The effect of renal impairment on the pharmacokinetics of oxcarbazepine and its metabolites.

We have studied the effect of renal impairment on the pharmacokinetics of oxcarbazepine, its active monohydroxy-metabolite (which predominates in plasma), their glucuronides, and the inactive dihydroxy-metabolite after a single oral dose of oxcarbazepine (300 mg). Six subjects with normal renal function and 20 patients with various degrees of renal impairment participated. The mean areas under the plasma concentration-time curves of oxcarbazepine and its monohydroxy-metabolite were 2-2.

Pharmacokinetics of cadralazine in a large group of hypertensive patients chronically treated with cadralazine: advantage over a conventional study in a small group of patients.

The concentrations of cadralazine in plasma were studied in 101 hypertensive patients treated with oral doses of 10, 15, or 20 mg of cadralazine once daily. Most of the patients received additionally a beta-blocking drug (n = 87) and a diuretic (n = 52). Few blood samples were collected in each patient on several occasions during the treatment, which usually lasted for more than 6 months.

Pharmacokinetics of oxiracetam in patients with renal impairment after a 800 mg single oral dose.

The pharmacokinetics of oxiracetam in patients with renal impairment were investigated after administration of a 800 mg single oral dose of oxiracetam. The renal insufficiency was estimated on the basis of the creatinine clearance (CLcr) which ranged from 9 to 95 ml/min among the 20 patients. In plasma, the terminal elimination half-life (T1/2) ranged from 10.

Pharmacokinetics of oxiracetam in elderly patients after 800 mg oral doses, comparison with non-geriatric healthy subjects.

The pharmacokinetics of oxiracetam have been studied in eighteen elderly patients and in six healthy non-geriatric adults. A 800 mg single oral dose was administered in the morning of the first day and repeatedly, every 12 h, from day 2 evening to day 10 morning, to the elderly patients. The healthy non-geriatric adults were given a 800 mg single oral dose of oxiracetam.

[Prevention of myocardial ischemia during exercise 8 hours after use of transdermal nitrate derivatives].

A controlled (placebo) double blind trial of a 20 cm2 transdermal system delivering 10 mg of Trinitrin per 24 hours, was carried out in 18 patients with stable angina and significant coronary artery disease. The exercise stress tests were performed at the same time of day using Bruce's protocol and computerised analysis (Case Marquette) after a 48 hour wash out period. All patients had two basal positive and reproducible exercise tests interrupted because of induced anginal pain and/or greater than or equal to 3.

[Influence of glycemic control on peripheral nerve conduction in insulin-dependent diabetic subjects (author's transl)].

In order to better evaluate the influence of glycemic control on diabetic neuropathy, 73 diabetic patients were considered: 42 males and 31 females who had been treated with insulin during 9 years. Twenty-one subjects were examined during 2-12 months. Motor nerve conduction velocity (MCV) was measured on the external sciatic popliteus (ESP).

[Respiratory function study on insulin-dependant diabetics (author's transl)].

A present report on insulin dependant diabetics described changes in ventilatory mechanics and a decrease of pulmonary volumes; other studies ended up with different results, i.e. an absence of any spirographic change: the current study agrees with the latter findings.

[Acute post-gravidic Budd-Chiari syndrome. One case (author's transl)].

The sixth case of post-gravidic Budd-Chiari syndrome is reported. In the acute stage of the disease heparin seems to have given immediate favourable results, and the value of long-term heparin treatment is discussed. Post-mortem findings seven years after the acute episode confirmed the evolution towards a certain type of cirrhosis characterized by macroscopically and histologically heterogenous lesions and by persistent liver congestion.

[Contribution of motor nerve conduction velocity and Hoffmann reflex in early detection of neuropathy in diabetics. Results and correlations with duration and other long-term complications in 117 patients (author's transl)].

Motor nerve conduction velocity and H. reflex parameters were studied in 85 insulin-treated diabetics classified in groups I to VI, according to the duration of the disease, in 32 maturity-onset diabetics (groupe V) and in 92 healthy control subjects. Each diabetic subject was examined prior to testing for clinical evidence of neuropathy and also had funduscopic examination, fluorescein angiography and an estimation of renal status by serum creatinine measurement and proteinuria.

[Administration route of natural sex steroids (estradiol, progesterone, testosterone) (author's transl)].

The natural sex steroids (E2, T, P) may be used in therapeutics. Estradiol and testosterone esters (decanoate and undecanoate) may be administered orally. A local effect always follows the percutaneous application of sex steroids, and this is usually accompanied by a systemic effect.

[Female hyperprolactinaemia. 19 cases (author's transl)].

The authors were able to confirm the ineffectiveness of vitamin B6. The correction of hyperprolactinaemia by bromocriptine restored ovarian function immediately, or after the failure of surgical treatment. It would still be premature to determine the exact place of surgery in this type of pathology.

[Pituitary investigations in idiopathic haemochromatosis (author's transl)].

Twelve patients with idiopathic hemochromatosis have been studied. Hypogonadotropic hypogonadism with normal prolactin appears to be a most constant finding. Other hypophysal functions are preserved.

Hyperkinetic shock in viral and pneumococcal pneumonias.

Ten patients, suffering from severe viral or bacterial pneumonia had circulatory shock, characterised haemodynamically by normal or high cardiac output (CI = 4.1 +/- 1.2 1/min/m2) and low systemic resistance (SVR = 14 +/- 3.

[Hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism. Pituitary and testicular reactivity--receptivity to androgens (author's transl)].

Six subjects aged between 19 and 29 years were studied. Gonadotrophins, follicular stimulating hormone or FSH and luteotrophic hormone or LH, were low in all cases. Under the influence of a single dose of 150 microgram of hypothalamic gonadotrophin liberation factor (LHRH), there was a preferential increase in FSH whilst levels of LH were little influenced.