Use-dependent block of voltage-gated Cav2.1 Ca2+ channels by petasins and eudesmol isomers

Migraine is a frequent and often disabling disease. Treatment is unsatisfactory in many patients. A disturbed dynamic balance between excitatory and inhibitory signal processing with enhanced cortical activity probably underlies common forms of migraine. Presynaptic voltage-gated Ca(2+) channels are critical determinants of neurotransmitter release and also contribute to trigeminovascular signal transduction. Because clinical evidence exists for migraine-prophylactic actions of Petasites hybridus extracts, we investigated whether petasins comprising the main constituents of the extract inhibit currents through presynaptic Ca(v)2.1 channels expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes. P. hybridus extract (0.02 mg/ml), petasin, neopetasin, isopetasin, S-petasin, and iso-S-petasin (50 microM) were weak tonic blockers of Ca(v)2.1-mediated barium currents (I(Ba)) during infrequent depolarizations (0.1 Hz), but their inhibitory potency increased at higher stimulation rates (1 Hz), indicating preferential block of open and/or inactivated channels. Sulfur-containing compounds (S-petasin, Iso-S-petasin) were the most potent significantly promoting the accumulation of Ca(v)2.1 channel in inactivated states during pulse trains (I(Ba) decrease during 1-Hz pulse trains: control, 45%, S-petasin, 79%; iso-S-petasin, 80%). For the Eucalyptus williamsiania sesquiterpenes alpha- and gamma-eudesmol, a comparable use-dependent inhibition was found in addition to a tonic block component. Alpha-eudesmol and petasins accelerated the voltage-dependent inactivation of Ca(v)2.1 channels during depolarizations. We demonstrate that S-petasin, iso-S-petasin, and eudesmol are Ca(v)2.1 channel inhibitors preferentially acting as use-dependent channel blockers and with the sulfur-containing substituent in position 3 of the petasins serving as important functional feature. The Ca(v)2.1-inhibitory properties of these petasins may contribute to migraine-prophylactic properties described for P. hybridus extracts.

[Perinatal outcome in multiple pregnancy after natural reproduction and ART techniques]

In this study we analysed occurrence of multifetal pregnancy in groups of patients after natural reproduction and after using ART between 1991-1998 in clinical material. We showed the most important complications during pregnancy, occurrence of TTTS, percentage of prematurity, percentage and indications to caesarean sections. We found that above-mentioned manifestations of perinatal care were comparable with reports of Polish and foreign authors.

[The usefulness of MESA-ICSI (microsurgical epididymal sperm aspiration and intracytoplasmic sperm injection) in cases of obstructive azoospermia]

Till the end of March 1998 first seven trials of MESA-ICSI (microsurgical epididymal sperm aspiration and intracytoplasmic sperm injection) in the Ist Chair and Clinics of Obstetrics and Gynecology of the Silesian Medical Academy in Bytom were performed in cooperation with an urologist from the IInd Chair and Clinics of Urology in Zabrze in couples suffering from sterility caused by obstructive azoospermia. In all the cases both contraindications and conditions of MESA-ICSI were respected. Fertilization rate of the MII oocytes was on average 62% and cleavage rate of the fertilized oocytes 76.9%. After embryo transfer at least two pregnancies occurred, from them one is ongoing well. The result of the last procedure is not known yet. The data obtained permit to conclude, that MESA-ICSI makes a real chance to possess their own children by couples with sterility caused by obstructive azoospermia.

Mixed lymphocyte culture responses in rabbits undergoing corneal grafting and topical cyclosporine treatment

Using a vascularized cornea rabbit model closely resembling human high-risk keratoplasty, corneal allografts were performed on three groups of animals that were paired and tested preoperatively by mixed lymphocyte cultures (MLCs). The three groups were group A, unmodified controls with clear corneas; group B, untreated animals with vascularized corneas; and group C, animals treated with topical cyclosporine (CSA) with vascularized corneas. The MLC results were expressed as stimulation indices (SIs) and divided into low (SI < or = 20) and high (SI > 20) responders and were correlated with final outcome of grafts using survival analysis estimates. In group A, five of 13 (38.5%) grafts rejected, the chance of failure depending on the degree of MLC mismatch between donor and recipient (p = 0.02). All allografts in group B rejected regardless of the degree of mismatch. In group C, seven of 12 (58.3%) grafts rejected, indicating that topical CSA significantly improved survival (p = 0.003) compared with group B. Grafts with mild degrees of MLC mismatch (low responders) survived better (p = 0.0003) than did higher degrees of MLC mismatch (high responders), all of which rejected despite treatment. Our results indicate that both corneal vascularization and the degree of donor-recipient matching play important roles in determining corneal graft survival.

[Laparoscopy in clinical practice. II. Usefulness in diagnosis of sterility]

The paper presents results of 1099 laparoscopies performed in sterility. Laparoscopy was made in the second phase of the menstrual cycle, 5 to 7 days after probable ovulation, as a last stage in diagnosis of sterility. Normal state of genital organs and minor pelvis was noted in 20.9% of investigated patients. In the remaining more than one etiologic factor was found, which may influence the sterility. The authors concluded, laparoscopy is valuable, accessory method in the diagnosis of sterility, which enables sometimes to find the etiologic factor in patients with "unexplained infertility".

