Tidsskrift for den Norske lægeforening : tidsskrift for praktisk medicin, ny række
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Adenosine consists of one ribose and one purine moiety and binds to specific receptors on cell membranes. The receptors are coupled to G-proteins and additionally to various effector-systems. When a mismatch occurs between energy supply and energy demand, adenosine is produced by the catabolism of adenosine triphosphate. ⋯ However, there are several ways of increasing the interstitial concentration of adenosine. At present, adenosine or adenosine-potentiating substances are used clinically to terminate supraventricular tachycardias, to induce myocardial ischemia in patients who are unable to exercise, and to reduce myocardial ischemia or reperfusion injury. Caffeine and other methylxanthines are adenosine receptor antagonists, and several of the pharmacodynamic properties of these substances are caused by adenosine receptor antagonism.
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Tidsskr. Nor. Laegeforen. · Mar 1998
[Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea treated with homologous feces].
The incidence of Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhoea has increased during the last few years. Treatment with vankomycin or metronidazol is usually effective, but relapses are not uncommon. Some good results have been reported with faecal enemas, but it is a controversal form of treatment. 18 patients with C. difficile-associated diarrhoea were given homologous faeces from one healthy donor. ⋯ Treatment of C. difficile-associated diarrhoea with faeces appears to be an alternative in moderate cases. In our limited number of patients we observed a poor correlation between the clinical picture, the endoscopic findings and the histological findings in colon biopsies. The ethical aspects of treatment with faeces will continue to be subject to discussion.