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Neonatal injection of CD3 antibody into nonobese diabetic mice reduces the incidence of insulitis and diabetes.

Over 80% of nonobese diabetic (NOD) mice develop lymphocytic infiltrates of their pancreatic islets (insulitis) by 6 wk of age and 50% of the females are diabetic by 6 mo of age. The incidence of insulitis in NOD mice injected once as neonates with 250 micrograms of the CD3 antibody, 145.2C11, was 8% at 10 wk of age, increasing to 25% at 32 wk of age. Fewer than 10% of these animals developed diabetes by 8 mo of age. Neonatal administration of 145.2C11 reduced the proliferative responses of spleen cells to mitogen stimulation 2 and 4 wk postinjection and expression of TCR was reduced 1 to 5 wk postinjection. The percentage of CD4 and CD8 cells in the spleen was transiently reduced after injection and the frequency of Pgp-1+-high cells (putative memory cells) was increased 2 to 4 wk postinjection, suggesting that in vivo administration of the antibody caused some T cells to divide as well as transiently reducing T cell numbers. IL-2R expression was not detected on spleen cells in the 4 wk after antibody injection. The phenotypic and functional changes after neonatal CD3 antibody injection resolved by 8 wk of age. The control and injected mice grew normally and made equivalent IgG antibody responses to injected human IgG. Neonatally injected 145.2C11 antibody was cleared from the circulation with a terminal half-life approximating to 21 days but greater than 90% of antigen binding activity was lost 6 days after injection. Protection from diabetes did not follow neonatal elimination of T cells with CD4 and CD8 antibodies, nor the injection of a TCR subset antibody, F23.1. Our data suggest that the neonatal T cell repertoire is open to modulation by a single injection of a CD3 antibody and they offer a new experimental approach to immunotherapy in an animal model of type 1 diabetes.

Animals↗

Effect of antiplatelet antibody on the development of pulmonary metastases following injection of CT26 colon adenocarcinoma, Lewis lung carcinoma, and B16 amelanotic melanoma tumor cells into mice.

Three different murine tumors, CT26 colon adenocarcinoma, Lewis lung carcinoma, and B16 amelanotic melanoma, were injected into syngeneic mice (BALB/c and C57BL/6J) to test the effect of rabbit anti-mouse platelet antibody on the development of pulmonary metastases. Antiplatelet antibody, when injected i.p., decreased the platelet count from 1.5 x 10(6)/microliters to 0.12 x 10(6)/microliters at 6 hr, which remained at this level for 24 hr. Antiplatelet antibody given 6 hr pre- and 18 hr post-i.v. injection of tumor cells decreased the mean number of CT26 tumor nodules per lung by 57% (range, 47 to 65%) and decreased the mean nodule volume of tumor per lung by 37% (range, 0 to 71%) (124 experimental animals), when compared to the effect of nonimmune serum or irrelevant anti-immunoglobulin antibody in 136 control animals. With Lewis lung carcinoma, antiplatelet antibody decreased the mean number of tumor nodules by 62% (range, 57 to 78%) and decreased the mean nodule volume of tumors by 64% (range, 60 to 77%) using 48 experimental animals and 65 control animals. When tumor cells were given s.c., antiplatelet antibody given 6 hr pre-injection, 18 hr post-injection, and every 48 hr thereafter also decreased the mean number of metastases by 42% in 14 experimental and 15 control animals. With B16 amelanotic melanoma, antiplatelet antibody given 6 hr pre- and 18 hr post-injection decreased the mean number of tumor nodules by 85% and decreased the mean nodule volume of tumors by 66% using 9 experimental and 9 control animals. Similar results were obtained when all three tumors were injected 6 hr after the injection of antiplatelet antibody. However, negative results were obtained if antiplatelet antibody was injected 6 hr after the injection of tumor cells. Since antiplatelet antibody has its maximum effect at 6 hr, it is likely that platelets play their role in the development of pulmonary metastases during the first 12 hr of tumor inoculation.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Cardiac lymphoscintigraphy following closed-chest catheter injection of radiolabeled colloid into the myocardium of dogs: concise communication.

