The role of atorvastatin in bone metabolism in male albino Wistar rats.

OBJECTIVE: Statins have been widely used for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia, and recent studies have shown that these drugs also affect bone metabolism. The aim of this experiment was to follow the effect of atorvastatin on bone metabolism in male albino Wistar rats. METHODS: Our study was carried out on 16 rats (240 +/- 10g) which were randomly divided into 2 groups of 8 animals. The control group (CO) was given aqua pro injectione (0.2 mL/100 g BW; gavage) and the experimental group atorvastatin suspension (AT; 0.3 mg in 0.2 mL aqua pro inj./100 g BW; gavage) daily for 8 weeks. We examined serum markers of bone turnover using ELISA - C-terminal crosslinking telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX-I), total osteocalcin (total OC), procollagen type I N propeptide (PINP) and bone alkaline phosphatase (bone ALP). We investigated bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) in the proximal tibia using Western blot analysis. Additionally, we measured bone mineral density (BMD). The femurs were used for a three-point bending test and compression test of the femoral neck. RESULTS: After 8 weeks of atorvastatin administration, a significant decrease was found in serum level of bone ALP to 30% vs. CO (p = 0.005). PINP, CTX-I and OC did not change significantly. The expression of BMP-2 was increased. There were no significant differences in BMD measurements, three-point bending test or compression test of the femoral neck. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that atorvastatin has a positive effect on bone metabolism in rats by maintenance of BMD and the biomechanical characteristics of bone. Atorvastatin influenced bone metabolism by decreasing bone ALP, and probably in consequence increasing expression of BMP-2 in rats.

Biochemical and pharmacological effects of mitoxantrone and acetyl-L-carnitine in mice with a solid form of Ehrlich tumour.

BACKGROUND: Dysfunction of the carnitine system in non-tumour tissue following anticancer therapy has been reported. In this setting, supplementation with carnitine derivatives might increase the general metabolic activity of normal cells so that they might better withstand the adverse effects of chemotherapy aimed at tumour cells. Here we investigated the effect of acetyl-L-carnitine (ALC) alone and in combination with the antineoplastic agent mitoxantrone (MX) in an animal cancer model. METHODS: The effects of MX and MX-ALC were assessed based on gain or loss of body weight and on local growth of a solid form of Ehrlich tumour inoculated into mice. We also performed biochemical analyses like serum activities of some enzymes signalling the functioning of the liver, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT). Total protein, albumin and bilirubin were also determined in serum. Under favourable conditions, the Ehrlich tumour readily forms metastases, and this is the reason why we performed histological studies of samples of both the liver and heart in order to identify changes that may have mediated the observed effect of the treatment. In addition to those studies, the survival time of treated animals against controls was also noted. RESULTS: MX monotherapy was associated with lower body weight gain, fewer metastases, smaller tumour size, and lower dissemination. ALC alone promoted survival, but had no potentiating effect on MX therapy in terms of survival. Serum biochemistry changes associated with MX-ALC treatment consisted of a significant (p < 0.05) increase in AST with MX at 6 or 9 mg·kg(-1) plus ALC 200 mg·kg(-1) and a significant (p < 0.05) reduction in total protein compared to the corresponding MX group; serum albumin and bilirubin remained unchanged. CONCLUSION: ALC in combination with MX, regardless of the dose of MX, led to higher occurrences of metastases with dissemination to the kidneys, lungs, heart, and mediastinum compared to MX treatment alone. These histological findings indicate that ALC is inappropriate to combine with MX in the treatment of a solid cancer. The protective effect of ALC in combination therapy with the cytostatic drug MX was not supported in this study by our findings that the agent did not improve the therapeutic outcomes of MX therapy.

Mild hypothermia attenuates changes in respiratory system mechanics and modifies cytokine concentration in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid during low lung volume ventilation.

