Meta-analysis of the impact of postoperative infective complications on oncological outcomes in colorectal cancer surgery.

BACKGROUND: Cancer outcomes are complex, involving prevention, early detection and optimal multidisciplinary care. Postoperative infection and surgical site-infection (SSI) are not only uncomfortable for patients and costly, but may also be associated with poor oncological outcomes. A meta-analysis was undertaken to assess the oncological effects of SSI in patients with colorectal cancer. METHODS: An ethically approved PROSPERO-registered meta-analysis was conducted following PRISMA guidelines. PubMed and Scopus databases were searched for studies published between 2007 and 2017 reporting the effects of postoperative infective complications on oncological survival in colorectal cancer. Results were separated into those for SSI and those concerning anastomotic leakage. Articles with a Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies score of at least 18 were included. Hazard ratios (HRs) with 95 per cent confidence intervals were computed for risk factors using an observed to expected and variance fixed-effect model. RESULTS: Of 5027 articles were reviewed, 43 met the inclusion criteria, with a total of 154 981 patients. Infective complications had significant negative effects on overall survival (HR 1·37, 95 per cent c.i. 1·28 to 1·46) and cancer-specific survival (HR 2·58, 2·15 to 3·10). Anastomotic leakage occurred in 7·4 per cent and had a significant negative impact on disease-free survival (HR 1·14, 1·09 to 1·20), overall survival (HR 1·34, 1·28 to 1·39), cancer-specific survival (HR 1·43, 1·31 to 1·55), local recurrence (HR 1·18, 1·06 to 1·32) and overall recurrence (HR 1·46, 1·27 to 1·68). CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis identified a significant negative impact of postoperative infective complications on overall and cancer-specific survival in patients undergoing colorectal surgery.

ANTECEDENTES: Los resultados del cáncer son complejos, implican prevención, detección precoz y atención multidisciplinaria óptima. La infección postoperatoria y la infección del sitio quirúrgico (surgical site infection, SSI) no solo son inconvenientes para los pacientes y costosas, sino que también pueden estar asociadas con malos resultados oncológicos. Este estudio realizó un metaanálisis para evaluar los efectos oncológicos de la SSI en pacientes con cáncer colorrectal. MÉTODOS: Se realizó un metaanálisis registrado en PROSPERO, aprobado por el comité ético, siguiendo las pautas de PRISMA y utilizando las bases de datos PubMed y Scopus para estudios entre 2007-2017 que describían los efectos de las complicaciones infecciosas postoperatorias en la supervivencia oncológica en el cáncer colorrectal. Los resultados se separaron para el grupo de infección del sitio quirúrgico (SSI) y de fuga anastomótica. Se incluyeron los artículos con una puntuación ≥ 18 según el índice MINORS. Para los factores de riesgo se calcularon los cocientes de riesgos instantáneos (hazard ratios, HR) mediante un modelo de efectos aleatorios y el método de Mantel-Haenszel con los i.c. del 95% utilizando el programe RevMan5. RESULTADOS: Se revisaron 5.027 artículos de los cuales 43 cumplieron con los criterios de inclusión. En total fueron 154.981 pacientes en los cuales las complicaciones infecciosas tuvieron efectos negativos significativos en la supervivencia global (HR: 1,37 i.c. del 95%: 1,28-1,46) y la supervivencia específica relacionada con el cáncer (HR: 2,58 i.c. del 95%: 2,15-3,10). La fuga anastomótica ocurrió en un 7,4% de los casos e impactó negativa y significativamente en la supervivencia libre de enfermedad (HR: 1,14 i.c. del 95%: 1,09-1,20), en la supervivencia global (HR: 1,34 i.c. del 95%: 1,28-1,39), en la supervivencia específica relacionada con el cáncer (HR: 1,43 i.c. del 95% 1.31-1.55), en la recidiva local (HR: 1,18 i.c. del 95%: 1,06-1,32) y en la recidiva global (HR: 1,46 i.c. del 95%: 1,27-1,68). CONCLUSIÓN: Este metaanálisis identificó un impacto negativo significativo en la supervivencia global y en la supervivencia específica relacionada con el cáncer en pacientes con complicaciones postoperatorias infecciosas sometidos a cirugía colorrectal.