A catheter technique for injection of radiolabeled colloids into the myocardium was developed and tested in a series of 15 dogs. A multipurpose angiographic catheter was modified to permit an inner core of PE-50 polyethylene tubing, tipped with a 23-gage needle, to pass through the lumen for intra-myocardial injection of radiocolloids. For injection of the left ventricle, the catheter is introduced through the femoral artery: for the right ventricle, the femoral vein. The catheter advanced under fluoroscopy until the desired surface for injection is reached. The inner core is then extended to lodge the needle in the endocardium. A mixture of Renografin (to confirm the endocardial injection site) and radiolabeled colloid was injected in 13 animals. Ten minutes after injection, scintigraphy was begun and continued for up to 6 hr. In three dogs the procedure was repeated 3 or 4 times. From two to five nodes were visible in all animals, irrespective of whether the right or left ventricular myocardium was injected. In two animals the injection was given intravenously, and no nodes were seen. These data suggest that cardiac lymphatic drainage can be studied with a catheter injection method.

Animals↗

Delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol injection induces cytokine-mediated mortality of mice infected with Legionella pneumophila.

Delta 9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) injection modulates immune cell function, but the significance of this in altering host resistance to infection is not understood. In addition, exposure to THC and other drugs of abuse during infection is associated with an acute mortality syndrome. We examined the effect of THC injection on the survival of mice infected with Legionella pneumophila (Lp). Mice given two injections of THC (8 mg/kg)-one 24 hr before and the second 24 hr after a sublethal Lp infection-experienced acute collapse and death. The drug injection after infection caused death; deaths occurred within 30 min after the injection, and neither one nor two drug injections before infection resulted in death. The THC-induced mortality resembled cytokine-mediated shock in both kinetics and symptoms; therefore, sera from drug-treated animals were measured for the acute-phase cytokines tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and interleukin 6 (IL6). The level of each cytokine was significantly elevated by THC treatment, suggesting a role in the observed mortality. To directly test this role, mice were administered a single injection of either anti-TNF alpha, anti-IL6, or a mixture of anti-IL1 alpha and -IL1 beta antibodies 1 hr before the second THC injection. Results showed that each antibody treatment protected the mice, with anti-IL6 being the most effective. Fluctuations in blood granulocytes levels also supported a role of acute-phase cytokines in THC-induced mortality. These results show that THC injection increases the blood levels of acute-phase cytokines in infected animal and that these elevated levels, at least in part, account for the mortality induced by THC injection.

Acute-Phase Proteins↗

Hepatic growth induced by injection of the liver growth factor into normal rats.

Normal Wistar rats injected with the liver growth factor (LGF), a mitogen specific for liver cells, experienced hepatic growth. LGF shows two peaks of activity in vivo, both of them mitogenic. Rats injected either with 6.8 ng or 3.9 micrograms LGF/rat every 3-4 days experienced liver growth showing a see-saw profile. Dry liver weight usually peaked at day 2 (microgram doses) or at day 3 (ng doses) after each injection, with increases of about 30% over controls. Liver DNA synthesis, measured by [3H]-thymidine incorporation, peaked 24 h after LGF injection at both doses. Liver protein synthesis, measured by [14]C-leucine incorporation, usually peaked 24 h after DNA synthesis maximums. Mitogen-stimulated cells were also assessed by immunohistochemical staining for proliferating cell nuclear antigen in livers of LGF-injected rats. Rats injected with rat serum albumin purified from normal rats to serve as controls showed a 6% increase in dry liver weight, but when serum albumin from 3-day fasted rats was injected instead, the increase was not statistically significant. The mild effect of rat serum albumin could be due to the lipid content of the solutions injected, but the level of lipids/mg protein in LGF solutions was half that determined with serum albumin from 3-day fasted rats. From the microscopic and ultramicroscopic studies carried out in rat livers injected with LGF at each dose, we observed: (1) an increase in the number of hepatocytes undergoing mitosis; (2) transient increases in lipid and glycogen contents, as occur after liver resection; (3) no signs of degeneration, such as the appearance of amyloids or fibrosis; (4) no increase in lysosome number, as in hepatotoxicity; (5) no alterations in endothelial or Kupffer cells; and (6) no ultrastructural signs of degeneration either in cytoplasmic organelles (rough endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria) or in nuclei. One year after LGF injection, rat liver, pancreas, kidneys and spleen were normal, with no signs of degeneration or onset of fibrosis.

