Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

E Martin

Publications and source records attributed to E Martin.

At least 235 records · Page 13Linked to original sources
PubMed1998

Thrombomodulin modulates growth of tumor cells independent of its anticoagulant activity.

Thrombomodulin (TM), recognized as an essential vessel wall cofactor of the antithrombotic mechanism, is also expressed by a wide range of tumor cells. Tumor cell lines subcloned from four patients with malignant melanoma displayed a negative correlation between TM expression and cell proliferation in vitro and in vivo. Overexpression of wild-type TM decreased cell proliferation in vitro and tumor growth in vivo. TM mutants with altered protein C activation capacity lead to a similar effect. In contrast, transfection of melanoma cells with mutant TM constructs, in which a portion of the cytoplasmic or lectin domain was deleted, abrogated the antiproliferative effect associated with overexpression of wild-type TM. Experiments performed with either peptide agonists/antagonists of the thrombin receptor, with hirudin, or with inhibitors of thrombin-TM interaction did not alter the growth inhibitory effect of TM overexpression. These data suggest that TM exerts an effect on cell proliferation independent of thrombin and the thrombin receptor, possibly related to the binding of novel ligands to determinants in the lectin domain which might trigger signal transduction pathways dependent on the cytoplasmic domain.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

[Stereoisomers in anesthesia. Theoretical basis and clinical significance].

All optically active molecules have at least one asymmetric atom in common which is attached to four ligands, that can have different three dimensional positions. Therefore it can be concluded that the resulting isomers are chemically identical in all respects except for the direction with which they rotate plane-polarized light. When the isomer and its corresponding enantiomer are present in equal proportions, they are called racemic mixture, a mixture that does not rotate polarized light, since the optical activities of the two isomers cancel each other. Although the isomers are chemically identical other optically active molecules can interact with these isomers in a geometrically specific way termed stereoselectivity. The human body comprises a chiral environment due to optically active proteins; thus it is not surprising that enantiomeric drugs exhibit different pharmacological properties, when used as pure optical isomers. Till today most modern anaesthetics have been optical isomers, which are mainly used as racemic mixture (1:1 mixture). For financial reasons pure isomers were only used for research purposes, but nowadays the wide clinical use of pure isomers is financially feasible due to new production techniques. The terms eutomer and distomer were chosen to indicate the more or less potent form of the drug. The clinical use of pure isomers is only of advisable, if there are significant differences between eutomer and distomer in desired or side effects. Among the modern anaesthetics ketamine, isoflurane, bupivacaine and atracurium exhibit an asymmetric carbon. For most drugs the separation in pure isomers will reduce side effects. For volatile anaesthetics this question is still unanswered, since experimental and clinical results are inconsistent so far.

Anesthesia↗
PubMed1998

[Premedication and preoperative fasting in pediatric anesthesia. Results of a survey].

This study evaluates the current practice of premedication and preoperative fasting in pediatric anaesthesia in Germany. A total of 90 questionnaires were mailed to randomly selected hospitals with departments or sections of anaesthesiology and pediatric surgery. 71 questionnaires were returned and analysed (reply rate 79%). 60% of the responding hospitals start premedication between the ages of 3 and 12 months and 32% between 1 and 2 years of age. Premedication ist most often given orally (64%), followed by rectal (29%) and intranasal (3%) routes. Midazolam is used by 96% of the respondents as the primary sedative premedication. Alternatively, promethazine and chloraldhydrate are most frequently used. Anticholinergic drugs are given routinely by 21% of the respondents. For the apprehensive child intramuscular ketamine is most often used (33%), followed by intranasal midazolam (22%), rectal midazolam (19%) and rectal thiopentone or methohexitone (13%). For children less than 1 year of age 63% of the hospitals restrict clear liquids 2 hours and 34% 3 or 4 hours before anaesthesia. 64% of the respondents require abstinence from milk for 4 hours and 30% for 6 hours prior to surgery. For children older than one year of age fasting period requirements for clear liquids were 2 hours (34%), 3 hours (27%), 4 hours (30%) and 6 hours (9%). For children over 1 year of age the majority allow solid food or milk up to 6 hours prior to anaesthesia (68% and 63%, respectively). The survey shows that premedication is started during the first two years of age by nearly all responding hospitals. Oral or rectal midazolam is the most frequently used premedication regimen. Preoperative fasting guidelines vary.

