[Five cases of myelodysplastic syndrome treated with cytarabine ocfosfate].

Five cases of myelodysplastic syndrome were treated with cytarabine ocfosfate. Ocfosfate (100-200 mg) was orally administered for 14 days with 14 days' interval. Etoposide was combined in one case, and nartograstim was added in two cases.

Effect of aging on plasma 1,5-anhydroglucitol levels in humans and rats.

Since normal reference values change with age in some clinical parameters, we measured the plasma levels of 1,5-anhydroglucitol (AG), a new marker of glycemic control in diabetes mellitus, in healthy subjects and in rats. Our results showed a significantly negative correlation of the marker with age in humans and that the plasma AG levels of older rats were markedly lower than those of younger counterparts. This remarkable reduction of AG in the older rat group can be partially explained by our finding that aged animals excreted AG more rapidly in the urine than younger ones, besides a decrease in food intake.

Effect of ageing on erythrocyte aldose reductase and sorbitol dehydrogenase activity.

We measured erythrocyte aldose reductase and sorbitol dehydrogenase activity in erythrocytes in healthy individuals aged from 16 to 91 years to determine the mechanism of age-dependent sorbitol accumulation. Erythrocyte aldose reductase activity increased significantly with age but ageing had no effect on sorbitol dehydrogenase activity. Age and the aldose reductase/sorbitol dehydrogenase ratio were positively correlated.