Animals↗

HIV in injecting drug users in Edinburgh: prevalence and correlates.

A citywide sample of injecting drug users (IDUs) who had injected in the previous 6 months was recruited in Edinburgh. Interviewers administered a questionnaire enquiring about drug use, sharing of injecting equipment, sexual behavior, and imprisonment. A specimen of saliva was assayed for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) IgG. HIV antibody prevalence in 346 IDUs recruited between June 1992 and October 1993 was 19.7% (95% confidence limits, 15.5 and 23.9%). Univariate analyses indicated that infection was significantly associated with being 27 to 36 years of age, starting to inject between 1975 and 1980, injecting in 1980-1987 and, particularly, 1982-1984, injecting in more than 7 years since 1979, reusing injecting equipment already used by another IDU in 1980-1987, being imprisoned, using equipment used by a fellow prisoner, and residing in north Edinburgh. Multivariate analysis showed that being 27-36 years of age, injecting in 1982-1984, and being imprisoned were independently related to being HIV positive. The risk of being infected increased with the number of times of imprisonment. A quarter of the sample said that they had used injecting equipment already used by another person in the 6 months before interview, and 70% said that they had ever done so. Of IDUs who started injecting after 1986, 4.5% were HIV positive. These findings suggest that the potential for HIV transmission by contaminated equipment still exists in Edinburgh. This is particularly so in prison, where IDUs do not have access to new needles and syringes.

Adolescent↗

Prevention by thymectomy of tolerance induced by intrathymic injection of donor splenocytes.

BACKGROUND: We have recently demonstrated indefinite donor-specific cardiac allograft survival after the intrathymic injection of donor splenocytes and simultaneous injection of antilymphocyte serum (ALS) in a fully major histocompatibility complex-mismatched rat combination. In this study we performed thymectomy to determine the length of time required for donor alloantigen to be present in the recipient thymus to induce tolerance. METHODS: Male Buffalo (BUF; RT1b) rats at 4 to 8 weeks of age underwent intrathymic injection of 25 x 10(6) Lewis (LEW; RT1(1)) splenocytes and simultaneously received an intraperitoneal injection of 1 ml ALS. To determine the kinetics of tolerance induction, the BUF recipients underwent thymectomy on days 1, 3, or 7 after the initial intrathymic injection of alloantigen and intraperitoneal ALS. Twenty-one days after intrathymic alloantigen injection and ALS, all rats underwent transplantation with a heterotopic LEW cardiac allograft. RESULTS: Thymectomy performed 1 (mean survival time, 6.8 days) and 3 (mean survival time, 8.0 days) days after donor alloantigen injection and ALS did not affect the normal rejection of LEW cardiac allografts. In contrast, thymectomy 7 days after intrathymic alloantigen injection and ALS resulted in indefinite survival of cardiac allografts in 75% of recipients (mean survival time > 77.0 days). In addition, allospecific cytotoxic T lymphocyte activity and interleukin-2 production were markedly decreased in those recipients undergoing thymectomy after 7 days compared with untreated control rats and recipients undergoing thymectomy 1 and 3 days after alloantigen injection. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of the thymus for at least 7 days after intrathymic alloantigen injection and intraperitoneal ALS allows the development of indefinite donor-specific cardiac allograft tolerance.

Animals↗

Biological effects of 137CsCl injected in beagle dogs of different ages.

