Transplacental passage of aluminum from pregnant mice to fetus organs after maternal transcutaneous exposure

Aluminum is present in tap water, antiperspirants and cosmetics up to 20%. Teratogenicity of aluminium was clearly identified after per os or intravenous administration. Malformations and other alterations by aluminium intoxication were evaluated in fetus. In the present study, we investigated the possible transplacental passage of aluminium and its accumulation in the tissue after cutaneous uptake. Female Swiss mice received aluminium chloride by cutaneous way (0.4 micrograms/day) during 20 days of gestation. The samples were assayed for aluminium quantification by graphite furnace atomic absorption with Zeeman correction. This treatment led to an increase of aluminum in maternal and fetus samples (serum, amniotic fluid and organs) as compared to controls.

Inhibition of protein synthesis in a cell-free system and Vero cells by okadaic acid, a diarrhetic shellfish toxin

Okadaic acid, a diarrhetic shellfish toxin, is a potent promoter of tumors in mouse skin and a specific inhibitor of protein phosphatases 1 and 2A. In the present study, we investigated its effects on protein synthesis in Vero cells and rabbit reticulocyte lysate. Protein synthesis was inhibited by okadaic acid in Vero cells in a concentration-dependent manner (IC50 = 3.3 x 10(8) M-1). DNA synthesis was also inhibited by okadaic acid in Vero cells in a concentration-dependent manner (IC50 = 5.3 x 10(8) M-1). DNA synthesis inhibition in Vero cells occurred only after 8 h or longer. RNA synthesis was inhibited with an IC50 of 8.2 x 10(8) M-1. The time lag before DNA and RNA synthesis inhibition occurred was longer than the time lag before protein synthesis inhibition occurred in the same cells (4 h), indicating that protein synthesis is probably the main target and the first of okadaic acid's cytotoxic effects. Moreover, the inhibition of DNA and RNA synthesis is probably a consequence of the inhibition of protein synthesis. Since okadaic acid does not impair the uptake of the precursor of protein synthesis, it is assumed that the inhibition is due to a direct effect on one of the components of the protein synthesis machinery. We then used a cell-free system of rabbit reticulocyte lysate in which specific mRNA is translated into globin to ensure that protein synthesis is a direct target of okadaic acid in vitro. In rabbit reticulocyte lysate, okadaic acid inhibited protein synthesis in a concentration-dependent manner (IC50 = 6.3 x 10(12) M-1) with a correlation coefficient for percent inhibition values of r = .918. The molecular target of okadaic acid inside the cell whereby protein synthesis is inhibited remains to be discovered.

Bioaccumulation of water soluble aluminium chloride in the hippocampus after transdermal uptake in mice

Normally, only very small amounts of ingested aluminium are absorbed and accumulated. Despite the percutaneous absorption of many drugs and chemicals, the skin has not been considered as a possible site at which aluminium could enter the body. Application of low aqueous concentrations of aluminium chloride (A1C1(3), 6H20) (0.025-0.1 micrograms/cm2) to healthy shaved Swiss mouse skin for 130 days led to a significant increase in urine, serum and whole brain aluminium, especially in the hippocampus, compared to control animals. This percutaneous uptake and accumulation of aluminium in the brain was greater than that caused by dietary exposure to 2.3 micrograms per day in feed and water. In vitro studies demonstrated the passage of aluminium through viable mouse skin. This study shows for the first time that aluminium is absorbed through the skin of mice in vivo and this contributes to a greater body burden than does oral uptake.

High performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection used for laboratory routine determination of fluvoxamine in human plasma

Fluvoxamine is an antidepressant drug introduced into the clinic in 1986. It acts by selectively inhibiting neuronal serotonin recapture. It can be quantified by several methods, including high performance liquid chromatography. The HPLC method used so far needs special equipment and has poor sensitivity. The technique is difficult and time consuming. An easier, quicker and more sensitive HPLC assay for the routine determination of fluvoxamine in human plasma has therefore been developed. After alkalinisation and direct extraction by a mixture of n-hexane-isoamylic alcohol 985: 15 (v/v) of plasma samples, the organic phases were further extracted by HCl 0.1 N. Thirty microL of the final extract (with loxapine as internal standard) were injected directly into a C-8 column with a mobile phase consisting of 370 mL acetonitrile, 0.4 mL diethylamine, 630 mL of distilled water, 25 mL pic B5. UV detection at 254 nm was used. The whole process was completed in 40 min. The detection limit was 10 ng mL-1. No interference was found either with several benzodiazepines or with antidepressant drugs commonly associated during treatments.

Crescita e morfologia della linea cellulare prostatica umana U285 trattata con mepartricina, finasteride e suramina: Confronto tra i farmaci

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of mepartricin on the proliferation and morphology of U285 cells with those induced by suramin and finasteride, both substances which have been investigated previously. Proliferation was evaluated by the FRAME Cytotoxicity Test, exposing the cells to increasing doses of mepartricin, between 0.1 μg/ml and 5 μg/ml, from the moment of seeding for 24 hours. The morphology was evaluated by scanning electron microscope (SEM). The FRAME Test showed a statistically significant decrease (p<0.05) in proliferation at all times of observation and at all doses in those cultures exposed to mepartricin right from seeding. Those where treatment was given 24 hours later, only showed this decrease with the highest doses. SEM highlighted the reduced capacity of the cells to proliferate, confirming data from the FRAME Test. These results therefore indicate that mepartricin has an anti-proliferation effect both in the Lag phase and the logarithmic growth phase. This behaviour differs from that of suramin and finasteride, which have less marked effect on cellular growth.

[Ambulatory anesthesia in arthroscopy of the knee: proposal of an intravenous general anesthesia technique]

The Authors propose a technique completely i.v. for arthroscopy of the knee by means of proposal discontinuous infusion. The advantage underlined are tolerability, efficaciousness, features of awakening and a few collateral effects verified, and this leads to be conclusion that this anaesthesia system must be considered of choice in this type of surgery.

Saturnism caused by hand-made plates: partial diagnosis by a computer-aided program

A man, aged 41 years, suffering from anaemia and abdominal pains was admitted to the Department of Medicine. Over the previous 2 years he had had several periods in hospital for these symptoms. There was, apparently, no occupational or accidental exposure to toxic substances and a correct diagnosis of the condition had not been possible. The computer-aided program AIDEDIAG II was therefore used to attempt a diagnosis. This approach indicated possible saturnism which was confirmed by metabolic and lead analyses. The lead source was identified as the hand-made food-plates used by the patient for his meals.

[Contribution to the determination of four antimalarial molecules (chloroquine, quinine, pyrimethamine, sulfadoxime) mixed in biological fluids. I. Spectrophotometry UV (author's transl)]

Antimalarial therapy is directed more and more towards the use of associated substances: Pyrimethamine, sulfadoxime, quinine et chloroquine. The authors propose a method of direct determination of these four molecules mixed in biological fluids. The recommended extraction process followed by a spectrophotometric UV determination is fast, reproductible and sufficiently sensitive to study the evolution of a therapy.

[Persistence of lymphocytotoxic antibodies in multiparas examined several years after their last pregnancy]

Cytotoxic antibodies were searched in 422 pregnant women at different times after the last pregnancy (1 to 42 years). The percentage of antileukocytes isoimmunization was 12%. There was no correlation between cytotoxic antibodies and frequency of abortion. The role of cytotoxic isoantibodies during pregnancy is discussed.