Lung vascular permeability enhanced by sympathetic nerve stimulation in rats

Role of sympathetic nerves in increasing the lung vascular permeability was investigated in the presence of papaverine using an isolated rat lung perfusion preparation. Sympathetic nerve stimulation was performed at different time points before and after pressure-induced weight gain. When stimulated at 3 or 7 min after the pressure associated increment, stimulation evoked a further increase in lung weight, particularly in the former case. In contrast, stimulation performed before or 15 min after the pressure increment elicited no such response. The histological finding of carbon particles in the perivascular wall after sympathetic nerve stimulation also provided direct evidence of increased lung vascular permeability.

Effect of methylprednisolone on recovery of beta-adrenergic desensitization in rat hearts

The effects of methylprednisolone (Solu-Medrol, CAS 83-43-2) on isoprenaline (isoproterenol)-induced decreases in the number of beta-receptors and adenylate cyclase activities in rat hearts. Rats were divided into 4 groups: 1. the control group, untreated; 2. the ISPOd group; 3. the ISP7d group, 10 mg/kg of isoprenaline was subsequently injected once a day for 6 successive days, and rats were cervically dislocated 15 h or 7 days after the last isoprenaline injection, respectively; 4. the ISP + MP7d group, 20 mg/kg of methylprednisolone was intraperitoneally injected once a day for 7 successive days following 6 successive days of isoprenaline injection, and rats were cervically dislocated. A significant decrease in the number of beta-receptors was observed (28.9 +/- 4.2 fmol/mg protein) after 6 successive isoprenaline injections compared with the control (41.7 +/- 3.6), and this significant decrease persisted for 7 days (32.6 +/- 5.8). Administration of methylprednisolone accelerated the recovery of beta-receptors (38.4 +/- 5.1) 7 days after the last isoprenaline injection. Adenylate cyclase activities were also decreased by successive isoprenaline treatments (isoprenaline-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity, 13.9 +/- 2.7 pmol/min/mg protein; basal adenylate cyclase activity, 11.2 +/- 1.7) compared with the control (isoprenaline-stimulated, 25.7 +/- 3.7; basal, 18.1 +/- 2.4). Significant decreases in adenylate cyclase activities were observed 7 days after isoprenaline administration (isoprenaline-stimulated, 17.7 +/- 3.9; basal, 14.8 +/- 2.4). Methylprednisolone also accelerated the recoveries (isoprenaline-stimulated, 20.3 +/- 2.9; basal, 17.1 +/- 3.9). These results indicate that methylprednisolone accelerated the recovery of the decrease in beta-adrenergic responsiveness caused by successive administrations of isoprenaline.

[Use of iontophoretic anesthesia for venipuncture]

The usefulness of iontophoretic anesthesia with 10% lidocaine was evaluated on insertion of venous catheters on 38 blood donors in a blood bank and on 41 patients in a hospital, after the arm was charged for 3, 6 or 9 minutes with 1.5 mA of electricity by using a hand-made iontophoretic anesthesia apparatus. In the blood donor group, the pain-relief effect was observed in 25% of donors after charging for 3 min; in 68% after 6 min; and in 93% after 9 min. In the patient group, anesthesia was observed in 14% of patients after 6 min and in 65% after 9 min though the effect was observed in 81% after 6 min and in 65% after 9 min. But only 45-48% of subjects in both groups requested the anesthesia after charging for either 6 or 9 min. This suggests that the duration for 9 min was not liked by the subject despite the pain on insertion. Therefore it is concluded that the charging duration of the iontophoresis must be shorter for this method to become useful as local anesthesia.

