Biomedical subjects

Helmut Sinzinger

Publications and source records attributed to Helmut Sinzinger.

21 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed2002

Flu-like response on statins.

BACKGROUND: Statins became one of the most widely used family of drugs meanwhile. Myopathy in various forms is among the most prevalent side effects. Only few attention has been paid to its various forms of appearance. We are reporting on a so far unknown flu-like response on statins with very severe symptoms of exhaustion, weakness, aching muscles and joints elevated acute phase response markers and sometimes even subfebrile body temperature. MATERIAL/METHODS: The 5 patients (4 males, 1 female) we monitored showed this response to some but not all the available statins with an onset of latest 3 weeks after starting therapy. RESULTS: Symptoms appeared already at the lowest available dose of the respective statin. Only in 3 of the patients, CK-elevation was noted, while 4 of them exhibited a severe increase in 8-epi-prostaglandin-F(2 alpha), an in-vivo oxidation injury marker. Latest 5 weeks after statin withdrawal the symptoms completely disappeared. Liver function parameters remained normal in all the patients at all time. CONCLUSIONS: Misinterpretation of this flu-like response is particularly dangerous as the treatment with antibiotics initiated in one of the patients may have had deleterious consequences. The pathophysiological background of this response remains to be assessed.

Acute-Phase Reaction↗

PubMed2002

Radioiodine therapy induces dose-dependent in vivo oxidation injury: evidence by increased isoprostane 8-epi-PGF(2 alpha).

UNLABELLED: 131I is the treatment of choice for differentiated thyroid cancer and hyperthyroidism. A relationship between low-density lipoprotein oxidation and radioiodine therapy-related side effects, consequently inducing increased formation of 8-epi-prostaglandin F(2 alpha) (PGF(2 alpha)) in situ, has recently been reported by several investigators. Isoprostanes, among them 8-epi-PGF(2 alpha), have been associated with increased oxidation injury due to various pathologic conditions in vivo. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible induction of oxidative stress as a consequence of (131)I therapy. METHODS: 8-epi-PGF(2 alpha) was examined in plasma, serum, and urine in 42 patients undergoing radioiodine treatment of hyperthyroidism or thyroid cancer. The 8-epi-PGF(2 alpha) levels were analyzed daily for 1 wk and thereafter at different points up to 12 wk after treatment. RESULTS: The isoprostane levels showed an increase after application of radioiodine in all investigated compartments. The effect was significantly higher and longer lasting after higher-activity therapy (2,960 or 7,400 MBq) than after lower-activity therapy (185 or 740 MBq). CONCLUSION: These findings document a significant, dose-dependent in vivo oxidation injury as a consequence of therapeutic radioiodine application to the salivary gland.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Radiation synovectomy with (166)Ho-ferric hydroxide: a first experience.

UNLABELLED: Radiation synovectomy (RS) is indicated when conventional pharmacologic treatment of chronic synovitis has not relieved its symptoms. The use of radionuclides that are bound to ferric hydroxide (FH) particles has been shown to be effective and safe for this procedure. (166)Ho-FH macroaggregates offer promising properties for RS but there is a lack of clinical data. We investigated the efficacy and safety of (166)Ho-FH in a prospective clinical trial in patients suffering from chronic synovitis. METHODS: Twenty-four intraarticular injections were performed in 22 patients receiving a mean activity of 1.11 GBq (range, 0.77-1.24 GBq) (166)Ho-FH. Blood activity measurements and monitoring of activity distribution were performed by whole-body gamma-camera imaging for control of leakage 3 and 24 h after injection of (166)Ho-FH. The patients were evaluated clinically before RS, 1 wk and 1 mo after the treatment, and thereafter in 3-mo intervals by assessing joint effusion, pannus, local pain, range of motion, and the patient's satisfaction. RESULTS: In 18 of 24 treatments, no leakage to nontarget organs was visible, whereas small amounts of activity could be detected in the local inguinal lymph nodes in 6 patients and to the lungs and to the liver in 1 patient (<0.1%). In all cases leakage to the lymph nodes was <1%. Leakage to the blood was negligible. Clinically, 17 patients (71%) exhibited a complete or partial response. CONCLUSION: RS with (166)Ho-FH was safe and effective in patients with chronic synovitis of different origin. Controlled clinical trials are necessary to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy and safety compared with the treatment with other radionuclides and glucocorticosteroids.

Adult↗