PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

J Likforman

Publications and source records attributed to J Likforman.

8 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1991

Phase II trial of copper zinc superoxide dismutase (CuZn SOD) in the treatment of Crohn's disease.

Bovine Cu Zn SOD was used during an 8 year period as an antiinflammatory drug in 26 patients with severe Crohn's disease (CDAI 300) usually after failure of corticotherapy or when this drug was discontinued because of side effects or infection. This was a phase II trial during which doses routes of administration and concomitant therapies were progressively modified. We obtained 73% good short term responses (judged upon CDAI and anatomic healing) and 82% positive results on long term evolution (the criteria were: i CDAI lower than 100 in between relapses, ii complete healing or notable improvement of lesions, iii no surgery needed, iv return to work. The acceptability was excellent with the free enzyme. Since the above described experience, published in Free Radical Biology and Medicine (1989, 7: 145-151), we used always the same treatment schedule (SOD 8 mg/day associated with Desferroxamine--500 mg subcutaneous every 2 days). The follow-up during the 87-89 period showed that 12 are in good health without any relapse, 9 experienced one or more relapses, and showed good responses upon resumption of treatment, 5 failed to respond to treatment, all part of the initial group on which SOD treatment had already failed, and among whom 3 were lost for follow-up before 1987, and two others took up another SOD treatment which also failed. 3 new patients (2 females, 1 male) were treated since then, and all 3 had positive results (one with disappearance of ileocoecal mass). The efficacy of SOD as an antiinflammatory drug in Crohn's disease needs to be confirmed by controlled trials.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal↗
PubMed1989

[Oxygen free radicals and inflammatory diseases of intestines].

Free oxygen radicals (F.O.R.) belong to a very aggressive chemical species derived from molecular oxygen. Their role in inflammation is well established and Polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNS) make use of them as antibacterial weapons. Their role has been experimentally demonstrated in numerous ischemia-reperfusion models. Free radical scavengers such as the superoxide dismutase, allopurinol or desferrioxamine can prevent the occurrence of lesions. The essential role of PMNS in these models is demonstrated by the fact that previous depletion of the animal in PMNS also prevents such lesions. Histologically, in these ischemia-reperfusion models, PMNS infiltration may be quantified by assay of myeloperoxidase. In experimental models of inflammatory colitis (acetic acid, bacterial polysaccharides) intestinal wall infiltration by PMNS is a fundamental phenomenon and is also a characteristic of Crohn's disease and exacerbations of Ulcerative Colitis. Thus, it is probable in both disorders that F.O.R. play an important role since steroids inhibit their secretion by PMNS and 5-aminosalicylic acid has been shown to be a F.O.R. scavenger.

Free Radicals↗
PubMed1986

[Acute attacks of hepatic porphyria. Treatment with hematin. 5 cases].

The effectiveness of 2 hematins administered by intravenous infusion was compared in acute intermittent porphyria. Judging from subjective symptoms (abdominal pain), clinical improvement was complete and constant. There was a rapid decrease in urinary excretion of porphyrins precursors, with a clearer response of delta-aminolevulinic acid than of porphobilinogen. Urine levels of uroporphyrin often returned to normal after two infusions. The drugs were very well tolerated. Provided it is administered early, before neurological complications develop, treatment with hematin completely relieves abdominal symptoms and suppresses most of the biochemical changes associated with hepatic porphyria.

Acute Disease↗