Inhibitory effects of ulinastatin on the production of cytokines: implications for the prevention of septicemic shock

The study was designed to determine whether ulinastatin can be used as a biological response modifier for the prevention of septicemic shock. Monocytes from heparinized blood of three healthy volunteers were incubated with 0.125 or 1.25 U/ml of ulinastatin, and then endotoxin (Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide) was added at concentrations of 0.1, 1.0, and 10.0 micrograms/ml. A dose-dependent increase in the production of tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin-1 alpha, and interleukin-1 beta was noted after endotoxin stimulation. Production of these cytokines was inhibited by the addition of ulinastatin in a dose-dependent manner. The results indicate that ulinastatin could be useful in the prevention of septicemic shock.

Evaluation of IPM/CS in gram-negative bacillus infections: use of an endotoxin-specific assay

The subjects were 26 patients hospitalized with severe trauma or burns. Twice daily for seven to 14 days, 1 gm of IPM/CS (a 1:1 combination of imipenem and cilastatin sodium) was administered by intravenous drip infusion to each patient. Clinical outcome was rated excellent in nine patients, good in 12, and fair in five. Bacteria, isolated in 21 of the 26 patients, were eliminated in 18 and decreased in three. Mean endotoxin levels, assessed by the Endospecy method, were reduced from 167.8 pg/ml before treatment to 5.1 pg/ml after treatment. No treatment side effects were noted.

[Pathological studies of multiple submucosal gastric gland lesions in thirty-eight cases]

We have examined 38 stomachs with the adenocarcinoma and multiple submucosal gastric gland (SG) lesions. Almost the SG lesions consisted of the foveolar epithelium, which stained negative with alcian blue whereas the ordinary glands stained positive with con-A (III), or with both types of epithelium, and they had no atypicality. Only 14 out of 2,188 SG lesions (0.63%) showed atypical proliferation. Three hundred and forty-nine out of 1,535 SG that were examined by lysozyme staining were strongly lysozyme positive. Almost all the propria mucosa in the areas of the minute SG showed erosive lesions with an atrophy of ordinary glands, glandular erosion, and a regenerative epithelium. Eleven stomachs (11/38 cases, 29.0%) had multiple adenocarcinomas.

Effects of antiarrhythmic agents classified as class III group on ischaemia-induced myocardial damage in canine hearts

1. The cardioprotective effects of antiarrhythmic agents classified as class III, amiodarone, sotalol and E-4031, were investigated in anaesthetized dogs. 2. The left anterior descending coronary artery was occluded for 2 h. 3. Heart mitochondria were prepared from both the ischaemic and non-ischaemic areas, and their function was estimated polarographically. 4. Activities of the lysosomal enzymes, N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase and beta-glucuronidase, were measured in each fraction. 5. Two hour occlusion induced ventricular arrhythmias, and amiodarone, sotalol and E-4031 greatly suppressed the development of arrhythmias. 6. Amiodarone, sotalol and E-4031 significantly protected mitochondria against ischaemia, and prevented ischaemia-induced leakage of lysosomal enzymes. 7. Antiarrhythmic agents classified as class III show cardioprotective effects, which might participate in their antiarrhythmic effect.

Perchloric acid, toxicolor, endospecy, and miconazole in the early diagnosis and treatment of fungemia

As a procedure for the diagnosis of fungemia, Toxicolor and Endospecy (limulus tests using a synthetic chromogenic substrate) were used to measure (1----3)-beta-D-glucan (beta-glucan), which is a membranous component of fungus. The plasma samples were pretreated with a new perchloric acid method. These methods permit measurement of the beta-glucan within about two hours. Patients in whom fungemia was diagnosed were effectively treated with miconazole.

