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Biomedical subjects

P Faurschou

Publications and source records attributed to P Faurschou.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Turpentine- and fibrin-induced pleuritis in nude mice. Histopathological, cellular and biochemical changes.

Turpentine was injected into the right pleural cavity of nude immune-incompetent mice, causing a temporary irritative exudative pleuritis. A transient occurrence of so-called rheumatoid arthritis cells was observed in the pleural fluid together with parallel characteristic biochemical changes. In similar experiments in nude mice, however, immunization followed by intrapleural application of bovine fibrin showed irritative "dry" pleuritis without the presence of rheumatoid arthritis cells. This is in contrast with previous results from similar experiments done using normal mice. The conclusion from the present experiments is that in nude immune-incompetent mice only the non-immunological, turpentine-induced pleuritis will generate cellular and biochemical changes typical of the rheumatoid disease in patients, while the fibrin-induced pleuritis fails to show similar changes. This suggests that the rheumatoid-like pleural changes described in the present experiments in nude mice have a non-immunological basis.

Animals↗

Rheumatoid arthritis cells and biochemical changes in turpentine-induced pleuritis in rabbits.

When turpentine was instilled into the right pleural cavity in rabbits a pleural effusion developed in half of the animals, with a low pH, low glucose concentration, high lactic dehydrogenase activity and the constant presence of rheumatoid arthritis cells in the affected pleural cavity. The biochemical values in the pleural fluid were significantly different from the values for normal pleural fluid obtained by a special microtechnique. These changes resulting from the experimentally induced, simple, irritative turpentine pleuritis are similar to the findings in the pleural effusion in human rheumatoid pleuritis; this implies that such changes are probably non-specific and without evidence of an immunological background.

Animals↗

Thoracoscopy in rheumatoid pleural effusion.

In rheumatoid pleural effusion a positive diagnosis can be made by thoracoscopy, preferably supported by the identification of microscopic structural changes in the parietal pleura. Biochemical changes and the finding of the so-called rheumatoid arthritis cells (RA-cells) are non-specific.

Arthritis, Rheumatoid↗

Levomepromazine (Nozinan) reduces nonspecific bronchial hyperreactivity in asthmatics.

Ten patients with bronchial asthma were challenged with histamine before and after receiving saline and active drug (levomepromazine or antazoline) (a total of six challenges). The antihistaminic effect of levomepromazine (25 mg) was found to be comparable to that of antazoline (100 mg), evaluated from skin prick tests. Prechallenge forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) was found to be larger after levomepromazine than after antazoline (p less than 0.05), indicating a direct bronchodilating effect. This increased threshold airway calibre may have influenced the results of challenge, but change in provocative concentration producing 20% fall (PC20) was not statistically significantly correlated to change in FEV1. Levomepromazine increased PC20 2-doubling concentration compared to antazoline (p less than 0.05). Variation was observed in two minutes' ventilation during tidal volume breathing challenge. However, there was no statistically significant variation in two minutes' ventilation during challenge after receiving levomepromazine or antazoline. It was concluded that levomepromazine possesses a bronchodilating capacity and reduces bronchial hyperreactivity.

Adult↗

Intramuscular betamethasone dipropionate vs. topical beclomethasone dipropionate and placebo in hay fever.

A double-blind, double-dummy comparative study was made of 30 adult birch pollen-allergic outpatients with seasonal rhinoconjunctivitis. They were treated with either topically applied beclomethasone dipropionate 100 micrograms in each nostril twice daily for 4 weeks, placebo, or an injection of 2 ml of a suspension containing 5 mg betamethasone dipropionate and 2 mg betamethasone disodium phosphate per ml (Diprospan) immediately prior to the birch pollen season. Placebo- and topical steroid-treated patients experienced an increase in rhinoconjunctivitis symptoms, i.e. nasal blockage, nasal itching, rhinorrhea, sneezing and eye symptoms, and placebo-treated patients used significantly more antihistamine tablets during the pollen season. Diprospan-treated patients experienced fewer symptoms on all measured parameters. We concluded that one injection of Diprospan immediately prior to the birch pollen season produces significantly fewer rhinoconjunctivitis symptoms than does placebo and topical steroid treatment.

Administration, Intranasal↗

Intramuscular betamethasone dipropionate vs. oral prednisolone in hay fever patients.

In a double-blind group comparative study, 36 adult, birch pollen-allergic outpatients with seasonal rhinoconjunctivitis, were treated with either oral prednisolone 7.5 mg daily for 3 weeks or an injection with 2 ml suspension of betamethasone dipropionate and betamethasone disodium phosphate (Diprospan) immediately prior to the birch pollen season. Both treatments were able to prevent an increase in symptoms from the nose and the eyes during the 3-week birch pollen season. There was no significant difference in symptom score or nasal peak flow between the two treatments. However, there was a significant suppression of adrenal gland function after oral prednisolone treatment in contrast to Diprospan treatment. Unless there are contraindications for treatment with depot steroid injections (children, pregnant women, patients suffering from peptic ulcer, tuberculosis, eye disease, herpes, hypertension or diabetes) it seems to be a reasonable alternative to oral prednisolone in hay fever patients.

Administration, Oral↗

Bambuterol: effects of a new anti-asthmatic drug.

