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Biomedical subjects

S M Aquilonius

Publications and source records attributed to S M Aquilonius.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMed1981

Topographical localization of choline acetyltransferase within the human spinal cord and a comparison with some other species.

Choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), which is known to be a specific marker of cholinergic structures, was assayed in small tissue samples punched out from cryosections of human, bovine, cat and rat spinal cords. The relative distribution patterns of spinal ChAT were similar between the different species. An area of high activity in the ventrolateral part of the ventral horn was found. This activity is probably located in the motor neurons, as it could be traced into the ventral root region. In addition, in the dorsal horn of the cord from man and cow another area with high ChAT activity was found. Subcellular studies suggest that this activity is mainly located at nerve terminals.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1981

Utilization of antiparkinson drugs in Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Finland 1975-1979.

Defined daily doses per day and 10(3) inhabitants [Formula: see text] of the different types of antiparkinson agents have been compared in the period 1975-1979 for Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Finland. A marked increase in the utilization of L-DOPA containing drugs has taken place especially in Sweden following the introduction of the "combined drugs" (L-DOPA + decarboxylase inhibitor). Statistically, nearly all patients with parkinsonism in Sweden have since 1977 been treated with L-DOPA, while in the other nordic countries about 10% of the patients are not on this therapy. These data are discussed in relation to the current concept of pharmacotherapy of parkinsonism. Further, many patients treated with neuroleptic drugs do in addition take anticholinergic agents. Drug utilization figures indicate this method of treatment to be most common in Denmark and Sweden.

Antiparkinson Agents↗
PubMed1980

Pharmacokinetics and oral bioavailability of pyridostigmine in man.

The pharmacokinetics of pyridostigmine was evaluated after intravenous injection in two healthy male volunteers and after oral administration to five subjects. Plasma concentrations of pyridostigmine were determined after ion pair extraction from plasma and analysis by gas chromatography - mass spectrometry with chemical ionization, using d6-pyridostigmine as internal standard. Degradation of pyridostigmine in vitro was compensated for by use of the deuterated internal standard and by rapid cooling and separation of plasma after blood sampling. After intravenous administration of pyridostigmine 2.5 mg the plasma elimination half-life was 1.52 h, the volume of distribution was 1.43 l/kg and the plasma clearance 0.65 l/kg x h. The pharmacokinetic constants were very similar after oral administration of pyridostigmine 120 mg; the elimination half-life was 1.78 +/- 0.24 h, the volume of distribution 1.64 +/- 0.29 l/kg and the plasma clearance was 0.66 +/- 0.22 l/kg x h. The bioavailability was calculated to be 7.6 +/- 2.4%. When pyridostigmine was taken together with food, the time to reach the peak plasma concentration was prolonged from 1.7 to 3.2 h. Bioavailability, however, was not influenced by concomitant food intake. "Steady-state" plasma concentrations of pyridostigmine were measured in myasthenic patients on their ordinary dose schedule of cholinesterase inhibitor drugs. More than a seven-fold difference in steady-state plasma concentration was found between patients taking approximately the same daily dose of pyridostigmine.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1980

Cerebral computed tomography in methanol intoxication.

In four of six patients with methanol intoxication, computed tomography (CT) showed necrotic changes in the area of the putamina. Hemorrhages were also seen in some cases. There was a clear relationship between the severity of the clinical symptoms and the CT findings, indicating the potential of CT for prognosis and possible therapy guidance.

Adult↗
PubMed1979

Choline acetyltransferase activity in human blood and its diurnal oscillation--an artifact?

Diurnal oscillation of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT)-like activity in human blood has recently been reported in the literature. From studies on the pH-optimum of acetylcholine synthesizing activity in human blood we suggest, however, that this activity is only partly related to ChAT, and that the diurnal oscillation observed might be an artifact resulting from the analytical procedure.

Acetylcholine↗
PubMed1978

The use of physostigmine as an antidote in tricyclic anti-depressant intoxication.

