[The Italian contributions to the history of salicylates]. / Il contributo italiano alla storia dei salicilati.

It is well-known that the modern history of salicylates began in 1899 when the compound acetylsalicylic acid was registered and introduced commercially as "aspirin" by the Bayer Company of Germany. As a matter of fact, however, remedies made from willow bark had been used to treat fever and rheumatic complaints at least since 1763, when Edward Stone described their efficacy against malarian fever. A number of Italian scientists made significant contributions during the long period of research leading up to the synthesis of acetylsalicylic acid and its widespread use in rheumatic diseases. In this paper we will review the contributions of some of these researchers, beginning with Bartolomeo Rigatelli, who in 1824 used a willow bark extract as a therapeutic agent, denominating it "salino amarissimo antifebbrile" (very bitter antipyretic salt). In the same year, Francesco Fontana described this natural compound, giving it the name "salicina" (salicin). Two other Italian chemists added considerably to current knowledge of the salicylates: Raffaele Piria in 1838, while working as a research fellow in Paris, extracted the chemical compound salicylic acid, and Cesare Bertagnini in 1855 published a detailed description of the classic adverse event associated with salicylate overdoses--tinnitus--which he studied by deliberately ingesting excessive doses himself. Bertagnini and above all Piria also played conspicuous roles in the history of Italy during the period of the Italian Risorgimento, participating as volunteers in the crucial battle of Curtatone and Montanara during the first Italian War of Independence.

Evidence of the principle of similitude in modern fatal iatrogenic events.

Samuel Hahnemann attributed fundamental importance to the principle of similitude, promoting it to a 'natural law'. Observing that enantiopathic or allopathic treatment produced enduring aggravation of the disease symptoms after a brief and transitory initial relief, he systematised homeopathic treatment, prescribing substances that provoke similar symptoms in healthy individual. Based on clinical and experimental observations, he anticipated the concept of homeostasis, dividing the effects of substances into: primary action of the medicine followed by secondary action or reaction of the organism. This reaction, known as the rebound effect or paradoxical action by modern pharmacology, used to awake the curative response of the body when the principle of similitude is applied, is responsible for several iatrogenic diseases when used on the basis of the principle of contraries. This study discusses the role of this paradoxical reaction of the organism in the fatal side effects of four important drugs, used according to the model of enantiopathic treatment of the symptoms. I present evidence relating to acetylsalicylic acid, rofecoxib, antidepressants and long-acting bronchodilators. The consequences of the allopathic treatment could be decreased if health professionals valued homeostasis, minimising the rebound effect of the organism by gradual suspension of palliative drugs.

[Drug-induced bronchospasm (author's transl)]. / Arzneimittel-induzierter Bronchospasmus.

A detailed review of drug-induced bronchospasm is presented. Four types of reactions are described. Furthermore, pathogenesis, clinical picture, treatment and prophylaxis of the "Aspirin-induced asthma" are demonstrated.

Drug-induced asthma: a review.

A review of clinical and experimental data pertaining to drug-induced asthma is presented. Various drugs and drug additives causing asthma are classified and their possible modes of action in inducing asthma are discussed. Practical recommendations for diagnosis and prevention of drug-induced asthma are enumerated.

Comparison of infusions of morphine and lysine acetyl salicylate for the relief of pain following thoracic surgery.

A double-blind study comparing the effectiveness of a continuous infusion i.v. of lysine acetyl salicylate (LAS) with an infusion of morphine for the treatment of pain following pulmonary surgery is described. Mean pain scores in the two groups were not significantly different at any stage during the 24-h period of study. LAS was not associated with any significantly greater blood loss in the period after operation. The incidence of drowsiness, nausea and vomiting, and the need for antiemetic medication were similar in both groups.

Nefropatía por analgésicos / Nephropathy caused by analgesics

El uso crónico de analgésicos puede afectar de varias formas la función renal. La nefropatía por analgésicos es una de estas formas de compromiso renal de causa medicamentosa, la que aún siendo poco frecuente en Chile es la más grave, pues su evolución natural lleva a la insuficiencia renal terminal, con todas sus consecuencias socioeconómicas. El presente artículo es una revisión de la etiología, fisiopatología, presentación clínica, tratamiento y posibles medidas de prevención de este tipo de nefropatía