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Biomedical subjects

W Stenzel

Publications and source records attributed to W Stenzel.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

A 43-year-old woman with a temporal mass.

A 43-year-old woman with a past medical history of breast cancer and an acute myeloid leukemia (AML) presented with headache over a 3-week period. The clinical examination was completely unremarkable. CT and MRI scans showed a contrast enhancing lesion in the left temporal lobe. Histopathologic examination revealed a malignant, hematopoietic tumor with high mitotic activity, areas of necrosis and diffuse infiltration of the brain parenchyma. Positive staining for Chloroacetateesterase and lysozyme of tumor cells identified its myeloid lineage. The diagnosis was granulocytic sarcoma (GS)/chloroma, a metastatic manifestation of AML. Granulocytic sarcoma (GS) most often occurs in patients with AML, myelodysplastic syndromes and myeloproliferative disorders, and can involve any organ. However intracerebral manifestation of GS is a rare event. In this case histopathological features and differential diagnoses of intracerebral GS are discussed.

Adult↗

CT-guided percutaneous aspiration of Tarlov cyst as a useful diagnostic procedure prior to operative intervention.

Tarlov or perineural cysts are lesions of the nerve root most often found in the sacral region. Several authors recommend surgical treatment of symptomatic Tarlov cysts. However, successful surgical treatment is dependent on appropriate patient selection. In this article, we report three cases of a sacral perineural cyst, causing sciatic pain, and emphasize the usefulness of CT-guided percutaneous aspiration as an important diagnostic and prognostic procedure prior to definitive operative treatment.

Adult↗

Experimental evaluation of possible side effects of intra-operative photodynamic therapy on rabbit blood vessels and nerves.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Tumours of the head and neck show a high local tumour recurrence rate ranging between 7 and 30% despite combined treatment modalities. To improve these data, photodynamic therapy (PDT) might be used as an additional treatment besides surgery and radio-chemotherapy. Intra-operative PDT has been proposed to "sterilise" the tumour bed after surgical tumour resection in order to kill any remaining tumour cells which are responsible for local tumour recurrences. Often, during head and neck surgery, large blood vessels and important nerve structures are exposed and could potentially be harmed by intra-operative PDT. Despite the fact that mTHPC is the most commonly used photosensitiser for head and neck tumours, there are no data on potential detrimental side effects of intra-operative PDT onto these vital structures. The purpose of this study was to use a maximal treatment protocol in rabbit observing possible damage to the blood vessels and nerve structures and thus judge the most severe event that could happen in patients. STUDY DESIGN/MATERIALS AND METHODS: In rabbits the large blood vessels and nerve structures at the neck and at the groin area were surgically exposed and treated by mTHPC-mediated intra-operative PDT. Various treatment parameters (drug-light interval, light dosage, follow up interval) were modified in order to find the critical treatment parameters which might cause maximum tissue effects. The intention was to define the most severe clinical complications which could be expected from mTHPC mediated intra-operative PDT. RESULTS: The most severe tissue reactions were found at a drug dosage of 0.3 mg/kg, a drug-light interval of 24 hours and a light dosage of 20 J/cm(2). Complete necrosis was found for the muscles, fat and connective tissue within the entire treatment field. Blood vessels demonstrated severe oedema, media-hyperplasia or loosening of the endothelial layer leading to various degrees of local thrombosis but no break down of the vessel wall or any rupture was noted. Most nerves were altered by a 75% demyelisation but this did not result in any clinical symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Our results have shown that mTHPC mediated intra-operative PDT used with a maximal treatment protocol (very high doses and very short drug-light intervals) has significant histological impact onto all tissue structures, but did not show any clinical symptoms in rabbits. mTHPC mediated intra-operative PDT seems to be a promising and a safe treatment option which could complement existing treatment modalities in order to improve total survival rate of tumour patients.

Animals↗

Stereo-random synthesis of highly functionalized proline analogues by azomethine cycloaddition.

Highly substituted proline analogues were synthesized on Wang-resin bearing bisprotected histidine as starting material. The proline analogues (1,5-diazabicyclo[3.3.0]octane-2-carboxylic acid) were generated by 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of azomethine ylides with maleimides, thus creating a library of maximum stereochemical diversity. Every compound set with the same empirical formula can theoretically consist of four diastereomers and can be tested in biological assays as mixture. Additionally different methods for the acylation of the proline nitrogen were evaluated.

Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic↗

Fused bicyclic Gly-Asp beta-turn mimics with potent affinity for GPIIb-IIIa. Exploration of the arginine isostere.

