The objective of this study was to demonstrate 1H MR spectroscopy (MRS) changes in cerebral metabolites after acute head trauma. Twenty-five patients (12 children, 13 adults) were examined with quantitative 1H MRS after closed head injury. Clinical grade (Glasgow Coma Scale [GCS]) and outcome (Rancho Los Amigos Medical Center Outcome Score [ROS]) were correlated with quantitative neurochemical findings. N-acetylaspartate (NAA), a neuronal and axonal marker, was reduced (P < .03-.001). In children, a reduced NAA/creatine plus phosphocreatine (Cr) level and the presence of detectable lipid/lactate predicted bad outcome (sensitivity, 89%; specificity, 89%). The first MRS examination of all patients correlated with ROS versus NAA (r = .65, P < .0001). Although most patients showed MRS abnormalities, striking heterogeneity of 1H MRS characterized the individual patients. 1H MRS identifies multiple patterns of diffuse brain injury after blunt head trauma. There was a strong correlation between MRS and outcome. Future prospective studies will be needed to determine the clinical usefulness of MRS in predicting outcome from closed head injury.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Modulatory effects of polyamines and GABA on rat ileal motility in vitro].

AIM: The aim of our work was to determine the effects of polyamines and GABA on rat ileum motility in vitro. METHODS: Longitudinal strips dissected from control ileum or ileum without myenteric plexus after benzalkonium chloride (BAC) treatment were placed in organ bath chambers. RESULTS: Spermine significantly inhibited spontaneous activity and nerve stimulation-induced response. Inhibition of spontaneous activity was not altered by BAC treatment or tetrodotoxin but was antagonized by BAY K 8644, a L-type calcium channel agonist. Spermine inhibitory effect on nerve-stimulation induced response disappeared after BAC treatment. GABA enhanced the response induced by nerve stimulation but did not antagonize spermine effects; its action was inhibited in presence of atropine and was mimicked by baclofen, a GABAB agonist. CONCLUSION: Polyamines and GABA can modulate rat ileum motility in vitro. GABA acted via neural GABAB receptors. We demonstrate for the first time that spermine exerts a dual action through different mechanisms on both smooth muscle cells and probably intramural neurons.

3-Pyridinecarboxylic acid, 1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethy↗