Progesterone fate in rabbit cornea.

Excised cornea from adult New Zealand rabbits were incubated with progesterone-4-14C in Eagle's media for 96 hr. Samples were inactivated at intervals of 24 hr incubation periods. The following metabolites of progesterone were isolated: 20 alpha-Hydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one, 20-hydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one, 5 alpha-pregnane-3,20-dione; 5 beta-pregnane-3,20-dione and 6 beta-hydroxy-4-pregnen-3,20-dione. 20 alpha-Hydroxy-pregnen-3-one was the predominant metabolite of progesterone-4-14C. A linear increase was observed throughout 96 hr. The opposite was found for 5 alpha and 5 beta pregnane-3,20-dione. Compounds remaining at the origin of the paper chromatograms contained 6 beta-hydroxy-4-pregnen-3,20-dione and other still unidentified metabolites of progesterone-4-14C. Presence of 20 alpha and 20 beta-reductase; 5 alpha and 5 beta-reductase and 6 beta-hydroxylase enzyme systems are involved in corneal progesterone metabolism. No fungal neither bacterial enzymatic biotransformation occurred in the culture media.

Iron binding to nutrients containing fiber and phenytoin.

Ascorbate and citrate extracted more iron than EDTA from pig foodstuffs (P less than 0.001). Glucose-saline solution (GSS) and ascorbate were less capable than citrate of extracting iron from maize tortilla (P less than 0.001). GSS extracted 16-32% of the whole iron contained in the studied foodstuffs; 30, 40 and 42% of the remaining iron in maize bran, wheat bran and pig feed was released with 0.1 M HCl. 40% of the remaining iron in pig's feed was released with 5% pepsin-0.1 M HCl while the iron of cereals required an additional extraction with 1% ascorbate. 5% pepsin-0.1 M HCl solutions released more iron as the protein content in the foodstuffs increased (P less than 0.001). Iron-extracted maize fibers (Ftw/Fe) bound significantly more iron than Ftc/Fe, FDA and FDN correspondingly (P less than 0.001). Phenytoin bound significantly more iron than total maize fibers both, with and without previous iron extraction (P less than 0.001). Also, phenytoin combined with maize-fiber bound less iron than phenytoin alone in G.S.A.

Effects of antiepileptic drugs on concentration of serum proteins and immunoglobulins of epileptic patients.

Serum of normal volunteers and serum of epileptic patients receiving either a single drug or combined antiepileptic therapy with Phenytoin (Phen); Carbamazepine (Cbz); Primidone (Prim); Phenobarbital (Phb) were examined and showed: No differences with regard to total proteins, albumins and A/G ratio. The alpha 1-globulin fraction increased to 4.4% with Phen/Cbz (P less than 0.001) and decreased to 1.7% with Phen/Prim = (P less than 0.001). The alpha 2-globulins corresponded to 7.2% (P less than 0.001) with Phen/Prim and 15.5% (P less than 0.001) with Phen/Phb treatments. beta-Globulins decreased to 7.1% (P less than 0.05) when received Phen/Phb treatment. Low concentrations of serum gamma-Globulins were found in Phb (P less than 0.001), Prim (P less than 0.001, Phen (P less than 0.001) treated patients. However, with Cbz, Phen/Phb, Phen/Prim this electrophoretic fraction remained within the upper range of normal. IgA of patients treated with Phen showed a mean of 60 mg/dl. Those patients with Phen serum levels below or above 12-20 micrograms/ml remained normal. Prim and Phb treatment also decreased IgA. IgD was normal in patients treated with Phen/Prim. Alterations of immune humoral responses to all antiepileptic drugs were found.

Valproic acid effects on leukocytes and platelets of Sprague-Dawley rats.

A study with valproic acid (VPA) was performed in Sprague-Dawley rats with the aim of relating drug serum levels to variations of leukocytes, platelets, coagulation time and other haematological parameters. VPA, 20 and 240 mg/kg, were administered orally, three times a day in groups of rats of both sexes throughout 7, 14, 30, 60 and 90 day periods. Total blood leukocytes averaged 7296 +/- 443 in control as well as in treated groups. Lymphocytes and monocytes decreased in all five groups when receiving the TD50 of 240 mg/kg (P less than 0.05). The VPA fasting serum levels were detectable if administered at 8 hr intervals. Nevertheless, VPA caused modification of the chosen parameters. VPA t1/2 averaged 3 hr in rats. Thus, even if the VPA effects were observed in our experiments, we suggest dividing the whole VPA dose into eight portions to be administered at 3 hr intervals in rats to attain constant serum VPA levels as well as constant drug effects.

Hierro unido a fitatos de maiz. / Iron bound to phytates of maize

Tanto las fibras en la dieta como el difenilhidantoinato sodico pueden fijar hierro "in vitro". Por esta razon, en estos experimentos se midieron las concentraciones de fitatos y su union con hierro y la relacion con la concentracion de fosforo y calcio en tortillas preparadas con maiz de la ciudad y maiz de areas rurales.Las concentraciones de fitatos y hierro unido por fitatos de maiz fueron superiores en las areas urbanas que en las areas rurales (p < 0.001). Las diferencias en el contenido de fosforo y calcio de las areas urbanas no fueron estadisticamente significativas.Sin embargo, se encontraron menores cantidades de los mismos en los productos de areas rurales (p < 0.05). Los fitatos como las fibras y el difenilhidantoinato sodico unen hierro. Se postula que otros componentes de la dieta y farmacos podrian influir sobre los sistemas biologicos dientes del hierro