MPTP treatment decreases striatal copper content in mice.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to C Rios.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
In this study, we describe the lipoperoxidative effect of quinolinic acid (QUIN) in vitro. The formation of thiobarbituric acid reactive products (TBA-RP), an index of lipid peroxidation, was measured in rat brain homogenates after incubation at 37 degrees C for 30 min in the presence of QUIN and some structurally and metabolically related compounds such as Kynurenine, Kynurenic acid, Glutamate, Aspartate and Kainate. Concentrations of QUIN in the range of 20 to 80 microM increased lipid peroxidation in a concentration-dependent manner from about 15% to about 50%. Kynurenic acid, a compound metabollically related to QUIN that can block its neurotoxic actions in vivo, also inhibited completely the QUIN-induced TBA-RP formation in our system. Lipid fluorescent material, another index of lipid peroxidation was also found increased by 49% after incubation with 40 microM QUIN. It is concluded that lipid peroxidation may be a damaging process involved in the neurotoxicity of QUIN.
The aim of this study was to determine the main contributors to blood lead levels in a population of women from middle to low socioeconomic status in the southwestern part of Mexico City. Within this area, the authors selected a random sample of 200 women. Age ranged from 21 to 57 years, with a mean of 36 years. Among 99 women who agreed to participate in this study, blood lead levels ranged from 1 to 52 micrograms/dL, with a mean of 10.6 micrograms/dL. Five percent of the women had a blood lead level over 25 micrograms/dL and 22% over 15 micrograms/dL. There was no significant trend in blood levels according to age. The main determinants of blood lead levels were higher socioeconomic status (presence of telephone in the house, t-test, p = 0.01) and using lead-glazed ceramics (LGC) to prepare food (t-test, p less than 0.005). There was a significant increasing trend in blood lead levels with increasing frequency of consumption of food prepared in LGC (test for trend, p = 0.0008). Among the dishes prepared in LGC, the main determinant was the consumption of stew. Time spent outdoors and consumption of tap water and of canned food were not important determinants of blood lead levels. The population attributable risk of high blood level (less than 15 micrograms/dL) due to the use of LGC was 58%. These findings demonstrate the major role of traditional pottery as a contributor to blood lead levels in this population and emphasize the need for interventions to produce lead-free pottery.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Pulmonary fibrosis is a serious side effect of nitrosourea therapy, occurring most frequently in patients treated with BCNU. Pulmonary fibrosis developed in a 63 year-old male patient while being treated with adjuvant methyl-CCNU for rectal carcinoma. This toxicity is rare with methyl-CCNU, having only been reported once previously. The case of methyl-CCNU-induced pulmonary fibrosis reported here occurred at a much lower total dose than the first reported case (604 mg/m2 vs. 2,733 mg/m2). Details of the case history, including radiographic and pathologic findings, are presented.
A nonconcurrent, prospective intestinal parasitic disease study in a group of 200 foodhandlers employed in the Panama Canal Area was conducted in mid-1985 as part of an established occupational health medical surveillance program. The study included a review of laboratory testing (i.e., coprological exam), preexisting medical record data, and patient interview information to calculate estimates of incidence and risk factors associated with acquisition of Giardia lamblia and other protozoan/helminthic intestinal parasites. Significant increases in risk of infection were detected for specific native Indian and West Indian employee groups when compared with their Hispanic Panamanian (i.e., Latinos) or North American (i.e., U.S. born) counterparts. A three- to fourfold higher rate of infection was also documented during a one-year period when semiannual rather than annual examinations were conducted. No difference in the therapeutic efficacy of parasitological cure of Metronidazole versus Quinacrine was found when used in the treatment of individuals with asymptomatic G. lamblia infections (85% in both groups). The appropriateness of mass therapy of asymptomatically infected foodhandlers is discussed.
We report a case of lovastatin-induced rhabdomyolysis and resulting life-threatening renal failure. Lovastatin, a hypocholesterolemic agent, decreases endogenous cholesterol synthesis by inhibiting 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (EC 1.1.1.88). This agent has been implicated in causing rare serious side effects in various clinical settings; however, the mechanism of these adverse reactions is not understood. The clinical course of our patient was characterized by profound muscle weakness with marked increases in serum creatine kinase and myoglobin. Light- and electron-microscopic studies of skeletal muscle of our patient demonstrated a noninflammatory myopathy suggestive of ongoing rhabdomyolysis with vacuolization and focal degeneration of myocytes. The patient's symptoms and the laboratory values referable to rhabdomyolysis resolved after discontinuation of the drug. We speculate that the rhabdomyolysis was due to mitochondrial damage secondary to inadequate synthesis of coenzyme Q and heme A, members of the electron-transport system of the inner mitochondrial membrane.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
A histopathological study, with a light microscope, of experimental neuromyopathy produced by thallotoxicosis was undertaken in 40 newborn Wistar rats. Treatment consisted of a single i.p. injection of an aqueous solution of 16 mg kg-1 thallium(I) acetate 1 day after birth. Groups of ten animals were euthanized at either 8 or 50 days of age. Sural nerves, as well as peroneus muscle, were fixed in 10% formaldehyde solution for 15 days and then prepared for histopathological observation. At 8 days of age sural nerves of thallium-treated animals showed a moderate reduction in the large- and medium-sized fibres and several of the myelin sheaths had initial degeneration along the course of the axon. Interstitial oedema was found in both neural and muscular tissues. Distinct features of focal necrosis as well as small haemorrhages were seen in peroneus muscle. At 50 days of age, the lesions were more diffuse. Large and small myelinated fibres were found to be sinuous, fragmented and scanty. Alterations in the large- and medium-sized axons were seen and the myelin sheaths were altered along the course of the axon, suggesting a progressive distal axonopathy. Additionally, muscle fibres had myopathic changes with abnormal central nucleoli and the striated transverse fibres had disappeared in many areas of the sample. Several interstitial foci of muscular necrosis accompanied by phagocytosis and fibrosis were also present.
In the present work we established a relationship between some physicochemical properties of two different batches of Prussian blue (PB) and their in vivo efficacy as an antidote against thallium poisoning. The physicochemical properties studied were crystallite size and thallium-adsorbing capacity. One of the batches was synthesized and the other was obtained from commercial sources. The synthesized PB batch with the smallest crystallite size had both the highest adsorption capacity and antidotal efficacy. Synthesized PB protected 100% of the animals against one LD50 thallium dose, whereas the commercial PB batch protected only 80%. Thallium content in blood and tissues (liver, kidney, brain) was also analysed after antidotal PB treatment in rats previously intoxicated with a sublethal dose of T1+. Animals treated with synthesized PB showed significantly less thallium in blood and tissue contents than those values of commercial PB-treated rats, indicating better antidotal properties of the synthesized PB. According to the present study we suggest an in vivo evaluation of the compound before distribution of the product to toxicological units, if X-ray diffractometric analysis is not available, in order to identify and determine the crystallite size of the compound as it plays an important role in the efficacy of PB.