6-[4-Amidinobenzoyl]amino]-tetralone-2-acetic acid is a potent antagonist of GPIIb-IIIa. Substitution in the meta position of the benzamidine, or replacement with a heteroaryl amidine was tolerated in this series. Use of an acyl-linked 4-alkyl piperidine as an arginine isostere also provided active compounds. Compounds from this series provided substantial systemic exposure in the rat following oral administration.

Acetates↗

Fused bicyclic Gly-Asp beta-turn mimics with specific affinity for GPIIb-IIIa.

Disubstituted isoquinolones 2 and 3 have affinity for GPIIb-IIIa and represent leads for further structural evaluation. Structure-activity studies centered on the bicyclic beta-turn mimic contained in these molecules indicated that this moiety could accommodate a variety of modifications. Specifically, monocyclic, 6, 5-bicyclic, and 6,7-bicyclic structures provide compounds with affinity for GPIIb-IIIa. Within the 6,6-series, isoquinoline, tetralin, tetralone, and benzopyran nuclei yield potent antagonists that are specific for GPIIb-IIIa. Attachment of the arginine isostere (benzamidine) to the supporting nucleus can be accomplished with an ether or amide linkage, although the latter enhances activity. Several compounds in this series provided measurable blood levels after oral dosing. Conversion of the acid moiety in these molecules to an ester generally provided compounds which gave greater systemic exposure after oral administration. Absolute bioavailabilities in the rat for the ethyl ester prodrug derivatives of the tetralin, tetralone, and benzopyran analogues of 3 were 28%, 23%, and 24%, respectively.

Administration, Oral↗

Investigations of the mechanism of the positive inotropic action of BDF 9148: comparison with DPI 201-106 and the enantiomers.

The electromechanical and biochemical activities of the positive inotropic compounds BDF 9148 and DPI 201-106 were compared in guinea-pig myocardic preparations. Additionally, the properties of the BDF 9148 enantiomers were studied to compare their positive inotropic effects. In guinea pig papillary muscles, BDF 9148 exerted a concentration-dependent increase of force of contraction with a 50% effective concentration (EC50) value of 0.6 microM, compared with 1.3 microM for DPI 201-106. Like that of DPI, the inotropic effect of BDF 9148 was abolished by treatment with tetrodotoxin (TTX) but not affected by treatment with carbachol. Likewise, pretreatment of the papillary muscles with propranolol, cimetidine, and histamine did not affect the contractile effects of BDF 9148. In the left atria, both agents had a positive inotropic effect with an EC50 of 0.2 microM for BDF and 0.8 microM for DPI. Incubation of single concentrations of the respective drugs for a period of 90 min with guinea pig papillary muscles resulted in slightly differing parameters of isometric contraction. In contrast to DPI, BDF 9148 prolonged the contraction time transiently. Time to peak force was not markedly influenced by either drug. The functional refractory period was prolonged by both drugs to a similar extent. At 10 microM, BDF 9148 showed a biphasic effect on the action potential duration (APD) most evident at APD90, whereas DPI prolonged APD90 progressively until the 90 min. The positive inotropic effect of BDF 9148 could be demonstrated by the (S-), whereas the (R+)-enantiomer was without effect. Neither DPI nor BDF 9148 increased myocardial cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) in isolated rat cardiomyocytes and guinea pig papillary muscles. Additionally, neither BDF 9148 nor DPI showed an inhibitory effect on the guinea pig myocardic Na+/K(+)-ATP'ase activity in the concentration range with a positive inotropic effect in the guinea-pig papillary muscle.

Animals↗

Prevention of cerebral vasospasm after experimental subarachnoid hemorrhage by RO 47-0203, a newly developed orally active endothelin receptor antagonist.

Since their discovery in 1988, endothelins have attracted scientific interest because of their extremely potent and long-lasting vasoconstrictive effects, similar to cerebral vasospasm in humans. In this study, the efficacy of the orally active endothelin receptor antagonist RO 47-0203 for prevention of cerebral vasospasm after experimental subarachnoid hemorrhage, using the two-hemorrhage dog model, was investigated. Twenty-eight beagle dogs were used in this laboratory experiment. Fourteen animals each were assigned to the treatment and control groups. In the treatment group, each dog received two single doses of 30 mg/kg RO 47-0203 orally per day. The diameter of the basilar artery decreased from 1.36 +/- 0.17 mm on Day 1 to 1.19 +/- 0.23 mm on Day 8 in the treatment group, whereas in the control group, the vessel diameter decreased from 1.48 +/- 0.19 mm on Day 1 to 1.02 +/- 0.22 mm on Day 8. These results corresponded to a decrease of vessel diameter of 13.1% +/- 11.2% in the treatment group and a decrease of vessel diameter of 30.7% +/- 12.4% in the control group (P < 0.001). Concentrations of endothelin-1 in cerebrospinal fluid significantly increased with time after subarachnoid hemorrhage. These results emphasize the important role of endothelin in the development of cerebral vasospasm and present first-time evidence that prevention of cerebral vasospasm can be achieved by the endothelin receptor antagonist RO 47-0203.