Adjuvants, Anesthesia↗
PubMed1998

Influence of N-acetylcysteine treatment on endotoxin-induced microcirculatory disturbances.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the influence of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) in a treatment model, its effects on endotoxin-induced leukocyte-endothelial cell adhesion, vascular leakage, and venular microhemodynamics in postcapillary venules of rat mesentery. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, controlled, experimental study. SETTING: Animal research laboratory. SUBJECTS: 40 male Wistar rats. INTERVENTIONS: The rats randomly received one of four treatments: infusion of saline (SAL) or Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharides (LPS) followed by treatment with saline (SAL) or NAC (150 mg.kg-1 body weight) 30 min after induction of endotoxemia. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Leukocyte adherence, red blood cell velocity, and vessel diameters in postcapillary venules of rat mesentery were evaluated every 30 min over a period of 120 min using in vivo videomicroscopy. Vascular permeability was determined by measuring the extravasation of fluorescence-labeled albumin. Venular wall shear rate was calculated from red cell velocity, and vessel diameter. NAC in rats without endotoxemia (SAL + NAC group) compared to the control group (SAL + SAL) did not change microcirculatory parameters in postcapillary venules of rat mesentery. In both LPS-treated groups (LPS + SAL and LPS + NAC), leukocyte adherence increased after just 30 min. NAC treatment prevented a further increase in leukocyte adherence and attenuated the extravasation of fluorescence-labeled albumin during endotoxemia. Venular diameters remained unchanged, while erythrocyte velocity decreased in the LPS + SAL group. This led to a lower venular wall shear rate in this group. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with NAC attenuates endotoxin-induced leukocyte adherence and macromolecular leakage in postcapillary venules of rat mesentery, showing that NAC is also effective after the onset of endotoxemia.

Acetylcysteine↗
PubMed1998

Effect of propentofylline on hippocampal brain energy state and amyloid precursor protein concentration in a rat model of cerebral hypoperfusion.

An animal model of graded cerebral hypoperfusion achieved by way of 2- and 4-brain vessel occlusion (vo) was used to test the effect of chronic propentofylline (PPF) administration on hippocampal energy state and amyloid precursor protein (APP) concentration. For this purpose, forty adult rats were subjected to stepwise and permanent 2 vo and 4 vo and PPF in a dose of 25 mg/day per kilogram body weight was continuously administered intraperitoneally for 1 week or 3 weeks, respectively. During the final steady-state experiment arterial blood parameters and blood gases (mean arterial blood pressure, PO2, pCO2, pH, hematocrit, hemoglobin, body temperature) were measured. Brain tissue concentrations of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), adenosine diphosphate (ADP), and adenosine were measured in rat hippocampus by high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis; APP concentration was determined using Western blot techniques. In adult rat brain, long-term PPF treatment induced a striking increase in hippocampal ATP concentration which was paralleled by an enhancement of the ATP/ADP-ratio. Specifically, after 2 vo with 1 week of PPF treatment the ATP concentration in hippocampus was enhanced by 18% when compared with 2 vo without PPF treatment, whereas after 3 weeks PPF administration with 4 vo the concentration of ATP was enhanced by 31%. Furthermore, PPF reduced the tissue concentration of adenosine from 17.75 +/- 2.79 to 8.83 +/- 3.68 pmol/mg wet weight during 4 vo if compared with animals without PPF. In addition, the APP concentration was enhanced by 35% after 1 week PPF administration when compared with non PPF treated animals. In summary, the results demonstrated that chronic administration of PPF induced an enhancement in ATP concentration in adult rat hippocampus under conditions of long-term brain vessel occlusion. Interestingly, 1 week PPF seems to have a stimulating effect on APP which may act neuroprotectively. Thus, PPF may protect hippocampal neurons from chronic ischemic damage. In conclusion, PPF may have some beneficial effects and could be used in the treatment of patients with chronic cerebrovascular disorders or neurodegenerative diseases such as vascular dementia.

Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor↗
PubMed1998

Molecular cloning of genes differentially regulated by TNF-alpha in bovine aortic endothelial cells, fibroblasts and smooth muscle cells.