[Laparoscopy in clinical practice. III. Complications]

In the paper authors made analysis of complications, which have appeared among 1527 laparoscopies. The authors noted complications in 14 cases (0.91%) among the whole laparoscopic interventions. The most frequent complication was subcutaneous oedema, which was noted in 7 cases (0.46%). Injury of internal organs was noted in 6 cases (0.39%) and cardiac arrest in 1 case (0.06%). In author's opinion laparoscopy carry a small risk of complications.

[Laparoscopy in clinical practice. I. Indications]

In the paper the authors analyzed indications to 1527 laparoscopies. The most frequent indications were: sterility (72.2%) and suspicions of adnexal tumours or extrauterine gravidity (14.1%). In 173 diagnostically difficult cases laparotomy was avoided. In these cases laparoscopy allowed to exclude the pelvic pathology or to quality to laparoscopic operation of ovarian cysts and intact tubal pregnancy. Diagnostic and operative laparoscopy give the possibility of quick diagnosis in diagnostically difficult cases and enables avoidance of laparotomy in many cases.

[Modern methods of treating ectopic pregnancy using surgical laparoscopic methods]

The authors present modern methods of radical treatment of tubal pregnancy by the endoscopic technique. The methods are presented of conservative and radical treatment of tubal pregnancy by laparoscopy.

[Use of diagnostic and operative hysteroscopy in clinical practice]

In the paper authors present indications and results of 141 hysteroscopies. The most frequent indications were: sterility, Asherman syndrome suspected, infertility and abnormal uterine bleeding. 55 diagnostic and 86 operative hysteroscopies were performed. In sterility and infertility group of patients were present 49.6% pathological findings of uterine cavity, between them the most frequent were: uterine septa and intrauterine adhesions. In the remaining cases the intrauterine pathology were present in 75.8% cases, between of them the most frequent were intrauterine adhesions and endometrial hyperplasia. Hysteroscopy should be the method of choice in some cases of gynecological pathology.

[Use of laparoscopy in gynecology]

Paper concerns 1822 performed laparoscopies. The most frequent indications to laparoscopy were: sterility, adnexal mass, tubal pregnancy and pelvic pain syndrome. In 80% cases of sterility we found pathologic findings, which could be the cause of sterility. adnexal mass, tubal pregnancy and pelvic pain syndrome. In 80% cases of sterility we found pathologic findings, which could be the cause of sterility. In 75% of cases we confirmed adnexal mass, which were operated by laparoscopy or by laparotomy. In 17 cases we confirmed unruptured tubal pregnancy, which were conservatively operated by laparoscopy or by laparotomy. Laparoscopy is useful method in gynecology, especially in diagnostically difficult cases of gynecologic disease.

[Laparoscopic surgery in gynecologic practice]

Paper concerns 293 laparoscopic operations. The most frequent types of laparoscopic operations in presented material were: adhesion lysis in minor pelvis (33.8% cases), cystectomy and cyst-ovariectomy (27.6%) and electrocoagulation of ovarian capsule. Operative laparoscopy because of small injury is useful method in the treatment some gynecological disease.

[Complications of endoscopy in gynecology]

The paper concerns the complications which appeared during 1822 laparoscopies and 141 hysteroscopies. The overall percentage of complications in presented material was 0.82% for laparoscopy and 2.8% for hysteroscopy. The most frequent complication during performance of laparoscopy was subcutaneous emphysema (8 cases). The most frequent complication during hysteroscopy was uterine wall perforation, which appeared in 3 cases during incision of dense and massive intrauterine adhesions. All patients with complications of gynecologic endoscopy recovered well.

[Treatment of tubal pregnancy laparoscopically]

Five cases of unruptured tubal pregnancy treated laparoscopically are described. Basing on the clinical evaluation of them we concluded, that selected cases of unruptured tubal pregnancy may be successfully treated using the laparoscopic technics. The use of this technics is less traumatic for patient, shorted the time of her stay in the hospital and lower the costs of therapy.

Collection and cryopreservation of human stem and progenitor cells for bone marrow transplantation

Bone marrow collection was undertaken from human organ donors (Group 1: n = 7) to develop a closed-system single-step technique for stem and progenitor cell enrichment, using the Cobe 2997 continuous-flow blood-cell separator. The effects of programmed freezing, storage in liquid nitrogen, and thawing were then defined using these grafts. Once standardised, this method was extended to autografting following cryopreservation of a comparable fraction (Group 2: n = 8) and then to allogeneic transplantation after ex vivo exposure to the lytic monoclonal antibody. Campath-1 IgM and human complement, but without cryopreservation (Group 3; n = 9). The median number of mononuclear cells harvested was 5.0 x 10(6)/mL (n = 24), and this was not significantly different in the three groups. The ex vivo graft, composing marrow rich anticoagulated whole blood, was recirculated in the separator at a flow rate of 60 mL/minute, with a centrifuge speed of 1,100 r.p.m., and the mononuclear cell fractions were collected at the rate of 1.5 mL/minute. The average procedure time from formation of the interface in the single disposable channel to achievement of the final volume was 90 minutes. The mean recovery of the mononuclear cells was 101.4% (SD 38.0) and the GM:CFUc was 91% (SD 43.86). These figures were not significantly influenced by subsequent cryopreservation (Group 1; n = 7 and Group 2; n = 8) or following exposure to the monoclonal antibody. Campath-1 IgM (Group 3; n = 9).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)