ABSTRACT
The effect of opiate analgesics (omnopon, pethidine, pentazocine) on the urethral mucosal sensitivity threshold in 37 patients, and of the potent opiate/opioid antagonist naloxone on 10 volunteers is described. Omnopon and pentazocine caused a significant decrease in sensitivity (p less than 0.02) and naloxone caused a significant increase in sensitivity (p less than 0.02). The results confirm a role for the endogenous opioids in modulating urethral sensitivity, and the implications of this are discussed.
Subject(s)
Analgesics, Opioid/pharmacology , Endorphins/antagonists & inhibitors , Naloxone/pharmacology , Sensation/drug effects , Urethra/drug effects , Endorphins/physiology , Humans , Male , Meperidine/pharmacology , Mucous Membrane/drug effects , Opium/pharmacology , Pentazocine/pharmacology , Receptors, Opioid/drug effects , Sensory Thresholds/drug effects , UrodynamicsABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Luffa operculata is a medicinal plant used in homeopathic and alternative medicine. In the United States, it is sold in a purified spray form, whereas a homemade L. operculata dry fruit infusion (DFI) is commonly used in Latin America. The L. operculata DFI is applied intranasally, inducing profuse mucous secretion and relieving nasal symptoms. Nevertheless, this medication may cause irritation of the nasal mucosa, as well as epistaxis or anosmia. Given the growing popularity of alternative medicine, a decision was made to evaluate the effects of this substance on mucous membranes. METHODS: The effects of L. operculata DFI on mucociliary transport velocity, ciliary beat frequency, and transepithelial potential difference (PD) were evaluated in an isolated frog palate preparation. We tested 46 palates immediately before immersion and again at 5 and 20 minutes after immersion. Four groups (n = 10) were tested in frog Ringer: control; L. operculata DFI, 60 mg/L; 600 mg/L; and 1200 mg/L. An additional group was tested using L. operculata DFI prepared with water (600 mg/L of H2O, n = 6). Epithelial samples were harvested for ultrastructural study. RESULTS: In treated palates, mucociliary transport velocity and ciliary beat frequency decreased significantly (p < 0.001 and p < 0.008, respectively). There was a dose-dependent decrease in PD modulus (p < .007). Our PD findings indicated ion-fluid transport abnormalities, which were confirmed by transmission electron microscopy that showed enlargement of interepithelial spaces. CONCLUSION: In this ex vivo model, the L. operculata DFI infusion promoted significant changes in the mucociliary function of the epithelium, suggesting that it is potentially noxious to human nasal mucosa.