Intra-Abdominal Hypertension and Abdominal Compartment Syndrome after Abdominal Wall Reconstruction: Quaternary Syndromes?

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Reconstruction with reconstitution of the container function of the abdominal compartment is increasingly being performed in patients with massive ventral hernia previously deemed inoperable. This situation places patients at great risk of severe intra-abdominal hypertension and abdominal compartment syndrome if organ failure ensues. Intra-abdominal hypertension and especially abdominal compartment syndrome may be devastating systemic complications with systematic and progressive organ failure and death. We thus reviewed the pathophysiology and reported clinical experiences with abnormalities of intra-abdominal pressure in the context of abdominal wall reconstruction. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Bibliographic databases (1950-2015), websites, textbooks, and the bibliographies of previously recovered articles for reports or data relating to intra-abdominal pressure, intra-abdominal hypertension, and the abdominal compartment syndrome in relation to ventral, incisional, or abdominal hernia repair or abdominal wall reconstruction. RESULTS: Surgeons should thus consider and carefully measure intra-abdominal pressure and its resultant effects on respiratory parameters and function during abdominal wall reconstruction. The intra-abdominal pressure post-operatively will be a result of the new intra-peritoneal volume and the abdominal wall compliance. Strategies surgeons may utilize to ameliorate intra-abdominal pressure rise after abdominal wall reconstruction including temporizing paralysis of the musculature either temporarily or semi-permanently, pre-operative progressive pneumoperitoneum, permanently removing visceral contents, or surgically releasing the musculature to increase the abdominal container volume. In patients without complicating shock and inflammation, and in whom the abdominal wall anatomy has been so functionally adapted to maximize compliance, intra-abdominal hypertension may be transient and tolerable. CONCLUSIONS: Intra-abdominal hypertension/abdominal compartment syndrome in the specific setting of abdominal wall reconstruction without other complication may be considered as a quaternary situation considering the classification nomenclature of the Abdominal Compartment Society. Greater awareness of intra-abdominal pressure in abdominal wall reconstruction is required and ongoing study of these concerns is required.

Proceedings of resources for optimal care of acute care and emergency surgery consensus summit Donegal Ireland.

BACKGROUND: Opportunities to improve emergency surgery outcomes exist through guided better practice and reduced variability. Few attempts have been made to define optimal care in emergency surgery, and few clinically derived key performance indicators (KPIs) have been published. A summit was therefore convened to look at resources for optimal care of emergency surgery. The aim of the Donegal Summit was to set a platform in place to develop guidelines and KPIs in emergency surgery. METHODS: The project had multidisciplinary global involvement in producing consensus statements regarding emergency surgery care in key areas, and to assess feasibility of producing KPIs that could be used to monitor process and outcome of care in the future. RESULTS: Forty-four key opinion leaders in emergency surgery, across 7 disciplines from 17 countries, composed evidence-based position papers on 14 key areas of emergency surgery and 112 KPIs in 20 acute conditions or emergency systems. CONCLUSIONS: The summit was successful in achieving position papers and KPIs in emergency surgery. While position papers were limited by non-graded evidence and non-validated KPIs, the process set a foundation for the future advancement of emergency surgery.

Potential cervical spine injury and difficult airway management for emergency intubation of trauma adults in the emergency department--a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Emergency airway management for trauma adults is practised by physicians from a range of training backgrounds and with differing levels of experience. The indications for intubation and technique employed are factors that vary within EDs and between hospitals. OBJECTIVES: To provide practical evidence based guidance for airway management in trauma resuscitation: first for the trauma adult with potential cervical spine injury and second the management when a difficult airway is encountered at intubation. SEARCH STRATEGY AND METHODOLOGY: Full literature search for relevant articles in Medline (1966-2003), EMBASE (1980-2003), and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. Relevant articles relating to adults and written in English language were appraised. English language abstracts of foreign articles were included. Studies were critically appraised on a standardised data collection sheet to assess validity and quality of evidence. The level of evidence was allocated using the methods of the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council.