[Changes in (a-ET) PCO2 produced by acetazolamide in red cells, not in plasma]

The changes in (a-ET) PCO2, concentration of acetazolamide and inhibition rate of carbonic anhydrase in blood were measured for 3 hours after administration of acetazolamide to anesthetized dogs, in order to find whether the changes in (a-ET) PCO2 was in response to the concentration of acetazolamide in red cells or plasma. 1. The increase in (a-ET) PCO2 was stable for 3 hours after administration of acetazolamide (5-30 mg/kg). 2. According to the concentration of acetazolamide measured by HPLC, the concentration in erythrocytes increased quickly but decreased more slowly than in plasma. The concentration of acetazolamide in erythrocytes became higher than in plasma after 3 hours. 3. The change in the inhibition rate of CA activity in red cells and in plasma paralleled to the concentration of acetazolamide in red cells and in plasma. 4. (a-ET) PCO2 levels could be raised by low CA activity inhibited by acetazolamide in red cells, not in plasma. 5. Remaining in higher concentration of acetazolamide in erythrocytes might be occurred by the reason that acetazolamide combines with protein, especially CA, in erythrocytes to be unable to pass through the erythrocytes membrane smoothly.

[A case of apnea during spinal anesthesia after intravenous injection of sedatives]

During spinal anesthesia for appendectomy (sensory level: -Th7), apnea occurred for about 20 minutes by intravenous administration of diazepam. Since the patient showed hyperventilation sign before the incident, this apnea might be caused by low PaCO2 and stopping respiratory stimulation from psychological unrest when diazepam, pentazocine and droperidol were administered. In the postoperative period, this patient showed normal neurologic and psychosomatic functions. In such a case as this, long duration of apnea might damage brain by severe hypoxia. Apnea after hyperventilation during spinal anesthesia as observed in this case could lead to a serious accident.

Cardioprotective effects of various class I antiarrhythmic drugs in canine hearts

This study was designed to clarify the cardioprotective effects of various class I antiarrhythmic drugs, i.e., aprindine, disopyramide, flecainide, lidocaine, mexiletine, pentisomide and propafenone, on the ischemic heart. Sixty-one adult mongrel dogs were classified into eight groups according to premedication: 1) control group, physiologic saline solution was administered intravenously 25 min before left anterior descending coronary artery ligation; 2) aprindine group, 3 mg/kg body weight of aprindine intravenously; 3) disopyramide group, 2 mg/kg of disopyramide intravenously; 4) flecainide group, 2 mg/kg of flecainide intravenously followed by drip infusion of 100 micrograms/kg per min; 5) lidocaine group, 2 mg/kg of lidocaine intravenously followed by drip infusion of 100 micrograms/kg per min; 6) mexiletine group, 3 mg/kg per min of mexiletine intravenously followed by drip infusion of 15 micrograms/kg per min; 7) pentisomide group, 5 mg/kg intravenously; and 8) propafenone group, 2 mg/kg intravenously. Arterial blood pressure and electrocardiogram were monitored throughout the experiment. Two hours after coronary occlusion, the heart was excised. Myocardial mitochondria were prepared and mitochondrial function (the respiratory control index and the rate of oxygen consumption in state III) was measured polarographically. Fractionation of myocardial tissues was performed and the lysosomal enzyme (N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase and beta-glucuronidase) activities among fractions were measured. No significant hemodynamic changes were observed compared with the control group except for those in the disopyramide and flecainide groups; that is, decrease in heart rate without changes in blood pressure compared with the control group was observed. All antiarrhythmic drugs effectively prevented the development of ventricular arrhythmias associated with ischemia.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Cardioprotective effect of bepridil on ischemic myocardial damages in dogs

The cardioprotective effect of bepridil was investigated. Nineteen adult mongrel dogs were divided into 2 groups; in the control group, physiological saline was administered and 25 min later the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) was occluded for 2 hr; in the bepridil group, bepridil (1 mg/kg) was administered 25 min before 2 hr LAD occlusion and followed by a constant infusion (1 mg/kg/hr). Blood pressure and electrocardiogram were monitored throughout the experiment. Two hours after occlusion, mitochondria were prepared from both nonischemic and ischemic areas in each group, and their function was measured polarographically. Fractionation of myocardial tissue from both nonischemic and ischemic areas was performed, and activities of lysosomal enzymes (N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase and beta-glucuronidase) were measured in each fraction. In the bepridil group, decrease in heart rate was observed without significant changes in blood pressure. In the control group, mitochondrial dysfunction and leakage of lysosomal enzymes induced by 2 hr occlusion were observed. Administration of bepridil significantly maintained the mitochondrial function and significantly prevented the leakage of lysosomal enzymes. These results indicate that bepridil might have a cardioprotective effect on ischemic myocardium.