Administration, Oral↗

Fatty-acid synthase activity and mRNA level in hypertrophic type II cells from silica-treated rats.

Silica instillation causes a massive increase in lung surfactant. Two populations of type II pneumocytes can be isolated from rats administered silica by intratracheal injection: type IIA cells similar to type II cells from normal rats and type IIB cells, which are larger and contain elevated levels of surfactant protein A and phospholipid. Activities of choline-phosphate cytidylyltransferase, a rate-regulatory enzyme in phosphatidylcholine biosynthesis, and fatty-acid synthase (FAS) are increased in type IIB cells isolated from rats 14 days after silica injection. In the present study, we examined the increase in FAS and cytidylyltransferase activities in type IIB cells as a function of time after silica administration. FAS activity increased rapidly, was approximately threefold elevated 1 day after silica administration and has reached close to the maximum increase by 3 days. Cytidylyltransferase activity was not increased on day 1, was significantly increased on day 3 but was not maximally increased until day 7. Inhibition of de novo fatty-acid biosynthesis, by in vivo injection of hydroxycitric acid and inclusion of agaric acid in the type II cell culture medium, abolished the increase in cytidylyltransferase activity on day 3 but not FAS and had no effect on activities of two other enzymes of phospholipid synthesis. FAS mRNA levels were not increased in type IIB cells isolated 1-14 days after silica injection. These data show that the increase in FAS activity in type IIB cells is an early response to silica, that it mediates the increase in cytidylyltransferase activity, and that it is not due to enhanced FAS gene expression.

Animals↗

Glucocorticoid regulation of fatty acid synthase gene expression in fetal rat lung.

There are developmental and glucocorticoid-induced increases in the rate of fatty acid biosynthesis and in the activity of fatty acid synthase in late gestation fetal lung. We have now measured mRNA levels of fatty acid synthase and of two other enzymes of fatty acid biosynthesis, ATP citrate lyase and acetyl-CoA carboxylase, in developing fetal and postnatal rat lung and in fetal lung explants cultured with and without dexamethasone. There was a developmental increase in the mRNA for fatty acid synthase with the maximum level being reached on fetal day 21 (term is fetal day 22). This profile was similar to that reported for de novo fatty acid synthesis and fatty acid synthase activity. There was a similar but less pronounced developmental increase in the mRNA for ATP citrate lyase and a corresponding increase in its activity. There was no developmental change in the mRNA for acetyl-CoA carboxylase. Dexamethasone increased the level of fatty acid synthase mRNA approximately threefold but had no effect on those for ATP citrate lyase and acetyl-CoA carboxylase. The effect of dexamethasone on fatty acid synthase mRNA was rapid, biphasic, and partly inhibited by actinomycin D and cycloheximide. We conclude that glucocorticoids increase expression of the gene for fatty acid synthase in fetal lung. The effect of the hormone appears to be due to increased transcription and post-transcriptional events and is dependent on protein synthesis.

Animals↗

Surfactant protein A expression is delayed in fetuses of streptozotocin-treated rats.

The content and distribution of the 26-to 38-kDa surfactant protein (SP-A) and its mRNA were determined in fetuses of control and streptozotocin (STZ)-treated Sprague-Dawley rats using immunohistochemistry, RNA blotting, and in situ hybridization. Female rats were treated with 50 mg/kg STZ before mating, and the fetuses were killed at fetal days 18-21 or on neonatal days 1 and 2 (day of birth = end of day 22). SP-A was barely detectable on fetal day 18 in controls and easily detected by fetal day 21. In the STZ group, SP-A was decreased compared with controls at fetal days 18-21. However, by neonatal days 1-2, there were no significant differences in SP-A levels between groups. SP-A mRNA was detectable at fetal day 18 in controls, but it was decreased in the STZ group at day 18-21 (P less than 0.02) and differences were no longer detected by neonatal days 1-2. SP-A and SP-A mRNA accumulated with advancing gestational age in both groups until neonatal days 1-2. The differences in SP-A and SP-A mRNA levels in the two groups diminished with advancing age but remained significant at fetal day 21. These data suggest that STZ-induced diabetes interferes with normal expression of SP-A in the developing fetal lung.