Inhibition of tumor cell growth by RTP/rit42 and its responsiveness to p53 and DNA damage.

Through a differential screening technique, we have identified a cDNA clone with differential expression in normal versus tumor cells. This clone, designated rit42 (reduced in tumor, 42 kDa), was previously isolated as a homocysteine-inducible gene in human endothelial cells (RTP), and the same or a highly related androgen-responsive gene in mouse has also been identified. Both Northern blot analysis and in situ hybridization demonstrated a significantly diminished expression in tumor cells, including those derived from breast and prostate when compared with normal cells. It was shown that RTP/rit42 mRNA cycles with cell division, peaking at G1 and G2-M, with lower expression in S phase. The biphasic expression of RTP/rit42 mRNA was absent in tumor cells. Introduction of rit42 cDNA into human cancer cells reduced cell growth both in vitro and in nude mice. Moreover, analysis of a tetracycline-regulated p53-inducible system in null-p53 cell lines showed that RTP/rit42 mRNA expression increased concomitantly with p53 expression and followed a similar time course. In addition, DNA-damaging agents induced RTP/rit42 expression in a p53-dependent manner but independent of a p53-mediated G1 arrest. Immunofluorescence analysis of a FLAG epitope-tagged RTP/rit42 protein revealed a cytoplasmic localization pattern with redistribution to the nucleus upon DNA damage. We have localized RTP/rit42 to human chromosome 8q24.3. Taken together, these results are consistent with a growth inhibitory role for RTP/rit42, and its down-regulation may contribute to the tumor malignant phenotype.

Association of mannose-binding lectin levels and invasive fungal disease in hematologic malignancy patients receiving myelosuppressive chemotherapy or allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Several studies have suggested an association of mannose-binding lectin (MBL) deficiency with infections. In this study, we investigated the association between MBL deficiency and invasive fungal disease (IFD) in hematologic malignancy patients receiving myelosuppressive chemotherapy or hematopoietic stem cell transplant. MBL levels were quantified at the start of treatment in 152 patients who were followed for 6 months and scored as developing IFD or not. Forty-five patients (29.6%) developed IFD, of which 21 (46.7% of IFD cases and 13.8% of patients) were proven or probable IFD. Fifty-nine (38.8%) had MBL levels <1000 ng/mL. The rates of all IFD in patients with MBL levels below and above 1000 ng/mL were 33.9% and 26.9%, respectively (P=0.356). The rates of proven or probable IFD in patients with MBL levels below and above 1000 ng/mL were 11.9% and 15.1%, respectively (P=0.579). MBL levels <1000 ng/mL were not predictors of death (P=0.233). As expected, IFD was associated with death (P<0.0001). Our findings indicate that MBL levels <1000 ng/mL were not associated with an increased risk of developing IFD or overall survival.

2016 WSES guidelines on acute calculous cholecystitis.

Acute calculus cholecystitis is a very common disease with several area of uncertainty. The World Society of Emergency Surgery developed extensive guidelines in order to cover grey areas. The diagnostic criteria, the antimicrobial therapy, the evaluation of associated common bile duct stones, the identification of "high risk" patients, the surgical timing, the type of surgery, and the alternatives to surgery are discussed. Moreover the algorithm is proposed: as soon as diagnosis is made and after the evaluation of choledocholitiasis risk, laparoscopic cholecystectomy should be offered to all patients exception of those with high risk of morbidity or mortality. These Guidelines must be considered as an adjunctive tool for decision but they are not substitute of the clinical judgement for the individual patient.

Erratum to: 2016 WSES guidelines on acute calculous cholecystitis.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1186/s13017-016-0082-5.].

p21Waf1/Cip1/Sdi1 induces permanent growth arrest with markers of replicative senescence in human tumor cells lacking functional p53.

