Persistent gastric-protective effect of antacid evaluated by measurement of transmucosal gastric potential difference.

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of 1 week of antacid dosing on the aspirin-induced potential differences (PDs) across the gastric mucosa. The study design was double blind and randomized with crossover. Ten healthy subjects received aluminum hydroxide gel, 8 gm t.i.d., or placebo for 1 week. They then received 1 gm aspirin after an overnight fast and the PD across the mucosa was measured. Baseline potentials were the same before both treatment periods. Antacids reduced the aspirin-induced PDs. The mean (+/- SD) maximal PD was 27.4 +/- 1.7 mV with placebo vs. 10.7 +/- 2.2 mV with antacids (p less than 0.001). Recovery time was 65.5 +/- 5.2 minutes with placebo vs. 29.0 +/- 6.7 minutes with antacids (p less than 0.001). These results suggest the effect is due to a longer-term cytoprotective property of antacids rather than to acid-neutralizing activity.

[Prolonged effect of an antacid treatment on changes in gastric potential difference induced by aspirin in man]. / Effect prolongé d'un traitement anti-acide sur les modifications de la différence de potential gastrique induites par l'asprine chez l'homme.

In ten healthy volunteers, we evaluated the effects of a 6 days antacid treatment (Rocgel) on the aspirin induced changes in gastric potential difference (PD). In this placebo controlled cross-over study, PD was measured twelve hours after the last take of the antacid. Aspirin induced drop of PD was less pronounced after antacid compared to placebo; maximal fall of PD and area upper the curve decreased (p less than 0.001). This effect was observed twelve hours after the last take of the antacid. It may suggested a long-term protective effect on the gastric mucosa.

Endocrine expressions of hydrocephalus. A case of primary amenorrhoea revealing a stenosis of the foramen of Magendie.

A Caucasian female, aged 28 years, presenting with obesity and investigated for primary amenorrhoea, was found to have hydrocephalus due to a stenosis of the foramen of Magendie. Endocrine investigations showed an isolated gonadotrophin deficiency. Complete recovery was obtained by a ventricular-cardiac shunt, which led to the return of menses, a normal pregnancy, and then a return to normal weight.

Pharmacokinetics of the anti-inflammatory drug ximoprofen in healthy young and elderly subjects: comparison with elderly rheumatic patients.

The pharmacokinetics of ximoprofen were studied in young and elderly subjects after single and repeated doses up to 30 mg. In healthy elderly subjects (30 mg dose), a mean peak plasma drug concentration of 1.78 micrograms ml-1 +/- 0.83 s.d. occurred at a mean time of 1.95 h +/- 1.40 s.d. and, thereafter, concentrations declined monoexponentially with a mean half-life of 3.8 h +/- 1.4 s.d. Comparison of these data with those from younger healthy subjects showed that peak drug concentrations, areas under the curve and half-lives were about two-fold greater in the elderly, these differences probably reflecting a lower systemic drug clearance. Similar results were obtained on comparing data from young healthy subjects and elderly rheumatic patients receiving single and repeated doses of ximoprofen (15 mg twice daily). In patients, the half-life of ximoprofen was 2.5 h +/- 0.7 s.d. Within either group, pharmacokinetic parameters after single or repeated doses were similar: ximoprofen did not accumulate in the plasma of the young or elderly.

[Preoperative localization of insulinoma is necessary]. / La localisation pré-opératoire des insulinomes est nécessaire.

Many insulinomas because of their small size are not localized by routine investigations: abdominal ultrasound, angiography, computed tomography, nor at the step of laparotomy. Biological diagnosis is far more encouraging. Percutaneous transhepatic sampling of blood in the portal venous system is very predictable for adenoma localization. Absolute reliability of this method remains to be established, nevertheless the observance of some basic requirements are already known: withdrawal of any drug interfering with insulin release several days before performing the catheterism; need of a steady, preferably low, glucose level during the whole sampling; selective samples in tiny draining veins of the whole gland, and adequate radio-immunoassay. Transhepatic sampling can detect multiple localisations and diffuse hyperplasia but angiography alone is able to show hepatic metastasis and is helpful in giving the surgeon information on local vascularization. Confrontation of both angiography and transhepatic sampling gives the best criteria of localization. In case of discrepancy, transhepatic sampling seems to be more reliable.

Controlled trial of ornithine alpha ketoglutarate (OAKG) in patients with stroke.

