Analysis of herbal teas made from the leaves of comfrey (Symphytum officinale): reduction of N-oxides results in order of magnitude increases in the measurable concentration of pyrrolizidine alkaloids.

Objectives: To determine the relative quantities of two hepatotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids, symphytine and echimidine, in teas prepared from comfrey leaves (Symphytum officinale), and to determine the potential contribution of the N-oxide forms of these alkaloids to levels of the parent alkaloids.

Design: Comfrey leaves were purchased from three commercial sources and used to prepare tea in a manner consistent with the methods used by consumers. An extraction scheme was devised for extraction of the alkaloids, and a gas chromatographic method was developed to quantify the two major alkaloids, symphytine and echimidine.

Reproductive toxicity evaluation of dietary butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP) in rats.

Butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP) was administered in the diet at 0, 750, 3750, and 11,250 ppm ad libitum to 30 rats per sex per dose for two offspring generations, one litter/breeding pair/generation, through weaning of F2 litters. Adult F0 systemic toxicity and adult F1 systemic and reproductive toxicity were present at 11,250 ppm (750 mg/kg per day). At 11,250 ppm, there were reduced F1 and F2 male anogenital distance (AGD) and body weights/litter during lactation, delayed acquisition of puberty in F1 males and females, retention of nipples and areolae in F1 and F2 males, and male reproductive system malformations.

Three-generation reproductive toxicity study of dietary bisphenol A in CD Sprague-Dawley rats.

Bisphenol A (BPA) was evaluated at concentrations of 0, 0.015, 0.3, 4.

Isolation of symlandine from the roots of common comfrey (Symphytum officinale) using countercurrent chromatography.

Three pyrrolizidine alkaloids, symlandine, symphytine, and echimidine (1-3), were isolated from the roots of Symphytum officinale using a one-step countercurrent chromatography procedure. The structures of 1-3 were confirmed by several spectroscopic techniques including 2D NMR methods. This is the first description of the separation of symlandine (1) from its stereoisomer, symphytine (2).

An investigation into the quality of life of individuals after laryngectomy.

Background: Little longitudinal data are available on the general physical, psychological, and social problems experienced as a result of laryngectomy or on the preoperative status of patients in regard to these aspects. In particular, prospective longitudinal data gathered from the same group of subjects over time and examining a variety of such outcomes is rare. This descriptive study addresses these issues.

An investigation into the quality of life of individuals after laryngectomy.

BACKGROUND: Little longitudinal data are available on the general physical, psychological, and social problems experienced as a result of laryngectomy or on the preoperative status of patients in regard to these aspects. In particular, prospective longitudinal data gathered from the same group of subjects over time and examining a variety of such outcomes is rare. This descriptive study addresses these issues.

Two-generation reproduction study with para-tert-octylphenol in rats.

Octylphenol (OP) is a commercial intermediate used primarily for the production of octylphenol polyethoxylate surfactants. To determine potential reproductive toxicity of OP, a two-generation reproduction study was conducted according to U.S.

Pancreaticobiliary carcinoma associated with a large choledochal cyst: role of MRI and MR cholangiopancreatography in diagnosis and preoperative assessment.

The role of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and MR cholangiopancreatography is demonstrated in a case of pancreaticobiliary carcinoma associated with a large choledochal cyst. The size of the cyst presented considerable difficulty in evaluation with both endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and computed tomography.

Two-generation reproductive toxicity study of dietary tributyl phosphate in CD rats.

Tributyl phosphate (TBP) was tested for reproductive toxicity in rats. Thirty weanlings/sex (F0) were exposed to TBP in the diet ad libitum at 0, 200, 700, or 3000 ppm for 10 weeks and then randomly mated within groups for 3 weeks with continued exposure. F0 parents and 10 F1 weanlings/sex/dose were necropsied, and adult reproductive organs, urinary bladders (both sexes), kidneys (males), and livers (females) were evaluated histologically.

Reproductive toxicity evaluation of methylethyl ketoxime by gavage in CD rats.