Hypothermia was shown to attenuate ventilator-induced lung injury due to large tidal volumes. It is unclear if the protective effect of hypothermia is maintained under less injurious mechanical ventilation in animals without previous lung injury. Tracheostomized rats were randomly allocated to non-ventilated group (group C) or ventilated groups of normothermia (group N) and mild hypothermia (group H). After two hours of mechanical ventilation with inspiratory fraction of oxygen 1.0, respiratory rate 60 min(-1), tidal volume 10 ml x kg(-1), positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) 2 cm H2O or immediately after tracheostomy in non-ventilated animals inspiratory pressures were recorded, rats were sacrificed, pressure-volume (PV) curve of respiratory system constructed, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid and aortic blood samples obtained. Group N animals exhibited a higher rise in peak inspiratory pressures in comparison to group H animals. Shift of the PV curve to right, higher total protein and interleukin-6 levels in BAL fluid were observed in normothermia animals in comparison with hypothermia animals and non-ventilated controls. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha was lower in the hypothermia group in comparison with normothermia and non-ventilated groups. Mild hypothermia attenuated changes in respiratory system mechanics and modified cytokine concentration in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid during low lung volume ventilation in animals without previous lung injury.

Impact of cardiopulmonary bypass on peripheral tissue metabolism and microvascular blood flow.

The aim of this study was to monitor and compare the changes in metabolism and blood flow in the skeletal muscles during cardiac operations performed with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and operations without CPB (off-pump) by means of interstitial microdialysis (Figure 1). Surgical revascularization, coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), was performed in 40 patients randomized to two groups. Twenty patients (On-Pump Group) were operated on using CPB, 20 patients (Off-Pump Group) were operated on without CPB. Interstitial microdialysis was performed by 2 probes of a CMA 60 (CMA Microdialysis AB, Solna, Sweden) inserted into the patient's deltoid muscle. Microdialysis measurements were performed at 30-minute intervals. Glucose, lactate, pyruvate and glycerol as markers of basic metabolism and tissue perfusion were measured in samples from the first probe, using a CMA 600 Analyzer (CMA Microdialysis AB). Blood flow through the interstitium was monitored by means of dynamic microdialysis of ethanol as a flow-marker in the dialysates taken from the second probe (ethanol dilution technique). Results in both the groups were statistically processed and compared. Both the groups were similar in respect of preoperative characteristics. Dynamic changes of interstitial concentrations of the measured analytes were found in both the patient groups (on-pump vs. off-pump) during the operation. There was no significant difference in dialysate concentrations of glucose and lactate between the groups. Significant differences were detected in pyruvate and glycerol interstitial concentrations, lactate/pyruvate ratio and lactate/glucose ratio between the on-pump vs. off-pump patients. In the Off-Pump Group, pyruvate concentrations were higher and the values of concentrations of glycerol lower. The lactate/pyruvate ratio and the lactate/glucose ratio, indicating the aerobic and anaerobic tissue metabolism status, were lower in the Off-Pump Group. There was no significant difference in dialysate concentrations of ethanol as a flow-marker during the surgery in either of the groups. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups (On-Pump Group vs. Off-Pump Group) comparing the postoperative clinical outcome (ICU stay, ventilation duration, length of hospital stay). The dynamic changes in the interstitial concentrations of the glucose, glycerol, pyruvate and lactate were found in both the groups of patients (On-Pump Group and Off-Pump Group), but there was no difference in local blood flow when the ethanol dilution technique was used. These results showed significantly higher aerobic metabolic activity of the peripheral tissue of patients in the Off-Pump Group vs. the On-Pump Group during the course of cardiac revascularization surgery. Results suggest that extracorporeal circulation, cardiopulmonary bypass, compromises peripheral tissue (skeletal muscles) energy metabolism. These changes have no impact on the postoperative clinical outcome; no significant difference between the groups was found.

Tissue and plasma concentrations of cephuroxime during cardiac surgery in cardiopulmonary bypass--a microdialysis study.

