Hematological studies in induction of abortion by extra-amniotic administration of sulproston

Biological action and half life in plasma or intramuscular sulprostone for termination of second trimester pregnancy

Sulprostone levels in plasma, platelet function and clinical effects were examined in four patients after intramuscular injection of 500 microgram sulprostone for induction of missed and therapeutic abortion in the second trimester of pregnancy. The half life of sulprostone in plasma was 34 (30-45) minutes. The highest sulprostone levels were found 10 to 20 minutes after injection (0.25-0.77 ng/ml) and after 120-240 minutes the values in plasma were no longer distinguishable from zero. Platelet count remained constant. 20 minutes after the injection platelet aggregation was slightly decreased, but not to a significant level. There was no correlation between sulprostone levels in plasma and pain of labour or induction abortion times. Side effects were minimal.

Changes in body temperature after administration of acetylcholine, histamine, morphine, prostaglandins and related agents

This survey, the second in a series, presents extensive tabulations of literature, primarily since 1965, on thermoregulatory effects of cholinergic agonists and antagonists, histamine and H1- and H2-receptor antagonists, narcotic analgesics and antagonists in both non-tolerant and tolerant subjects and of prostaglandins and related agents. The information listed includes the species used, route of administration and dose of drug, the environmental temperature at which the experiments were performed, the number of tests, the direction and magnitude of body temperature change and remarks on the presence of special conditions, such as age or lesions, or on the influence of other drugs, such as antagonists, on the response to the primary drug.