OBJECTIVE: Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) is a pleiotropic-cytokine binding to and thereby stimulating vascular cells. TNF-alpha mediated intermediate stimulation of vascular cells is believed to play a pivotal role in the development of arteriosclerosis. While extensive information has recently become available on gene induction by TNF-alpha, less is known about gene suppression by TNF-alpha in vascular cells. Endothelial cells are the first cell layer within the vessel wall interacting with circulating, cytokine releasing cells. Therefore, they were selected as target for these study. METHODS: A differential screening approach has been used to isolate cDNAs whose abundance was suppressed by incubating bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAEC) for 6 h with 1 nM TNF-alpha. The gene expression of 6 isolated cDNAs after TNF-alpha was investigated by dot blots and nuclear run-on analysis in BAEC. The investigated genes were partially or completely sequenced. Differential expression after TNF-alpha stimulation of BAEC, bovine fibroblasts and vascular smooth muscle cells (SMC) was studied by Northern blots. RNA transcripts of the clone C7 in aortic aneurysms were examined by in situ hybridization. RESULTS: 49 independent cDNAs were isolated by the differential screening approach and 6 clones were further analyzed. These genes were downregulated in a time and dose dependent manner in BAEC. Sequence analysis revealed that 3 cDNAs encoded previously unidentified genes (C1, C5, C7), while 3 encoded known genes: connective tissue growth factor (CTGF; A1), fibronectin (A8) and the mitochondrial genome (B1). A1 and B1 were suppressed in BAEC, fibroblasts and SMC, whereas A8, C1, C5 and C7 were not uniformly downregulated in the investigated cells. C7 RNA transcripts were exclusively induced in the endothelium of an uninflamed aortic aneurysm. The transcripts were undetectable in an inflamed aortic aneurysm and control vessels. CONCLUSIONS: Gene suppression is a prominent feature of the intermediate effect of TNF-alpha on endothelial cells. Differences in the expression of the tested genes in endothelial cells, fibroblasts and vascular smooth muscle cells open possibilities for the study of cellular interactions in the vascular wall in disease situations with high local TNF-alpha concentrations.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Cardiac output measurement by transpulmonary versus conventional thermodilution technique in intensive care patients after coronary artery bypass grafting.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the correlation, accuracy, and precision of transpulmonary thermodilution cardiac output (CO) measurement. For this purpose, this technique was compared with the clinical gold standard, the CO measurement by pulmonary artery catheter in patients after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). DESIGN: A prospective clinical study. SETTING: A university medical center. PARTICIPANTS: Seventy-five patients in an intensive care unit (ICU) after CABG. INTERVENTIONS: Standard (SCO) and transpulmonary thermodilution CO measurement (TPCO) measurements were simultaneously performed in triplicate by central venous injection of cooled saline solution. All variables were recorded at five different time points of measurement during weaning from mechanical ventilation. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: CO measurements yielded 375 data pairs. SCO ranged from 2.0 to 10.2 L/min, and TPCO from 1.3 to 10.6 L/min. During the entire observation period, TPCO measurements tended to yield relatively high values, whereas SCO measurements resulted in lower values. Correlation between TPCO and SCO measurements was significant (r = 0.73; p < 0.05), accompanied by an accuracy with a bias of 0.456 L/min (7.3%) and a precision of 1.156 L/min (18.5%). CONCLUSION: In most patients, TPCO measurement will not replace the conventional technique by pulmonary artery catheter, but in some patients it offers an attractive, reliable, and safe method to determine CO.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

[Desflurane versus isoflurane in geriatric patients. A comparison of psychomotor and postoperative well-being following abdominal surgical procedures].

