Histamine H2 receptor mediated relaxation of buffalo (Bubalus bubalus) ureter

On the buffalo ureter, histamine did not elicit any direct effect. However, it caused concentration-dependent relaxation of the tissues precontracted by carbachol, phenylephrine, norepinephrine, KCI or BaCl2 and also inhibited the contractile effect of carbachol. Metiamide selectively antagonised the relaxation and inhibition of contractile response but mepyramine did not show this effect. Isoprenaline, dobutamine, salbutamol, verapamil and papaverine neither produced any direct effect nor relaxed the carbachol-contracted tissues; norepinephrine and epinephrine had contractile effects. Hence, the histamine-induced relaxation was mediated through the activation of H2 receptors and not through adrenergic mechanisms or blockade of Ca(2+)-channels or inhibition of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase.

Alcohol and Indian porphyrics

The role of alcohol as the precipitating factor in the induction of acute attacks of acute intermittent porphyria was studied in an Indian population. Thirty-four teetotal patients with acute intermittent porphyria, in remission, were given 60 ml of 30% ethanol. Except for two patients, all had negative Watson-Schwartz tests prior to the alcohol. Within 24 hours, the Watson-Schwartz test became positive in 16 of these 32 patients (50%). In 8 out of the 34 patients (23.5%) a clinical attack was precipitated, including both patients who had a positive Watson-Schwartz test prior to the alcohol. It was concluded that alcohol does precipitate an acute attack in a significant percentage of patients of Indian origin with acute intermittent porphyria. Patients already excreting porphobilinogen are at a greater risk of developing an acute attack on alcohol ingestion. This study is the first from India and probably first of its kind to be reported from any country.

Pathogenesis of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. Gait analysis and electrophysiologic, genetic, histopathologic, and enzyme studies in a kinship

Little has been written about the pathogenesis of pes cavus in Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT). In 12 of 22 patients in a family with known autosomal dominant CMT, a predictable pattern of progression was related to a centrifugal pattern of innervation of the extremity. The gait pattern had greater complexity than the steppage gait. Pelvic shift and elevation on the swing side were used to clear the "drop foot" from the floor. Lateral flexion of the trunk to the opposite direction was used for balance. Previous descriptions of the etiology of pes cavus did not apply to this family. The mode of development of pes cavus in CMT is not known and requires further investigation.

Pathogenesis of pes cavus in Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease

Of 22 persons from a single kinship of known Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease, 12 were found to be affected. All 12 had a pes cavus deformity. The insidious atrophy of the intrinsic musculature of the foot progressed to a fixed soft tissue and bony cavus deformity.

Vascular permeability increasing action of the saline extract of Dictyocaulus filaria--a preliminary report

The cutaneous hypersensitivity reaction in sheep infected with Dictyocaulus filaria was investigated. The saline extract of the worms increased the cutaneous capillary permeability in both the infected and uninfected control animals. Similar increase in the permeability was also observed in uninfected healthy rabbits. The results suggest that the vascular permeability increasing action of the worm extract is, partly, due to histamine release.

Effect of some antihistaminic drugs on the oestrous cycyle of rats

The effect of some antihistaminic drugs namely antazoline hydrochloride, diphenhy, dramine hydrochloride and mepyramine maleate has been investigated on the oestrous cycle in albino rats. On daily intraperitoneal administration, for 6 days, all the three drugs (10 mg/kg) significantly (P less than 0.001) prolonged the duration of oestrous cycle. The duration of subsequent cycle returned to near normal.

In vitro anthelmintic action of some indigenous medicinal plants on Ascardia galli worms

Different parts of ten indigenous medicinal plants were screened for their in vitro anthelmintic activity against Ascaridia galli worms of the birds. Preparations from Carica papaya, Sapindus trifoliatus, Butea frondosa and Momordica charantia were more effective than piperazine hexahydrate.

Changes in blood histamine and bradykininogen levels during different periods of the oestrous cycle in goats

Blood histamine and plasma bradykininogen levels were estimated in eighteen normally cyclic goats at different periods of the oestrous cycle. The histamine level increased significantly (P smaller than 0.05) on Day 18 of the oestrous cycle. The bradykininogen level decreased significantly (P smaller than 0.05) towards the end of oestrus.