolality the enuretic children required a markedly greater output of ADH: 2.87 (95% confidence interval 0.091 to 40.35) pg/ml/mmol/kg v 0.56 (0.08 to 1.03) in the controls (p < 0.01). The results are consistent with the established fact that ADH secretion is a function of plasma osmolality, and they contradict the hypothesis that urine production is increased at night in enuretics because of lower ADH secretion. The findings do not solve the uncertainties in the pathogenesis of enuresis but they suggest there might be a difference between enuretic children and controls at the ADH receptor level.

Functional enuresis: is desmopressin the answer?

OBJECTIVE: The efficacy of desmopressin in the treatment of functional enuresis, known for 15 years, has received very little attention in the psychiatric literature. This review seeks to remedy this and to asses critically its effectiveness, risks and side effects, as well as the implications for the understanding and management of enuresis. METHOD: Treatment trials, reports of unwanted effects, and literature on mechanisms of action were reviewed. RESULTS: Desmopressin is more effective than placebo in controlled trials, but only one quarter of patients become "dry." Individuals who wet the bed 4 nights per week or more can expect a one-third reduction in their wet nights with a single intranasal dose of desmopressin before bedtime. Relapse rates upon cessation of treatment are very high, while side effects appear to be few. However, there are increasing reports of hyponatremic seizures. There is a group of patients in which bed-wetting appears to be the result of insufficient nocturnal secretion of vasopressin. CONCLUSIONS: Desmopressin is a simple-to-use and effective drug for the treatment of nocturnal enuresis; it has opened important new avenues of inquiry, but more information is required about its long-term effectiveness and unwanted side effects.

Plasma and urinary levels of vasopressin in enuretic and non-enuretic children.

Plasma and urinary levels of vasopressin were measured by radioimmunoassay in 18 children with primary nocturnal enuresis and 20 age and sex matched controls. All subjects followed a protocol whereby all urine were collected and divided up into daytime (8 a.m.-8 pm) and night-time (8 p.m. - 8 a.m.) samples. Urine osmolality and urinary vasopressin levels were measured and, following an overnight observation period, the following morning (8 a.m.) plasma vasopressin was measured. Plasma vasopressin was significantly lower in the enuretic group (2.86 +/- 0.44 pg/ml) compared to the control group (3.64 +/- 1.35 pg/ml) (p = 0.011). Total urinary vasopressin excretion over 24 hours was lower in the enuretic group but the difference was not significant. These results support the hypothesis that one of the factors responsible for nocturnal enuresis in children may be due to a reduced nocturnal secretion of vasopressin. This may explain why the vasopressin substitution therapy is able to successfully abolish nocturnal enuresis symptoms.

[The suppression of the Ca ATpase activity of rat kidney microsomes under the action of blood plasma as an index of the severity of the status of pyelonephritis patients]. / Ugnetenie Ca-ATFaznoi aktivnosti mikrosom pochek krys pod deistviem plazmy krovi kak pokazatel' tiazhesti sostoianiia bol'nykh pielonefritom.

Whether blood plasma from 63 pyelonephritis patients can inhibit Ca-ATPase activity when compared to known toxicity marker (middle-sized molecule number) was studied. This was done to assess diagnostic potentialities of the test based on the ability of plasma from pyelonephritis patients to inhibit the test enzymatic system, i. e. Ca-ATPase activity of the microsome fraction from renal cortex in intact rats. The inhibition of Ca-ATPase activity by the plasma is shown to correlate with inflammation activity and the patients condition. In pyodestructive acute pyelonephritis this inhibition reached 60.6 +/- 3.86%, in acute serous pyelonephritis 36.02 +/- 1.54%. It follows, that the above parameter is more informative than the number of middle-sized molecules and can be introduced as one of the criteria of the patients' condition and for choice of treatment.