[A clinical study of amino acid metabolism in cancerous hypoproteinemia--the role of branched chain amino acids (BCAA) and appropriate compositions of BCAA in parenteral nutrition]

In order to determine the nutritional effects of BCAA compositions in the treatment of cancerous hypoproteinemia, the appropriate ratio of I-leu: Leu: Val and the proportion of BCAA to Total Amino Acids were investigated. As for results, indices such as the serum albumin, the RBP and N-balance quickly recovered to normal levels when the ratio of I-leu: Leu: Val was 1.0:1.8:1.0 and the proportion o BCAA to TAA was 31%. These composition thus may be suitable for the treatment of cancerous hypoproteinemia.

[CO2 elimination in ophthalmic surgery after administration of acetazolamide]

The authors studied the influence on CO2 elimination in lungs of acetazolamide given before ophthalmic surgery. The changes in PaCO2, PETCO2, (a-ET) PCO2, ventilation volume (VE), and respiratory rate (RR) were measured before and 6 hours after administration of acetazolamide (500mg, p. o.). Comparison of PETCO2, PaCO2, (a-ET) PCO2, VE and RR after the operation with or without treatment with acetazolamide showed that (a-ET) PCO2 increased significantly and the increase of PaCO2 in post-anesthesia period was less with the treatment of acetazolamide. In other words, ventilation was stimulated by acetazolamide as the decrease in VE was less in post-anesthesia period. It may be concluded that oral administration of acetazolamide 500mg does not interfere with CO2 elimination.

Factors mediating a regional difference in vasorelaxing effects of human natriuretic polypeptide in dogs

Factors mediating a regional difference in vasorelaxing effects of atrial natriuretic polypeptide (ANP) were investigated, using the canine pulmonary and renal arteries. Isolated preparation was suspended in an organ bath, and the isometric tension was recorded. ANP relaxed both arteries dose-dependently under precontraction with methoxamine (3 x 10(-5) M). The maximum relaxation was extremely different between the two arteries: 78.5% and 8.6% of maximum relaxations caused by papaverine in the pulmonary and renal arteries, respectively. Removal of the endothelium affected neither the relaxation of pulmonary artery nor that of renal artery. Methylthionine (10(-5) M) greatly diminished the maximum relaxation in the pulmonary artery, but not in the renal artery, indicating that some free radical species may mediate the relaxation of pulmonary arteries to ANP. Methoxamine-induced contractions were inhibited by isosorbide dinitrate (10 and 30 nM) in both pulmonary and renal arteries, in a noncompetitive manner. Nifedipine (10 and 30 nM) inhibited the contractions competitively in the renal artery, but not in the pulmonary artery. Even in the Ca++-free solution, ANP diminished the methoxamine-induced contractions of the pulmonary arterial strips more effectively than those of the renal arterial strips. From these results, we concluded that the regional difference in the ANP-induced relaxation between the pulmonary and renal arteries was derived, partly, from a difference in the mechanism of intracellular Ca++ mobilization.

