Chemical constituents of genianaceae XX: natural occurrence of (-)-loliolide in Canscora decussata

Loliolide was isolated as a native compound from Canscora decussata Schult (Gentianaceae). Physical and spectral (UV, IR, PMR, CMR, and mass spectra) properties of the compound and its acetate derivative established its identity. The significance of the cooccurrence of loliolide with a number of carotenoids in C. decussata and the facile transformation of violaxanthin into loliolide and violoxin are discussed in the light of the biogenesis of the degraded carotenoid.

Chemical constituents of Gentianaceae XIX: CNS-depressant effects of swertiamarin

CNS activity of swertiamarin, a secoiridoid glucoside from Swertia chirata, was evaluated. An apparent anomaly, associated with the unanticipated finding that the alcoholic extracts (excluding mangiferin) of S. chirata significantly reversed the mangiferin-induced CNS-stimulating effects in albino mice and rats, was resolved. The results indicate that swertiamarin and mangiferin antagonize each other in vivo and thereby reverse their CNS effects.

Tracheoesophageal and aortoesophageal fistulae complicating corrosive esophagitis

A 51-year-old man suffered third-degree caustic burns of the esophagus and proximal two-thirds of the stomach. A tracheoesophageal fistula developed, and surgery was performed to exclude the esophagus from gastrointestinal reflux and to divert the oral secretions. An uneventful postoperative course was interrupted on the 27th day after the burn by massive hemoptysis and sudden death. Autopsy revealed an aortoesophageal fistula in addition to a tracheoesophageal fistula.

Lithium protection against oxygen toxicity in rats: ammonia and amino acid metabolism

1. The use of Li pre-treatment in rats before high pressure oxygen exposure has been reported effective in controlling convulsions. This is an effect which is better demonstrated if exposure to oxygen follows shortly after Li injection than exposure following several hours later. 2. This study has investigated the hypothesis that the protective action of Li may be exerted, in the short term, by its removing ammonia from the blood and alleviating the latter's known toxic action. 3. A normal Li distribution time profile in unstressed rat brain and blood following intraperitoneal injection has been established. Brain and blood ammonia, amino acids and Li concentrations were also measured in Li-treated animals exposed and convulsed by oxygen. These measurements were made both shortly (15 min) and also several hours after (24 hr) Li treatment. Ammonia and amino acid values in Li-protected groups were compared to normal unstressed animal values and also to values in animals convulsed by oxygen unprotected by Li pre-treatment. 4. In rat brain abd blood significant (P less than 0-001) elevation of ammonia and glutamine and depression of gamma-amino butyric acid (brain only) and glutamate was noted following oxygen treatment in unprotected animals. Prior injection of Li 15 min before high pressure oxygen exposure delayed convulsions twice as long. Additionally if these animals were only exposed to oxygen for a period of time equal to that which would normally produce convulsions in unprotected animals, brain and blood ammonia and amino acids were maintained near to unstressed animal levels. Concomitantly, blood Li concentrations were considerably depressed below the values one would expect from the previously determined Li distribution time profile. 5. In rats exposed to high pressure oxygen 24 hr after Li treatment there was no protective action against high pressure oxygen convulsion, rather a potentiating effect for convulsion was seen. 6. These data present compelling evidence for the controlling effect of Li in rats, on rising blood ammonia concentration which occurs in high pressure oxygen exposure. The effect might well be due to the known chelating properties of Li with ammonia.

Diffuse hypertrophy of gastric mucosa (Menétrier's disease) and iron-deficiency anaemia

A 23-year-old woman presented with intractable iron-deficiency anaemia. A barium meal showed widespread mucosal abnormalities in the stomach and massive mucosal hypertrophy was found at laparotomy. Repeated tests for occult blood were negative but gastrointestinal haemorrhage was confirmed by isotopic blood labelling. In the face of persistent anaemia and radiological progression, total gastrectomy was performed, since when a normal blood picture has been maintained. The excised stomach showed hyperplasia of all the mucosal elements, minimal inflammation, and no obvious bleeding point. Blood loss was attributed to diapedesis from a greatly increased capillary network.

Improved automated technique for the estimation of iron in ferrioxamine

A modified automated technique for the estimation of iron in the ferrioxamine complex is described. The use of sodium dithionite as the reducing agent gave greater recovery from ferrioxamine-containing solutions when compared with a standard manual method and automated method currently used. In addition errors due to urinary pigments are eliminated by dialysis.