Effect of 5-fluorouracil and mitomycin on the healing of intestinal anastomosis.

OBJECTIVE: Antineoplastic agents affect the healing of intestinal anastomosis. The aim was to evaluate the effect of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and mitomycin on the healing of the intestinal anastomosis and their schedule of administration. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Eighty-nine male albino Charles Foster rats with a mean weight of 256.57 g were divided into six groups. Group A represents the control, while in others varying schedules of chemotherapy (5-FU and mitomycin) were administered. The sacrifices were made on days 7, 14 and 21 postoperatively and bursting pressure and hydroxyproline content were measured. RESULTS: Nine rats died before completion of the experiment and were excluded. Adhesions were noted in all rats on sacrifice. The mean bursting pressure of normal intestine (group A) was 252 mm Hg. The bursting pressure was lower on day 7 (208 mm Hg) and it subsequently increased by day 21 (230 mm Hg). The mean bursting pressure in groups B, C, D and E was 174, 194, 182 and 188 mm Hg and it subsequently increased to 232, 272, 244 and 286 mm Hg. There was no difference in the pattern of bursting pressure in colon and ileum. The mean hydroxyproline content of ileum (group A) on day 7 was 34.37 mg/g tissue. The hydroxyproline content of the ileum in groups B, C, D and E was 15.08, 27.03, 7.75 and 21.04 mg/g tissue. There was a significant decrease in hydroxyproline content following anastomosis and chemotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: The effect of chemotherapy was pronounced when administered on the day of surgery or in the immediate pre- or postoperative period. Hence administration of chemotherapy during this period may be harmful.

Normal levels of norepinephrine in short term hypothyroidism.

Plasma epinephrine and norepinephrine levels were measured in four cases of short term hypothyroidism which developed after parturition. For comparison, six patients with idiopathic hypothyroidism were included in the study. Hypothyroidism was confirmed by clinical evaluation and tests of thyroid function, viz. serum T3, T4, free T4, and TSH. In all patients with idiopathic hyperthyroidism, epinephrine levels were normal and norepinephrine levels were significantly elevated. In the four patients with short term hypothyroidism, normal levels of epinephrine as well as norepinephrine were observed. Circulating thyroid hormone levels start increasing after 6--9 months in patients with short term hypothyroidism reaching euthyroid levels after 1 yr. The present results indicate that plasma norepinephrine concentrations in hypothyroidism seem to be significantly increased only after a lag period of some 6--9 months.

Plasma biogenic amines in head injury.

The circulating levels of plasma catecholamines (norepinephrine and epinephrine) and serotonin (5-HT) were estimated in 65 cases of head injury. The plasma levels of these amines of patients were compared with those of normal healthy volunteers. The levels were significantly higher in severe head injuries as compared to mild injuries and have prognostic significance.

Role of histamine in traumatic brain edema. An experimental study in the rat.

The possibility that histamine plays a role in the formation of traumatic brain edema was investigated in the rat. A 3 mm deep and 3 mm long stab injury was performed in the right parietal cortex under urethane anaesthesia. The brain water content and histamine levels in plasma and brain were measured at the end of 1, 2 and 5 h periods after trauma. There was a 3.46% increase in brain water content in the traumatized hemisphere from the value in the control group at 5 h. The histamine content was increased by 107% in plasma and 51% in the traumatized brain hemisphere from the control value at this time period. The increased brain water content as well as the elevated plasma and brain histamine levels were prevented by prior treatment with the histamine H2-receptor antagonist cimetidine. Mepyramine (a histamine H1-receptor antagonist) failed to reduce the increased brain water content and the histamine levels in plasma and brain remained high. The results strongly indicate that histamine has a role in the formation of early traumatic brain edema and that this reaction can be influenced by pharmacological procedures.

Hypoglycemic activity of Withania coagulans Dunal in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats.

Administration of aqueous extract of fruits of Withania coagulans Dunal significantly lowered the blood sugar, serum cholesterol, serum LPO, and hepatic LPO levels at the highest concentration of 1g/kg; p.o. in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. In normal rats as well the blood sugar levels were significantly decreased following treatment with the above drug. Withania coagulans also exhibited free radical scavenging activity in an in vitro system using DPPH.

Healing process in the ureter: an experimental study in dogs.

OBJECTIVE: This study set out to describe the basic milestones in the pattern of healing in the ureter in order to understand why problems in healing arise when the ureter is severed, usually through anastomotic leakage or stricture formation. METHOD: Transection and anastomosis of the ureter were performed on dogs. The anastomotic segment was removed at days 6, 14, 21 and 42. Mucopolysaccharide levels, collagen content and breaking strength were measured on these samples and on anatomically similar segments from normal dogs. A minimum of five observations were carried out at each time point. The mean values of the estimations in various groups were compared. Differences were considered significant at p < or = 0.05. RESULTS: Mucopolysaccharide levels peaked at day 6 and then fell gradually to near normal (p > 0.05) by day 42. The collagen content rose to a maximum at day 14 and then fell to near normal levels (p > 0.05) by day 21. Breaking strength rose gradually to peak by day 21 and then fell to reach day 6 level (> 0.05) at day 42. At no time point did it reach anywhere near normal value. Full healing in the ureter takes at least six weeks. CONCLUSION: The healing process in the injured ureter is different to that in other tissues. It is probable that clues to anastomotic healing problems of the ureter lie in the paradoxical pattern of collagen formation.

Blood bioamines, cortisol and aminoacid levels in leukemic patients.

In patients of chronic myeloid leukemia blood adrenaline, noradrenaline, dopamine and glutamate level were significantly elevated. The GABA levels were decreased along with no significant alterations in aspartate levels in these patients. In cases of acute myeloid leukemia only adrenaline and glutamate levels were enhanced with decreased GABA levels. However, plasma cortisol levels were significantly enhanced in both chronic and acute myeloid leukemia patients. These observations suggest that the circulating bioamines, cortisol and certain aminoacids level are considerably altered in chronic and acute myeloid leukemia. All these changes may possibly be attributed to the stress induced by the disease.

Alterations in plasma sodium and potassium levels following chronic oral ingestion of lead, mercury and cadmium in male albino rats.

Adult male albino rats were orally administered 0, 25, 50 and 100 ppm of lead nitrate, mercuric chloride and cadmium chloride for 60, 120 and 180 days. The plasma sodium levels were decreased in rats exposed to varying doses of lead and mercury up to 180 days, while animals which consumed cadmium chloride showed an increase in sodium levels. In lead and mercury treated animals, plasma potassium levels were increased up to 180 days. The levels were decreased in cadmium exposed rats. These observations suggest that chronic exposure to these heavy metals considerably influences plasma sodium and potassium levels depending on the dose and duration of exposure.

Alterations in urinary VMA levels following cigarette smoking, coffee drinking and alcohol consumption.

In eighteen normal healthy volunteers, the effect of cigarette smoking, coffee drinking and alcohol consumption on adrenomedullary sympathetic function was assessed in terms of urinary VMA levels. Following the indulgence in all these social habits, urinary VMA levels are significantly increased. The maximum and minimum increase in VMA levels were recorded following coffee drinking and alcohol consumption respectively.