Cholescintigraphic study of effect of somatostatin analog,octreotide, on bile secretion and gallbladder emptying in normal subjects

The objective of the study was to investigate the effects of a single intravenous injection of the somatostatin analog octreotide on hepatic bile secretion and gallbladder emptying with a quantitative scintigraphic technique. Twelve healthy volunteers received, in a double-blind randomized fashion, either octreotide, 100 g intravenously, or placebo. Ten minutes later, [^99mTc]PBIDA was administered intravenously (50 Ci/kg) (time=0) followed, 60 min later, by the ingestion of a standardized fatty meal. In the liver area, the relative decrease per minute of tracer activity from the time of maximal activity to 60 min was significantly lower in the octreotide group (P=0.02). In the gallbladder area, after the fatty meal, the ratio of tracer activity at 60 and 90 min (A ₉₀/A ₆₀) was significantly (P=0.01) higher in the octreotide group. Our study demonstrates that octreotide slows down liver release of the radiopharmaceutical, probably reflecting decreased bile secretion, and inhibits postprandial gallbladder contraction.     

Studies in menorrhagia: (a) mefenamic acid, (b) endometrial prostaglandin concentrations

Twenty-two women with unexplained heavy menstrual blood loss (average loss for two cycles of >80 ml) were treated with the prostaglandin synthetase inhibitor menfenamic acid during two consecutive menstruations. There was a significant reduction in menstrual blood loss on mefenamic acid therapy, the median loss being 137 ml before treatment and 76 ml while on treatment. Reduction in menstrual loss was achieved in 20 of the 22 patients but varied from a 2% to 78% reduction. The greater the menstrual loss before treatment, the more it was reduced on mefenamic acid therapy. Endometrial concentrations of prostaglandins E2 and F2 alpha in the follicular phase of the cycle were similar whether or not patients had menorrhagia. In the luteal phase, however, 6 of 14 patients with menorrhagia had higher endometrial prostaglandin E2 and F2 alpha concentrations than all 13 controls.     

Influence of selected pesticides on the microbial degradation of14C-triallate and14C-diallate in soil

Degradation in soil of [allyl-2-¹⁴Ctriallate and [carbonyl-¹⁴ Cdiallate herbicides, as affected by other selected pesticides, was studied in an incubation system that allowed recovery of 95 to 100% of added¹⁴C. The amount and sequence of pesticide additions simulated field use in the protection of wheat (triallate) and sugar beets (diallate).Neither the rate nor the pattern of triallate degradation in soil was influenced by the following sequence of formulated pesticides: dinoseb acetate, (bentazon + dichlorprop + 2,4,5-T), 2,4-D, (chlorcholinchloride + cholinchloride), tridemorph, and thiophanate. Similarly, diallate degradation was unaffected by pyrazon, dimethoate, and thiophanate. The effect of azinphosmethyl was unclear. In contrast, chlorpyrifos reduced diallate degradation by approximately 14% relative to that occurring in the insecticide's absence. This effect was caused by chlorpyrifos and not its formulation components. Chlorpyrifos was also found to partially inhibit degradation of triallate in soil. Inhibition of neither herbicide was considered to be of ecological significance. Triallate, diallate, and thiophanate were applied at 1g/g; all others were at 2g/g.     

Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol as an antiemetic

The use of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) as an antiemetic in patients undergoing cancer chemotherapy is reviewed. The pharmacokinetics of THC is discussed, and the agent's effects on the central nervous, cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, immune, endocrine, and reproductive systems are presented. The toxicology, potential hazards, and adverse reactions of THC are reviewed. Also reviewed are studies of THC's use as an antiemetic. THC appears to be an effective antiemetic in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. The maximal antinauseant effects often correlate with the attainment of a "high". THC has been found consistently more effective than placebo and at least as effective as prochlorperazine. In phenothiazine-resistant patients, THC's effectiveness has exceeded that of the phenothiazines. Efficacy may depend on the chemotherapeutic agent causing emesis. Elderly patients do not tolerate the THC "high" well. Concurrent administration of phenothiazines with THC may block the "high" without reducing THC's antiemetic effectiveness. Because of variations in individual tolerance, absorption, and the form of chemotherapy, flexibility is necessary in establishing the correct dose of THC.