AIM: Wound and mediastinal infections are still very serious complications of open-heart surgery, in spite of the use of prophylactic antibiotics. The use of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is associated with profound physiological changes affecting the pharmacokinetic behaviour of antibiotics. The aim of this pilot study was to monitor the tissue concentrations of cephuroxime (prophylactic antibiotic) in skeletal muscle during cardiac surgery using CPB by interstitial microdialysis. These concentrations were compared with plasma concentrations of cephuroxime. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Nine adult patients operated on using CPB were enrolled in this study. Cephuroxime was used as a prophylactic antibiotic (1st dose - 3 g of cefuroxime i.v. with anesthesia induction, 2nd dose - 1.5 g i.v. after CPB with protamine sulphate, 3rd dose - 1.5 g i.v. 8 hours after the surgery). Interstitial microdialysis was performed by probe CMA 60 (CMA Microdialysis AB, Sweden) inserted into the patient's deltoid muscle. Concentrations of cephuroxime in dialysates and in plasma were determined by the modified fluid chromatography method. The unbound cephuroxime fraction in plasma was obtained by using an ultrafiltration method. Samples of dialysates were collected at the following intervals: before CPB, each 30 minutes of CPB, at the end of CPB. Samples of blood were collected at these intervals: incision, start of CPB, each 30 minutes of CPB, at the end of CPB, at the end of surgery. Concentrations of cephuroxime in tissue were corrected by in vivo recoveries of the microdialysis probes. RESULTS: Plasma concentrations of cephuroxime were 163.5 +/- 40.1, 79.3 +/- 17.4, 73.7 +/- 16.8, 66.1 +/- 18.3, 57.0 +/- 10.9, 120.7 +/- 29.9 (mg L(-1)) and concentrations of free plasma fraction of cephuroxime were 119.5 +/- 35.2, 67.8 +/- 15.5, 66.0 +/- 12.5, 54.8 +/- 12.2, 49.6 +/- 9.8, 102.6 +/-26.0 (mg L(-1)). The concentrations of cephuroxime in dialysates were 44.3 +/- 15.7, 36.1 +/- 11.6, 31.9 +/- 9.3, 34.6 +/- 12.3, 27.6 +/-12.9, 56.7 +/- 17.6 (mg L(-1)). The mean in vivo recovery of cephuroxime in this study was 30%. Corrected concentrations (calculated by in vivo recovery) of cephuroxime in skeletal muscle were 148, 120, 106, 115, 92, 189 (mg L(-l)). CONCLUSION: Our preliminary results show that CPB can modify the time course of cephuroxime plasma and tissue concentrations. A decrease in plasma drug concentrations occurred at the start of CPB and lasted until CPB ended. An increase in plasma concentrations corresponds to the second drug dose after CPB. The concentrations of cephuroxime in skeletal muscle (corrected by recovery) during CPB are higher than plasma concentrations. It is influenced by important changes during CPB; closely associated with hemodilution, a shift of intravascular volume, solutes and albumin to the extravascular space and inconstant protein binding of cephuroxime during operation.

[Examination of gastric emptying rate by means of 13C-octanoic acid breath test. Methods of the test for adults and results of the investigation of healthy volunteers]. / Stanovení rychlosti evakuace zaludku pomoci dechového testu s 13C-oktanovou kyselinou. Metodika testu pro dospelé a výsledky vysetrení zdravých dobrovolníku.

BACKGROUND: 13C-octanoic acid breath test (13C-OABT) is a simple, safe and non-invasive technique for measuring gastric emptying. However, the method has not been standardized yet. Aim of the study was to work up, introduce and evaluate our own method of the 13C-OABT for adults. METHODS AND RESULTS: Ten healthy volunteers entered the study (5 men, 5 women, mean age 32 years, 50 % Helicobacter pylori positive). Standard test meals (with 100 mg 13C-sodium octanoate) were used three times within 3 weeks. The same solid meal (1,178 kJ) for Tests 1 and 2 contained scrambled egg (+ 3 g oil), white bread (40 g), butter (10 g) and distilled water (200 ml). Semi-solid meal (1,020 kJ) for Test 3 contained milk pudding (200 g) and distilled water (200 ml). Duplicate breath samples were obtained before and every 15 minutes after eating the test meal during 255 minutes. Altogether 1,080 breath samples were analysed twice (isotope ratio mass spectrometry, AP2003 Analytical Precision, UK). To assess the half-life of elimination (t1/2 E), we modelled the process of elimination with the incomplete gamma-function, which has a convenient form for the empiric plotting of breath test data. Mean t1/2E was 136+/-10 minutes (Test 1), 134+/-14 (Test 2) and 123+/-16 minutes (Test 3). Clinical reproducibility of 13C-OABT in particular persons was 98.2% (18 breath samples series), 90.8 % (15 samples) and 87.1% (9 breath samples series). There was a significant correlation between Test 1 and Test 2 results (r=0.887, p<0.0001). Mean difference of duplicate breath sample analysis was 1.460 % (in 540 pairs), mean baseline one-day analysis difference was 0.0982 (99.9274% accuracy). In healthy volunteers, normal range of t1/2E is 110-160 minutes for solids and 91-155 minutes for semisolid test meal. Using our own computed mean time of intermediate metabolism of 13C-octanoic acid (76.5+/-7.5 minutes), gastric emptying half-time is 33.5-83.5 minutes for solids and 14.5-78.5 minutes for semisolid test meal in healthy volunteers. CONCLUSIONS: The 13C-OABT is accurate non-invasive method for gastric emptying measurement.