The effect of cibenzoline on myocardial damages in dogs

The antiarrhythmic and cardioprotective effects of cibenzoline (4,5-dihydro-2-(2,2-diphenylcyclopropyl)-1H-imidazole) were investigated. Nineteen adult mongrel dogs were divided into 2 groups; in the control group, physiological saline (25 ml) was administered, and 20 min after, the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) was occluded for 2 h; in the cibenzoline group, cibenzoline (2 mg/kg), was administered 10 min before 2 h LAD occlusion. Blood pressure and appearance of arrhythmias were monitored throughout the experiment. Two h after occlusion, mitochondria were prepared from both ischemic and non-ischemic areas in each group, and their functions were measured polarographically. Fractionation of myocardial tissue from both ischemic and non-ischemic areas was performed, and activities of lysosomal enzymes (N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase and beta-glucuronidase) were measured in each fraction. Administration of cibenzoline significantly reduced the appearance of ventricular arrhythmias in association with ischemia. Cibenzoline did not change significantly blood pressure and heart rate. In the control group, mitochondrial dysfunction and leakage of lysosomal enzymes induced by 2 h occlusion were observed. Administration of cibenzoline maintained significantly mitochondrial function and prevented significantly leakage of lysosomal enzymes. These results indicated that cibenzoline has a cardioprotective as well as an antiarrhythmic effect on ischemic myocardium.

The effects of SUN 1165, a novel sodium channel blocker, on ischemia-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and leakage of lysosomal enzymes in canine hearts

The cardioprotective effect of SUN 1165, a novel sodium channel blocker, was investigated on ischemic myocardium. Nineteen anesthetized dogs were subjected to 2 hours coronary occlusion, and divided into 2 groups. In the control group, physiological saline was infused. In the SUN 1165 group, 2 mg/kg of SUN 1165 was injected intravenously. Two hours after occlusion, heart mitochondria were prepared from both ischemic and non-ischemic areas in each group, and their functions (RCI and St.III O2) were measured polarographically with succinate as a substrate. Fractionation of myocardial tissue from both non-ischemic and ischemic areas was performed according to the method of Weglicki et al., and the activities of lysosomal enzymes (NAG and beta-gluc) were measured. In the control group, mitochondrial dysfunction and leakage of lysosomal enzymes induced by 2 hours occlusion were observed. Administration of SUN 1165 maintained mitochondrial function, and prevented the leakage of lysosomal enzymes caused by ischemia significantly. These results indicated that SUN 1165 has a cardioprotective effect in ischemic heart.

Differing time courses between delta lactate and mitochondrial respiration during coronary occlusion and after reperfusion in canine hearts

The present study was designed to clarify whether or not a difference between arterial and venous lactate (delta lactate) levels is useful for evaluation of mitochondrial function in ischemia-reperfused myocardium. In the first experiment, 12 dogs were divided into 2 groups: 10-min occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) followed by 10-min reperfusion, or 30-min occlusion followed by 40-min reperfusion, were performed. The lactate levels in the femoral artery and the great cardiac vein were measured enzymatically. delta Lactate was reversed immediately after occlusion. Ten min and 20 min were required for the recovery of delta lactate in the 10-min-occlusion with 10-min-reperfusion, and 30-min-occlusion with 40-min-reperfusion groups, respectively. In the second experiment, 36 dogs were divided into 6 groups: 10-min occlusion of LAD; 10-min occlusion with 10-min reperfusion; 30-min occlusion; and 30-min occlusion with 10-, 20-, or 40-min reperfusion were performed. Mitochondria from normal and occluded or reperfused areas were prepared, and the respiratory function of the mitochondria was measured polarographically. No significant decreases in the mitochondrial function were observed in the 10-min-occlusion, and 10-min-occlusion with 10-min-reperfusion groups. On the other hand, respiratory function of mitochondria was impaired by 30-min occlusion and was not improved by 10- or 20-min reperfusion. Significant recovery in the mitochondrial function was observed after 40-min reperfusion. That is, differing recovery time courses between delta lactate and the mitochondrial function were observed.

Effects of isosorbide dinitrate on thromboxane A2 synthesis in carbon dioxide exposed platelets

Isosorbide dinitrate (Nitorol R, 100 nmol/l) blocked an increase in thromboxane B2 concentration in human platelet-rich plasma caused by exposure to high CO2 tension, in the presence of arachidonic acid. Thromboxane B2 concentrations obtained at 1 or 2 mmol/l or arachidonic acid were not influenced by isosorbide dinitrate at low CO2 tension. Inhibitory action of isosorbide dinitrate on the thromboxane A2 synthesis appears to have a close relation to the site of CO2 action.

