Histo-morphological effects on equine synovium after arthroscopic synovectomy using two different motorized synovial resectors and two different intensities.

The purpose of the study was to determine the histo-morphological effects on villous synovium after synovectomy using two different motorized synovial resectors and two different intensities ex-vivo. Thirty-three (n = 33) equine metacarpophalangeal/metatarsophalangeal joints were used. Synovectomy was performed along the dorsomedial/dorsolateral synovium (n = 66) using two motorized synovial resectors (aggressive full radius resector, AFRR, used at two intensities: single treatment, n = 24 vs. triple treatment, n = 21 vs. aggressive meniscus side cutter, AMSC, n = 21). Arthroscopic images were evaluated blindly for resector type and intensity. Histological images were evaluated descriptive for synovial morphology and the extent of tissue loss using a microscopic scale. Scanning electron microscopy described the synovial morphology. The synovectomized areas were specific for each resector used and distinguishable from arthroscopic images. The AFRR demonstrated a clear demarcation between treated and non-treated areas and removed the stratum synoviale completely including parts of the underlying stratum fibrosum. In contrast, the AMSC showed less clear demarcation, villous scaffolds and no involvement of the stratum fibrosum. Triple intense treated AFFR samples resulted in significantly deeper lesions compared to single treatments (p = 0.037) but could not be distinguished on arthroscopic images. The morphological effects on villous synovium differ according to the resector type used. The extent of synovial tissue loss cannot be estimated from arthroscopic images but histologically. The type and use of motorized synovial resector determines the morphological alterations of the treated synovium. Arthroscopic control is considered unsuitable to control synovectomy depth.

PTPIP51: a new interaction partner of the insulin receptor and PKA in adipose tissue.

AIMS: Our previous experiments revealed an association of PTPIP51 (protein tyrosine phosphatase interacting protein 51) with the insulin signalling pathway through PTP1B and 14-3-3beta. We aimed to clarify the role of PTPIP51 in adipocyte metabolism. METHODS: Four groups of ten C57Bl/6 mice each were used. Two groups were fed a standard diet; two groups were fed a high-fat diet. Two groups (one high-fat diet and one standard diet) were submitted to endurance training, while the remaining two groups served as untrained control groups. After ten weeks, we measured glucose tolerance of the mice. Adipose tissue samples were analyzed by immunofluorescence and Duolink proximity ligation assay to quantify interactions of PTPIP51 with either insulin receptor (IR) or PKA. RESULTS: PTPIP51 and the IR and PTPIP51 and PKA, respectively, were colocalized in all groups. Standard diet animals that were submitted to endurance training showed low PTPIP51-IR and PTPIP51-PKA interactions. The interaction levels of both the IR and PKA differed between the feeding and training groups. CONCLUSION: PTPIP51 might serve as a linking protein in adipocyte metabolism by connecting the IR-triggered lipogenesis with the PKA-dependent lipolysis. PTPIP51 interacts with both proteins, therefore being a potential gateway for the cooperation of both pathways.

Randomized dose-controlled study of topiramate as first-line therapy in epilepsy.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of topiramate as monotherapy, using a dose-controlled study design. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a multinational, randomized, double-blind trial in adults and children (> or =6 years old) with epilepsy that was not being treated when randomized to 400 or 50 mg/day topiramate as target maintenance dosages. In addition to > or =2 lifetime unprovoked seizures, patients had to have one or two partial-onset seizures or generalized-onset tonic-clonic seizures in the 3-month retrospective baseline. The primary efficacy end point was time to first seizure; a secondary efficacy measure was the seizure-free rate at 6 months and 1 year. Double-blind treatment continued until 6 months after the last patient was randomized. RESULTS: Kaplan-Meier survival analyses for time to first seizure (intent-to-treat, n = 470) favored 400 mg/day over 50 mg/day (P = 0.0002) as a target maintenance dosage. The first evaluation point with a significant difference (P = 0.046) favoring the higher dose was at day 14 when patients were receiving 100 or 25 mg/day. The probability of being seizure-free at 6 months was 83% in patients randomized to 400 mg/day and 71% in those randomized to 50 mg/day (P = 0.005). Seizure-free rates at 12 months were 76% and 59%, respectively (P = 0.001). Differences favoring the higher dose were significant in patients with partial-onset seizures (P = 0.009) and in those with generalized-onset tonic-clonic seizures (P = 0.005). The most common dose-related adverse events were paresthesia, weight loss, and decreased appetite. Discontinuations due to cognitive-related adverse events were 2% in the 50-mg group and 7% in the 400-mg group. Overall, 7% and 19%, respectively, discontinued with adverse events during the median treatment duration of 9 months. CONCLUSION: Topiramate is effective as monotherapy in adults and children. Because a therapeutic effect emerges during titration, clinicians should adjust dosages in step-wise fashion with intermediate stopping points, e.g., 100 mg/day, to evaluate patient response and achieve the optimal maintenance dosage.