The toxicity of 137Cs in the beagle dog was investigated at the Inhalation Toxicology Research Institute (ITRI) and Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) as part of programs to evaluate the biological effects of both radionuclides in atomic bomb fallout and internally deposited fission-product radionuclides. In the ITRI study, young adult dogs were exposed once by intravenous injection to a range of 137Cs concentrations; the results have recently been published (Nikula et al., Radiat. Res. 142, 347-361, 1995). The purpose of the present report is to summarize the ANL study and to compare the results of the two studies. At ANL, 63 dogs in three age groups (15 juveniles, 142-151 days old; 38 young adults, 388-427 days old; and 10 middle-aged dogs, 1387-2060 days old) were given 137Cs intravenously at levels (61-162 MBq/kg) near those expected to be lethal within 30 days after injection. There were 17 control dogs from the same colony. Twenty-three of the dogs injected with 137Cs, including all middle-aged dogs, died within 52 days after injection due to hematopoietic cell damage resulting in severe pancytopenia that led to fatal hemorrhage and/or septicemia. The other significant early effect was damage to the germinal epithelium of the seminiferous tubules of all male dogs. These early effects are the same as those reported for the dogs injected with 137Cs at ITRI. In addition, the design of the ANL study revealed an age- and gender-related differential radiosensitivity for early effects: The middle-aged dogs died significantly earlier due to complications of hematological dyscrasia compared to the juvenile and young adult dogs, and the middle-aged females died significantly earlier than the middle-aged males. The most significant non-neoplastic late effects in the 137Cs-injected dogs from ANL and ITRI were atrophy of the germinal epithelium of seminiferous tubules with azoospermia, and a significant dose-dependent decrease in survival. However, the survival of the ANL dogs was decreased more than that of the ITRI dogs at similar radiation doses from 137Cs. Numerous neoplasms occurred at many different sites in the dogs injected with 137Cs at ANL and ITRI. Two differences in the findings of the two studies were that (1) there was an increased risk for malignant thyroid neoplasms in the ANL male dogs injected with 137Cs, but not the ITRI dogs of either gender, and (2) there was an increased relative risk for benign neoplasms excluding mammary neoplasms in the ITRI dogs injected with 137Cs, but not the ANL dogs. In both groups, there were dose-related increased incidences of malignant neoplasms, malignant neoplasms excluding mammary neoplasms, all sarcomas considered as a group, all non-mammary carcinomas considered as a group and malignant liver neoplasms. In summary, the similarity of the findings between the two studies and the dose-response relationships for survival and for large groupings of neoplasms suggests that these results are consistent findings in 137Cs-injected dogs and might be dose-related late effects in humans exposed to sufficient amounts of internally deposited 137Cs.

Age Factors↗

Young and recent-onset injecting drug users are at higher risk for HIV.

AIMS: To determine whether young or recent-onset injecting drug users (IDUs) are at increased risk of HIV infection, and to compare trends in risk behaviours and HIV incidence among subgroups of IDUs. DESIGN: Associations of age and onset of injecting with HIV prevalence and injecting risk behaviours were determined among current IDUs who entered an Amsterdam cohort between 1989 and 1995, and compared with current IDUs recruited in two street surveys in 1990 and 1993. In the cohort, trends from 1986 through 1995 in injecting risk behaviour (as reported at entry) and in HIV seroconversion (among current IDUs during follow-up) were determined using logistic and Poisson regression. FINDINGS: Sizable portions of IDUs were young (< or = 25 years: 14-30%) or had recently started injecting (within the last 3 years: 17-21%). Between 37% and 50% of young IDUs recently started injecting. HIV prevalence was 12-24% among young IDUs, and 5-12% among recent-onset IDUs. Young IDUs more often reported current borrowing than older IDUs. Borrowing declined significantly in all subgroups, except young IDUs. The crude HIV incidence declined from 18/100 person-years (PY) in 1986 to 5/100 PY in 1995. Trends in HIV incidence were not significantly different for subgroups of age or onset of injecting. In a multivariate analysis, recent onset of injecting was an independent predictor (p = 0.04) for HIV seroconversion, but age was not (p = 0.68). CONCLUSIONS: Important proportions of drug users are young or have recently started injecting. HIV prevalence is relatively high among young and recent-onset IDUs. Recent onset of injection is an independent predictor for HIV seroconversion. Our observations may be explained by non-random patterns of borrowing used needles/syringes. Recent-onset IDUs should be approached more actively for HIV counselling and testing.

