Short-term effects of treatment with simvastatin on testicular function in patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia.

The effects of simvastatin 40 mg per day for 14 weeks on the pituitary-testis axis of 19 men with familial hypercholesterolaemia have been examined in a single-blind study. Simvastatin significantly reduced serum low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and triglycerides by 45% and 30%, respectively, and significantly increased high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol by 15%. The alterations, which were stable 4 weeks after the start of treatment, were not associated with any significant change in sperm quality, the seminal plasma concentrations of various sex gland products (prostate-specific acid phosphatase, polyamines, citrate, fructose, alpha-glucosidase), or the serum concentrations of cortisol, testosterone, LH, FSH, or prolactin. It is concluded that a short-term reduction in circulating LDL-cholesterol has no marked effect on testicular function or sperm quality.

Twelve-hour IOP control obtained by a single dose of timolol/pilocarpine combination eye drops.

The 12 h IOP control achieved by a single application of a newly developed ophthalmic solution containing 0.5% timolol and 2% resp. 4% pilocarpine was compared with that obtained by 1 dose of timolol 0.5% alone in 33 patients with manifest open angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. The combined solutions gave a significantly better 12 h IOP control, evidenced by both a reduced mean diurnal IOP and a decreased frequency of larger pressure peaks.

NSAID-associated gastroduodenal damage: does famotidine protection extend into the mid- and distal duodenum?

Eighteen healthy volunteers were included in a cross-over, double-blind study where 500 mg naproxen b.d. was given for 1 week with 20 mg famotidine b.d., 40 mg nocte or placebo. Endoscopic evaluation of the gastroduodenal mucosa was performed before and after each treatment period, with separate evaluation of the mid- and distal duodenum. 51Cr-EDTA-permeability tests were done to study effects on the mid- and distal gut, and, in addition, symptom registration was performed. The mucosal damage was significant in all treatment periods, and a statistically significant reduction was seen with 20 mg famotidine b.d. for erosive lesions in the stomach/duodenal bulb region as well as for the sum of damage score in the mid- and distal duodenum. The reduction was considerable in a few subjects with extensive duodenal damage. The reduction was considerable in a few subjects with extensive duodenal damage. Intestinal permeation increased significantly in all periods, and was not reduced by famotidine. Symptoms were modest and equal in all periods.

Effects of lovastatin alone and in combination with cholestyramine on serum lipids and apolipoproteins in heterozygotes for familial hypercholesterolemia.

We have studied the effect of lovastatin, an inhibitor of the rate-limiting enzyme in cholesterol biosynthesis (3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase), alone and in combination with the bile acid sequestrant cholestyramine on lipid parameters in 30 heterozygous patients with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) during a 20-week open trial. Lovastatin 40 mg bid (twice daily) decreased significantly total serum cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol, triglycerides and apolipoprotein B by 36%, 45%, 29% and 11%, respectively, while high density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol and apolipoprotein A-I were increased significantly by 16% and 37%, respectively. These data are consistent with a reduction in both the number of LDL particles and in their cholesterol content. Addition of cholestyramine 4 g bid caused a significant further decrease in total serum cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol to a total of 43% and 61%, respectively. The addition of 4 g bid or 8 g bid of cholestyramine caused only minor changes in the other lipid parameters. No effect was found by these drugs on Lp(a) lipoprotein level. We conclude that lovastatin alone or in combination with a small dose of cholestyramine normalizes the lipid profile in most FH heterozygotes.

Comparison of topical timolol vs betaxolol on cardiopulmonary exercise performance in healthy volunteers.

The effects of topical timolol vs betaxolol on cardiopulmonary exercise performance were studied in a randomised double-masked fashion in 12 healthy male volunteers. Cardiopulmonary parameters were evaluated at the anaerobic threshold and at peak exercise. Intraocular pressure was determined before and after treatment by applanation tonometry. No differences were found in aerobic or peak exercise capacity. Maximal heart rate was slightly lower (P less than 0.05) following treatment with timolol compared with betaxolol. However, a correspondingly higher oxygen pulse (oxygen uptake/heart rate) compensated for this reduction and resulted in no difference in peak performance. At physiological work levels, it was not possible to demonstrate any influence of topical, selective or non-selective, beta-adrenergic blockade on cardiopulmonary exercise performance in these healthy volunteers.

Plasma prekallikrein, functional kallikrein inhibition, antithrombin III, plasminogen, kallikrein activity and proenzyme functional inhibition index in 172 acute ill surgical patients on admission.

The present study was performed in order to study disturbances in plasma proteolysis in acute ill surgical patients on admission. The paper describes the distribution of values for plasma PKK, KKI, AT III, Plg, KK and PFI-index. In early stages of the disease process rather minimal information can be obtained by these data in addition to clinical examination. The study indicates that chromogenic peptide substrate assays should be reserved for surgical patients treated in the intensive care unit.