Topiramate in painful diabetic polyneuropathy: findings from three double-blind placebo-controlled trials.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of topiramate in patients with painful diabetic polyneuropathy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with moderate to extreme pain (0-4 Categorical Pain Scale score > or = 2) were randomized to placebo or topiramate (100, 200, or 400 mg/day) in three similar double-blind trials. The primary efficacy analysis was pain reduction from final visit to baseline in the 100-mm Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for the intent-to-treat populations. RESULTS: After 18-22 weeks of double-blind treatment, pain reductions were numerically greater with topiramate in two studies but differences between topiramate and placebo in VAS scores or in the secondary efficacy endpoints did not reach statistical significance in any of the three studies. Across all studies, 24% of topiramate-treated patients and 8% of placebo-treated patients discontinued due to adverse events; groups did not differ in the occurrence of serious adverse events. CONCLUSION: These studies did not find topiramate to be significantly more effective than placebo in reducing pain scores in patients with painful diabetic polyneuropathy. Several design features may have precluded the studies from having sufficient sensitivity to differentiate effective and ineffective treatments. The study design and results are instructive for other investigators designing future clinical studies in neuropathic pain.

Monotherapy comparative trials: placebos and suboptimal comparators.

The superiority of a drug can be demonstrated using several comparative designs against either placebo, or a low dose of the study drug or standard anti-epileptic drug (AED). Firstly, the population could consist of inpatients admitted for presurgical monitoring. Although these trials are scientifically interpretable, and involve direct comparison of the study drug against placebo, they are, in general, too short in duration to be able to define clinical relevance. Secondly, patients with refractory epilepsy can participate in monotherapy substitution studies during which patients are randomised to one of at least two arms with the baseline AED subsequently tapered and discontinued. These patients are maintained on monotherapy for the rest of the trial. An enriched design can also be used in which patients successfully converted to a high dose of the study drug, are then randomised to either the high or low dose of the treatment. The ethics of such enriched designs is questionable. More recently, studies have been carried out in patients with new onset seizures. In such designs, patients are randomised to the study drug (possibly at different dosages), versus a placebo or pseudo-placebo control. Comparative trials in patients with newly-diagnosed epilepsy makes it more difficult to obtain significant differences due to the high number of patients needed and the usually lengthy time course of the study.

The Neurotoxicity Scale: the validity of a patient-based scale, assessing neurotoxicity.

The validity of a patient-based scale, presumably measuring adverse effects of drugs on cognitive function, was examined in a normal volunteer study. Thirty subjects were randomly assigned to placebo or one of two doses of a benzodiazepine, temazepam (10 mg and 20 mg), in a double-blind placebo-controlled parallel group design. Plasma samples were taken before the scale was completed and up to 8 hours post-dose. After administration of the medication the subjects were asked to maintain their normal daily routine as much as possible (reading, studying, conversations). The inventory was administered twice, at 50 minutes and 2 hours post-dose (peak level). The overall score was different between the three groups, only for the second assessment, 2 h post-dose (ANOVA, P < 0.02). Multiple t-testing between the three groups revealed statistically significant differences between placebo and the 10 mg temazepam group (P = 0.02) and between placebo and the 20 mg temazepam group (P = 0.006). No significant difference was found between the two temazepam groups. Analysis of the separate questions showed least sensitivity for questions related to the domain of 'hyperexcitability' and most sensitivity for 'fatigue' and 'slowing.' The overall score appeared to be sensitive already for the lower toxicity range suggesting an 'all or nothing effect'. The subjective reports, collected by using this scale, may therefore be used for the detection of gross overall changes in cognitive functioning.

Hyponatremia associated with carbamazepine and oxcarbazepine therapy: a review.

