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Biomedical subjects

D Comar

Publications and source records attributed to D Comar.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

[Epidural analgesia after thoracic surgery: morphine versus buprenorphine].

A double-blind study was carried out to assess the efficiency and possible side-effects of a single epidural injection of either morphine or buprenorphine at equipotent doses after elective thoracic surgery. The series included 24 patients aged 53.7 +/- 11.4 years; 13 underwent a lobectomy and 11 a pneumonectomy. 6 h after the last intravenous injection of fentanyl, the patients were randomly allocated to one of three equal groups. They received an epidural injection at T8-9 or T9-10 level of either 100 micrograms.kg-1 morphine (group M) or 6.6 micrograms.kg-1 buprenorphine (group B) or a subcutaneous injection of 0.1 ml.kg-1 normal saline placebo at the same level (group T). The following parameters were measured 20 and 60 min, and every 6 h up to 48 h after the injection: patient wakefulness, respiratory rate, blood gases, pain (according to a verbal scale), FVC and FEV1, adverse effects (euphoria, hallucinations, sweating, facial pruritus, nausea) and atelectasis. The duration of surgery, the anaesthetic protocol, the age, weight and height, as well as all the parameters before injection were similar in all three groups. There was a fall in pain intensity from the 20th min to the 24th hour in group M and from the 20th min to the 36th hour in group B, significant for both groups when compared with group T. Similarly, there was a prolonged increase in FEV1 in both groups M and B. There was no case of severe respiratory depression; PaCO2 was increased at the 1st hour (+0.3 +/- 0.6 kPa) in group B and at the 6th hour (+0.5 +/- 0.7 kPa) in group M.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

[76Br]bromolisuride: a new tool for quantitative in vivo imaging of D-2 dopamine receptors.

Bromolisuride, an ergoline derivative, was labeled with the positron emitter radionuclide, bromine 76. In vitro and in vivo binding and competition studies in rats demonstrated a high affinity (KD = 0.3 nM) and a high specificity of this new radioligand for D-2 dopamine receptors. PET kinetic studies in baboons showed an accumulation of [76Br]bromolisuride in the striatum which reached a maximum 30 min post-injection and which could be displaced by haloperidol. All these results indicated that this new ligand is certainly suitable for the non-invasive in vivo quantitative imaging of D-2 dopamine receptor sites in human brain.

Animals↗

Stable labelling of serum albumin microspheres with gallium-68.

A highly efficient and rapid technique for labelling serum albumin microspheres with 68Ga is described. Measurements of the in vivo stability of the radiopharmaceutical in the rabbit and the baboon show that less than 0.2% of the injected activity is eluted from the microspheres in 2 h.

Animals↗

Human beta-melanocyte-stimulating hormone revisited.

It is generally accepted that human beta-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (h beta MSH) does not normally exist in humans but was merely an artifactually generated 22-amino acid peptide corresponding to a lipotropin (LPH) fragment (residues 35-56). We examined whether the shorter 18-amino acid peptide h beta MSH-(5-22) could be detected in some human tissues. Normal human pituitaries and hypothalami as well as corticotropin-secreting pituitary and nonpituitary tumors were extracted and chromatographed on Sephadex G-50, and the fractions were measured with two radioimmunoassays using either a COOH-terminal human gamma LPH (h gamma LPH) antiserum that recognized equally h gamma LPH, h beta MSH, and h beta MSH-(5-22) or a mid-portion h gamma LPH antiserum that recognized h gamma LPH and h beta MSH but not h beta MSH-(5-22). Normal pituitaries and pituitary tumors contained a single immunoreactive material coeluting with h gamma LPH. The hypothalami and the nonpituitary tumors all contained h gamma LPH and a smaller molecular weight material that was only detected in the COOH-terminal h gamma LPH radioimmunoassay; its elution volume (Ve/V, 0.75) was identical to that of h beta MSH-(5-22) but different from that of h beta MSH (Ve/V, 0.60); on reversed-phase HPLC, it coeluted with synthetic h beta MSH-(5-22) with a retention time different from that of h beta MSH. It is concluded that h beta MSH-(5-22) that corresponds to the 18-amino acid peptide h beta LPH-(39-56), flanked by two pairs of basic amino acids within the h beta LPH molecule, is a normal maturation product of proopiomelanocortin in human nonpituitary tissues.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Crossed cerebellar diaschisis. Further studies.

