Theophylline pharmacokinetics and metabolism in rabbits following single and repeated administration of Capsicum fruit.

Pharmacokinetics and metabolism of theophylline were studied in three groups of male rabbits, after intravenous administration (12 mg/kg), with and without oral ground Capsicum fruit suspension. Compared with control values, plasma theophylline half-life of distribution and of elimination, areas under plasma curves, clearance and volume of distribution did not show any significant difference. On the contrary, the elimination rate constant (k1,0) is significantly different (0.01 < P < 0.05) after a single dose of capsicum and remained unchanged after a repeated dose. Concerning the metabolism of theophylline in rabbits, the results showed that the oral administration of a single dose of Capsicum fruit suspension does not significantly affect the urinary excretion of theophylline and its metabolites--1,3-dimethyluric acid (1,3-DMU) and 1-methyluric acid (1-MU). On the other hand, after a repeated dose of Capsicum fruit for 7 days, the quantity of 1-MU was significantly reduced (0.01 < P < 0.05). In conclusion, it was found that a single dose of Capsicum fruit could affect pharmacokinetic parameters of theophylline (k1,0), while a repeated dose affected the metabolic pathway of xanthine oxidase.

[Absence of litholytic effects of zinc sulfate and copper sulfate in experimental lithiasis in rats]. / Absence d'effets litholytiques du sulfate de zinc et du sulfate de cuivre vis-à-vis de la lithiase expérimentale chez le rat.

Seventy two male Wistar-strain rats were fed lithogenic diet with ethylene-glycol within three weeks. At the end of this treatment, six rats were killed in order to determine the oxalate and calcium concentrations in renal tissue. Remained rats was randomly divided in four series, each series consisting of three groups. In first series (T), the animals were treated with distilled water; in the second (D1Zn), the animals were treated intramuscularly with the zinc at the rate of 24 micrograms per 100 grams of body weight and per day; in the third (D2Zn), 240 micrograms of zinc were administrated to animals and in the last series (D2Cu), the animals were treated at the same dose as the previous series, but with the copper. The groups which making up each series were killed successively at the 5th, 10th and 15th day after ending treatment with ethyleneglycol in order to determine urinary pH, percentage of water in renal tissue, uremia and concentrations of oxalate and calcium in renal tissue. Then, the comparisons of means were carried out, at each time, between different treated groups and reference group which was treated with distilled water. Litholytic effect was found in all series, including that which had been treated with distilled water. However, compared to reference animals, no acceleration of litholytic process was induced by zinc or copper. The high doses used in these experimentations proved therefore that calcium oxalate calculi were insoluble by zinc and copper.

[Antilithogenic and litholytic action of vitamin A vis-a-vis experimental calculi in rats]. / Etude sur l'action antilithogène et litholytique de la vitamine A vis-à-vis de la lithiase expérimentale chez le rat.

Oxalate lithiasis was induced in control rats and rats previously given a vitamin A supplement for one week at the dose for 200 UI/d/kg body weight. Oxalate and calcium deposits in renal tissue measured 24 hours after the induction of lithiasis were found to be significantly lower in the vitamin A supplemented rats (p < 0.001 and p < 0.01) respectively). Renal function in these animals was also improved as compared with controls (p < 0.05). However, when vitamin A supplements were given for the same period and at the same dose, but after the induction of oxalate lithiasis, no difference regarding oxalate and calcium deposits was found between the two groups of animals. The same applied to renal function, which showed no improvement in the supplemented animals as compared with controls. These results suggest that vitamin A supplements have an inhibitory effect on lithogenesis but probably no litholytic action as such. The effect of vitamin A is probably related to its action on tubular cellular repair or an inhibitory effect on necrosis of these cells.

[Calendula arvensis L. Impact of saponins on toxicity, hemolytic effect, and anti-inflammatory activity]. / Calendula arvensis L. Impact des saponines sur la toxicité, le pouvoir hémolytique et l'activité anti-inflammatoire.

The study of the chemical composition of Calendula arvensis var. eu arvensis Maire reveals the presence of saponins. These saponins confer a haemolytic property on the plant. In our work we have, first determined the saponin responsible for the haemolytic property; and then we have studied the impact of the saponins on the acute toxicity and the anti-inflammatory activity induced by carrhageenin oedema.