Methylethyl ketoxime (CAS No. 96-29-7; MEKO; 2-butanone oxime), an antioxidant agent used in paints, resins, and adhesives, was tested for reproductive toxicity in a two-generation study with CD (Sprague-Dawley) rats. Thirty-eight-week-old rats/sex/group (F0) were administered MEKO in water, by gavage, at 0, 10, 100, or 200 mg/kg/day (at a dosing volume of 2 ml/kg), 5 days/week for 10 weeks with vaginal cytology evaluation (VCE) of F0 females during the last 3 weeks of the prebreed period.

Pyrolysis products of heroin.

Heating of heroin hydrochloride or of heroin at 250 degrees C led to extensive degradation. Major components of the pyrolysate were identified as heroin, 6-acetylmorphine, N,6-diacetylnormorphine, and N-acetylnorheroin by comparison of mass spectra and 13C- and 1H-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra with those of authentic compounds. There was evidence for degradation of the piperidino moiety and the structure 3,4-diacetoxyphenanthrene was proposed for a minor product.

Naltrexone disposition in man after subcutaneous administration.

The metabolism, excretion, and pharmacokinetics of [15,16-3H2]naltrexone were studied in six human males after sc administration of the hydrochloride salt. Biological fluids were analyzed by a combination of high performance liquid chromatography with liquid scintillation measurement of radioactivity. After administration, naltrexone was rapidly absorbed into the systemic circulation.

Identification of in vitro rat metabolites of 1-phenylcyclohexene.

In vitro metabolites of 1-phenylcyclohexene produced by the 10,000g supernatant fraction from rat liver homogenates were identified by a combination of spectrometric, chromatographic, and synthetic techniques. Initial oxidation occurred in the 3-position of 1-phenylcyclohexene to yield 1-phenyl-1-cyclohexen-3-one and 1-phenyl-1-cyclohexen-3-ol. Further allylic oxidation at the 6-position occurred to form 1-phenyl-6-hydroxy-1-cyclohexen-3-one and 1-phenyl-1-cyclohexene-3,6-diol.

Metabolism, disposition, and kinetics of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol in men and women.

A comparative study was done in women and men of the effects of delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta 9-THC), intravenously or orally, on dynamic activity, metabolism, excretion, and kinetics. In general no differences between the two sexes were observed. delta 9-THC is converted by microsomal hydroxylation to 11-hydroxy-delta 9-THC (11-OH-delta 9-THC), which is both a key intermediate for further metabolism to 11-nor-delta 9-THC-9-carboxylic acid (11-nor-acid) by liver alcohol-dehydrogenase enzymes and a potent psychoactive metabolite.

Phencyclidine disposition in humans after small doses of radiolabeled drug.

Administration of small doses of radiolabeled phencyclidine hydrochloride (PCP X HCl) to normal volunteers has resulted in basic information on the disposition of PCP in humans. The drug and its metabolites were excreted mainly in the urine whether it was given orally or i.v.

Systemic absorption of delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol after ophthalmic administration to the rabbit.

delta 9-Tetrahydrocannabinol was given by ophthalmic administration to the rabbit. Plasma concentrations were measured for two strengths of ophthalmic solution and compared with intravenous data to establish bioavailability. Absorption was variable, while maximum plasma levels were sustained for several hours.

Urine pH and phencyclidine excretion.

Subeffective doses (0.5 mg) of 3H-phencyclidine (PCP) were given intravenously to three healthy men under two regimens designed to alkalinize or acidify their urine (oral sodium bicarbonate or ammonium chloride). The concentrations of PCP and its metabolites in saliva, plasma, and urine for 7 hr after injection were determined by high-performance liquid radiochromatography.

Phencyclidine and phenylcyclohexene disposition after smoking phencyclidine.

Five men who smoked parsley cigarettes containing 100 micrograms of [3H]-phencyclidine hydrochloride (PCP.HCl) inhaled 69 +/- 5(SEM) % of the total radioactivity in the cigarette. Both PCP and its pyrolysis product, 1-phenylcyclohexene (PC), were found and measured in plasma.

Phencyclidine disposition after intravenous and oral doses.

[3H]-Phencyclidine (PCP) hydrochloride was given in intravenous (0.1 or 1 mg) or oral (1 mg) doses to male subjects. After 1 mg IV, drug and metabolites were recovered in urine (72.