We have shown previously that wild type p53 can rapidly induce replicative senescence in EJ human bladder carcinoma cells lacking functional p53. A major effector of p53 functions is p21Waf1/Cip1/Sdi1, a potent cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor. p21Waf1/Cip1/Sdi1 has been shown to be involved in both p53 dependent and independent control of cell proliferation, differentiation and death. To directly investigate the effects of p21Waf1/Cip1/Sdi1 in the p53 response observed in EJ tumor cells, we established p21Waf1/Cip1/Sdi1 inducible lines using the tetracycline-regulatable vector system. p21Waf1/Cip1/Sdi1 induction caused irreversible cell cycle arrest in both G1 and G2/M, and diminished Cdk2 kinase activity. In addition, p21Waf1/Cip1/Sdi1 induction led to morphological alterations characteristic of cells undergoing replicative senescence with morphological, biochemical and ultrastructural markers of the senescent phenotype. Furthermore, sustained p21Waf1/Cip1/Sdi1 induction sensitized EJ cells to apoptotic cell death induced by mitomycin C, a cross-linking DNA damaging agent. These findings support the function of p21Waf1/Cip1/Sdi1 as an inducer of replicative senescence and a major mediator of this phenomenon in response to p53. Moreover, our results imply that therapeutic intervention in human cancers might be aimed at sustained elevation of p21Waf1/Cip1/Sdi1 expression.

Chronic antidepressant therapy and associated changes in central monoaminergic receptor functioning.

Acutely administered antidepressants possess a multiplicity of pharmacological actions. However, the fact that agents possessing similar pharmacological actions are devoid of antidepressant activity, together with the lack of correlation between doses required for acute pharmacological effects and clinical efficacy, suggest that the mechanism(s) of action of antidepressants cannot be directly attributed to the acute pharmacological properties of the drugs. The lag phase in onset of clinical effectiveness emphasizes the importance of adaptive changes following chronic antidepressant administration. A rapidly accelerating trend in attempting to delineate the precise molecular mechanisms of action of antidepressants is the shift in emphasis following chronic antidepressant therapies from alterations in uptake, storage, synthesis and release of neurotransmitters to adaptive changes in receptor functioning. These adaptations occur both pre- and postsynaptically. Examples of the former are alpha 2 and DA presynaptic receptors, both being down-regulated by certain forms of chronic antidepressant therapy. The fact that the NE-coupled adenylate cyclase system in rat brain slices is down-regulated by tricyclics, atypical antidepressants, MAO inhibitors and ECT emphasizes the importance of the system. Electrophysiological and behavioral studies point to the up-regulation of central alpha 1 and 5-HT receptor functioning following long-term antidepressant therapy. In contrast to the beta-adrenoceptor, these findings cannot be correlated with data from radioligand binding studies. In general central alpha 1-adrenoceptor binding remains unaltered. This is also true for 5-HT1 binding whereas cortical 5-HT2 binding is both increased and decreased depending on the type of antidepressant therapy being investigated. The relationship of these adaptive changes to the clinical efficacy of antidepressants in man is not clear since there is generally a lack of good models for studying human central receptor functioning. A review of current data from animal studies would tend to disfavour the view that all forms of antidepressant therapy possess a common mechanism of action. Perhaps multiple intervention sites exist. The introduction and evaluation of agents possessing a specificity of pharmacological action will undoubtedly aid psychotherapeutic research. The knowledge that peptides and 'classical' neurotransmitters can co-exist in the same neurone will undoubtedly generate studies of the significance and importance of the co-transmitter function of peptides in the mechanisms of action of antidepressant therapies.

Neuropharmacology of drugs affecting food intake.

The importance of the central monoamines NE, DA and 5-HT in ingestive behavior has inevitably resulted in considerable effort being expended in attempting to implicate these monoamines in the mechanism of action of anorectic drugs. The statements that amphetamine-induced anorexia is unlikely to be due to central serotoninergic systems and that central noradrenergic and dopaminergic systems are not implicated in the appetite suppressant effect of fenfluramine are in all probability correct. However, to attribute the ability of drugs to decrease food intake unequivocally to a specific effect on central monoaminergic systems is almost certainly an oversimplification, due to the fact that other putative neurotransmitters, such as GABA and peptides, play a critical role in eating. This can be achieved either directly or by modulating the release of other transmitters. An added complication in attempting to correlate a specific neurochemical process to a behavioral effect, such as anorexia, is the complexity of the central actions of the drug. At best, a predominant but not an exclusive process can be identified. Perhaps the in-built constraint of attempting to correlate a specific neurochemical effect to the desired action of a drug is accountable for the absence of a second generation of centrally acting anorectic drugs. Dramatic progress has been made in elucidating the factors involved in ingestive behavior over the last 5-10 years. This information should, and must, provide the catalyst for more efficacious anorectic drugs because obesity represents one of the few major diseases for which adequate drug therapy does not exist.