Twenty-seven asthmatic outpatients were randomly treated with bambuterol 30 mg administered once daily before going to bed and sustained release terbutaline 10 mg twice daily in a 14 day, double blind cross over study. On all the parameters of bronchodilator effects, namely peak expiratory flow rate (PEF), use of extra beta-agonist puffs, asthma symptom score, and patient preference for one of the treatments, no statistically or clinically significant difference between the two treatments was found. No significant difference between treatments was observed in the number or severity of side-effects. Bambuterol administered once daily appears to be an effective anti-asthmatic treatment.

Adult↗

Diagnostic thoracoscopy in pleuro-pulmonary infiltrates without pleural effusion.

In seven patients with pleuro-pulmonary infiltrates without pleural effusion, an artificial pneumothorax was induced, followed by diagnostic thoracoscopy, as the first and only invasive investigation; in all cases the diagnosis was confirmed by this simple procedure. The method has a low mortality correlated to other alternative diagnostic methods.

Aged↗

Rheumatoid arthritis cells in experimental pleuritis in mice.

In mice immunized with bovine fibrin, the same antigen was applied to the pleural cavity. A granulomatous pleuritis appeared affecting both the visceral and the parietal pleura, especially located around the antigen particle. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) cells were constantly found in the pleural cavity when pleural lesions were present. This immunological, granulomatous pleuritis is the first experimental model for the study of RA cell-positive types of pleurisy in humans.

Animals↗

Thoracoscopic, histological, and clinical findings in nine case of rheumatoid pleural effusion.

A characteristic thoracoscopic picture of a granular parietal pleural surface was found in nine patients with rheumatoid pleurisy. Characteristic changes could be identified histopathologically in material obtained by biopsy. The rheumatoid pleural effusion resolved within an average of 14 months and no serious complications developed after the pleurisy. It is concluded that in rheumatoid pleural effusion a positive diagnosis can be made by thoracoscopy, preferably supported by the identification of microscopic structural changes in the parietal pleura.

Adult↗

Relapse prevention of duodenal ulcers with trimipramine, cimetidine, or placebo. A double-blind comparison.

In a double-blind study 83 patients with duodenal ulcers, initially healed after treatment with either 1 g cimetidine daily or 50 mg trimipramine daily, were allocated by randomization to maintenance treatment with either 400 mg cimetidine daily, 25 mg trimipramine daily, or placebo for 6 months. Monthly clinical interviews were carried out and endoscopy performed whenever the symptoms suggested ulcer relapse. After 6 months the treatment was discontinued, and the patients were observed similarly for another 6-month period. After 6 months of maintenance treatment 88% in the cimetidine group versus 55% in the trimipramine group and 53% in the placebo group remained in symptomatic remission, yielding a significant difference between the cimetidine-treated patients and the two other groups (P less than 0.05). After a further 6 months of drug-free follow-up study, the percentages were 48% versus 29% and 29% in the cimetidine, trimipramine, and placebo groups, respectively (P less than 0.05). Thus maintenance treatment with trimipramine proved no better than placebo in preventing relapses of duodenal ulcers. Second, maintenance treatment with 400 mg cimetidine daily did prevent ulcer relapse, and, third, maintenance treatment with cimetidine for 6 months did not alter the long-term course of the duodenal ulcer disease.

Adult↗

Decreased glucose in RA-cell-positive pleural effusion: correlation of pleural glucose, lactic dehydrogenase and protein concentration to the presence of RA-cells.

A significant correlation between RA-cells in the pleural fluid and lowered concentration of glucose, increased LDH activity and protein content was demonstrated in pleural effusions of diverse etiology. The finding might suggest a common metabolic reaction of the pleura, the mechanism of which remains unexplained at present.

Arthritis, Rheumatoid↗

Thoracoscopy: influence of the procedure on some respiratory and cardiac values.

In eight patients with pleural effusion arterial oxygen and carbon dioxide tensions (PaO2 and PaCO2), pH, respiratory frequency, and cardiac rhythm and frequency were measured before, during, and after thoracoscopy. Four of the patients had a PaO2 below 70 mm Hg (9.3 kPa) before the procedure. During and after the procedure respiratory frequency increased and PaCO2 fell, indicating hyperventilation, while the other indices remained unchanged. It is concluded that respiration and the circulation readily adapt to the changes produced by the pneumothorax and the manipulation during thoracoscopy.

Adult↗

Efficacy of trimipramine and cimetidine in the treatment of duodenal ulcer. A double-blind comparison.

One hundred and fourteen consecutive outpatients with endoscopically proven duodenal ulcers were allocated in a double-blind study to treatment with either trimipramine (Surmontil), 50 mg at bedtime, or cimetidine (Tagamet), 200 + 200 + 200 + 400 mg/day, using identical-appearing active and placebo tablets to fill in the treatment scheme. One hundred and eight patients completed the study. Ulcer healing was assessed by endoscopy at 3, 6, and 9 weeks. Clinical symptoms and antacid consumption were recorded by means of interviews and a diary card system. The cumulated healing rate with cimetidine and trimipramine, respectively, was at 3 weeks 64% versus 40% (p less than 0.05), at 6 weeks 89% versus 65% (p less than 0.05), and 9 weeks 91% versus 78% (n.s.). We found no significant differences between the two groups with regard to pain relief, antacid consumption, or general symptomatic improvement.

Adolescent↗