To investigate further the topographical, clinical and temporal correlates of crossed cerebellar diaschisis (CCD) after supratentorial stroke, 55 patients suffering from a single unilateral ischaemic stroke in the carotid artery territory were studied with the quantitative oxygen-15 steady-state technique and positron tomography. Fourteen patients had one or more follow-up studies, contributing a total of 72 studies. The phenomenon of CCD, defined by depressed oxygen consumption in the contralateral cerebellum, was statistically significant in 58% of the studies. It was more prominent when the supratentorial infarct involved the internal capsule or the cortical mantle extensively, consistent with the hypothesis that it results from destruction of the corticopontocerebellar fibres. Although CCD was associated with the presence of hemiparesis, it also occurred in patients without hemiparesis and was not seen in all those with hemiparesis, suggesting that destruction of the pyramidal tract is neither necessary nor sufficient to induce CCD. Finally, CCD tended to persist over long periods of time after a stroke, pointing towards a transneuronal degeneration possibly akin to crossed cerebellar atrophy as a likely explanation for CCD. Nevertheless, CCD could be seen within hours of a stroke and sometimes disappeared within a few days, suggesting a temporal continuum between early, potentially reversible functional hypometabolism (diaschisis) and irreversible degeneration.

Adult↗

Visualization by positron emission tomography of the apparent regional heterogeneity of central type benzodiazepine receptors in the brain of living baboons.

The feasibility of visualizing the heterogeneity of benzodiazepine (BDZ) receptors in the brain of living baboons was investigated using Positron Emission Tomography. Ethyl 8-fluoro-5,6-dihydro-5-methyl 6-oxo-4H-imidazo (1,5-a) (1, 4) benzodiazepine-3-carboxylate (RO 15 1788) labelled by carbon 11 (11C-RO 15 1788) was I.V. injected for the "in vivo" labelling of the central type BDZ receptors. Displacement experiments were performed 20 minutes after the administration of the radioligand by two different cold drugs: RO 15 1788 which has an equal affinity for central type BDZ receptors, and propyl B-Carboline-3-carboxylate (B-CCP) which favours the sites located in the cerebellum. Different sensitivities to these two drugs displacement of 11C-RO 15 1788 binding "in vivo" were observed: on the one hand in the regional localization of the displacement, and on the other hand, in the amount of the radioactivity displaced. The apparent interregional heterogeneity of the displacement seen in the cerebellum and in the temporal cortex are discussed in terms of discrepancies observed "in vitro" at physiological temperature, between cerebellar and non-cerebellar BDZ central type binding sites.

Animals↗

Kinetics and displacement of [11C]RO 15-1788, a benzodiazepine antagonist, studied in human brain in vivo by positron tomography.

The brain regional distribution and kinetics of RO 15-1788, a benzodiazepine (BZD) antagonist labeled with 11C was studied by time-of-flight positron tomography after intravenous injection in four normal human volunteers. In two control studies, there was a high uptake of [11C]RO 15-1788 in gray matter structures initially (brain/blood ratio approximately 3), and subsequent retention that was highest in cerebral cortex, a structure known to have a high density of BZD receptors in vitro. Variation in tissue kinetics of [11C]RO among different gray matter structures may, however, suggest regional differences in binding characteristics or environment of BZD receptors. In two displacement studies, unlabeled RO 15-1788 was injected ten minutes after the radioligand: there was an immediate and marked washout of [11C]brain radioactivity that reached 70% in the occipital cortex with a 0.05 mg/kg dose (indicating a high specific to non-specific binding ratio) but was less prominent with a 0.01 mg/kg dose. These data suggest that [11C]RO 15-1788 may be useful for in vivo mapping of human brain BZD receptors using positron tomography.

Adult↗

Localization of 11C-radiopharmaceuticals in the Greene melanoma of hamsters.