Pharmacological and ocular hypotensive properties of topical carbonic anhydrase inhibitors.

There was a time gap of over 40 years between the demonstrated oral effectiveness of acetazolamide in lowering the intraocular pressure (IOP) of glaucoma patients and the introduction of a topical carbonic anhydrase (CA) inhibitor. This is due to the fact that CA-II, the isoenzyme which most likely plays an important role in the production of aqueous humor in humans, must be essentially inhibited by 100% to elicit a pharmacological response. The lack of success with earlier attempts to obtain a topical agent stems from an inability to attain and maintain a sufficiently high intraocular concentration of drug to achieve the required inhibition of CA. Dorzolamide and brinzolamide are two topical CA inhibitors which are currently available to treat ocular hypertension and/or glaucoma. Dorzolamide is a very potent inhibitor of CA-II and its site of action is local within the eye. Like oral CA inhibitors, topically applied dorzolamide lowers IOP by decreasing the production of aqueous humor. The drug is used in monotherapy as a 2% solution administered three times daily. Its ocular hypotensive effect is comparable to that of timolol at peak but is somewhat less at trough. The IOP lowering effect of timolol is enhanced by the twice daily administration of 2% dorzolamide either concomitantly or in combination. Topically applied dorzolamide is generally well tolerated and had a low drop-out rate in clinical studies. The most frequent ocular adverse experience is burning and/or stinging. Corneal and lenticular problems have generally not been encountered with long-term therapy with dorzolamide. Topically applied dorzolamide penetrates directly to the posterior segment of the eye and its presence is consistent with the initial report that dorzolamide increases retinal blood flow velocity in patients with normal tension glaucoma. The most frequent systemic adverse experience is a transient bitter taste. Biochemical changes indicative of the systemic inhibition of CA have not been observed in monotherapy studies lasting up to 2 years. This is in harmony with the inability of dorzolamide at steady-state to saturate CA in the red blood cell and the failure to detect its presence in plasma. A 1% suspension of brinzolamide is comparable to 2% dorzolamide in lowering IOP, both drugs being administered three times daily. Although brinzolamide has a lower incidence of burning/ stinging, it elicits more blurred vision.

4-substituted thiophene- and furan-2-sulfonamides as topical carbonic anhydrase inhibitors.

A series of 4-substituted thiophene- and furan-2-sulfonamides was prepared and was found to possess nanomolar-level potency for inhibition of human carbonic anhydrase II in vitro. Selected examples from this group were further evaluated for their potential to act as topically effective ocular hypotensive agents in the ocular normotensive albino rabbit and the ocular alpha-chymotrypsinized rabbit. Solubility studies in water and pH 7.4 buffer were carried out to estimate the ability of compounds to be formulated in solution. The sensitization potential of key representative structures was determined by in vitro glutathione reactivity studies and guinea pig maximization testing.

Sulfonylmethanesulfonamide inhibitors of carbonic anhydrase.

A series of sulfonylmethanesulfonamide derivatives is described, which are inhibitors of carbonic anhydrase (CA). The most potent of these is the racemic fluoro sulfone 9, which inhibits carbon dioxide hydration catalyzed by human CA II (CA-II) with an IC50 of 3 nM. Binding competition studies versus dansylamide indicate that the enantiomers of 9 have different affinities for CA-II, with equilibrium dissociation constants of 3.6 and 0.6 nM. QSAR analysis suggests that the key factors involved in achieving high affinity in this series are sulfonamide acidity, hydrophobicity, and minimization of steric demands at the carbon atom adjacent to the sulfonamide group.

