Our library of drug research abstracts drawn from the medical literature is updated on a regular schedule, and you can be assured that new opticrom research articles will be listed here shortly after becoming available to us.
Related Sponsors
Medical research on opticrom
BMC Gastroenterol. 2008 Sep 22; 8(1): 42
Qing HZ, Liang GX, Jie HP, Jing W, Ning S, Ling GW
ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Mast cells were associated with intestinal ischemia-reperfusion injury, the study was to observe the influence of Ketotifen, Cromolyn Sdium(CS), and Compound 48/80(CP) on the survival rates on the third day after intestinal ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats. METHODS: 120 healthy Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 5 groups, Sham-operated group (group S), model group (group M), group K, group C and group CP. Intestinal damage was triggered by clamping the superior mesenteric artery for 75 minutes, group K, C, and CP were treated with kotifen 1mg/kg, CS 50 mg /kg, and CP 0.75 mg /kg i.v. at 5min before reperfusion and once daily for three days following reperfusion respectively. Survival rate in each group was recorded during the three days after reperfusion. All the surviving rats were killed for determining the concentration of serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase(AST), glutamic pyruvic transaminase(ALT), the ratio of AST compare ALT(S/L), total protein(TP), albumin(ALB), globulin(GLB), the ratio of ALB compare GLB(A/G), phosphocreatine kinase(CK), lactate dehydrogenase(LDH), urea nitrogen(BUN) and creatinine(CRE) at the 3rd day after reperfusion. And ultrastructure of IMMC, Chiu's score, lung histology, IMMC counts, the levels of TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6 and IL-10 of the small intestine were detected at the same time. RESULTS: Intestinal ischemia-reperfusion injury reduced the survival rate. The concentrations of TP, ALB and level of IL-10 in intestine in group M decreased significantly while the concentrations of S/L, LDH and the levels of IL-6 and TNF-alpha in intestine increased significantly compared with group S (P
Ann Pharmacother. 2008 Oct; 42(10): 1416-24
Akapo S, Gupta J, Martinez E, McCrea C, Ye L, Roach M
BACKGROUND: Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are often given admixtures of nebulizable drugs to minimize the time of administration in treatment regimens. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the physicochemical compatibility and aerodynamic characteristics of formoterol fumarate 20 microg/2 mL when mixed or sequentially nebulized with budesonide inhalation suspension 0.5 mg/2 mL, ipratropium bromide 0.5 mg/2.5 mL, cromolyn sodium 20 mg/2 mL, or acetylcysteine 10% (100 mg/mL). METHODS: The admixtures were prepared in triplicate and analyzed for physicochemical compatibility at 0, 15, 30, and 60 minutes after mixing at room temperature. Physical compatibility was determined by visual examination and measurements of pH, osmolality, and turbidity. Chemical stability was evaluated using compendial or in-house-validated high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) assay methods. The aerodynamic characteristics of the admixtures or sequentially nebulized drugs were determined from aerosols generated from a Pari LC Plus nebulizer, using an 8-stage cascade impactor followed by HPLC analysis of the deposited drug. RESULTS: The admixtures remained clear, colorless solutions with no precipitation, except for cloudiness observed in the formoterol/budesonide combination due to budesonide suspension. The pH, osmolality, and turbidity for all admixtures were within the initial values (< or = 3%), and there were no significant changes (< or = 2%) in potency of the active components throughout the 1-hour study period. Due to increased drug volume or reconcentration in the nebulizer cup, the respirable fraction/delivered dose increased significantly (p < 0.05) for the mixed or sequentially nebulized drug. However, the fine particle fraction (FPF), mass median aerodynamic diameter, and geometric standard deviation generally remained unchanged for all admixtures, with the exception of FPF for the formoterol/budesonide combination. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that admixtures of formoterol with budesonide, ipratropium, cromolyn, or acetylcysteine are physically and chemically compatible. However, admixing or sequential nebulization significantly increased the amount of drug delivered compared with single drug nebulization. The clinical implications of the in vitro data in patients with COPD have not been determined.
Food allergy and food intolerance: diagnosis and treatment.
Intern Emerg Med. 2008 Aug 16;
Patriarca G, Schiavino D, Pecora V, Lombardo C, Pollastrini E, Aruanno A, Sabato V, Colagiovanni A, Rizzi A, De Pasquale T, Roncallo C, Decinti M, Musumeci S, Gasbarrini G, Buonomo A, Nucera E
Food allergy is a matter of concern because it affects about 0.5-3.8% of the paediatric population and 0.1-1% of adults, and as well may cause life-threatening reactions. Skin prick testing with food extracts and with fresh foods, the measurement of food-specific IgE, elimination diets and a double-blind, placebo-controlled food challenge are the main diagnostic procedures; many non-validated procedures are available, creating confusion among patients and physicians. The treatment of food allergy is still a matter of debate. Antihistamines, corticosteroids and, if necessary (in case of anaphylaxis), epinephrine, are the drugs of choice for the treatment of symptoms of food allergy. Sodium cromolyn may be used prophylactically even though there are no controlled studies certifying its efficacy. The only etiologic treatment of food allergy is specific desensitization. Sublingual-oral-specific desensitization has been used by our group for the treatment of food-allergic patients with a high percentage of success.
