Role of 1,2-sn diacylglycerol in airway smooth muscle stimulated by carbachol.

Activation of muscarinic receptors in airway smooth muscle leads to breakdown of membrane polyphosphoinositides. In agreement with others, we show here that muscarinic stimulation elicits inositol-1,4,5-triphosphate formation. In addition, we show that carbachol also elicits total diacylglycerol and 1,2-sn diacylglycerol accumulation in a specific and dose-dependent manner (EC50 values: 2.

Comparison of finasteride (Proscar) and Serenoa repens (Permixon) in the inhibition of 5-alpha reductase in healthy male volunteers.

A total of 32 healthy male volunteers (age range 20-30 years) were enrolled in a 1-week open, randomized, placebo-controlled study comparing finasteride (Proscar), a 5 alpha-reductase inhibitor, with Permixon, the plant extract of Serenoa repens. The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of single and multiple doses of the drugs on the inhibition of 5 alpha-reductase as assessed by serum dihydrotestosterone level determination. Following baseline measurements on day 1, the subjects were randomized to finasteride 5 mg once a day (n = 10), Permixon 80 mg x 2 twice a day (n = 11), or to placebo once a day (n = 11) for 7 days.

Best mode of expression of acute reversibility of airway obstruction in patients with asthma: application to a new beta-2 agonist, RU 42 173.

Lung function tests must distinguish a true drug-induced bronchial response from changes not related to the drug itself, mainly due to intra-individual variability. We compared the variability and ability to detect true drug-induced bronchodilation of 3 modes of expression of the increase in forced expiratory volume in 1 second (delta FEV1) following administration of a 0.25 mg single oral dose of RU 42 173, a new beta 2-agonist.

Azelastine reduces allergen-induced nasal response: a clinical and rhinomanometric assessment.

The effect of azelastine 2 mg b.d. p.

[Cough and bronchial obstruction induced by citric acid in smokers, occasional smokers and non-smokers].

We have studied cough and bronchial constriction induced by inhaling citric acid in 15 smokers with baseline airflow obstruction, in 13 occasional smokers and 13 non smokers. The threshold for cough was significantly higher in occasional smokers in relation to smokers and non smokers. Citric acid produced the same degree of bronchial constriction at the same time in smokers and occasional smokers: the maximum fall in forced expired volume (FEV1-VEMS) was recorded five seconds after inhalation of the citric acid (dose threshold) and there was no significant difference between the two groups.

Inhibition of ex-vivo PAF-induced platelet aggregation by the PAF-antagonist RP 48740: relationship to plasma concentrations in healthy volunteers.

RP 48740, 3-(3-pyridyl)-1H,3H-pyrrolo [1,2-c] thiazole-7-carboxamide, a specific competitive PAF-receptor antagonist in vitro, was given to 29 healthy male volunteers for 7 days. Plasma drug concentrations and ex-vivo PAF-induced platelet aggregation were assessed on Days 1, 4, and 7. RP 48740 had linear pharmacokinetics after single and repeated doses.

Long-term management of reversible obstructive airways disease in adults.

The goals of the long-term management of reversible obstructive airways disease (ROAD) are to find the minimum treatment that controls symptoms, allows resumption of normal life, prevents severe attack and death, and controls airflow obstruction. ROADs include asthma, chronic bronchitis, and emphysema. Although the differential diagnosis between these different entities may be difficult, they share the same possibilities of pharmacotherapy, including bronchodilator and antiinflammatory drugs.

Controlled trial of extradural bupivacaine with fentanyl, morphine or placebo for pain relief in labour.

In a prospective, randomized double-blind study carried out on 255 parturients, fentanyl 80 micrograms (n = 81), morphine 4 mg (n = 83) or placebo (n = 85) was added to 0.25% bupivacaine administered extradurally for pain relief during labour. Fentanyl increased the mean duration of bupivacaine analgesia by 30% and did not reduce the rate of inadequate pain relief.

[Life-threatening complications and severe neurologic sequelae in surgery of acoustic neurinoma].

Surgical treatment of acoustic neurinoma carries a high risk of mortality. Recent history of successful management sparing the facial, mixed, and even cochlear nerves, as well as of a substantially lower incidence of postoperative complications or neurological sequelae, should not give grounds for any false sense of security to undermine one's alertness during the pre, peri- and postoperative phases of the intervention. The overall mortality rate for surgical neurinoma cases was 0.