3-substituted thieno[2,3-b][1,4]thiazine-6-sulfonamides. A novel class of topically active carbonic anhydrase inhibitors.

3-Aminoalkyl derivatives of thieno[2,3-b][1,4]thiazine-6-sulfonamide were prepared for evaluation as topically active ocular hypotensive agents. The compounds described were found to be excellent in vitro inhibitors of carbonic anhydrase II and in vivo to lower intraocular pressure in three rabbit models of ocular hypertension. Compounds 20A, 20B, and 20C met the requirement of formulation as a 1% solution at pH 5.2, but none of the compounds described exhibited greater activity in the normotensive albino rabbit, the alpha-chymotrypsin-treated albino rabbit, or the normotensive pigmented rabbit than MK-927 or MK-507, the present clinical candidates.

Thieno[2,3-b]furan-2-sulfonamides as topical carbonic anhydrase inhibitors.

Novel 5-[(alkylamino)methyl]thieno[2,3-b]furan-2-sulfonamides were prepared and evaluated in vitro for inhibition of human carbonic anhydrase II (CA II) and ex vivo for their ability to inhibit Ca II in the albino rabbit eye after topical administration. Compound 11a was found to lower intraocular pressure (IOP) in both the alpha-CT ocular hypertensive albino rabbit and the normal albino rabbit, but was ineffective at lowering IOP in a hypertensive, pigmented monkey model. Since 11a was highly bound to ocular pigment, a series of less basic analogs was prepared. Examples in this series were both less extensively bound to ocular pigment and more active at reducing IOP in pigmented rabbits after topical dosing. Key examples displayed moderate reactivity toward glutathione.

L-653,328: an ocular hypotensive agent with modest beta receptor blocking activity.

L-653,328 is the acetate ester of L-652,698 ((S)-3-tert-butylamino-1-[4-[2(hydroxy)ethyl]phenoxy]2-propanol). The penetration of L-652,698 into the albino rabbit eye was enhanced when the compound was instilled as its prodrug acetate ester. The instillation (one drop of 50 microliter) of 0.01, 0.05 and 0.1% solutions of L-653,328 significantly decreased in a dose-dependent manner the elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) of alpha-chymotrypsinized rabbits by 3.2, 4.7 and 6.1 mm Hg, respectively. A 0.01% solution of L-652,698 failed to significantly lower IOP, whereas this dose of timolol (3.8 mm Hg) and betaxolol (3.3 mm Hg) was effective. L-652,698 was active at 0.05% and 0.1%. Extraocular beta-adrenoceptor blockade was quantified in ganglion-blocked, conscious rabbits by determining effects on heart rate and blood pressure changes to i.v. isoproterenol (0.5 microgram/kg). Doses of timolol blocking isoproterenol-induced hypotension and tachycardia by 50% were 0.0065% and 0.03%, respectively. The corresponding doses for betaxolol were greater than 3% (43% inhibition) and 0.3%. Heart rate and blood pressure changes to isoproterenol were blocked by 18 and 36%, respectively, after the instillation of a 3% solution of L-653,328. The reduced propensity of L-653,328 for extraocular beta-adrenoceptor blockade stems from the modest affinity of L-652,698, its active moiety, for beta-adrenoceptors. The Ki values of L-652,698 for displacement of 125I-iodocyanopindolol binding to beta 1-(left ventricle) and beta 2-binding sites (iris + ciliary body) in the rabbit were 5.7 microM and 7.3 microM, respectively. In marked contrast, the corresponding values for timolol were 12 nM and 1.8 nM.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Antagonism of fenfluramine-induced hyperthermia in rats by some, but not all, selective inhibitors of 5-hydroxytryptamine uptake.