Seventy Syrian golden hamsters bearing SC transplants of Greene melanoma were used to evaluate the degree of tumour uptake of several 11C-radiopharmaceuticals selected for their potential specificity for melanoma. Tissue distribution studies were performed at 30 and 60 min after IV injection of 11C-compounds and compared with the 24-h uptake of 67Ga-citrate. Gamma camera images were also compared. The highest tumour uptake at 1 h was observed with 11C-methionine (2.42% +/- 0.72%) and although activity in liver, spleen and kidney exceeded that in melanoma the tumour was demonstrated on gamma camera imaging. Melanoma localisation of 11C-chlorpromazine, 11C-flunitrazepam and 11C-ketanserine was comparable at 1% of the dose injected per gram of tumour. High activity in other organs, particularly liver, exceeded uptake in melanoma and attempts at tumour imaging were unsuccessful. Tumour accumulation of 11C-methiodide quinuclidinyl benzylate (MQNB), an 11C-imidazobenzodiazepine (Ro-15-1788) and 14C-pimozide was low and imaging studies were not attempted. None of the 11C-radiopharmaceuticals evaluated for melanoma affinity matched that of 67Ga-citrate. The 24-h tumour uptake of 67Ga-citrate was 4.07% +/- 1.37% dose injected per gram which allowed delineation of the melanoma by gamma camera imaging.

Animals↗

Muscarinic cholinergic receptor in the human heart evidenced under physiological conditions by positron emission tomography.

The muscarinic receptor was studied in vivo in the human heart by a noninvasive method, positron emission tomography (PET). The study showed that the binding sites of 11C-labeled methiodide quinuclidinyl benzilate [( 11C]-MQNB), a muscarinic antagonist, were mainly distributed in the ventricular septum (98 pmol/cm3 of heart) and in the left ventricular wall (89 pmol/cm3), while the atria were not visualized. A few minutes after a bolus intravenous injection, the concentration of [11C]MQNB in blood fell to a negligible level (less than 100th of the concentration measured in the ventricular septum). When injected at high specific radioactivity, the concentration of [11C]MQNB in the septum rapidly increased and then remained constant with time. This result was explained by rebinding of the ligand to receptors. It was the major difference observed between the kinetics of binding of [11C]MQNB to receptor sites after intravenous injection in vivo and that of [3H]MQNB to heart homogenates in vitro. The MQNB concentrations in the ventricular septum of different individuals were found to be highest when the heart rate at the time of injection was slow. This result suggests that the antagonist binding site is related to a low-affinity conformational state of the receptor under predominant vagal stimulation. Thus, positron emission tomography might be the ideal method to study the physiologically active form of the muscarinic acetylcholine receptor in man.

Atropine↗

Dopaminergic receptor sites in human brain: positron emission tomography.

Positron emission tomography (PET) and 11C-labeled pimozide were used to study the dopaminergic (DA) receptor sites in the human striatum by comparing the latter with the cerebellum, which lacks DA receptors. Although 11C-pimozide concentration was not different in these two brain structures up to 53 minutes after IV injection (thus implying large nonspecific binding), a significant retention of radioactivity in striatum relative to cerebellum was found in controls but not in subjects pretreated with the unlabeled competitor haloperidol. This suggests that the striatal retention seen in controls was due to specific binding of 11C-pimozide to DA receptor sites, whereas prior occupation of the receptor sites by the unlabeled competitor was achieved in pretreated subjects.

Adult↗

[In vivo study of central serotoninergic receptors in man using positron tomography].

In an attempt to characterize in vivo the central serotonergic (5-HT2) receptors in humans with positron emission tomography (PET), we have used 11C-labeled-ketanserin, a seratonergic antagonist that has high affinity and selectivity for the 5-HT2 receptors in vitro. Earlier in vivo studies in rats had demonstrated a preferential accumulation of 3H-ketanserin in the frontal cortex relative to cerebellum, in accordance with known differences in density of 5-HT2 receptor in these two brain structures (5-HT2 receptors are dense in frontal cortex and sparse or absent in cerebellum). In rats, tracer accumulation in frontal cortex represented specific binding of 3H-ketanserin to 5-HT2 receptors in vivo as demonstrated by inhibition, saturation, and displacement studies. In 5 control subjects, we found a statistically significant retention of 11C-ketanserin in frontal cortex relative to cerebellum after intravenous injection of a tracer dose of the radioligand, suggesting specific in vivo binding of 11C-ketanserin to frontal cortex. To substantiate this hypothesis, we studied 4 subjects administered unlabeled chlorpromazine (CPZ) intramuscularly in therapeutic amounts (75 mg) two hours before the PET study. Pretreatment with CPZ decreased significantly the retention of 11C-ketanserin by the frontal cortex, indicating that almost total occupation of the ketanserin receptors by CPZ had been achieved prior to the injection of the radioligand. Despite these positive results, both the duration and the magnitude of tracer retention by frontal cortex in control subjects were much smaller than was reported in rats, presumably indicating lower specific binding, higher nonspecific binding, and faster drug metabolism in humans.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Brain↗

[Regional hemodynamic and metabolic consequences of temporo-sylvian anastomosis. Study of 15 patients by positron emission tomography].