Hyponatremia, an electrolyte disturbance usually without clinical significance, may sometimes lead to serious complications when overlooked or not treated appropriately. One cause of hyponatremia, the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH) secretion, has been associated with some drugs, including carbamazepine (CBZ). Because of its antidiuretic effects, CBZ has been used successfully to treat diabetes insipidus centralis. Possible mechanisms for the antidiuretic effects of CBZ have been proposed. Altered sensitivity to serum osmolality by the hypothalamic osmoreceptors appears likely, but an increased sensitivity of the renal tubules to circulating ADH cannot be excluded. CBZ has led to hyponatremia in patients with epilepsy, neuralgia, mental retardation, and psychiatric disorders with a frequency varying from 4.8 to 40%. Oxcarbazepine (OCBZ), which is structurally related to CBZ, has shown similar hyponatremic effects, but whether hyponatremia occurs more often than with CBZ is not yet clear. Experience with OCBZ is still limited, and there is no definite explanation for a possible difference in antidiuretic potency. Most patients with CBZ/OCBZ-induced hyponatremia are asymptomatic. In rare cases, water intoxication has been reported, necessitating treatment discontinuation.

Clinical development outlook of oxcarbazepine.

Oxcarbazepine (OCBZ) has been accepted for registration as a first-line antiepileptic drug (AED) in several countries. However, because of changing regulations, further studies confirming statistically significant proof of efficacy are necessary in accordance with new standards. Therefore, Ciba has initiated a worldwide clinical development program to achieve registration. Four different types of design to demonstrate statistically significant proof of efficacy in partial seizures will be initiated. These studies are a "classical" polytherapy add-on study, a monotherapy substitution trial, a high-dose/low-dose active-control monotherapy study, and a study in presurgical patients.

Oxcarbazepine: clinical development program.

Oxcarbazepine (OCBZ, Trileptal) is registered in several countries and has been well received by patients and physicians. However, newer standards in many other countries require additional data before registration can be achieved. For this reason, Ciba has implemented further clinical studies. OCBZ has a chemical structure that is closely related to carbamazepine (CBZ). In humans, OCBZ is not oxidatively metabolized, therefore causing little, if any, induction of hepatic enzymes. Because of this, and because of low protein-binding properties, OCBZ causes markedly fewer interactions with concomitant medications than most marketed antiepileptic drugs. OCBZ has been shown to have significantly fewer limiting side effects (described as side effects leading to discontinuation of treatment) than CBZ, while showing comparable efficacy. Many patients who are hypersensitive to CBZ can be treated with OCBZ. The usually administered dosage of OCBZ is approximately 50% higher than that of CBZ. However, better tolerability of OCBZ makes it possible to give higher dosages. The plasma concentration half-life of the active metabolite (monohydroxy derivative; MHD) makes it possible to administer OCBZ twice daily. No changes in dosage are necessary in patients with impaired renal function unless creatinine clearance is below 30 ml/min. In patients with such severely reduced creatinine clearance, the dose of OCBZ should be halved. Specific questions e.g., such as whether OCBZ causes hepatic enzyme induction at higher doses and the effect of OCBZ on intrinsic sex hormones, will be answered in future studies. In addition, the tolerability and pharmacokinetics of OCBZ in specific target populations such as the elderly, children, and hepatically impaired patients will be addressed.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Influence of single and repeated doses of oxcarbazepine on the pharmacokinetic profile of felodipine.

Eight healthy male volunteers (age 25-41 years) entered an open-label, within-subject study. They were treated for 13 consecutive days with felodipine (FEL) extended-release tablets, 10 mg daily. On day 6, oxcarbazepine (OXC) 600 mg was given in the morning, and from day 7 to 13, the daily dose was increased to 450 mg b.i.d. Blood samples for measurement of FEL and its pyridine metabolite (determined by gas-chromatography) were drawn just before dosing and at 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, and 24 h after dosing on days 5, 6, and 13. Steady-state pharmacokinetic parameters of FEL and its pyridine metabolite were not influenced by the single dose of OXC. Repeated coadministration of OXC significantly reduced the area under the concentration-time curve (AUC0-24) of FEL by 28% and the FEL maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) by 34%. This reduction in FEL bioavailability is much smaller than that observed after co-administration of carbamazepine (CBZ) (i.e., 94%).