Monocyte recruitment in tuberculosis and sarcoidosis

Monocytopoiesis and blood monocytes were investigated in nine patients with active tuberculosis and in six patients with active sarcoidosis in order to obtain information on monocyte consumption in these two types of granuloma. All patients with tuberculosis demonstrated a marked increase in proliferation activity of monocytopoiesis and premature monocyte marrow release. These changes indicate a high monocyte consumption which probably is caused by a high macrophage death rate due to the high macrophage-toxicity of tubercle bacilli. Thus, tuberculous lesions are an example of a "high turnover granuloma". In sarcoidosis monocytopoiesis showed no significant deviations from the normal. This indicates a low macrophage turnover or "low turnover granuloma". Thus, any hypothetical agent assumed to be involved in the pathogenesis of sarcoidosis would have to possess low macrophage-toxicity.

Steroid delivery systems for contraception

Scientific disciplines not normally associated with pharmaceutical development have been employed to enhance the effectiveness and attractiveness of two approaches to steroidal contraception. The use of a bioerodible polymeric carrier for predictable systemic steroidal administration has removed the largest hurdle to the development of a subcutaneous contraceptive implant. A polymeric progesterone delivery system has provided a method for localizing hormonal contraception in the uterine cavity. Extensions of these technologies may provide two useful tools in limiting fertility in an already overcrowded world.

Monocytopoiesis in chronic eczematous diseases, psoriasis vulgaris, and mycosis fungoides

Monocytopoiesis and blood monocytes were examined in 8 patients with disseminated chronic eczematous diseases, 8 patients with disseminated psoriasis vulgaris, and 8 patients with mycosis fungoides in plaque or tumor stage. Monocytopoiesis was moderately stimulated in all these patients. The stimulation manifested itself by: (1) a rise in relative number of promonocytes in bone marrow in all patients with eczema, in 1 out of 8 patients with psoriasis, and in 7 out of 9 examinations in patients with mycosis fungoides; (2) a rise in [3H]thymidine labeling indices of medullar promonocytes (8/8 eczema, 7/7 psoriasis, 8/9 mycosis fungoides); and (3) a rise in the naphthol-AS-D-chloroacetate esterase activity of blood monocytes, indicating premature monocyte marrow egress (3/5 eczema, 7/8 psoriasis, 9/9 mycosis fungoides). In eczema and psoriasis the mean enhancement of monocytopoietic activity was similar but less pronounced than in mycosis fungoides. In the latter disease there was no correlation between measured parameters and visible skin lesions. The results were interpreted as indicative of increased monocyte consumption by pathologic, immunologic, and/or inflammatory processes.