New short-chain analogs of a substance-P antagonist inhibit proliferation of human small-cell lung-cancer cells in vitro and in vivo.

Human small-cell lung-cancer cells (SCLC) produce and secrete gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP), the mammalian equivalent of bombesin (BN). There is some evidence to suggest that GRP is an autocrine regulator of SCLC cell growth. In the search for potent BN antagonists, several substance-P (SP) analogs were found to inhibit the growth of SCLC cells.

The theophylline dilemma.

The effectivity of recently introduced beta adrenergic agents in the USA prompted physicians to reevaluate the usefulness of theophylline having been used solely as a bronchodilator in the treatment of obstructive respiratory tract diseases. As part of a complex therapy applied in different diseases (acute asthmatic attacks, chronic asthma, acute exacerbation, and long-term treatment of obstructive bronchitis) theophylline is still a drug of value. The risk of toxicity can be reduced to a minimum.

Spectra of the voluntary first cough sounds.

The voluntary cough sounds recorded according to Korpas and Sadlonova-Korpasova were sampled at a frequency of 20.000Hz and spectra of six consecutive windows of 50ms were estimated. To digitize signals an autotrigger mode was used.

Acid-base balance and cardiac index in SO2-bronchitic, papaine-emphysematous and paraquat-fibrotic rats after isoproterenol treatment.

SO2-bronchitis, papaine-emphysema and paraquat fibrosis were induced in Wistar rats. Blood pressure, cardiac index, total peripheral resistance, arterial blood gas values, parameters of acid-base balance were determined. Effects of 0.

Effects of arachidonic acid and prostaglandin F2 alpha in isolated rat lungs.

Isolated rat lungs were ventilated and perfused by saline-Ficoll perfusate at a constant flow. The baseline perfusion pressure (PAP) correlated with the concentration of 6-keto-PGF1 alpha the stable metabolite of PGI2 (r = 0.83) and with the 6-keto-PGF1 alpha/TXB2 ratio (r = 0.

Breathing pattern of spontaneously hypertensive rats.

The trachea of rats anaesthetized with sodium pentobarbitone was cannulated and the air flow velocity and the pressure of the oesophagus were measured. In the spontaneously hypertensive rats the breathing frequency was higher, the tidal volume and the effective lung resistance were smaller than that of the normotensive Wistar rats. It seems that the neurohumoral control of respiration in SHR animals differs from that of normotensive rats.

Effect of intracerebrally injected aminophylline, vinpocetinum, vasoactive intestinal peptide and onion extract on breathing pattern of rats.

Aminophylline or VIP (Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide) given ip. or iv. have marked bronchodilatory effects.

Effects of propranolol, nalorphine and haloperidol on the breathing and on the metabolism of PGI2 and TXA2 of normotensive and spontaneously hypertensive rats.

The influence of propranolol, nalorphine and haloperidol on the breathing pattern and on the blood levels of cyclooxygenase products of anaesthetized spontaneously-breathing normotensive Wistar rats (WR) and of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) were investigated. The respiratory rate was higher and the effective lung resistance was smaller in the SHR than in the WR. Breathing frequency decreased after nalorphine in both groups, while only in SHR after haloperidol.

Effects of drugs on aminophylline elimination in rats.

Effects of phenobarbital, phenytoin, carbamazepine, cimetidine, erythromycin, combination of sulfamethoxazole + trimethoprim (5:1), and rifampicin (rifampin) on the elimination of aminophylline were examined in female rats. Aminophylline was administered i.p.

Spectral analysis of cough sounds recorded with and without a nose clip.

The voluntary cough sounds of healthy volunteers, patients with chronic rhinitis, chronic rhinitis with bronchial asthma and asthma were recorded with and without a nose clip. A gated series of signals of the first cough sound lasting 200 ms was analysed by a system with a 20 ms delay of the first signal. In the case of filtered cough sounds, low-cut digitally, the mean values of averaged spectra of the healthy volunteers showed a first peak around 350 Hz, similar to the expiratory spectra of respiratory sounds.

Effect of enzyme inducer flumecinolum (Zixoryn) on aminophylline metabolism in rats.

The effect of the enzyme inducer flumecinolum, m-trifluoromethyl-alpha-ethylbenzhydrol (Zixoryn), on aminophylline metabolism was examined in rats. Aminophylline plasma levels were determined by HPLC. Aminophylline T1/2 was 2.

Lung function tests in small experimental animals by means of a signal processing system.

For the analysis of the airflow velocity and oesophageal pressure signals of anaesthetized spontaneously breathing small animals (rats and guinea pigs), a signal processing program package was developed for a multiprocessor system (Electronic Measuring Gears Co., Budapest). 4-10 respiratory cycles were analysed in a signal series and the arithmetic mean value was used to increase the accuracy of the method.

Development of drug tachyphylaxis in asthmatic patients treated with beta-adrenergic drugs.

The development of drug tolerance in two groups of asthmatics treated with beta-adrenergic bronchodilators was studied by respiratory function methods. During one-year treatment with conventional therapeutic doses of selective beta-2-receptor stimulant aerosols, none of the patients showed subsensitivity to the bronchodilatory effect of terbutaline. Dose-response curves were plotted upon the inhalation of salbutamol in two-week intervals in patients treated with betamimetics.

The beta-adrenoceptors of lymphocytes in asthmatic patients treated with beta-agonists.

Numbers of beta-adrenoceptors in intact human lymphocytes of asthmatics treated continuously with the usual doses of beta-agonists have been estimated. Lymphocytes were isolated by density gradient centrifugation as described by BOYUM [4]. The binding experiment was performed with (-)3H-dihydroalprenolol which is a high affinity beta-adrenoceptor antagonist.

A model for experimental asthma: provocation in guinea-pigs immunized with Bordetella pertussis.

Guinea-pigs were sensitized with killed Bordetella pertussis (3.85 X 10(11) cells . kg-1).

Serum angiotensin converting enzyme values in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) is stored in the endothelium. Its activity depends--among others--on the O2-concentration of the blood. Aim of the study was to examine the serum ACE values in chronic obstructive lung diseases (bronchial asthma, chronic bronchitis, lung fibrosis etc.