The effect of different kinds of animal housing on parameters of collagen metabolism in guinea pigs

Parameters of collagen metabolism were investigated in guinea pigs, both untreated and treated with glucocorticoids. One series consisted of animals housed under normal conditions, the others of SPF animals from the same strain. There are marked differences in certain parameters, including the hydroxyproline content and the reaction of the collagen to glucocorticoids.

[Coagulation factors in human born blisters (author's transl)]

Following clotting factor assays were performed on the fluid of burn blisters of 11 patients with severe burns: Fibrinogen levels, Factor II, V, X and XIII, thrombin time, fibrin split products, plasminogen, antithrombin III, IgA, IgM, IgG, ethanol gelation test and total proteins. The results showed, that a quantity of Factor II, X and XIII, antithrombin III, plasminogen and IgG had left the circulation. On the contrary we found only small concentrations of Factor V, fibrinogen, IgM and IgA in the fluid of burn blisters. This distribution suggested that the losses of plasma proteins into the burn blisters were correlated to their concentration and their molecular weight. The decrease of plasma coagulation proteins during the first days after severe burns was probably partly due to losses through the walls of the vessels, because of the increased capillary permeability.

[Factor XIII deficiency in burns]

In 34 patients with severe burn injuries platelets, fibrinogen, prothrombin time, partial thromboplastin time, thrombin time and factor XIII were measured daily. Half of the patients were administered 15 000 IE of heparin per 24 hours. In the first 4 days there was a rapid fall of factor XIII to a value of approximately 30%. Values remained very low during the whole observation period of up to 20 days. However, in patients treated with heparin, values tended to be 10--15% higher. After an initial decline on the tenth day, the platelets had risen to the lowest normal level. Platelets were identical in both groups. The causes for the changes in these haemostasis parameters, their significance, and possible consequences of therapy are discussed.

The influence of fluocortolone treatment on the collagen content in guinea pig skin

Specific pathogen free guinea pigs were treated with varying dosis of fluocortolone for 15 days. The treated animals showed the same per cent weight gain as the controls. The total hydroxyproline content of the skin and the hydroxyproline content in different collagen fractions was the same in treated and untreated animals. Thus fluocortolone seems to have no specific effect on the synthesis or the breakdown of collagen in the guinea pig skin. Also the physical development of the animals, kept under defined conditions, failed to show a catabolic effect of of fluorcortolone.

[Platelet dysfunction as a result of inhibition of ADP release (aspirin-like defect) in two identical twins(author's transl)]

An abnormal release of platelet adenosine diphosphate (ADP), as seen after intake of acetylsalicylic acid, was demonstrated to be the cause of a clotting disorder in two identical female twins. The signs of bleeding occurred at the age of 26 and consisted of an increased frequency of haematomas, hypermenorrhoea not explained on gynaecological grounds, and prolonged bleeding after minor injuries. Increased bleeding time, abnormal aggregation after stimulation with collagen and absence of the second aggregation phase after addition of ADP were the abnormal findings of this clearly hereditary form of platelet dysfunction. The platelets were slightly larger than normal ones and there were changes in ultrastructure.

[Doppler measurement of arterial pressure for assessing therapeutic measures after arterial occlusion (author's transl)]

Arterial pressure differences between arm and foot arteries can be easily measured by the Doppler method and in this way the gradient across an arterial occlusion of the lower limbs approximately quantified. An increase in gradient after induced ischemia is inversely proportional to its compensation. Pre- and postoperative measurements on 51 limbs demonstrated that functional results of arterial reconstruction can be thus assessed and their further course objectified.