The effects of coronary vasodilatation on cardiac performance during endotoxin shock

Results of studies have suggested that endotoxin and lowered coronary arterial perfusion pressures are detrimental to cardiac performance and lead to failure. Prevention of cardiac failure in the isolated canine heart preparation confronted with endotoxin and decreased coronary perfusion pressure was possible by perfusing these hearts with sodium nitroprusside. Prevention of failure was manifested by a lowered left ventricular endiastolic pressure and was associated with increased coronary flow and decreased coronary resistance with increased oxygen delivery and decreased oxygen extraction. Possible explanations for improved performance by dilator perfusion include increased delivery of oxygen and nutrients to myocardial tissue as well as a reduction of ventricular wall tension by dilating the coronary vascular skeleton. Prevention of extravasation of interstitial fluid into myocardial tissue by reducing overperfusion of potentially damaged coronary vessels could serve to maintain myocardial integrity and ventricular compliance. The potential use of such therapy warrants further study, with emphasis on evaluating the hemodynamics of the intact animal.     

Diltiazem concentrations in plasma vs PR intervals on electrocardiogram in 8 men

AIM: To develop an acute tolerant model in describing relationship between diltiazem (Dil) concentrations in plasma and PR intervals on ECG in men. METHOD: Both plasma concentrations of Dil and changes of ECG were simultaneously determined after po Dil 90 mg in 8 men. RESULTS: A two-compartmental pharmacokinetic model with first-order input gave a good fitting for the plasma concentration of Dil. Corresponding pharmacokinetic parameters were estimated: t1/2 beta, 5.9 +/- 1.0 h; MRT, 15.9 +/- 1.0 h; t0, 0.38 +/- 0.07 h; tmax, 2.7 +/- 0.4 h, and Cmax, 161 +/- 60 micrograms.L-1. The good fittings for plasma concentration-effect data were obtained with tolerant model E = S x C/(1 + T/T50). The pharmacodynamic parameters were given as follows: S, 829 +/- 293 s.g-1.L; Kt0, 0.037 +/- 0.024 h-1 and T50, 10 +/- 4 micrograms.L-1. CONCLUSION: Relationship between Dil concentrations in plasma and PR interval changes in men after po 90 mg was described using an acute tolerant model.     

Variability in cytotoxicity and fluoride release of resin-modified glass-ionomer cements

New-generation glass-ionomer cements contain resin to improve their restorative properties. These resin-modified glass-ionomer cements vary considerably in their chemistry, which could result in corresponding variability in their physical and biological properties. This study investigated the cytotoxicity and the fluoride release of two resin-modified glass ionomers, a conventional glass-ionomer cement, and a resin composite. Samples were prepared and extracted in distilled water for 1, 4, and 7 days; eluates were filtered and tested by means of 3T3 mouse fibroblasts. Cytotoxicity (MTT assay) values were low for all materials and extraction times, indicating minimal cytotoxicity of all materials (less than 30% inhibition). Cytotoxicity of one resin-modified glass ionomer was significantly higher than for the other materials (p < 0.001). One resin-modified glass ionomer and the conventional glass-ionomer cement released significantly more fluoride at each time interval (p < 0.001) than the other resin-modified glass-ionomer cement and the resin composite. Fluoride release and cytotoxicity were correlated (r2 = 0.60; p < 0.001), although the fluoride release does not account for the cytotoxicity observed. Cytotoxicity and fluoride release suggest that one hybrid behaved more like a conventional glass ionomer, and the other like a resin composite. These differences may have implications for material selection in specific clinical situations.