A double blind controlled trial of ornithine alpha-ketoglutarate (OAKG) was carried out on 50 patients admitted to the Royal Free and Royal Northern Hospitals, London, suffering from a recent stroke. Significant improvement was found in patients treated with OAKG when examined on the fifth day of therapy as compared to their control cases. The therapy was given for 5 days. When the patients in the treated and the control groups were compared 10 days after the beginning of treatment, there were no differences between the 2 groups. Implications of these findings are discussed.

[Hospitalization of the elderly in a department of internal medicine. Predictive elements of risk and benefit]. / Hospitalisation des personnes âgées dans un service de médecine interne. Eléments prédictifs du danger et du bénéfice.

One hundred and thirty patients over 70 years have been examined in a prospective way, so as to determine pernicious and benefic effects of hospitalization in elderly people. Deaths appear to be more frequent in old male patients, with a high cultural level on one hand, and a "reduced" independence, on the other hand (according to the "Sandoz clinical assessment of geriatrics scale"). Benefic effects appear to be essentially dependent on primary diagnosis, and on the entourage, as well as on the previous medical care, though less important.

Pharmacokinetics of the anti-inflammatory drug ximoprofen in healthy subjects and in disease states.

The pharmacokinetics of ximoprofen, a potent new non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent, has been investigated in normal healthy subjects and in patients with hepatic or renal disease. After intravenous infusion of 22.8 mg to healthy subjects, plasma ximoprofen concentrations declined in a polyexponential manner with a terminal phase half-life of 1.9 h. The systemic clearance of ximoprofen was 115 ml.min-1 and the volumes of distribution were 18.01 Vz and 13.81 Vss. Ximoprofen was 80-90% bound to plasma proteins. The systemic availabilities (f) of orally and rectally administered doses of 30 mg of ximoprofen were 98% and 56% respectively and, in the case of the rectal dose, absorption appeared to be prolonged leading to "flip-flop" kinetics. After single oral doses of 30 mg of ximoprofen to patients with hepatic disease, half-life (2.2 h), peak plasma concentrations (1.55 micrograms.ml-1 cf 1.04 micrograms.ml-1 in healthy subjects) and areas under the curve (6.12 micrograms.h.ml-1 cf 3.54 micrograms.h.ml-1 in healthy subjects) were significantly different from those in healthy subjects. After single oral doses of 30 mg of ximoprofen to patients with renal disease, pharmacokinetic parameters of half-life (4.0 h), mean residence time (6.0 h) and area under the curve (9.2 micrograms.h.ml-1) were significantly different from those in healthy subjects. There were no significant differences in pharmacokinetic parameters between patients having differing degrees of renal disease. These data nevertheless suggest that accumulation of ximoprofen in hepatic or renal disease would be of slight or negligible clinical relevance and that no alteration of the dose regimen (up to 15 mg twice daily) may be required when ximoprofen is administered in these disease states.

Effect of ornithine alpha ketoglutarate on disturbances of brain metabolism caused by high blood ammonia.

The administration of ammonium salts to free ventilated dogs causes an increase in the anaerobic consumption of glucose. Prior and simultaneous administration of the drug ornithine alpha ketoglutarate not only attenuates the rise in blood ammonia but also favourably affects these changes in brain metabolism.

[Effect of a buzepide metiodide-haloperidol combination in treating functional intestinal disorders. Randomized double-blind controlled versus placebo study]. / Effet de l'association métiodure de buzépide-halopéridol dans le traitement des troubles fonctionnels intestinaux. Etude randomisée en double-aveugle contrôlée contre placebo.

The efficacy and safety of a combination of buzepide metiodide and haloperidol was assessed in a placebo-controlled double-blind trial during 2 months in 224 patients (154 women, 79 men) with the irritable bowel syndrome. The 2 groups were comparable at inclusion. The efficacy was assessed at days 15, 30 and 60. Inclusion and assessment criteria were clinical, abdominal pain being considered as the main assessment criterion. The combination proved statistically better than placebo on the frequency of symptoms at all visits and on the intensity of the most frequent symptoms (abdominal pain and distension) at the final visit. A previously defined global assessment score was found significantly better in favor of the treated group at day 15 and day 30. At the final visit, the score of a visual scale assessing the patient's global impression was also found significantly better on the combination, There was no serious side-effect. In conclusion, this study demonstrates the efficacy and safety of a combination of buzepide metiodide and haloperidol in patients with the irritable bowel syndrome.