Pharmacokinetics of procainamide and N-acetylprocainamide in rats

The pharmacokinetics of distribution and elimination of procainamide and its major metabolite, N-actylprocainamide, were studied in rats. Eight rats were selected randomly, and each received intravenously 14C-labeled procainamide hydrochloride (75 mg/kg) or 14C-labeled N-acetylprocainamide hydrochloride (86 mg/kg) according to a two-way crossover design. Serial blood samples were withdrawn for 8 hr, and cumulative urine and feces were collected for 48 hr. The plasma concentration-time relationships of procainamide and N-acetylprocainamide were characterized by one- and two-compartment open models, respectively. A pseudo-three-compartment model was necessary to characterize the time course of N-acetylprocainamide in plasma formed after administration of procainamide. The biological half-lives of procainamide and N-acetylprocainamide averaged 0.66 and 2.1 hr, respectively. The urinary excretion profiles of these drugs and the ratio of their biological half-lives in rats were similar to those in humans.

Effect of coronary artery ligation on the pharmacokinetics of N-acetylprocainamide in dogs

The effect of ligation of the left anterior descending and septal coronary arteries on the distribution of N-acetylprocainamide (NAPA) was studied in 13 mongrel dogs. The animals received a rapid i.v. infusion of 20 mg/kg NAPA.HCl. In 6 dogs the arteries were ligated simultaneously 10 min after administration of the drug. The other dogs received the same dose without anesthesia or surgery and served as control. Coronary ligation procedure resulted in a significantly higher initial plasma concentration of NAPA, presumably because of a significant decrease in the apparent volume of central compartment. The biologic half-life, the apparent volume of distribution and the total clearance of the drug remained unchanged in both groups of animals. The results of this study suggest that while the pharmacokinetics of elimination of NAPA remain unchanged, the distribution and the effective plasma concentration might be altered by the coronary ligation procedure under anesthesia.

Effect of thiamine hydrochloride on the blood level of 2-formyl 1-methyl pyridinium oxime chloride (2-PAM.C1) in rats

The biological half-life of 2-PAM.C1 was found to increase in female rats pretreated with thiamine hydrochloride (10 mg/kg i.m.). No such effect was observed in the male rats.

Acute ischaemic enteritis in Goa

Acute ischaemic enteritis is an uncommon condition which mainly affects young people. It is characterized by ischaemic changes in the small or large bowel which may be reversible in the early stages. The exact aetiology is not known. The condition may be due to toxins produced by either roundworms or Gram-negative bacilli or may be due to a localized allergic reaction. It is possible to make a preoperative diagnosis in most cases from the presence of abdominal pain, bloody diarrhoea and shock. Conservative treatment may be best in early cases but surgery is necessary in those cases where gangrene or perforation has occurred.

Effect of ascorbic acid on histamine metabolism in scorbutic guinea-pigs

1. In guinea-pigs fed an ascorbic-acid-free diet, as the ascorbic acid levels decreased the histamine levels in blood and urine rose steadily to maxima in about 10-12 days. The elevated histamine levels persisted in the blood and urine of scorbutic guinea-pigs and the histamine levels in lung, gastric mucosa and spleen also increased. The increased histamine content of the urine, blood and other tissues in the ascorbic-acid-depleted condition could be brought back to normal levels by administration of a single dose of ascorbic acid 5 mg/100 g body wt. guinea-pig. 3. The drop in the elevated histamine level was not due to an indirect effect of ascorbic acid on histamine forming capacity, histaminase activity or histamine release.

Cavernous haemangioma of the frontal bone: case report

A rare of haemangioma of the frontal bone is presented together with a review of the literature. Carotid angiography was found to be a useful diagnostic aid to differentiate if from other lesions of the frontal bone. The best treatment is to excise both tables containing the haemangioma together with a rim of healthy bone in one block.

Conformations of Di(1-naphthyl) diketone and Di(2-naphthyl) diketone

Experimental dipole moments (1030μ/C m) and molar Kerr constants (1027mK/m5 V-2 mol-1) at 25�C are reported for di(1-naphthyl) diketone (12.1, -1120) and di(2-naphthyl) diketone (12.0, -1170) as solutes in carbon tetrachloride. Analysis of results yields information concerning the preferred structures of these molecules.