Comparison of different protocols for 13C-urea breath test for the diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection in healthy volunteers.

OBJECTIVE: The (13)C-urea breath test ((13)C-UBT) is the most accurate non-invasive method for diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection. However, several methodological issues have not been resolved yet. The aim of this study was to test different protocols of (13)C-UBT to find the optimal test drink and sampling interval. MATERIAL AND METHODS: (13)C-UBT was performed at 3-day intervals in 27 healthy volunteers using citric acid (test A), orange juice (B) and still water (C) as test drinks. Breath samples were collected from time 5 to 60 min. A total number of 2106 breath samples were analysed by isotope ratio mass spectrometry (cut-off value 3.5). RESULTS: Differences in delta values were greater than would be expected by chance (A versus B and A versus C at times 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40 min, p<0.05, Dunnett's method). There were no grey zone- or false-negative results among H. pylori-positive persons in test A at any time, but some were found in tests B and C. Optimal intervals for breath sampling are at times 20 or 25 min after (13)C-urea ingestion. CONCLUSIONS: Citric acid solution as a test drink and 20- or 25-min breath sampling intervals are optimal for the (13)C-UBT in healthy volunteers.

Changes in metabolism and blood flow in peripheral tissue (skeletal muscle) during cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass: the biochemical microdialysis study.

The aim of this study was to monitor the metabolism and blood flow in the interstitium of the skeletal muscle during cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and in the early postoperative period by means of microdialysis and to compare metabolic changes during CPB at normothermia (NT) and hypothermia (HT). Surgical revascularization using CPB was performed in 50 patients, 25 patients (group HT) were operated using hypothermic CPB, 25 (group NT) using normothermic CPB. Interstitial microdialysis was performed by two CMA 60 probes (CMA Microdialysis AB, Solna, Sweden) inserted into the patient's deltoid muscle. Constituents analysed in the obtained dialysates, collected at intervals, were glucose, urea, glycerol and lactate. Tissue blood flow was monitored by dynamic microdialysis with gentamicin as a marker. In both groups, NT versus HT, similar dynamics of concentrations were found. Low initial concentrations were followed by gradual increases during CPB and in the following phase of the operation. Concentrations were higher in the NT group. Immediately after the operation, the decrease in values continued, with a gradual increase in the succeeding postoperative period in both groups. Similar dynamic changes in the lactate concentration were found in both groups. The gentamicin concentrations were lower in the NT group (versus the HT group). The results showed dynamic changes in the interstitial concentrations of glucose, urea, glycerol and lactate, which depend on the phase of the surgery in the CPB and early postoperative phase in the both groups of patients. Higher tissue perfusion of the skeletal muscle was noted in those patients operated on in normothermia. The dynamics of the concentration changes of these substances in the interstitium of the skeletal muscle has been proven to be caused by both the metabolic activity of the tissue and by the blood flow through the interstitium of the muscle.

[Interstitial microdialysis study of changes in metabolism and blood flow in skeletal muscles during cardiac surgery with normothermic and hypothermic extracorporeal circulation]. / Sledování zmen metabolismu a krevního prutoku v kosterním svalu behem srdecní operace v mimotelním obehu v normotermii a hypotermii pomocí intersticiální mikrodialýzy.