Cerebral Blood Flow (CBF), Oxygen Extraction Fraction, and Oxygen utilization (CMRO2) have been studied in 15 patients before and After Extra-Intracranial Arterial bypass (EIAB), using PET and 150 steady-State Inhalation technique. Fourteen patients had carotid artery obstructive lesions and the last one a middle cerebral artery occlusion. In the whole group of patients, both CBF and CMRO2 increased significantly on both cerebral hemispheres after the EIAB. This effect was more marked in patients with extensive occlusive disease of neck vessels. This metabolic improvement afforded by EIAB in our patients suggests that long-standing hemodynamic failure may induce a metabolic depression that's still potentially reversible by surgical revascularization. On the other hand, improvement of focal CBF abnormalities depends, in our patients, upon the preoperative coupling of CBF-CMRO2 (mainly misery perfusion syndrome) as reported earlier.

Adult↗

[Severe stenoses and persistent occlusions of the middle cerebral artery: hemodynamic and metabolic consequences studied by positron tomography].

Using positron emission tomography and the 15O continuous inhalation technique, we have measured the regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) oxygen extraction fraction (rOEF) and oxygen consumption (rCMRO2) of non-infarcted tissue in six patients with either tight stenosis (N = 3) or occlusion (N = 3) of the trunk of the middle cerebral artery (MCA); these arterial lesions were shown to be persistent on late and/or repeated angiograms. The patients were studied 1 to 6 months after their last cerebral ischemic event. The data were analyzed in 4 cm2 regions of interest (fig. 1) and were compared to age-matched control values. Regional right/left ratios were tested for significance individually by comparison to 95 p. 100 confidence limits found in control subjects. We found a significant reduction in mean rCBF in the affected MCA territory; concomitantly, there was a lesser decrease in rCMRO2 significant only in the peri-sylvian area; this was associated with a moderate but significant increase in rOEF in the same areas (Table II, fig. 2 and 3). Individually, the reduction in rCBF and the increased rOEF were significant in 5/6 and 2/6 patients, respectively (Table III). These data indicate that rCBF is decreased distal to persistent hemodynamic MCA obstruction in most patients. This hypoperfusion appears due in part to a mild degree of cerebral ischemia (as demonstrated by the occurrence of "misery perfusion"), indicating inadequate perfusion pressure distal to the MCA obstruction. This was associated with a metabolic depression of the cortex possibly resulting from either neuronal loss, or deactivation (diaschisis), or long-standing hemodynamic local failure or any combination of the three.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

76Br-bromospiroperidol: a new tool for quantitative in-vivo imaging of neuroleptic receptors.

Bromine-76 labeled bromospiperone has been prepared with a very high specific activity (greater than 1 Ci/mumole). In-vivo studies in rat corroborated by PET studies in baboon have shown that the regional concentration of this radioligand parallels the morphologic distribution of dopamine receptors and that its binding in the striatum is saturable and displaceable. Tomographic images show a clear delineation of the striatal region 2.5 hours after administration of the radioligand.

Animals↗

Central type benzodiazepine binding sites: a positron emission tomography study in the baboon's brain.

An in vivo characterization of specific central type benzodiazepine (BZD) binding sites, labelled with [11C]Ro 15-1788 was performed, using positron emission tomography. After i.v. injection of 10 mCi [11C]Ro 15-1788 (corresponding to 1 nmol/kg), sequential quantitative tomographic slices of the brain were obtained during 80 min. In some experiments various doses of different cold drugs (BZD agonist or antagonist) were injected i.v. subsequently in order to explore the specificity of the binding of the radioligand in brain structures. The main criteria usually utilized in vitro to demonstrate a specific binding to receptors, such as regional distribution, stereospecificity and saturability of the binding and pharmacological effect linked to the receptor's occupancy, were demonstrated in the brain of a living baboon.

Animals↗