In vitro evidence has indicated that isoproterenol (ISO) is more potent than epinephrine (EPI) in releasing glucose from rabbit liver slices and that propranolol (PROP) is a competitive antagonist of ISO. In contrast, dose-response data from fasted rabbits have shown that EPI is more potent than ISO in increasing plasma glucose levels and in lowering hepatic glycogen levels. Pretreatment with PROP abolished ISO-induced hyperglycemia and changes in liver and muscle glycogen levels whereas only the muscle glycogen depleting effect of EPI was altered significantly. These results suggest that factors other than stimulation of hepatic beta-receptors must be involved in EPI-stimulated depletion of liver glycogen and hyperglycemia in the intact rabbit.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Elevation of atrial natriuretic peptide levels in aqueous humor of the rabbit by kappa opioid receptor agonists.

Following the topical administration of three kappa agonists (bremazocine, spiradoline and ICI 204448) to rabbit eyes, aqueous humor samples were analyzed for levels of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP). Bremazocine (BRE) and spiradoline (SPR) elevated aqueous ANP levels in a dose-dependent manner. In contrast, ICI had no significant effect on ANP levels in aqueous humor. Nor-binaltorphimine (nor-BNI), a selective kappa opioid receptor antagonist, was used to assess kappa opioid receptor involvement and glibenclamide, an ATP-sensitive K+ channel blocker, was used to test for the role of ATP-sensitive potassium channels in ANP release. Pretreatment with nor-BNI antagonized the increases in ANP levels observed with both BRE and SPR. Likewise, glibenclamide suppressed the stimulation of ANP secretion by bremazocine. In summary, BRE and SPR increased ANP levels in aqueous humor of rabbits, in part, via activation of K+(ATP) channels that are assumed to be associated with kappa opioid receptors.

Analgesics↗

PubMedDate not supplied

SnF2 as an adjunct to toothbrushing in an elderly institutionalized population.

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Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Effects of ergoline derivatives on intraocular pressure and iris function in rabbits and monkeys.

The ergoline derivatives, bromocriptine, lergotrile and pergolide, are potent dopaminergic agonists. Topically administered doses of lergotrile and pergolide, ranging from 0.001 to 1% applied unilaterally, produced dose and time-related ocular hypotension in rabbits and monkeys. In contrast, bromocriptine produced moderate ocular hypotension in rabbits but not in monkeys. Lergotrile (1%) produced significant mydriasis in rabbits whereas pergolide (0.01 to 0.1%) produced a slight miosis. Lergotrile and pergolide were also effective in suppressing ocular hypertension induced by water loading in rabbits whereas bromocriptine was relatively ineffective. These data demonstrate that topically administered ergoline derivatives can: 1) lower intraocular pressure in rabbits and monkeys, 2) suppress ocular hypertension induced by water loading in rabbits and 3) alter iris function in rabbits, producing either mydriasis or miosis, presumably by activation of adrenoceptors.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Ocular hypertensive response to beta-adrenoceptor agonists.

Acute administration of non-selective and relatively selective beta-adrenoceptor agonists elicit a monophasic fall in IOP. The present study indicates that unilateral application of certain beta-agonists on consecutive days can result in marked ocular hypertension. 1-Epinephrine, reproterol and 1-isoproterenol evoked an elevation of IOP on the second and third day after topical administration of a 2% solution in normal rabbits and in rabbits with surgically transected extraocular muscles. In contrast, the same concentration of d-isoproterenol produced hypotensive responses only when administered once daily for three consecutive days. Since d-isoproterenol did not cause a rise in IOP during chronic administration, the mechanism involved in the hypertensive response appears to be more sensitive to the levorotatory form. Administration of timolol inhibited the ocular hypertensive effect of epinephrine and reproterol. Since timolol lowers IOP by depressing formation of aqueous, it is suggested that the rise in IOP following chronic administration of beta-agonists possibly involves an increase in aqueous humor production.

Adrenergic beta-Agonists↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Intellectual development of children with renal insufficiency and end stage disease.

Sixty six pediatric nephrology patients, age 6 months to 20 years, were given individual psychometric tests of intelligence two or more times during the course of treatment; 24 were retested within the stage of conservative management, dialysis or post-transplantation, 42 were retested between those stages. The first IQ scores ranged from three standard deviations below the test mean of 100 to two above (first sample mean 85.91). The second mean IQ was significantly higher (91.96). Paired t tests showed that significant increases in mean IQ scores occurred between the pre- to post-transplantation stages of treatment. No significant changes occurred within stages or between conservative management and dialysis. Equivocal changes existed between dialysis and transplantation. Four patients with prolonged central nervous system complications and serious family problems had scores which declined more than one standard deviation. Issues related to age, medical condition, socioeconomic status, and cohort changes were evaluated.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The Medical Expenditure Panel Survey: a national health information resource.

This article describes the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), the third in a series of nationally representative surveys of medical care use and expenditures sponsored by the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research. The MEPS is designed to provide extensive data on the types of health care services American use, how frequently they use them, how much is paid for the services, and who pays for them. It also will provide information on the types and costs of private health insurance available to the U.S. population. The survey is unparalleled in its degree of detail, as well as its ability to link medical care use, payments, and health insurance coverage to specific survey respondents and their families. It allows analysts to examine how individual and family characteristics, including the characteristics of their health insurance, affect medical care use and spending. This article discusses each of the MEPS components, focusing on design enhancements that have been made since the survey was last conducted nearly a decade ago.

Data Collection↗