Animals↗

Increased binding of epidermal growth factor to placental membranes of intrauterine growth restricted fetal rats.

To examine the relationship between nutrient supply and fetal and placental growth, we examined epidermal growth factor (EGF) binding to membranes prepared from placentas of growth-restricted fetal rats. Intrauterine growth retardation was accomplished by unilateral ligation of the uterine artery; fetal rats on the contralateral uterine horn served as controls. Fetal growth restriction was accompanied by decreased placental wt at 19 and 20 day's gestation and significantly decreased placental glycogen content at 20 and 21 days, 30% and 15%, respectively. Placental DNA content and protein/DNA ratios were similar in the growth-restricted and control groups. Specific binding of 125I-EGF was increased in growth-restricted placentas at 19 and 20 days' gestation by 32% and 16%, respectively. 125I-EGF binding at 20-21 days increased linearly with the extent of placental growth restriction. Competitive binding experiments yielded linear Scatchard plots with an increased receptor density in growth-restricted placenta at 19 and 20 days' gestation, 74% and 60%, respectively. Binding affinities for the EGF receptor were similar in the two groups. The increased binding of EGF to membranes prepared from growth-restricted fetal rats may serve to enhance nutrient uptake under conditions of decreased uterine blood flow.

Animals↗

Pharmacological properties of the positive inotropic and alpha 1-adrenoceptor blocking agent saterinone.

The pharmacological properties of saterinone [+/-)-1,2-dihydro-5-[4-[2-hydroxy-3-[4-(2-methoxyphenyl)-1-piperazinyl] propoxy]phenyl]-6-methyl-2-oxo-3-pyridine-carbonitrile, BDF 8634) were investigated in isolated organs of the guinea pig and in human platelets. Saterinone was found to be a potent antagonist at vascular alpha 1-adrenoceptors with a pA2-value of 8.46 +/- 0.12. Besides its affinity for alpha 1-adrenoceptors saterinone exerted a positive inotropic effect in the isolated papillary muscle at an EC50-value of 3.2 X 10(-6)mol/l indicating 10-fold greater potency than milrinone. Comparable EC50-values were also found for the inotropic, chronotropic and bronchodilatory actions of the drug, indicating a common mechanism for these effects. The inotropic effects were not mediated by beta-adrenergic or H2-histaminergic receptors, but were shown to involve an elevation of myocardial cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) content. Saterinone also inhibited crude cAMP phosphodiesterase (PDE) activity in homogenates obtained from guinea pig right ventricles. The IC50-value for PDE-inhibition was 2.3 X 10(-5) mol/l and thus at a higher concentration than the inotropic effect. Saterinone was a potent inhibitor of human platelet aggregation induced by adenosine diphosphate, collagen and arachidonate. Against the latter agonist, saterinone was about 40-fold more effective than acetylsalicylic acid. In conclusion, saterinone exhibited a dual mechanism of action--direct inotropic effects in the myocardium and alpha 1-receptor blockade in the guinea pig vasculature.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists↗

General pharmacology of the novel centrally acting antihypertensive agent moxonidine.

Moxonidine (4-chloro-N-(4, 5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-2-yl)-6-methoxy-2-methyl-5-pyrimidinamine, BDF 5895) reduces blood pressure and heart rate in rats with genetic hypertension (SHR/Okamoto) and in rats with renovascular hypertension (Goldblatt 1 k/1 c). The hypotensive action was also confirmed in renal-hypertensive dogs. The hypotensive action is preceded by a reduction in plasma noradrenaline concentration, thus reflecting a reduction in sympathetic activity. In anesthetized cats, administration of moxonidine into the vertebral artery induces a greater hypotensive effect than i.v. injection of same doses, indicating the central nervous system as the site of hypotensive action. Similar to clonidine, the hypotensive action of moxonidine is abolished by pretreatment of the animals with a selective alpha 2-antagonist. Direct application of moxonidine into the cisterna magna of anesthetized rabbits revealed a 10-fold greater hypotensive potency than clonidine, in contrast to i.v. application where moxonidine was 10-fold less potent than clonidine. At least 10-fold higher doses of moxonidine were needed to cause side effects (sedation, inhibition of gastric secretion), when compared with clonidine. Interruption of presynaptic noradrenergic pathways completely abolished the hypotensive action of moxonidine. Thus moxonidine is endowed with a specific central site of action, presumably by stimulating central presynaptic alpha 2-adrenoceptors. This specific central hypotensive action enables a greater dissociation between the antihypertensive effect on the one hand, and the side effects on the other.

Administration, Oral↗