Effect of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) on the epiphyseal plate of young guinea pigs receiving prednisolone.

The effect of excess ascorbic acid on the epiphyseal plate of young guinea pigs receiving prednisolone over a period of 28 days has been investigated. The results show that the structural and morphologic changes caused in the epiphyseal plate of the animals receiving prednisolone are prevented by the simultaneous administration of excess ascorbic acid. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that pharmacological doses of ascorbic acid given concurrently to children receiving prolonged treatment with corticosteroids may prevent suppression of growth in these children.

Renal amyloidosis with nephrotic syndrome in a child suspected of having idiopathic pulmonary hemosiderosis.

A case of renal amyloidosis with nephrotic syndrome in a 12-year-old girl suffering from a chronic pulmonary disease is reported. Data from this patient's history, laboratory examination and radiographic evaluation of the pulmonary lesions favour the diagnosis of a long-standing idiopathic pulmonary hemosiderosis. A possible etiologic relationship between the pulmonary lesions and amyloid deposition in the kidney may be assumed.

The effect of levamisole on phosphodiesterase activity.

Phosphodiesterase activity of mouse liver homogenates was estimated in presence and absence of levamisole. The enzyme activity was 1394 and 1399 nmoles/mg protein/30 min respectively. Our data show that levamisole does not affect the phosphodiesterase activity.

Malabsorption of vitamin B12 in homozygous beta-thalassemia.

Schilling tests were performed in ten children and 5--12 years suffering from homozygous beta-thalassemia. 57Co labelled vitamin B12 values excreted in the urine have been found much lower than normal and remained low when the same procedure was repeated with the addition of intrinsic factor. The possible factors responsible for this malabsorption of vitamin B12 seemed to be liver damage and folic acid deficiency.

Calcium metabolism in children suffering from homozygous beta-thalassaemia after oral administration of 47Ca.

The study of calcium metabolism in ten thalassaemic children comperatively with controls after oral administration of 47Ca has shown diminished intestinal absorption. It is suggested that this finding is propably related in part with the pathogenesis of the osteoporosis in thalassaemia.

Urinary hydroxyproline values following continuous and intermittent administration of prednisolone in children.

The administration of 2 mg/kg body weight of prednisolone daily in divided doses to 5 healthy children aged 5-7 years resulted in a significant decrease in the amount of total urinary hydroxyproline (HOP) which was restored to pretreatment levels two weeks after discontinuation of the drug. On the other hand, the administration of 2 mg/kg body weight of prednisolone in a single dose on alternate days (every-other-day) to two children and for a period of 10 days caused insignificant alterations in the amount of urinary HOP.

Inhibitory effect of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) on cortisol secretion following adrenal stimulation in children.

Measurements of plasma cortisol values before and at 4 and 6 hours after intramuscular administration of a depot preparation of synthetic b1-24 corticotrophin were carried out in 12 healthy children (group B) before, as well as on the 5th day of continuous ascorbic acid (AA) administration (1 g t.i.d.

Serum alkaline phosphatase and urinary hydroxyproline values in children receiving phenobarbital with and without vitamin D.

Concentrations of serum alkaline phosphatase and total urinary hydroxyproline were measured in 36 children to study the effect of phenobarbital administration with respect to the development of rickets in patients receiving anticonvulsive medications over prolonged periods of time. Administration of phenobarbital led to the appearance of increased AP and HOP values very early in the course of treatment and without any obvious bone changes suggestive of rickets; a single large oral dose of vitamin D had no appreciable effects in restoring the biochemical derangement. On the other hand, the administration of vitamin D in a daily dose of 4,000 IU for a period of two months hampered the appearance, or restored already existing changes of latent rickets, in children receiving anticonvulsive medication.

Effect of ascorbic acid on urinary hydroxyproline of children receiving corticosteroids.

Oral administration of ascorbic acid, 0·5 g every 8 hours for a period of 4 days, had no effect on the urinary hydroxyproline excretion of 7 healthy children aged 8 to 14 years. When the same medication was given to 8 children aged 9 to 14 years who were receiving large doses of prednisolone (2 mg/kg per 24 hr) for a period of at least 15 days before as well as during ascorbic acid administration, a rise in the urinary hydroxyproline excretion was observed (from a mean value of 44±4·1 SE before to 67±4·6 mg/24 hr on the 4th day of ascorbic acid administration, P <0·001). Urinary hydroxyproline excretion of 3 children 4 days after stopping ascorbic acid administration, while still on prednisolone, had returned to the level observed before ascorbic acid.