Methods and findings in experimental and clinical pharmacology
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Methods Find Exp Clin Pharmacol · Oct 2007
Randomized Controlled TrialThe effect of tiotropium on the pulmonary diffusing capacity.
To our knowledge, there is no data on the effect of tiotropium on pulmonary gas exchange in healthy subjects. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of tiotropium on pulmonary diffusing capacity. Twenty-one healthy volunteers were enrolled for a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. ⋯ There was a significant decrease in forced vital capacity (FVC) and, consequently, an increase in the forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) to FVC ratio after placebo inhalation (p < 0.05), but no changes were found for percent-predicted FVC, FEV1, percent-predicted FEV1, percent-predicted forced expiratory flow (FEF25%-75%), percent-predicted peak expiratory flow (PEF), diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO), single-breath alveolar volume (VA) and DLCO/VA ratio when compared with the baseline. Tiotropium inhalation caused a significant increase in FVC, percent-predicted FEV1, FEV1/FVC and percent-predicted FEF25%-75%, although the decrease in DLCO was insignificant (12.4 +/- 0.9 to 11.4 +/- 0.9). In conclusion, tiotropium does not change the pulmonary-diffusing capacity in healthy volunteers.
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Methods Find Exp Clin Pharmacol · Jun 2007
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyComparison between newer local anesthetics for myofascial pain syndrome management.
Myofascial pain syndromes are characterized by the presence of painful loci within muscles, tendons or ligaments, called trigger points. Infiltration of these points with local anesthetics is often used as a treatment modality. The aim of the study was to comparatively evaluate 0.25% levobupivacaine and 0.25% ropivacaine for trigger point injection regarding pain on injection, treatment efficacy and duration of symptoms remission. ⋯ Two weeks later, they were asked about the duration of this relief. Statistical analysis did not reveal significant differences between groups with respect to pain during injection, efficacy of the treatment and duration of pain relief. The two local anesthetics seem to be equally effective for trigger point infiltration.
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Methods Find Exp Clin Pharmacol · Jun 2007
Comparative StudyBupivacaine and ropivacaine: comparative effects on nerve conduction block.
Unlike other drugs which act in the region of the synapse, local anesthetics are agents that reversibly block the generation and conduction of nerve impulses along a nerve fiber. This study aims to investigate the comparative inhibitions of bupivacaine and ropivacaine on the frog sciatic nerve. Isolated nerves were transferred to the nerve chamber which includes Ringer's solution. ⋯ Percent inhibitions in maximum derivatives and latency-period measurements have shown that ropivacaine is not only fast but also much more powerful in conduction block for longer and higher doses. Bupivacaine, on the other hand, is effective in the group of fibers with relatively slower conduction velocity for all the measured doses and time periods. In conclusion, ropivacaine has a sensory specific side of action, when compared with the bupivacaine.
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Methods Find Exp Clin Pharmacol · May 2007
Urinary metabolites to assess in vivo ontogeny of hepatic drug metabolism in early neonatal life.
In addition to size-dependent allometric metabolic activity, most isoenzymes display age-dependent isoenzyme-specific ontogeny. We therefore need probe drugs to describe isoenzyme-specific ontogeny to develop more sophisticated, physiologically based models. We illustrate the feasibility and the relevance of in vivo assessment of hepatic metabolism, based on observations on urinary elimination of paracetamol and tramadol metabolites in neonates. ⋯ During repeated administration of intravenous paracetamol, it was documented that, in addition to postmenstrual and postnatal age (PNA), repeated administration also contributed to the urinary excretion of glucuronidated paracetamol. In both probe drugs evaluated, age only in part explained the interindividual variability observed. Urine metabolites to assess in vivo metabolism of drugs routinely administered in neonates likely increase both the feasibility and clinical relevance of studies on in vivo isoenzyme-specific ontogeny in neonates.
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Methods Find Exp Clin Pharmacol · May 2007
The effects of opioids, local anesthetics and adjuvants on isolated pregnant rat uterine muscles.
Local anaesthetics, opioids and adjuvants are often used for managing labor pain. Some others of these agents are reported to cause alterations on uterine contractility during labor. However, there are controversies and the effects of some others are unknown. ⋯ The findings of the present study demonstrated that some local anesthetics, opioids and adjuvants caused significant and agent-specific alterations on contractility of the pregnant rat myometrium. Therefore, they seemed to have a potential to influence uterine contractility during clinical management of pain during labor. However, further research is needed to extrapolate these finding to clinical practice.