Existence of leukotoxin 9,10-epoxy-12-octadecenoate in lung lavages from rats breathing pure oxygen and from patients with the adult respiratory distress syndrome

Pulmonary influxed neutrophils have been suggested to be involved in the development of hyperoxia-induced lung injury. We recently revealed that a highly toxic substance, 9,10-epoxy-12-octadecenoate, is biosynthesized by human neutrophils, thus it was named leukotoxin. Because hyperoxia-induced lung injury is a model of adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), this study was designed to investigate whether or not leukotoxin is involved in the genesis of pulmonary oxygen toxicity and ARDS. After exposure to hyperoxia for 60 h, rats showed acute pulmonary edema, which was evidenced by increased lung weight, albumin concentrations, and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) activities in lung lavages. These changes were correlated with an increased number of neutrophils. We detected leukotoxin in lung lavages of rats after exposure to hyperoxia for 60 h by high performance liquid chromatography and gas-chromatography/mass spectrometry. After intravenous injection of leukotoxin (100 mumol/kg) to rats, acute edematous lung injury occurred showing increases in lung weight, lung lavage albumin concentrations, and lung lavage ACE activities. In the lung lavages obtained from 5 patients with ARDS, significant increases in albumin concentrations and ACE activities were observed compared with those from subjects without pulmonary disease. Moreover, considerable amounts of leukotoxin, 38.5 +/- 21.9 nmol/lung lavage, were observed in the lavages from patients with ARDS. These findings suggest that leukotoxin plays an important role in the genesis of acute edematous lung damage in pulmonary oxygen toxicity, and that leukotoxin also links with the development of lung injury observed in patients with ARDS.

Exchange of labeled bicarbonate and carbon dioxide with erythrocytes suspended in an elutriator

An elutriator was used to study exchange of labeled CO2 and bicarbonate with erythrocytes. Rabbit erythrocytes were suspended by centrifugation in a stream of fluid and exposed to transient injections of an extracellular indicator (125I-albumin or 22Na+), a water indicator (3H2O), and H14CO3- and/or 14CO2. Diffusion of indicators into erythrocytes was judged by comparison of initial concentrations of diffusible and extracellular indicators in the elutriator outflow. It was possible to conduct these experiments at normal hematocrits because any carbonic anhydrase released from erythrocytes by hemolysis was washed away in the elutriator flow, and ambient pH, PO2, and PCO2 were kept constant by the inflow of fresh fluid. Equilibration of HCO3- with erythrocytes was complete during the 7- to 10-s transit time through the chamber. After this exchange was irreversibly inhibited by the anion exchange inhibitor, DIDS (4,4'-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid), addition of carbonic anhydrase (100 mg/dl) accelerated exchange, but acetazolamide (20 mg/dl) was without effect. These observations were consistent with the absence of carbonic anhydrase on the surface of the erythrocytes.

Lysozyme activity of cystic mucosal and submucosal glands in the stomal area of the gastric remnant

In order to study the lysozyme activity in the cystic mucosal and submucosal glands in the stomal area of the gastric remnant, which is one of the components of gastritis cystica polyposa, we carried out a pathological and immunohistochemical examination of 55 patients with gastric remnants, including 19 with stomal carcinoma, after partial gastrectomy for benign gastro-duodenal diseases. These stomach specimens were examined immunohistochemically for lysozyme. The cytoplasm of some epithelial cells of cystic mucosal and submucosal glands, which showed characteristic changes in the gastro-intestinal stoma as well as background changes in the stomal carcinoma, showed a strongly positive reaction for lysozyme. These strongly lysozyme-positive cells in the cystic mucosal glands appeared more frequently in the cases of stomal carcinoma than in the non-cancerous controls.