AIM: Hypoperfusion of peripheral tissues and splanchnic organs during cardiac surgery in extracorporeal circulation may lead to the origin of serious complications. The aim of the study was to monitor metabolism and blood pressure in interstital peripheral tissue, skeletal muscle, during the operation on the patient with extracorporeal circulation (ECC) in an early post-operation period by means of microdialysis. METHODS: The interstitial microdialysis is a minimally invasive method for the biochemical monitoring of metabolic changes and blood pressure in extracellular space of tissue. The substances in interstitium pass across a semipermeable membrane of the inserted microdialysis probe and may be analyzed. Microdialysis in this study was performed by means of two microdialysis probes CMA (CMA Microdialysis AB, Sweden) inserted into the deltoid muscle of the surgically treated patient. The probes were perfused by the Ringer solution at the rate of 0.3 ml/hour. The dialysates were sampled in the following intervals: beginning of the operation, beginning of ECC, end of ECC, end of the operation, two hours during the post-operation period. Standard biochemical methods were to evaluate, in the dialysates, glucose, urea, glycerol and lactate. The blood flow in the interstitium was monitored by means of dynamic microdialysis of gentamycine as a marker. Microdialysis was performed in 40 patients with ischemic heart disease, operated on in the extracorporeal circulation. In 20 patients the ECC was performed in normothermia (NT), while in the other 20 patients it was made in hypothermia (HT). RESULTS: In both groups, NT versus HT, a similar dynamism of interstitial concentration of the observed substances in relation to the operation phase and in early post-operation period. Low initial concentrations were gradually increasing during the extracorporeal circulation and increased further after the end of extracorporeal circulation and also in the subsequent phase of the operation. The concentration values of the analytes under observation were higher in the groups operated on under normothermia, apparently due to normal cellular activity during normothermia (versus values in hypothermia). Immediately after the operation the observed values decreased in the both groups and subsequently gradually increased in the post-operation period in the both groups. The trend of dynamic changes of the observed analytes, selected as compounds indicating metabolic activity of skeletal muscles during hypothermia documents a lower metabolic activity of the cells during hypothermia and its marked increase (against NT) in the phase of subsequent normalization of the tissue temperature. Analysis of the concentrations of lactate, as a compounds mapping anaerobic metabolism of skeletal muscle, revealed similar dynamic changes in the both groups (NT vs. HT). There were no significant differences, related to the phase of the operation or the phase of immediate post-operation course when the both groups were compared. The analysis of gentamycine concentrations as a flow marker revealed lower gentamycine concentrations in dialysate during the operation, ECC and the early post-operation course in the group operated on in normotheramia (vs. HT), indicating a higher tissue flow in skeletal muscle against the group of patients operated on under hypothermia. CONCLUSION: The results of the microdialysis study demonstrated dynamic changes in interstitial concentrations of the observed compounds (glucose, urea, glycerol and lactate) related to the phase of operation on the heart in extracorporeal circulation and in early post-operation period. A higher perfusion of skeletal muscle was documented in patients operated on under normothermia. It became obvious that the dynamism in the changes of the compounds observed in the interstitium of skeletal muscle was determined by metabolic activity of the tissue as well as by blood flow in the muscle interstitium.

[Surgical stress and biochemical indicators]. / Operacní zátez a nekteré biochemické ukazatele.

AIMS: An investigation of some relationships of routinely and rarely used biochemical markers to surgical (operating) trauma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A group of 37 patients was divided to two subgroups according type of disease with need a resection of large bowel for malignant or benign malady. Large bowel adenocarcinoma was dominated in a subgroup of malignancies (23 patients, mean BMI 25.59, mean age 63.65 years) and Crohn's disease and complicated diverticullary disease were the reasons to operate in the second subgroup of benignities (14 patients, mean BMI 21.21, mean age 39.5 year). Blood samples were taken before an operation, postoperatively (immediately) and at 6:00 a.m. the 1st, 3rd and 5th postoperative day. The routine methods (albumin, CRP, cholinesterase, haptoglobin, cholesterol), special methods (SOD, glutathion) and ELISA methods (leptin, IL-2r, IL-8, TNF)were used for evaluation markers. The results were estimated by statistic methods Sigma-Stat, One Way ANOVA and linear regression test. RESULTS: The mean serum concentrations of albumin, leptin, cholesterol shifted down very clearly compared to preoperative values. The mean serum concentrations shifted up the 3rd day postoperatively to 722% in benignities and to 1814% in malignancies respectively. The values of cholinesterase, glutation, SOD, and haptoglobin didn't show any more serious dynamics perioperatively. The serum leptin concentrations correlated with BMI but other markers serum concentrations didn't correlate with BMI or with age. CONCLUSIONS: The serum leptin, albumin, haptoglobin, CRP concentrations demonstrated serious dynamics perioperatively. These concentrations are stabilized and they reach preoperative levels the 5th postoperative day. Each-other markers correlation is minimal.