Adult↗

[Concentrations of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in serum and tissues at venous injection of tegafur or 5-FU--clinical study on colorectal cancer].

Tissue and serum concentrations of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) after daily slow venous injection of tegafur or 5-FU for 5 days were measured. The serum concentration of 5-FU elevated to the highest level 6 hours after the venous injection (mean: 30 ng/ml). Compared with the tegafur injection, the serum concentration of 5-FU elevated to a higher peak level 6 hours after the 5-FU injection (mean: 827 ng/ml). The serum concentration of 5-FU after the tegafur injection tended to be maintained longer than after the 5-FU injection. When tegafur was injected, the concentration of 5-FU in cancer tissue or lymphnodes was significantly higher than in normal tissue. On the other hand, no significant difference was detected among the concentrations of 5-FU in the above three tissues when 5-FU was injected. Moreover, a significantly higher concentration of 5-FU in lymphnodes was caused by the tegafur injection compared to the 5-FU injection.

Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic↗

Alumina gel injections into the temporal lobe of rhesus monkeys cause complex partial seizures and morphological changes found in human temporal lobe epilepsy.

The goal of the present study was to determine whether alumina gel injections into temporal lobe structures cause complex partial seizures (CPS) and pathological changes observed in human temporal lobe epilepsy. Rhesus monkeys with alumina gel injections in the amygdala, perirhinal and entorhinal cortices, or Ammon's horn and dentate gyrus all initially displayed focal pathological electroencephalographic (EEG) slowing limited to the site of injection. After clinical seizures developed, they also displayed widespread pathological EEG slowing over both hemispheres, interictal and ictal epileptiform EEG abnormalities limited to the mesial-inferior temporal lobe on the side of injection, and different degrees of spread to other ipsilateral and contralateral structures. Noninjected control and nonepileptic monkeys with injections into the middle and inferior temporal gyri displayed no hippocampal neuronal loss or mossy fiber sprouting. When alumina gel was injected into the amygdala, CPS began within 3-6 weeks and degeneration of neurons and gliosis occurred in the perirhinal cortex or the hippocampus, with consequent sprouting of mossy fibers in the dentate gyrus. Dispersion of the granule cell layer was also observed. Other monkeys with alumina gel in the perirhinal and entorhinal cortices developed CPS within 2-3 weeks after the injections and displayed mossy fiber sprouting only after 4 weeks after the injections. Alumina gel in Ammon's horn and the dentate gyrus also induced CPS, but mossy fiber sprouting was limited to sites immediately adjacent to the injection, probably because none survived more than 4 weeks after the injections. This nonhuman primate model of CPS displayed similar anatomical, behavioral, and EEG features as observed in human temporal lobe epilepsy and provides opportunities to analyze the chronological sequence of epileptogenesis and to test potential therapies.

