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Biomedical subjects

M Topilsky

Publications and source records attributed to M Topilsky.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Quinacrine inhibits oxygen radicals release from human alveolar macrophages.

We examined the effect of quinacrine, an anti-malarial drug which inhibits phospholipase A2, on phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) stimulated alveolar macrophage oxygen radical secretion. This drug suppressed 30% of radicals release, which was 70% of the amount inhibited by superoxide dismutase, a specific inhibitor of oxygen radicals. In addition, this reduction was at the same magnitude as dexamethasone. This and previous results on other inflammatory cells support the assumption that quinacrine may have a beneficial effect on bronchial asthma.

Free Radicals

Blood transfusion and lung function in children with thalassemia major.

Pulmonary function tests were performed at rest and following blood transfusion on 17 patients with thalassemia major. At rest, diffusion capacity was significantly reduced (mean of 57 percent), and forced vital capacity was mildly reduced (mean of 85 percent). In two of the patients, arterial oxygen tension was low. Other pulmonary function results were in the normal range. Following blood transfusion, a significant drop was seen in arterial oxygen tension (PaO2 of 22 mm Hg) and in forced vital capacity (FVC) of 32 percent. These changes were dramatic and require further explanation.

Adolescent

Combined effect of nifedipine and diltiazem on methacholine-induced bronchoconstriction in asthmatic patients.

Calcium blockers alter airway hyperreactivity. We studied the effect of either 60 mg diltiazem or 20 mg nifedipine and their combination on the airway response to methacholine-induced bronchoconstriction. Compared with placebo or diltiazem, nifedipine significantly raised the PC20. When diltiazem was given alone, it had no effect on the airway but, when given with nifedipine, it significantly raised the PC20 to methacholine. The effect was superior to any of the other treatments given. This study supports the concept of combining two different calcium blockers in the treatment of bronchial asthma.

Adolescent

Cell-free supernatants of sarcoid alveolar macrophages suppress proliferation of sarcoid alveolar fibroblasts.

We have reported that alveolar macrophages (AM) isolated from sarcoidosis (SA) patients, as well as cell-free supernatants of these macrophages, markedly suppressed mitogenic stimulation of peripheral blood lymphocyte (PBL). We now show that cell-free supernatants of AM originating from sarcoidosis patients also suppress [3H]thymidine incorporation by fibroblast (Fb) cultures resulting from bronchoalveolar lavages (BAL) of SA: 40.6% inhibition compared with only 8.2% by supernatants of AM obtained from nonsarcoid controls. The clones of proliferating Fb appeared in cultures of BAL cells after most of the macrophages were detached from the tissue culture surface and actively synthesized collagen, as demonstrated by ultrastructural studies. In confirmation with previously reported results, the same supernatants from AM of SA patients also suppressed mitogenic stimulation of PBL (35.7% inhibition of [3H]thymidine incorporation compared with only 16.3% inhibition by control supernatants). They also contained high amounts of IL-1 (178 compared to 9.2 U/ml of control supernatants), whereas the PGE2 content was within normal levels (0.28 compared to 0.19 ng/ml/10(5) cells in control supernatants). It is concluded that AM from SA patients release a factor(s) which suppresses the proliferation of alveolar fibroblasts.

Adult

Olive pollen induces asthmatic response.

We provide evidence that olive pollen extract can induce asthmatic response. The pattern of airway response to olive pollen is investigated. Nineteen patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis and asthma, suspected to be due to olive pollen, all of whom had positive skin-prick test, were investigated. Bronchial challenge with olive pollen extract were performed and the peak flow rate was followed for 20 hr. Eight patients developed dual asthmatic response (DAR), six patients developed early asthmatic response (EAR) and five patients had no asthmatic response. The early maximal fall in FEV1 and the PD15 were not different between the group with DAR and the group with EAR only. We conclude that olive pollen can induce dual asthmatic response.

Adolescent

Cutaneous manifestations and impaired chemotaxis of polymorphonuclear leukocytes associated with Kartagener's syndrome.

Persistent deep-seated folliculitis and impaired chemotaxis are described in a 24-year-old woman with situs inversus, bronchitis and sinusitis, i.e. the three characteristics of Kartagener's syndrome. While patients with chemotactic defects not associated with the syndrome often suffer from skin infections, to the best of our knowledge this is the first report of a Kartagener patient with cutaneous manifestations.

Adult

A clinical and immunologic study of colchicine in asthma.

A double-blind, randomized, crossover chronic study was done to determine the efficacy of colchicine in 10 atopic patients with asthma. A constant dose of sustained-release theophylline and albuterol by inhalation, as needed, was administered. Compared to placebo, colchicine, 0.5 mg twice daily, significantly reduced the mean (+/- SEM) daily clinical score from 2.18 +/- 0.34 to 1.64 +/- 0.32 (p less than 0.05), and the daily number of inhalations of albuterol from 5.89 +/- 1.48 to 4.01 +/- 1.26 (p less than 0.02). Colchicine significantly (p less than 0.05) increased the concanavalin A-induced suppressor cell function from 16.2 +/- 4.6% to 39.0 +/- 10.7%, which was similar to healthy volunteers (41.1 +/- 3.5%). Furthermore, colchicine significantly (p less than 0.05) decreased serum IgE from 248 +/- 63 to 188 +/- 46 IU/ml. Colchicine had no significant effect on pulmonary function tests, the early phase reaction of antigen-induced bronchial inhalation challenge, and immediate skin test responses. Thus, colchicine has immunomodulatory effects that may perhaps have a mild benefit in the treatment of asthma.

