Biomedical subjects

R Sittl

Publications and source records attributed to R Sittl.

40 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

PubMed1993

Increased fMet-Leu-Phe receptor expression and altered superoxide production of neutrophil granulocytes in septic and posttraumatic patients.

Activation of neutrophils by various inflammatory stimuli has been shown to play a pivotal role in septic and posttraumatic tissue injury. To further elucidate the mechanisms modulating the oxidative metabolism, we assessed superoxide production induced by N-formylmethionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP) and phorbol myristate acetate and the expression of FMLP receptors of human neutrophils on several days during sepsis and after trauma. Neutrophils of septic patients isolated on days 0-4 after the diagnosis of sepsis showed a significant, more than twofold increase in specific binding of [3H]FMLP at 1, 120, and 240 nM. Scatchard plot analyses revealed that this increase in specific binding was due to an increase in the number of low- and high-affinity FMLP receptors with no changes in receptor affinity. On days 5-10 after the onset of sepsis the up-regulation of FMLP receptors on circulating neutrophils was followed by receptor down-regulation. Likewise, neutrophils from patients with trauma that was not complicated by sepsis bound significantly more [3H]FMLP than neutrophils from volunteers. However, the increase in FMLP receptors was less than that in septic neutrophils and returned earlier to normal. In accordance with the up-regulation of FMLP receptors, neutrophils obtained from patients with sepsis or after trauma on days 1-4 and days 1-2, respectively, produced significantly more superoxide anion upon stimulation with FMLP. However, after stimulation with phorbol myristate acetate, a receptor-independent activator of protein kinase C, these cells released less superoxide anion than controls.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

PubMed1993

Rapid determination of methadone in plasma, cerebrospinal fluid, and urine by gas chromatography and its application to routine drug monitoring.

Determination of methadone (MET) in biological fluids can serve to adjust dosages in patients suffering from cancer pain or participating in methadone maintenance programs. We developed a gas chromatographic assay using nitrogen-phosphorus detection. The method involves a single-step extraction from alkalized plasma, cerebrospinal fluid, or urine into n-hexane/isoamyl-alcohol (99/1, v/v). Dextropropoxyphene was used as internal standard. Separation was achieved with a silica SE-52-CB column (13 m x 0.25-mm I.D.). The method was validated for the determination of MET in plasma, urine, and cerebrospinal fluid with a quantification limit of 0.5 ng/mL. The coefficients of variation for within-day and between-day precision were within 10.2 and 14.1%, respectively. Approximately 100 samples can be analyzed by one person in the course of a working day, making the method applicable to routine drug monitoring. The method was demonstrated to be sensitive and accurate for pharmacokinetic studies in plasma, urine, or cerebrospinal fluid.

Chromatography, Gas↗

PubMed1991

[Cancer pain therapy in children and adolescents using morphine].

Systematic treatment in children suffering from cancer pain is a field of pediatric oncology that was neglected for a long time. Investigations have shown that pain therapy oriented to the special situation of the child's body is urgently necessary. In Germany, an unpublished study by Fengler (Berlin), who reviewed all pediatric cancer centers, revealed serious deficiencies in the therapy of pain in children. In our study, we attempted to develop a new concept of cancer pain management, with the emphasis on cooperation between pediatric oncologist and anesthesiological pain therapists. PATIENTS AND METHODS. A total of 36 children and adolescents suffering from malignant tumors and in whom pain therapy according to WHO stage III was necessary were treated. After being seen by a pediatric oncologist and an anesthetist (pain therapist) each patient received either slow release oral morphine (MST, 0.5-1 mg/kg per dose) two to three times a day or a continuous infusion of morphine (0.05 mg/kg per h). The amount of morphine administered was quickly raised until the young patients were free of pain. Drug actions (pain score) and side effects were registered continuously with a documentation form. The morphine was combined with dipyrone 5-15 mg/kg per dose five times a day. The intravenous dosage of oral dipyrone was 2-5 mg/kg per h. RESULTS. The average age of the patients treated was 12 years (1.5-19 years); 10 were inpatients, and 26 were outpatients. All patients were treated successfully. The doses of morphine required for pain relief varied substantially (1-25 mg/kg per day p.o. and 0.05 mg-1 mg/kg per h i.v.). We did not observe extreme sedation or respiratory depression. In our patients we did not observe opioid-induced nausea such as is frequently seen in adults. All children needed laxatives. In 2 children, intolerable itching was experienced after oral administration of slow-release morphine. In 20 patients cortisone was given as adjuvant therapy, in 5 patients with neuropathic pain, anticonvulsants e.g., carbamazepine. In 6 patients we administered benzodiazepines successfully for sedation and anxiolysis. CONCLUSIONS. Therapy of pain in children with advanced cancer requires interdisciplinary cooperation. In most children therapy of pain can be successfully administered with slow-release morphine in combination with dipyrone, so that the children can remain in their usual social environment.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Need for standardized pain therapy in pediatric oncology patients].

Pain-management in pediatric-oncological patients is an interdisciplinary task. The working group pain--therapy of GPO tries to work up an analgesic concept for this group of patients. Pre-existing experience in the therapy with sustained release Morphine and Metamizol should be considered. The documentation-system is just worked up, we ask all pediatric oncological groups to cooperate.

Analgesics↗