PURPOSE: The new volatile anaesthetic agent desflurane has a significantly lower blood-gas partition coefficient (0.42) than isoflurane (1.4), suggesting excellent intraoperative control of anaesthesia and rapid emergence and recovery from anaesthesia. However, only limited experience is available in geriatric patients undergoing major abdominal surgery. METHODS: After approval by the local ethics committee and with written informed consent, 52 patients (> or = 65 years old, ASA class II or III) scheduled for major abdominal surgery were randomised to receive either desflurane (DES) or isoflurane (ISO) for maintenance of anaesthesia. After oral premedication with midazolam 3.75-7.5 mg, anaesthesia was induced with etomidate 0.2-0.3 mg/kg and fentanyl 3 micrograms/kg. Vecuronium 0.1 mg/kg provided muscle relaxation for endotracheal intubation. All patients were mechanically ventilated to maintain normocapnia. For maintenance of anaesthesia, DES or ISO was administered in 60% N2O and additional boluses of fentanyl and vecuronium were given as required. At the end of surgery, the neuromuscular blockade was reversed with neostigmine 0.02 mg/kg and DES or ISO was discontinued at the end of skin closure. Episodes of bradycardia and tachycardia and hypo- and hypertension, the time from the end of anaesthesia to extubation, opening eyes, squeezing hand, stating name and birthdate and to discharge from the recovery room were recorded. Until 360 minutes after the end of anaesthesia, the recovery of psychomotor functions was measured by means of simple reaction time tests, critical flicker fusion test, labyrinth test, ball bearing test, short and long-term memory test and digit symbol substitution test. The patient's well-being was documented with scores for pain, sedation and postoperative nausea and vomiting. RESULTS: Demographic data in both groups was similar (Tab. 1). Anaesthesia was significantly prolonged in the ISO group. No significant differences between groups were found for MAC hours and the total dose of fentanyl and vecuronium administered (Tab. 3). Intraoperative haemodynamics were comparable between both groups (Tab. 4). No episodes of increases in heart rate or blood pressure associated with rapid increases in DES concentration were seen. Early emergence parameters were faster in the DES group (Tab. 5). When compared to ISO, the overall test performance and testing ability was superior following DES. Psychomotor tests showed significantly better results up to 240 minutes after the end of DES anaesthesia (Tab. 7, Fig. 4). Comparing the postoperative well-being, there were mild advantages for DES (Tab. 6, Fig. 1, 2, 3). However, time to discharge of geriatric patients from the recovery room was significantly shorter in the DES group (median 171 vs. 215 min., p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Using a balanced anaesthesia technique, we found desflurane as suitable as isoflurane for geriatric patients. Additionally, due to the fast emergence from anaesthesia, an improved cooperativity was found. In the DES group overall better postoperative psychomotor performance resulted in a shortening of discharge times from the recovery room. Hence, desflurane anaesthesia may be advantageous in geriatric patients.

Abdomen↗
PubMed1998

Use of videophones and low-cost standard telephone lines to provide a social presence in telepsychiatry.

Research findings suggest that the value added by the video channel of currently available video conferencing technology is limited to the creation of a social presence of the other party. Almost all clinical information exchange takes place on the audio channel, while the interpersonal interactions (nods, blinks, facial expressions, and body language), which are so important in a face-to-face meeting, may not be adequately captured by the video. Several of our case studies are presented which suggest that, consistent with the social presence role for video, low-cost videophones may be effectively substituted for expensive ISDN-based systems in many mental health applications.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

Effects of preinduction and intraoperative warming during major laparotomy.