Adolescent

Systemic cold-induced urticaria--clinical and laboratory characterization.

Six patients are described with a history of cold-related urticaria in whom standard tests (water-immersion and ice-cube) did not induce symptoms. Only total-body cold exposure induced generalized urticaria. Systemic cold urticaria should, therefore, be included in the differential diagnosis of cold-dependent allergic disorders.

Cold Temperature

The effect of caffeine on exercise-induced bronchoconstriction.

The effect of caffeine on exercise-induced bronchoconstriction was examined in ten patients with bronchial asthma. Placebo and caffeine 3.5 mg/kg and 7 mg/kg were given two hours before exercise. Spirometry was taken at one and two hours following caffeine and at 5, 15, and 30 minutes following exercise. Caffeine significantly improved baseline FEV1 and prevented exercise-induced bronchoconstriction only at a dose of 7 mg/kg. Caffeine was well tolerated by the patients. These data suggest that only high doses of caffeine significantly prevent a postexercise drop in FEV1.

Adult

Comparison between bronchial response to inhaled hypoosmolar and isoosmolar solutions of sodium cromoglycate after exercise challenge.

The effectiveness of a sodium cromoglycate isoosmolar solution (288 mOsmol/L) versus hypoosmolar commercial solution (40 mOsmol/L) was studied in 14 asthmatic children with exercise-induced asthma. The mean FEV1 after exercise in patients pretreated with a sodium cromoglycate hypotonic solution compared with FEV1 at rest was -2% +/- 10%. The mean FEV1 after exercise in patients pretreated with an isotonic solution compared with FEV1 at rest was 3% +/- 6%. This statistically significant difference (P less than .01) proves that the effectiveness of sodium cromoglycate can be improved by raising the osmolarity to isotonic levels.

Administration, Inhalation

Combined effect of inhaled verapamil and sodium cromoglycate on the airway response to hypertonic saline.

We evaluated the airway effect of inhaled verapamil by comparing it to aerosolized sodium cromoglycate. Airway hyperreactivity was assessed using inhaled hypertonic saline. Sodium cromoglycate prevented bronchoconstriction in all the patients. Inhaled verapamil induced significant bronchial constriction in two patients. The combination of verapamil with sodium cromoglycate was as effective as sodium cromoglycate. It was concluded that inhaled verapamil is not effective in preventing bronchoconstriction induced by hypertonic saline.

Administration, Inhalation

Relationship between recurrent croup and airway hyperreactivity.

The relationship between recurrent croup and bronchial asthma was evaluated by measuring bronchial hyperreactivity (methacholine challenge), physiologic parameters of upper airway obstruction, and skin response to environmental allergens. Patients with recurrent croup (n = 10) had a significantly higher degree of airway hyperreactivity and atopy than healthy children (n = 15), but significantly less than the patients with bronchial asthma (n = 30). No physiologic signs of upper airway obstruction could be detected at rest or following methacholine. It is suggested that bronchial asthma and recurrent croup share a few characteristics.

Asthma

Is there a change in asthma mortality in Israel?

The statistical data for asthma mortality in Israel from 1960 to 1986 are presented. From the analysis of the data it is clear that the asthma mortality rates in Israel were among the lowest reported (for the general population as well as for the 5 to 34-year age group), although a trend toward increase was seen during 1982 to 1986.

Adolescent

Suppressive activity of alveolar macrophages and blood monocytes from interstitial lung diseases: role of released soluble factors.

Two groups of patients suffering from interstitial lung diseases (ILD) namely sarcoidosis (SA) and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) were investigated for alveolar macrophages (AM), secretion of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and interleukin 1 (IL-1), together with superoxide anion (O2-) production. Peripheral blood monocytes (PBMO) of the same patients were examined concomitantly for suppressive activity. Consistent with previous results, AM obtained by bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) from ILD patients markedly suppressed the effects of PHA stimulation of autologous peripheral blood lymphocytes (APL): 61.8 +/- 9.7% suppressive activity compared to 15.5 +/- 15.4% in the control group (CO) P less than 0.001. The AM suppressive activity was correlated with an increase in PGE2 secretion: 3.861 +/- 2.194 ng/10(5) cells/ml in the IPF group, but not in the sarcoid group: 0.217 +/- 0.116 ng/10(5) cells/ml (P less than 0.001 between them). On the other hand, IL-1 secretion by AM was greatly increased in sarcoid patients (308 +/- 196 U/ml) but was within the normal limits in IPF (27.3 +/- 28.8 U/ml, P less than 0.01 between them). Therefore, an inverse correlation was found between degree of PGE2 secretion and IL-1 release by AM in ILD. O2-production by AM was markedly increased in all ILD patients but this mechanism is apparently not involved in suppressive activity. PBMO originating from ILD patients were less suppressive than the corresponding AM.

Adult