Graphic analysis of serotonin effects in dog heart-lung preparation

Graphical analysis of the effects of serotonin on cardiac function and pulmonary circulation was performed, using the dog heart-lung preparation. The equilibrium points, at which the cardiac output (CO)-curve and venous return (VR)-curve cross in the right atrial pressure (RAP) or left atrial pressure (LAP)-CO relations, were directly recorded on two X-Y recorders. CO- and VR-curves were directly depicted by changing the blood level in the reservoir, and by inducing ventricular fibrillation and simultaneously occluding pulmonary arterial trunk, respectively. Single injections of serotonin, 300 micrograms, into the right or left atrium, induced a negative inotropic response. Low rate (less than 30 micrograms/min) of infusion of serotonin had no effect on the CO-curve or on the slope-gradient of VR-curve in the LAP-CO relation. At a rate of 60 or 120 micrograms/min, however, the CO-curve was moved downwards to the right, indicating a negative inotropic effect. Pulmonary mean filling pressure increased and the slope-gradient of pulmonary VR-curve decreased, indicating an increased resistance to venous return from the pulmonary circulation. Pulmonary arterial pressure was markedly elevated. In order to obtain the capacitance ratio between the extracorporeal circuit and the pulmonary circulation, a shift of blood volume to the pulmonary circulation was induced by elevating the aortic pressure, which also decreased the slope-gradient. The calculated capacitance ratio became greater during the infusion of serotonin, indicating that the capacitance in the pulmonary circulation was lowered. It is likely that serotonin has contractile effects on the pulmonary arterial and venous vascular beds, elevating the pulmonary filling pressure and resistance to venous return.

Management of acid-base balance with red blood cell carbonic anhydrase (RCA). II. Control of acid-base balance with acetazolamide

Acetazolamide, a carbonic anhydrase (CA) inhibitor, was used to normalize metabolic alkalemia. A dosage of acetazolamide for normalizing metabolic alkalemia has not yet been experimentally determined. The dosage of acetazolamide for this purpose is experimentally calculated in this paper. The correlation between various concentration of acetazolamide mixed with blood and the base excess (BE) levels in blood at the start of normalizing metabolic alkalosis was studied in vitro. The change rate of the BE level was calculated from BE levels noted before and after tonometry of the blood with and without acetazolamide. A dosage of acetazolamide which can cause the change rate of the BE level to decrease is considered to be an effective dosage. Metabolic alkalosis in vitro was produced by adding bicarbonate into the blood. An effective dosage of acetazolamide for metabolic alkalemia of which the BE range was from 0 to + 30 mEq/liter was calculated. CA activities in the kidney and the blood of dogs administered acetazolamide were examined. The effective dosage of acetazolamide obtained from in vitro experiments inhibited the CA activities not only in the blood but also in the kidneys. An effective dosage of acetazolamide to normalize a BE of + 10 mEq/liter in vitro was converted into about 7-12 mg/kg in vivo. This dosage inhibited the red blood cell carbonic anhydrase (RCA) activity to 20-40%, whereas the normal physiological variation range is 25%. An effective dosage of acetazolamide in the blood did not proportionally increase with an increase of HCO3- during severe alkalosis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

In vivo localization of radiolabeled monoclonal antibody to carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in a CEA-producing tumor--comparison with polyclonal antibody

To compare accumulation of the 125I-labeled antibodies (anti-carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) monoclonal antibody and polyclonal antibody) to a CEA-producing tumor (SC-2-JCK), an in vivo localization study was performed in nude mice. The tumor-to-blood ratio at 120 hours after injection rose to 4.6 for the monoclonal antibody, but remained at 1.3 for the polyclonal antibody. However, no differences were noted between the antibodies up to 72 hours after injection. In autoradiograms, selective accumulation of the tracer was noted in the tumor for both antibodies. However, no superiority or inferiority of imaging for either of the antibodies could be definitely determined.