[Effect of gelatin and dextran infusion on the reticuloendothelial system]

The purpose of this study was evaluation of the phagocytic ability of peripheral blood leucocytes and reticuloendothelial system of the lungs, liver and spleen after one infusion of plasma-substituting preparations: Fluigel and dextran 70 in volumes of 20 ml/kg of body weight. The experiments were done in rabbits. The response of the reticuloendothelial system was assessed on the basis of its ability of eliminating foreign erythrocytes labelled with 51Cr from the circulating blood and radioactivity accumulation in the liver and spleen. It was found that infusion of Fluigel and dextran produced transient changes in the function of the reticuloendothelial system with increased number of granulocytes and a fall of their radioactivity 3 and 6 hours after infusion, reduced ability of pulmonary 51Cr accumulation and increased storage in the spleen observed 24 hours after infusion.

[Neurologic disorders in acute intermittent porphyria]

In a material of 28 patients with acute intermittent porphyria and 2 with mixed porphyria neurological disturbances occurring in acute attach and the degree of their persistence during remission were analysed. The obtained results indicate that the symptoms of acute attach are neurogenic. In the acute phase of the disease a reversible disturbance of function develops in the first place in the nerve fibres with acetylcholine-type of impulse transmission. Clinically detectable permanent signs of polyneuropathy were observed only in some cases with most severe and prolonged acute attack.

Porphyric polyneuropathy and its pathogenesis in the light of electrophysiological investigations

Twenty-four patients with acute intermittent porphyria were examined by means of routine electromyographic (EMG) tests, measurements of motor and sensory conduction in peripheral nerves and stimulation fatigue tests. The EMG results gave evidence of an initial, reversible disorder of function of the peripheral neuron, only sometimes followed by evidence of axonal degeneration of the "dying back" type. In stimulation fatigue tests there was some evidence of potentiation but none of fatigue. Attention is drawn to some analogies between the electrophysiological changes in porphyric polyneuropathy and in botulism. It seems that the pathogenesis of porphyric polyneuropathy may be dependent upon a block of cholinergic endings.

Increased protoporphyrin in erythrocytes in a child with acute intermittent porphyria

A child is described with acute intermittent porphyria but having an erythropoietic component, with disordered metabolism of porphyrins in bone marrow.