Aluminum Oxide↗

Evaluation of acellular dermal graft in sheet (AlloDerm) and injectable (micronized AlloDerm) forms for soft tissue augmentation. Clinical observations and histological analysis.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the histological and clinical properties of (1) subdermally implanted acellular dermal graft (AlloDerm) sheets vs intradermal bovine collagen and (2) subdermally or intradermally injected micronized AlloDerm vs type I bovine collagen cross-linked with glutaraldehyde (Zyplast). PATIENTS: Twenty-five adult patients testing nonallergic to bovine collagen. METHODS: (1) Stacked disks of AlloDerm were implanted subdermally behind one ear, and bovine collagen was injected intradermally behind the other. The soft tissue augmentation caused by the implants was measured by digital photography at 1, 4, and 12 weeks, and biopsy specimens of each implant type were examined at 3 months after implantation. (2) Micronized AlloDerm was injected intradermally and subdermally in 2 different locations behind one ear, and bovine collagen was injected in the same manner behind the other. The soft tissue augmentation caused by the implants was measured by digital photography at the time of implantation and at 1 and 4 weeks after implantation. All implants were examined 1 month after implantation. RESULTS: All patients tolerated both implants well. (1) AlloDerm implants retained a higher percentage of the original implant volume than Zyplast at 1 and 3 months after implantation. Histologically, AlloDerm implants were extensively invaded by host fibroblasts without any foreign body reaction. (2) Intradermally injected micronized AlloDerm implants retained a higher percentage of the original implant volume at 1 month after implantation than intradermal Zyplast. Histologically, micronized AlloDerm implants were extensively invaded by host fibroblasts without any foreign body reaction. No significant differences were noted between subdermally injected micronized AlloDerm and Zyplast. CONCLUSIONS: The macroscopic and microscopic behavior of subdermally implanted AlloDerm sheets and subdermally and intradermally injected micronized AlloDerm was compared with intradermally injected Zyplast. AlloDerm sheet volume persisted to a significantly (P < .001) greater degree than bovine collagen during the first 3 months after placement. Clinically, intradermally injected micronized AlloDerm volume persisted to a significantly (P = .01, .04, and .01, respectively) greater degree than intradermal Zyplast or subdermal micronized AlloDerm or Zyplast. Histologically, micronized AlloDerm and AlloDerm are well tolerated at 1 and 3 months, respectively. Host tissue incorporation with fibroblast in-growth and collagen deposition is seen in both materials. AlloDerm and micronized AlloDerm hold promise for use in facial soft tissue augmentation.

Adult↗

No Efficacy of Dexamethasone Injections for Acute Sciatica: A Double-Blind Randomized Study Versus Saline.

BACKGROUND: The efficacy of caudal injections for patients with acute sciatica remains controversial. The DEXHIA study was designed to evaluate whether ultrasound-guided caudal injection of dexamethasone provides superior clinical outcomes compared with saline placebo. METHODS: This prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial included adult patients with sciatica secondary to lumbar disc herniation of less than 3 months' duration. Participants were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive either 16&#x2009;mg of dexamethasone (4&#x2009;mL) diluted with 16&#x2009;mL of saline (DEXA group) or 20&#x2009;mL of saline alone (PLACEBO group), administered by ultrasound-guided caudal epidural injection. The primary outcome was the change in the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) at 3&#x2009;weeks. Secondary outcomes included leg pain and low back pain assessed by visual analogue scale (VAS), health-related quality of life (SF-36), need for repeat epidural injection, and need for lumbar surgery. Clinical assessments were performed at 3&#x2009;weeks, 3 months, and 6 months. RESULTS: A total of 106 patients were randomized, with 53 participants assigned to each treatment group. The primary endpoint was not met, as the improvement in ODI at 3&#x2009;weeks did not differ significantly between groups (mean change: -9.5&#x2009;&#xb1;&#x2009;4.4 in the DEXA group versus -13.8&#x2009;&#xb1;&#x2009;4.4 in the PLACEBO group; p&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.18). No significant differences were observed for any relevant secondary outcome at any follow-up time point. During the 6-month follow-up, 34 patients in the DEXA group and 30 patients in the PLACEBO group underwent a second, non-blinded injection of dexamethasone (ns). Lumbar surgery was performed in 10 patients in the DEXA group and nine patients in the PLACEBO group (ns). Injection-related adverse events were mild and transient but occurred more frequently in the DEXA group. CONCLUSIONS: Caudal injection of soluble dexamethasone conferred no clinical benefit over saline placebo in patients with acute sciatica. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Epidural injections are widely used worldwide for the treatment of resistant sciatica and have been extensively studied in multiple meta-analyses. However, their clinical value remains debated due to the limited methodological quality of most available studies. We conducted a methodologically rigorous randomized, placebo-controlled trial, which yielded negative results. These findings question the efficacy of caudal epidural injection of a non-particulate corticosteroid administered via a remote (sacrococcygeal) approach for disc-related sciatica. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The trial was registered under European Clinical Trials No. 2021-001571-17 and ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT05000658.

