[Mixed tumor of the lacrimal gland (case history over a 20-year period)]

A case of the tumor of the orbita is presented. It caused large exophthalmus and partial damage of orbital bones without any loss in the visual acuity in the 20-year period of increasing. Before operation a tumor of the lacrimal gland or an angioma was suspected. A histopathological examination of the whole removed tumor revealed the presence of mixed tumor cells.

[Evaluation of microsomal enzyme function in the liver in patients with duodenal ulcer treated with famotidine]

The studies of microsomal liver enzyme activity by means of a respiratory test with 14C-aminopyrine (ABT) were carried out in 20 patients with duodenal ulcer treated for eight weeks with famotidine. The respiratory test was performed before the introduction of treatment (group I), after four weeks of treatment (group II), and after eight weeks of treatment (group III). The mean value of the respiratory test before treatment was 5.32% of the dose/h. After four weeks of treatment with famotidine a significant decrease was found of the test value (x = 4.79% of the dose/h). An even stronger inhibitory action of famotidine on the microsomal system was shown after eight weeks of the treatment (x = 4.46% of the dose/h). These results evidence a depressive effect of famotidine on the activity of liver monooxygenases. In patients taking this drug, other drugs metabolised in the hepatocyte microsomal system should be used with high caution, as well as those which are known to be inhibitors of this system.

[Transforming growth factors and their role in chronic liver diseases]

The transforming growth factors are endogenous polypeptide substances having own cell receptors. Among them two main factors have been isolated--transforming growth factor alpha (TGF alpha) and beta (TGF beta). TGF alpha is secreted by activated proliferating hepatocytes and by certain neoplastic cells. It stimulates the synthesis of DNA and migration of hepatic epithelial cells. In chronic liver diseases it is produced in increased amounts and stimulates then proliferation and regeneration. TGF beta is released by non-parenchymal liver cells, thrombocytes, and neoplastic cells. It inhibits the synthesis of DNA in many cells, inhibits the synthesis of albumins and fibrinogen and regulates the production of acute phase proteins. In chronic liver diseases it increases the production of fibronectin and collagen, inhibiting at the same time their enzymatic breakdown. TGF beta participates in the development and progression of hepatic fibrosis.

[Evaluation of microsomal liver enzyme function in patients with duodenal ulcer treated with ranitidine]

Functioning of hepatocytes has been assessed with respiratory test with aminopyrine labelled with 14C radioisotope in patients with duodenal ulcer treated with ranitidine. Reversibility of changes in liver microsomal system at different intervals after the completion of therapy has also been evaluated. Altogether 30 patients with duodenal ulcer treated with ranitidine have been examined: prior to the treatment--group Ia, after one day of ranitidine administration--group Ib, within 4 weeks of therapy--group Ic, within 8 weeks of therapy--group Id, and one week after the completion of the treatment--group Ie, as well as after a 4-week follow-up period--group If. Significant decrease in the results of respiratory test has been noted in patients treated with ranitidine after both four and eight weeks. Activity of liver mono-oxidases approached baseline values after one week following the completion of therapy. The results of routine liver functioning tests in all patients of groups I and II have been within normal values. The obtained results suggest that patients treated with ranitidine should cautiously be given other medicines, especially those affecting liver functioning or metabolized in the liver.

[Assessment of microsomal enzyme function in liver of patients with duodenal ulcer treated with famotidine]

The liver microsomal enzymes activity was measured by aminopyrine breath test in 20 subjects with duodenal ulcer disease treated with famotidine for 8 weeks. Aminopyrine breath test was performed, before treatment (group I), after 4 weeks of therapy (group II) and after 8 weeks of treatment with famotidine (group III). The mean aminopyrine breath test value before treatment was 5.32% dose/h. After 4 weeks of treatment with famotidine statistically significant decrease of breath test values (x = 4.79% dose/h) was found. More strong microsomal enzymes inhibition was found after 8 weeks of famotidine therapy (x = 4.46% dose/h). These data indicate an inhibitory effect of famotidine on liver monooxygenases activity. In patients taking this drug, treatment with other drugs metabolised in liver and with drugs inhibiting the microsomal system must be very cautions.

[Liver microsomal enzyme function in patients with duodenal ulcer treated with cimetidine]

The functional status of hepatocytes was evaluated using the breathing test with 14C-aminopyrine in a group of patients with duodenal ulcer treated with cimetidine, and the reversibility of liver microsomal system activity changes was assessed at various time intervals after the completion of treatment with the above mentioned drug. Thirty patients with duodenal ulcer treated with cimetidine were examined: before the treatment (Ia), after one day of treatment (Ib), after four weeks of treatment (Ic), after eight weeks of treatment (Id), one week after completion of treatment (Ie), and four weeks after completion of treatment. A significant decrease was found of the value of the breathing test already after one day of treatment with cimetidine which was more pronounced after four and eight weeks of treatment. An impaired microsomal system activity was shown even one week after completion of the treatment with cimetidine. The obtained results indicate the necessity of caution when other drugs are administered to patients treated with cimetidine, and this refers particularly to drugs impairing liver function, or metabolized in this organ.

[Assessment of the functional state of microsomal enzymes in the liver in patients with small cell lung cancer treated with cytostatic drugs]

Assessment of the functional state of the liver microsomal enzymes with 14C-aminopyrine breath test (ABT) was performed in 42 patients with small cell lung cancer before treatment (group I), in 30 patients with small cell lung cancer treated with cytostatic drug after remission induction of Houston program (group II) and in 30 healthy volunteers of control group (group III). The classic liver tests were determined. Statistically low values of aminopyrine breath test in patients with advanced cancer (stadium III) were found. Values of ABT decreased further after the cytostatic drugs treatment. Abnormal results were found in 83% of patients in the group II. Values of classic liver tests in whole population (group I, II, III) were within normal limits. Abnormal values of ABT that indicate inhibition of aminopyrine demethylation may indicate early functional hepatocytes lesion after cytostatic treatment. This test should be done previously in patients needing treatment with other metabolised in liver or with microsomal system inhibitors.