The injection of fenfluramine (7.5 mg kg-1,i.p.) to rats housed at 27-28 degrees C was associated with an elevation of core body temperature which peaked at approximately 1 h post-injection. One h pretreatment with citalopram (20 mg kg-1, i.p.), chlorimipramine (10 mg kg-1, i.p.), femoxetine (10 mg kg-1, i.p.) and fluoxetine (20 mg kg-1, i.p.) resulted in an attenuated response to fenfluramine. In contrast, Org 6582 (20 mg kg-1) and zimelidine (20 mg kg-1) were devoid of an effect on fenfluramine-induced hyperthermia. The response to fenfluramine was was also blocked by i.p. injections of metergoline (0.2 mg kg-1), methysergide (5 mg kg-1) and mianserin (0.5 mg kg-1). Rectal temperature was unaltered by both the 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) uptake inhibitors and the 5-HT receptor antagonists. The IC50 values (nM) for in vitro inhibition of [3H]-5-HT uptake into rat hypothalamic synaptosomes were for citalopram 2.4, chlorimipramine 8.8, femoxetine 14, fluoxetine 16, Org 6582 75 and zimelidine 250. The injection of all six compounds (20 mg kg-1, i.p.) 1 h before death was associated with an inhibition of [3H]-5-HT uptake into rat hypothalamic synaptosomes which ranged from 47.2% for chlorimipramine to 83.3% for citalopram. Rat hypothalamic 5-HT levels were decreased by approximately 50% 3 h after the injection of fenfluramine (15 mg kg-1, i.p.). This effect was blocked by a 1 h pretreatment with fluoxetine, Org 6582 and zimelidine (all 20 mg kg-1, i.p.). Ki values for displacement of specifically bound [3H]-5-HT (1 nM) to rat hypothalamic membranes were for metergoline 26 nM, methysergide 1.1 microM, mianserin 3.6 microM, chlorimipramine 9.2 microM and fluoxetine 32.7 microM. Values for citalopram, femoxetine, Org 6582 and zimelidine were in excess of 65.4 microM. 6 Fenfluramine-induced hyperthermia in rats is blocked by citalopram, chlorimipramine, femoxetine and fluoxetine but not by Org6582 and zimelidine. This dichotomy cannot be explained in terms of differences in 5-HT uptake, storage and release mechanisms in the rat hypothalamus. Moreover, antagonism of fenfluramine-induced hyperthermia cannot be attributed to blockade of central, postsynaptic 5-HT receptors. The involvement of an indoleamine other than 5-HT is discussed.

On the role of 5-hydroxytryptamine in drug-induced antinociception.

1. The effects of four specific inhibitors of 5-hydroxytryptamine (K-HT) uptake on morphine-, methadone- or pethidine-induced antinociception was studied in rats. Antinociception was assessed by means of hot plate (55 degrees C) reaction times. The effect of the compounds on the uptake of [3H]-5-HT into rat whole brain synaptosomes was also investigated. 2. Pretreatment with Org 6582, citalopram, zimelidine or femoxetine at doses devoid of antinociceptive activity potentiated morphine- but not methadone- or pethidine-induced antinociception. 3. A temporal correlation existed between the ability of Org 6582 to potentiate morphine-induced antinociception and to block synaptosomal [3H]-5-HT uptake. 4. 5-HT plays a critical role in the antinociceptive effect of morphine but not of methadone or pethidine.

The effects of acutely administered analgesics on the turnover of noradrenaline and dopamine in various regions of the rat brain.

1 Noradrenaline and dopamine turnover rates were determined following blockade of synthesis by alpha-methyl-p-tyrosine. Morphine, pentazocine and methadone had no effect on steady state levels or on turnover of noradrenaline in whole brain and in the hypothalamus. Although morphine was without action on medulla-pons noradrenaline steady state levels, a drug-induced increase in turnover rate was observed which was antagonized by pretreatment with naloxone (5 mg/kg). Pentazocine and methadone failed to alter either the steady state level of noradrenaline in the medulla-pons or its turnover rate.2 Morphine accelerated the decline in striatal alpha-methyl-m-tyramine levels following subcutaneous injection of alpha-methyl-m-tyrosine 18 h previously.3 All three drugs increased the turnover of dopamine in whole brain and corpus striatum although the striatal effect was prevented by naloxone pretreatment. The minimum doses of morphine, pentazocine and methadone required to elicit a significant effect on striatal dopamine turnover were 10 mg/kg, 30 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg respectively.4 The possibility of a dopaminergic involvement in the antinociceptive effect of analgesics is discussed.