Adult↗

Effect of intravenous and intraperivenous injections of sclerosants (sodium tetradecyl sulfate and hydroxy polyethoxy dodecan) on the rat femoral vein.

The sclerosant effect of injected tetradecyl sulfate of sodium (STS) and hydroxy polyethoxy dodecan (HPD) was studied in the rat femoral vein. Intravenous (i.v.) and intravenous plus perivenous (i.v. + p.v.) injections of both sclerosants and physiologic saline were compared as to vein lumen occlusion, fibrosis, phlogosis, and damage to the artery and surrounding nervous and muscular tissues. The study was carried out in 30 rats treated by STS, in 30 treated by HPD, and 15 animals were injected with saline. The neurovascular bundle and adjacent muscle were removed at 48 h, 7 and 30 days and examined histologically. I.v. injections of STS produced a solid occlusion of the vein in a significant number of cases, after 30 days (P less than 0.01). A statistically significant number of solid occlusions of the femoral vein resulted after i.v. + p.v. injection of STS and HPD, at 48 h, 7 and 30 days (P less than 0.05; P less than 0.01). There was no significant difference between STS and HPD after i.v. + p.v. injection. After i.v. + p.v. we recorded a marked inflammation of muscle with signs of focal necrosis, at 48 h and 7 days. Our study indicated that i.v. + p.v. injection of STS and HPD provided a high degree of efficacy as regards vein occlusion. On the other hand, i.v. + p.v. injection induced a severe inflammation and necrosis of the tissues surrounding the sclerosed vein. Extrapolating our results to the endoscopic sclerotherapy for esophageal variceal bleeding, we conclude that paravariceal injection of sclerosants is a dangerous procedure, even though efficacious to reduce variceal hemorrhage, owing to the high risk of iatrogenic ulcers and esophageal perforation caused by muscular and mucosal necrosis.

Animals↗

Pharmacodynamic effects of once-a-month combined injectable contraceptives.

The pharmacology and clinical assessment of existing first generation once-a-month combined injectable contraceptives, mainly Deladroxate and Chinese Injectable No. 1, are reviewed. Although these two types of monthly injectables have been used in some million women in China and Latin America, Deladroxate needs indepth re-evaluation of its long-term toxicity and possible accumulation. For injectable No. 1, its disadvantage of being administered on an erratic schedule will cause significant confusion in family planning practice. When used in a strict once-a-month schedule, it is not sufficiently effective for contraception. In order to attain predictable menstrual cycle control as well as high efficacy with a 30-day injection schedule, two improved once-a-month injectable formulations, Cyclofem and Mesigyna, were developed. Pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic study on estrogenic components suggested that estradiol valerate and cypionate were suitable estrogen esters to give elevated plasma estrogen levels for 7 to 11 days. After a single injection of Cyclofem and Mesigyna, both formulations showed equal contraceptive effect with inhibition of follicle maturation for some 30 days and ovulation, corpus luteum formation for some 60 days. Multicentre studies on the optimization of dosages of progestogens and estrogens in once-a-month injectables confirmed that the full doses of Cyclofem (DMPA 25 mg/estradiol cypionate 5 mg) and Mesigyna (NET-EN 50 mg/estradiol valerate 5 mg) are suitable for large scale clinical trials. Pharmacodynamics and progestogen/estrogen ratio study indicated the importance of not only the absolute amounts of the progestogen and estrogen but also of their ratio. Reduction of estrogen dose resulted in breakthrough ovulation with both Cyclofem and Mesigyna. Also, it is important to note that the second part of the injection cycle is dominated by the progestogen component of both monthly formulations. A longitudinal study indicated that there is no accumulation of norethisterone after 12 months of treatment with NET-EN 50 mg and estradiol valerate 5 mg.

17 alpha-Hydroxyprogesterone Caproate↗

Acute tachycardia and pressor effects following injections of kainic acid into the antero-dorsal medial hypothalamus.

