The effects of prenatal protein-energy malnutrition on ossification of fetal rat bones: a biochemical study

In fetal rats whose dams were fed a low-protein diet, 35S sulfate uptake into the growth plate of the long bone and rib was higher than in the control group. The elution pattern of guanidine-HCl extract in gel chromatography revealed that the malnourished group had more high molecular weight proteoglycans in the dissociative condition and a larger aggregated portion in the associative condition than did the control group; however, the same chondroitin-sulfate chain size existed. Calcium content did not differ in both groups. Aggregated proteoglycan or a high molecular weight proteoglycan that existed in the malnourished group probably played an inhibitory role in calcification. Prenatal protein-energy malnutrition may delay the change of proteoglycan character, which could affect mineralization of fetal bones.     

Alcohol drinking and high blood pressure: data from a 1980 national cardiovascular survey of Japan.

Many epidemiological cross-sectional studies have confirmed that alcohol drinking is related to high blood pressure. However, the impact of alcohol drinking on high blood pressure in the general population including older people has only been reported on in a few studies. The association between alcohol drinking and blood pressure or the prevalence of hypertension was examined using cross-sectional data of 4795 men and 6102 women aged 30-94, randomly selected from the Japanese population in 1980. The response rates were 74 and 84% for men and women, respectively. The prevalence of hypertension adjusted for body mass index (BMI, kg/m2) was significantly higher in everyday male drinkers than in male non-drinkers from the youngest age group (30-39 years) to oldest age group (70 years and over). A relationship between alcohol and blood pressure was found only in the youngest age group (30-39 years) of female drinkers. In each 10-year age-group of men, the BMI-adjusted systolic and diastolic blood pressures in everyday drinkers were 7-10 and 4-6 mmHg higher than those in non-drinkers. The relationship between alcohol and blood pressure in men was confirmed by multiple regression analysis adjusting for age and BMI in both younger (30-59 years) and older (60-94 years) people. The impact of alcohol drinking on blood pressure in men should be taken into account in the primary prevention of blood pressure related diseases and in the treatment of hypertension in both younger and older people.     

Experimental study on the pathogenesis of acute ulceration in obstructive jaundice--with reference to gastric mucosal blood flow

We prepared obstructive jaundice models in rats in order to study the mechanism of acute ulceration in obstructive jaundice centering on impediments to gastric wall blood flow and changes in gastric mucosal NA and PGE2 when the rats were subjected to water immersion restraint stress. The results were: In the obstructive jaundice 2 weeks group, when subjected to water immersion restraint stress, gastric mucosal NA reached a dried up stage from the incipient stage, causing gastric mucosal impediments at the same time, showing a significant decrease of gastric mucosal PGE2. Intragastric pH was at a similar level of excessive acidity in all groups; gastric acid is believed to be a secondary factor promoting ulceration. Gastric mucosal PGE2 showed a significant decrease coinciding with the increase in ulceration index, being a possible factor of ulceration; it is also presumed to regulate gastric wall blood flow alternatively with gastric mucosal NA. Pre-treatment with PGE2 prior to loading stress resulted in a decrease in gastric wall blood flow being significantly controlled. The administration of PGE2 brought about an improvement in gastric wall blood flow and a consequent increase in gastric mucosal NA, being judged effective for acute ulceration in obstructive jaundice.     

I.v. fentanyl decreases the clearance of midazolam

We have examined the effect of fentanyl on the pharmacokinetics of midazolam in patients undergoing orthopaedic surgery. Thirty patients were allocated randomly to receive fentanyl 200 micrograms and midazolam 0.2 mg kg-1 (fentanyl group, n = 15) or placebo and midazolam 0.2 mg kg-1 (placebo group, n = 15) in a double-blind manner for induction of anaesthesia. Anaesthesia was maintained with nitrous oxide and isoflurane. Systemic clearance of midazolam was decreased by 30% (P = 0.002) and elimination half-time was prolonged by 50% (P = 0.04) in the fentanyl group compared with the placebo group. There were no differences in the distribution half-time or volume of distribution at steady state between the two groups. These findings indicate that elimination of midazolam was inhibited by fentanyl during general anaesthesia.