We have investigated the influence of active warming before and during operation on blood loss, transfusion requirements, duration of stay in the post-anaesthesia care unit (PACU) and perioperative costs in 40 patients undergoing major abdominal surgery. Patients were allocated randomly to one of two groups: in the study group (n = 20), patients were actively warmed using forced air for 30 min before induction of general anaesthesia and during anaesthesia. Passive protection against heat loss consisted of circulating water mattresses, blankets and fluid warming devices, and was used both in the active warming group and in the control group (n = 20). At the end of surgery the change in core temperature was significantly less in the group of actively warmed patients (0.5 (SD 0.8) degree C vs 1.5 (0.8) degree C; P < or = 0.01). Blood loss and transfusion requirements were less in the actively warmed patients, who had a shorter duration of stay in the PACU (94 (SD 42) min vs 217 (169) min; P < or = 0.01) and a 24% reduction in total anaesthetic costs.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Dopexamine attenuates endotoxin-induced microcirculatory changes in rat mesentery: role of beta2 adrenoceptors.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the influence of dopexamine on endotoxin-induced leukocyte adherence and on vascular permeability in postcapillary venules of rat mesentery. DESIGN: Randomized, controlled trial. SETTING: Experimental laboratory. SUBJECTS: Twenty-seven male Wistar rats, weighing 250 to 350 g. INTERVENTIONS: Rats received one of three treatments: a) infusion of Escherichia coli endotoxin without dopexamine pretreatment; b) infusion of endotoxin with dopexamine pretreatment; or c) infusion of endotoxin after pretreatment with dopexamine and ICI 118,551, a selective beta2-receptor antagonist. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Leukocyte adherence, red blood cell velocity, and vessel diameters in postcapillary venules were evaluated using in vivo videomicroscopy. Vascular permeability was determined by measuring the extravasation of fluorescence-labeled albumin. Venular wall shear rate was calculated from red cell velocity and vessel diameter. Dopexamine attenuated both the increase in leukocyte adherence and vascular permeability during endotoxemia. The attenuating effect on leukocyte adherence could not be antagonized by the beta2-adrenoceptor antagonist. However, the attenuating effect on vascular permeability was antagonized by ICI 118,551. Dopexamine prevented a decrease in venular wall shear rate during endotoxemia. This effect was not influenced by ICI 118,551. CONCLUSIONS: Dopexamine attenuates endotoxin-induced microcirculatory disturbances in rat mesentery. The attenuating effect on vascular permeability is a beta2-adrenoceptor-mediated process, whereas the beta2-adrenoceptor actions of dopexamine play no significant role in attenuating leukocyte adherence.

Adrenergic beta-Agonists↗
PubMed1998

Group B streptococcal bacteraemia in the elderly.

The aim of this retrospective study was to determine the clinical spectrum of group B streptococcal (GBS) bacteraemia in patients over 70 years old. Sixty-six adults with GBS bacteraemia were reviewed over a 5-year period. Disease characteristics, clinical diagnoses and underlying disease were compared in 33 older patients (mean age 82.4 years) and 33 younger patients (mean age 54.2 years). The older patients were also compared with a control group (mean age 81.3 years). Urinary tract infection (39%), skin infection (33%) and pneumonia (24%) were the most frequent clinical diagnoses in older patients. Urinary tract infection (39% versus 6%) was significantly more frequent in older than in younger patients. One underlying disease and one condition were more frequent in elderly patients: congestive heart failure (39% versus 6%) and being bedridden (36% versus 0%). A comparison with the older control group showed that being bedridden was highly associated with GBS bacteraemia and was an important mortality factor amongst older patients (10% versus 30%). In conclusion, GBS disease in the elderly was found to be a severe clinical problem with a high mortality despite appropriate treatment.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Bedside troponin T testing is not useful for early out-of-hospital diagnosis of myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: A new commercially available rapid qualitative bedside immunoassay for cardiac troponin T has been developed. The aim of the study was to investigate whether this new rapid bedside cardiac troponin T assay facilitates diagnosing myocardial infarction in a pre-hospital setting. METHODS: We evaluated the sensitivity and specificity of the new rapid bedside troponin T assay for myocardial infarction. In 68 patients with acute, central, crushing chest pain, who were strongly suspected of having myocardial infarction, the emergency doctor performed preclinically a bedside cardiac troponin T test. The results were compared with the diagnosis after admission to hospital, using the criteria of the World Health Organization. RESULTS: The diagnosis of myocardial infarction was confirmed in 16/68 (24%) patients after admission to hospital, but only in 4/16 (25%) patients with myocardial infarction was a positive result observed preclinically with this test. The result was false positive in 1/5 patients (20%). CONCLUSIONS: In contrast to an excellent specificity (0.98), sensitivity (0.25) of the rapid troponin T assay was poor. Thus, we conclude that this test cannot improve the distinction between myocardial infarction and angina pectoris in a pre-hospital setting.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

Multiple sclerosis in Móstoles, central Spain.