The responses of systemic arterial blood pressure and heart rate to intra-cerebral injections of the excitatory neurotoxin, kainic acid, were examined in urethane-anesthetized rats. Injections of kainic acid into the antero-dorsal medial hypothalamus produced dose-related increases in both blood pressure and heart rate over a range of 30-1000 ng. Exophthalmos, mydriasis, increased respiratory rate and movements of the vibrissae were also noted. Injections of 1000 ng of kainic acid into the antero-dorsal medial hypothalamus produced significantly greater increases in blood pressure and heart rate than comparable injections of equimolar doses of the excitatory neurotoxins, quisqualic acid, N-methyl-D-aspartic acid or quinolinic acid. No differences in the magnitude of the cardiovascular responses to 1000 ng of kainic acid were detected between injections directed towards the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN), lateral hypothalamus or lateral cerebral ventricle. In contrast, at doses of 30 ng, injections directed towards the paraventricular nucleus produced significantly greater responses than comparable injections into the lateral hypothalamus, medial thalamus or lateral cerebral ventricle. The distribution of radiolabelled kainic acid at this dose was found to extend ipsilaterally in the medial hypothalamus as far as 1 mm rostral and caudal to the injection site. The results suggest that excitation of neuronal cell bodies within the medial hypothalamus by excitatory neurotoxins produces acute increases in blood pressure and heart rate. However, widespread diffusion of kainic acid, in particular, was documented and caution in interpretation of the results produced by local intra-cerebral injections of this agent is recommended.

Animals↗

Targeting of salicylate to skin and muscle following topical injections in rats.

The process of systemic absorption and tissue targeting efficacy of salicylate (SA) following intracutaneous (i.c.), subcutaneous (s.c.) and intramuscular (i.m.) injections of its sodium salt in rats were evaluated by determining the drug concentration at the injection site and surrounding tissues. After i.c. and s.c. injections, SA was absorbed into the systemic circulation from the muscular vessels as well as the cutaneous or subcutaneous vessels beneath the injection site, and the AUC of the drug in the muscle was extremely high. Following i.m. injection, SA was rapidly absorbed into the systemic circulation mostly from the muscular vein. These results suggested that i.c. and s.c. injections have high degrees of targeting efficacy to the muscle, whereas i.m. injection is not appropriate for drug retention in muscle. In contrast, most of the topically applied drug was absorbed from the cutaneous vessels, and little drug migration to the muscle was observed. Thus, the skin pharmacokinetics of SA after i.c. injection was also markedly different from those after topical application on the skin. These results suggested that the i.c. and s.c. injections may be a good means to improve the targeting ability of drugs to the muscle as well as the skin.

Absorption↗

Antitumoral efficacy and pharmacokinetic properties of pirarubicin upon hepatic intra-arterial injection in the rabbit V x 2 tumour model.

To improve the efficiency of hepatic intra-arterial (h.i.a.) chemotherapy, we selected pirarubicin (THP) because it shows good properties for h.i.a. chemotherapy, such as fast and efficient cellular uptake, and used it for h.i.a. chemotherapy in rabbits with V x 2 tumour implanted in the liver. The anti-tumour effect of THP upon h.i.a. administration was compared with that upon intravenous (i.v.) injection and also with the anti-tumour activity of epirubicin (EPI) upon h.i.a. injection using optimal and maximal tolerated doses of each drug. When tumour growth rates and morphometric examinations were evaluated, it was found that THP and EPI were effective against V x 2 tumour when injected via the h.i.a. route. The activity of THP was stronger than that of EPI. As regards h.i.a. injection-related complication, plasma transaminase levels were temporarily elevated. To demonstrate higher anti-tumour activity and other advantages of h.i.a. injection of THP, plasma and tumour drug concentrations were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography after THP or EPI was administered at an equal dose to the rabbit V x 2 model. Hepatic intra-arterial injection of THP accomplished a selective and higher uptake into the tumour and lower effusion into the plasma than i.v. injection of THP or h.i.a. injection of EPL. Our findings indicate that THP is the better candidate of the two drugs tested for the h.i.a. chemotherapy because of its greater anti-tumour activity and the lower systemic drug exposure achieved upon h.i.a. injection.

Animals↗