The value of physostigmine treatment of unconsciousness due to self-poisoning by tricyclic antidepressant drugs (TAD) was evaluated in 10 patients, and the following conclusions are drawn: 1. A slow i.v. injection of 2 mg of physostigmine produces a clear-cut increase in consciousness within 15 min if a TAD (or other drugs with central anticholingeric potencies) is mainly responsible for the poisoning. This "test dose" can give valuable diagnostic information. 2. Repeated i.v. injections seem of little practical value, since they may be expected to produce a state with rapid shifts in the level of consciousness. 3. If the test dose has a positive effect, immediate i.v. infusion of 4 mg physostigmine/h will maintain a high level of consciousness. Infusion should be stopped every sixth hour for about 30 min to check whether the level of consciousness still falls upon withdrawal of therapy 4. In cases of massive TAD overdosage, i.v. injection of physostigmine may increase the risk of grand mal seizures. 5. No signs of enhanced peripheral cholinergic activity following physostigmine are seen if 30 mg of propantheline is given i.v. every sixth hour. 6. No evidence has been produced that the morality rate in TAD poisoning is lower following physostigmine treatment whan with conventional supportive care. There must be the usual preparedness for cardiac complications.

Adult↗
PubMed1977

Free choline in human plasma analysed by simple radio-enzymatic procedure: age distribution and effect of a meal.

Ultrafiltration of plasma was shown to be a simple and rapid method to obtain a stable sample for direct measurement of free choline (Ch) in plasma by a radioenzymatic procedure. Free Ch was analysed in plasma from healthy volunteers fasted 12-15 h and 1 h after a meal. The free Ch concentration was found within narrow limits with a mean of 10.6 +/- 0.4 mumol/l in the fasted subjects and 11.5 +/- 0.3 mumol/l 1 h after a meal. The difference is significant (paired t test, P less than 0.01, n = 23). Dietary influence on the free Ch concentration in human plasma is suggested. In three newborn infants (1-3 min post partum) the Ch concentration in plasma from the umbilical vein was 24.5 +/- 1.9 mumol/l.

Adult↗
PubMed1977

A simple radioenzymatic procedure for the determination of choline and acetylcholine in brain regions of rats sacrificed by microwave irradiation.

A rapid and sensitive radioenzymatic method for analysis of choline (Ch) and acetylcholine (ACh) concentrations in rat brain regions is described. The ACh content is obtained as the difference in Ch concentration between a hydrolysed and an unhydrolysed tissue sample. The ACh content was 16+/-1.0 nmol/g in the cortex and 76+/-2.4 nmol/g in the striatum, and the corresponding Ch values were 23+/-2.5 and 33+/-1.2.

Acetylcholine↗
PubMed1977

In vivo turnover rate of acetylcholine in rat brain parts at elevated steady-state concentration of plasma choline.

Cortical and striatal turnover rates of acetylcholine TR(ACh) were estimated by applying steady-state tracer kinetics in rats killed by microwave irradiation following a constant i.v. infusion of 3H-Ch. In control rats TR(ACh) was 3.6 nmol . g-1 . min-1 in the cortex and 23.8 nmol . g-1 . min-1 in the striatum. When steady-state plasma concentrations of Ch were increased from 17 to 140 mumol . 1-1 by a 15-min infusion of unlabelled Ch the corresponding TR(ACh) were 3.6 nmol . g-1 . min-1 and 21.4 nmol . g-1 . min-1, respectively. These results indicate that increased plasma levels of Ch are not accompanied by increased synthesis of brain ACh.

Acetylcholine↗
PubMed1977

Choline therapy in Huntington chorea.

Choline chloride was administered orally (3 to 15 gm per day) to five patients with Huntington chorea. A long-lasting dose-dependent elevation of the concentration of free choline in plasma was obtained and the highest plasma concentrations (25 to 30 mumol per liter) were of the same magnitude as those that increase brain acetylcholine content in the rat. However, the choline treatment did not conclusively alter the involuntary movements of these patients.

Adult↗