OBJECTIVES: Until relatively recently southern Europe was regarded as having a medium to low multiple sclerosis prevalence, of about 20 or less per 100,000. However, recent studies in Sardinia, Sicily, continental Italy, Cyprus and Spain have yielded higher MS prevalence rates, between 32 and 102.6 per 100,000. We present the results of a prevalence study of MS in the municipality of M6stoles, central Spain. MATERIAL AND METHODS: To ascertain the prevalence of multiple sclerosis in M6stoles (195,979 inhabitants), an intensive study was undertaken using several sources of information. We used the Poser criteria in diagnosis. RESULTS: There were 85 patients (53 women and 32 men) classified as definite or probable, prevalence 43.4/100,000 (95% CI, 34.7 to 53.7). The incidence rate was 3.8/100,000/year (95% CI, 2.7 to 5.3) in the last 5 years. Mean age on prevalence day was 38.8+/-10.9 years. Mean age at onset was 31.7+/-9.3 years. Mean interval between initial symptoms and diagnosis was 1.7 years. Mean duration of disease was 7.6+/-6.1 years. Overall, 70.6% had a relapsing-remitting course, 18.8% had a primary progressive and 10.5% had a secondary progressive. Mean EDSS score was 2.7+/-1.9. CONCLUSION: The M6stoles study confirms the conclusions of previous smaller population studies that Spain is a moderately high or medium MS risk zone.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Comparison of ATB staph, rapid ATB staph, Vitek, and E-test methods for detection of oxacillin heteroresistance in staphylococci possessing mecA.

The performance characteristics of the E-test (AB Biodisk, Solna, Sweden), the ATB Staph, the Rapid ATB Staph, and the Vitek GPS-503 card (bioMérieux, La Balme Les Grottes, France) methods for the detection of oxacillin resistance in a collection of staphylococci with a high proportion of troublesome strains were evaluated. Sixty-four Staphylococcus aureus strains and 76 coagulase-negative staphylococcal strains were tested. All strains were mecA positive and were characterized by the oxacillin agar screen plate test; 75 (53.6%) were found to be heterogeneous by a large-inoculum oxacillin disk diffusion assay, and oxacillin MICs for 89 (63.6%) were < or = 32 microg/ml. Three (4.7%) S. aureus strains and 25 (32.9%) coagulase-negative strains were classified as susceptible by the E-test, as defined by the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards (NCCLS) oxacillin breakpoint (MIC < or = 2 microg/ml). The ATB Staph method failed to detect oxacillin resistance in 7 (11%) S. aureus isolates and 32 (42.1%) coagulase-negative isolates. The MICs for all but six of these discrepant isolates were < or = 16 microg/ml. The Rapid ATB Staph method was tested against S. aureus strains only and yielded 15 (23.4%) false-susceptible results for strains for which the MICs were < or = 32 microg/ml. The Vitek system was the best-performing system, since it failed to detect oxacillin resistance in only 3 (4.7%) S. aureus strains and 15 (19.7%) coagulase-negative strains, the MICs for all of which were < or = 2 microg/ml. These data indicate that (i) the performance of the two ATB Staph systems can be limited when the prevalence of borderline-heteroresistant staphylococci is high and (ii) the unreliability of the E-test and the Vitek methods for detecting resistant coagulase-negative strains might be reduced by the potential revision of the oxacillin breakpoint currently recommended by the NCCLS.

Bacterial Proteins↗
PubMed1998

Role of antioxidants in gastric mucosal damage induced by indomethacin in rats.

Reactive oxygen species play a role in the formation of gastric lesions induced by nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs. The present study was undertaken to determine whether endogenous antioxidants in gastric mucosa can protect it against the damaging effects of oxygen free radicals. This study examine oxygen free radical production (superoxide anions and hydrogen peroxide), gastric mucosa antioxidant defense mechanisms (glutathione, catalase, superoxide dismutase), the lesion-inducing effects of the generated oxygen free radicals (vascular permeability, lipid peroxidation) and gastric ulceration in rats treated orally with indomethacin at 10 mg/kg at 2 and 6 h after drug administration. Two hours after administration of the antiinflammatory drug, there was a sharp increase in production of oxygen free radicals in the gastric mucosa with no alteration in other parameters examined. Six hours after indomethacin administration the production of oxygen free radicals returned to basal levels, but there was a high degree of gastric ulceration and a significant increase in lipid peroxidation and vascular permeability together with decreases of 45% in glutathione concentration and 30% in catalase relative to the control group. These results suggest that like plasma, the gastric mucosa has an antioxidant capacity and only when this capacity is exhausted are the lesive effects of the oxygen free radicals manifested.

Analysis of Variance↗