Systemic cytokines, clinical and physiological changes in patients hospitalized for exacerbation of COPD.

Background: Systemic inflammation in patients with COPD may worsen during exacerbations, but there is limited information relating levels of systemic inflammatory markers with symptoms and physiologic changes during an exacerbation

Methods: We measured dyspnea using the visual analog scale, pulmonary function tests, hemograms, and plasma levels for interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, leukotriene B(4) (LTB4), tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI) in 20 patients on admission to a hospital for exacerbation of COPD (ECOPD), 48 h later (interim), and 8 weeks after hospital discharge (recovery).

Results: Dyspnea was present in all patients. Inspiratory capacity improved faster than FEV(1).

Absorption and disposition of ranitidine hydrochloride in rat and dog.

1. The pharmacokinetics of ranitidine were studied in the male beagle dog at a dose level of 50 mg (intravenous) or 5 mg/kg (oral). 2.