[Serum leptin levels in the perioperative period in surgery patients]. / Sérové koncentrace leptinu u nekterých chirurgických nemocných v kolemoperacním období.

AIM: To assess dynamics of serum leptin concentrations (as a possible marker of stress) at some surgical patients during short perioperative period. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The serum leptin concentrations were estimated in group of patients with trauma or large bowel diseases in stress of both own disease and next elective or urgent surgery. The subgroups of patients were: a) monotrauma (13), b) polytrauma (10), c) malignant (20) or d) inflammatory disease (13) of large bowel. The serum leptin concentrations were evaluated preoperatively and during 16 hours postoperatively-immediately after surgery, after 8 and 16 hours after operation. The serum IL-6 concentrations were estimated immediately and 48 hours postoperatively. RESULTS: The serum leptin concentrations showed a time depending dynamic phase: they decreased postoperatively and increased during the first 16 hours postoperatively. It was more expressed in the malignant bowel disease subgroup. A correlation between age and serum leptin concentrations was not found in any subgroup. We found correlation between serum leptin concentrations preoperatively and postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: The serum leptin concentrations demonstrated some dynamics in short perioperative periods. It was very considerably in patients with large bowel malignancy. Any significant difference in serum IL-6 concentrations was not discovered preoperatively and postoperatively in all subgroups.

The differences in selected biochemical markers and histological findings after bile duct ligation in male and female rats.

To study the correlation between the degree of histopathological changes in the liver and selected biochemical tests after bile duct ligation (BDL) in male and female Wistar rats. Rats were divided into 4 groups. Laparotomized male rats (M-LAP), male rats with BDL (M-BDL), laparotomized female rats (F-LAP) and female rats with BDL (F-BDL). Liver bioptic samples were taken 7 and 14 days after operations and were cultivated 24 hours under standard conditions. TNF-alpha and IL-6 (pg/ml) concentrations were estimated in cell culture supernatants. Rats were sacrificed 14 days after operations, histological evaluation of liver tissue was performed, and serum activity of alanine-transaminase (ALT) and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GMT) (microkat/l) and estradiol concentration (EST) (pmol/1) were estimated. Results are presented as median (cytokines, estradiol) or mean +/- SEM. IL-6 concentration in cell culture supernatants was 7 days after the operation 1495 pg/ml in M-BDL and 1050 pg /ml in F-BDL, but were not detected in M-LAP and F-LAP. TNF-alpha concentration in supernatants was detected in all groups and was not significantly higher in male rats in comparison with female rats. M-BDL group had higher activity of ALT (1.5+/-0.1) and GMT (1.24+/-0.38) in comparison with F-BDL (ALT - 1.24+/-0.38, GMT - 0.98+/-0.38). Estradiol concentrations were detected in BDL groups, male rats 175 pmol/l and female rats 543 pmol/l. Although ALT and GMT activities and TNF-alpha and IL-6 concentrations were higher in male rats histopathological findings have shown slightly more advanced fibrotic and inflammatory changes in female rats.

[Diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori with the 13C-labeled urea breath test: study methodology]. / Diagnostika Helicobacter pylori pomocí dechového testu s ureou znacenou prirozeným izotopem uhlíku 13C: metodika vysetrení.

Helicobacter pylori is one of the most common causes of chronic bacterial infection in humans, and it is associated with many diseases of the upper gastrointestinal tract. The 13C urea breath test (13C-UBT) is a simple, non-invasive and global test for Helicobacter pylori detection. The test reflects the hydrolysis of 13C-labelled urea by Helicobacter pylori urease. The 13C-UBT is the gold standard test for Helicobacter pylori infection. Since the original description (in 1987) several modifications of 13C-UBT have been published to simplify and optimise the test. However, neither Standardised European Protocol nor Standard US Protocol were accepted. This paper gives the methodology of the 13C-UBT based on eur own study and on the review of the literature.

[Thyrotoxicosis due to long-term therapy with interferon alpha in the patient with mixed chronic active hepatitis B and C]. / Tyreotoxikóza vzniklá pri dlouhodobé lécbe Interferonem alfa u nemocné se smísenou chronickou aktivní virovou hepatitidou typu B a C.

