Effects of cinchonine, a Cinchona bark alkaloid, on spontaneous and induced rat ileum contractions.

AIM: Quinine, a frequently used anti-malaria alkaloid isolated from the Cinchona bark, possesses numerous toxic properties, the majority of which arrive from a dysfunction of the gastrointestinal tract. Similarly, cinchonine, another alkaloid from the Cinchona bark, displays a great potential for treating malaria (especially the resistant forms). METHODS: In this work, we aimed to evaluate the effects of cinchonine on spontaneous and induced Wistar rat ileum contractions in order to uncover potential side effects that might arise after its application. RESULTS: Cinchonine produced a concentration-dependent spasmolytic activity, which was found to be reversible (i.e. disappeared after tissue wash-up), with an IC50 value of 273 µM. Furthermore, the mechanism of action of cinchonine at IC50 elucidated through experiments with acetylcholine and Ca2+-induced ileum contractions. The applied IC50 concentration of cinchonine statistically significantly prevented the occurrence of contractions after the application of specific agonist. The obtained results are in a range with the effects seen with standard receptor antagonists, i.e. atropine and verapamil. CONCLUSIONS: The obtained results showed that cinchonine inhibited both types of induced contractions, suggesting a Ca2+-channels mediated modus operandi (Fig. 4, Ref. 19).

Ectopic pregnancy and laparoscopy.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare the success of surgical procedures performed by laparoscopy and laparotomy in the treatment of tubal ectopic pregnancy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this prospective study, there were 57 women who were operated due to tubal ectopic pregnancy. Laparoscopic surgery was performed in 36 women (study group). Conventional abdominal surgical treatment was performed in 21 women (control group). RESULTS: Among 36 women from study group, a laparoscopic linear salpingotomy was performed in 69.44% cases, salpingectomy in 13.88% cases, and milking of tube in 16.66% cases. In the control group, linear salpingotomy was performed in 57.14% cases, salpingectomy in 28.57% cases, and milking of tube in 14.28% cases. Patent ipsilateral fallopian tube at three months after surgery was 66.66% in the study group and 52.38% in the control group. The intrauterine pregnancy rate was 19.44% in the study group and 19.05% in the control group. CONCLUSION: The percentage of tubal patency and intrauterine pregnancies after laparoscopical surgical treatment was not higher than after conventional surgical treatment by laparotomy.

Simultaneous dermoid cyst and endometriosis in the same ovary: a case report.

The authors present a case of a 33-year-old infertile woman with coincidental dermoid cyst and ovarian endometriosis in the same ovary. She was admitted to the Clinic because of cystic tumor of the left adnexa. Transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS) examination found a bilocular tumor of complex structure on the left ovary. Video-laparoscopy was also performed. On the left ovary, two adjacent cystic formations were found. Laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy was performed and a surgical specimen was sent for histopathologic analysis. The diagnosis was a dermoid cyst and ovarian endometriosis. Without complications, the patient was released from the hospital. The patient was treated with an analogue of gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) for three months as a preparation for in vitro fertilization (IVF).