The authors describe a case report of 48-year-old woman treated with Interferon alpha for the chronic active hepatitis B and C. During this therapy thyrotoxicosis occurred. It disappeared after the withdrawal of Interferon alpha and administration of strumigens. Immediately after stopping of the administration of Interferon alpha and three month later antibodies against the thyroid epithelium were found.

Effects of labour and medication on major lymphocyte subsets in cord.

It is envisaged that flow cytometric analysis of lymphocyte subsets in cord blood may be used as a biomarker for effects on the immune system of exposure to environmental factors. In order to investigate the possible application of this parameter, we first studied the effects of other factors that may influence the outcome of subset analysis in cord blood. FACS analysis was performed in 112 pairs of umbilical cord blood and of peripheral maternal blood sampled at labour. Whereas in maternal blood no statistically significant effects of medication during labour on T lymphocyte numbers and NK cells were found, in oxytocin and in oxytocin and prostaglandin treated mothers B cell numbers showed a statistically significant increase. In cord blood, the course of labour and or medication during labour were identified as the most important factors determining distribution of major lymphocyte subsets. In cord blood after deliveries without medication or after neuroplegic analgesia NPA, the mean percentage of cord blood T lymphocytes CD3 was highest 59 and that of NK lymphocytes CD3- CD16 56 lowest 20 . The mean percentage of T lymphocytes was significantly lower 52 and that of NK lymphocytes higher 28 in cord blood where deliveries were done under NPA in combination with infusion of oxytocin. The combination of NPA with oxytocin and induction of labour by prostaglandin E2 led to a further reduction of T lymphocytes and an increase of NK cells 39 and 38 respectively. The changes in ratio of T and NK lymphocytes were due both to decreasing absolute counts of T lymphocytes and increasing counts of NK lymphocytes. Thus, the effects of labour and or medication during labour must be taken into account when this parameter is applied as a potential biomarker of effects of environmental factors on the immune system.

The psycho-activated linguistic method.

A method for teaching foreign languages through the use of ten hypnotic sessions was developed. The method included the preparation of taped material for home application. The use of this method was analyzed in 153 subjects in Czechoslovakia, Russia and Italy. Preliminary analysis indicates that the method facilitates the learning of a foreign language.

Effect of parenteral administration of carnitine on liver regeneration in partially hepatectomized rats.

Male Wistar rats were subjected to 65-70% hepatectomy and either immediately or 18 h after surgery were given a 6-hour infusion containing 3 ml of either Ringer solution or aqua pro injectione alone or with L-carnitine in doses 8 mg (12.4 mumol), 40 mg (62 mumol) and 200 mg (310.2 mumol)/kg b.w. The rats were killed 6, 18, 24 and 30 h after surgery. The changes in the DNA specific activity and in the mitotic activity demonstrate that L-carnitine has a stimulating, dose-dependent effect on liver regeneration. This effect acts both during early post-hepatectomy, the prereplicative period and in the subsequent replicative period.

Effect of the parenteral administration of amino acid solutions in different phases after partial hepatectomy on the initiation and development of liver regeneration in rats.

Amino acid solutions enriched with branched-chain amino acids or pure branched-chain amino acid solutions were administered parenterally to female laboratory rats (pre-operative weight 230 +/- 30 g) which had been subjected to 65-70% partial hepatectomy (PH), and specific liver DNA activity, the hepatocyte mitotic index and other indicators of the initiation of liver regeneration were studied. Both solutions were infused in an hourly dose of 3.3 ml/kg body weight, during the following postoperative intervals: 1-6, 7-12, 1-12, 1-18 and 1-24 hours. The control rats continued to be fed on the standard laboratory diet after the operation. The results show that the infusion of an amino acid solution enriched with branched-chain amino acids had an inhibitory effect on the onset of DNA synthesis in the liver 18 hours after partial hepatectomy whatever the administration interval. The situation in the case of pure branched-chain amino acid solutions was the same. Twenty-four hours after PH, neither type of solution, irrespective of the infusion interval, was followed by an increase in DNA synthesis compared with the controls fed on the standard laboratory diet. Neither the hepatocyte mitotic index, nor the total liver DNA concentration, showed any changes indicative of stimulation of the initiation of liver regeneration. An infusion stress effect, evaluated from the decrease in the weight of the thymus, was found chiefly in the case of infusions lasting 12 h or longer.