Arzneimittelforschung. 2008; 58(6): 303-9
Lecheler J, Pfannebecker B, Nguyen DT, Petzold U, Munzel U, Kremer HJ, Maus J
BACKGROUND: The leukotriene inhibitor montelukast has been recommended against exercise-induced asthma (EIA), however, single-dose agents might be favourable in several aspects. OBJECTIVE: To compare the protective effects against EIA of a single inhalation of the combination disodium cromoglycate (DSCG, CAS 16110-51-3) and reproterol (REP, CAS 54063-54-6) with 3 days oral treatment of montelukast (MON, CAS 158966-92-8). METHODS: Open-label, cross-over, single-centre trial. Twenty-four 6 to 18-year-old children and adolescents, with reversible and stable airway obstruction, baseline FEV1 > or = 70%, predicted and proven EIA (i.e. a maximum decrease of FEV1 by > or = 20% compared with baseline) were treated with MON, orally for 3 days in the evening, or one single inhalation of DSCG/REP 20 min before the exercise challenge. The treatment sequence was randomised. The exercise test on a treadmill was performed under standardised conditions. RESULTS: 24 patients completed both periods. Both treatments clearly provided protection against EIA; however, protection of DSCG/REP was more pronounced than that of MON. This difference was statistically significant even if the data were adjusted for the increase in FEV1 between inhalation of DSCG/REP and challenge (DSCG/REP(adjusted). The nadir FEV1 level after exercise following prophylaxis with DSCG/REP was even higher than the pre-inhalation FEV1 value. From these data, protection indices of 66%, 81%, and 113% for MON, DSCG/REP(adjusted), and DSCG/REP(unadjusted), respectively, were estimated. CONCLUSIONS: Inhalation of DSCG/REP before exercise provides significantly better protection against EIA than three days treatment with MON.
Eur J Pain. 2008 Jul 23;
Nakajima K, Obata H, Ito N, Goto F, Saito S
The present study examined the contribution of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) to acute peripheral inflammatory pain in rats. We used formalin test in this study. After formalin injection into the rat hind paw, biphasic pain-related behavior (phases 1 and 2) was observed. A microdialysis study revealed that 5-HT was released into the formalin injection site in a formalin concentration-dependent manner (1.25-5%), and its peak time was 18min after the injection. Previous studies suggest that peripheral 5-HT2 receptors are involved in inflammatory pain. Therefore, we next examined whether 5-HT2A and 5-HT2C receptors are involved, and from where 5-HT is released in the formalin test. Local pretreatment with a selective 5-HT2A receptor antagonist, ketanserin, and selective 5-HT2C receptor antagonists, RS102221 and SB242084, inhibited the number of flinches in early part of phase 2 (phase 2A) of the formalin test in a dose-dependent manner. Peripheral pretreatment with sodium cromoglycate (cromolyn), a mast cell membrane stabilizer, completely suppressed 5-HT release and inhibited phase 2 responses of the formalin test. These drugs inhibited c-fos expression in the superficial layer of the spinal dorsal horn of segments L4-5 at 2h after formalin injection. These results indicate that 5-HT released into peripheral tissue and its receptors, 5-HT2A as well as 5-HT2C, at the periphery have an important role in pain-related behaviors during acute peripheral inflammation.
Behavioral and complementary approaches for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome.
Nutr Clin Pract. 2008 Jun-Jul; 23(3): 284-92
Wald A, Rakel D
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is one of the most common conditions seen in primary care settings. Despite this, there is no consensus as to the pathogenesis of this disorder or a consistently effective therapeutic regimen for many patients. This has encouraged the use of various alternative therapies from behavioral or complementary medicine. This review will address the evidence for alternative therapies, including the following: cognitive behavior therapy, hypnosis, elimination diets based on food antibody testing, nutrition supplements (such as fiber, probiotics, and prebiotics), and, finally, peppermint, l-glutamine, zinc, and cromolyn sodium. The review also explores the evidence for and the therapeutic ramifications of the hypothesis that increased intestinal permeability underlies the symptoms of IBS in many patients, and how a therapeutic plan that addresses nutrition, elimination diets, and nutrition supplements may be useful in restoring the integrity of the gut immune barrier.
Arch Pharm Res. 2008 Jun; 31(6): 771-8
Moon H, Choi HH, Lee JY, Moon HJ, Sim SS, Kim CJ
Effects of quercetin inhalation on immediate (IAR), late-phase (LAR) and late late-phase (LLAR) asthmatic responses by exposure to aerosolized-ovalbumin (AOA) (2w/v% in saline, inhalation for 3 min) were studied in conscious guinea-pigs sensitized with AOA. We measured specific airway resistance (sRaw), and recruitment of leukocytes, histamine and protein contents and phospholipase A2 (PLA2) activity in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Effects of quercetin (10 mg/mL, inhalation for 2 min) compared with cromolyn sodium, salbutamol, and dexamethasone inhalations, respectively. Quercetin inhalation decreased sRaw by 57.15 +/- 3.82% in IAR, 57.72 +/- 7.28% in LAR, and 55.20 +/- 5.69% in LLAR compared with AOA-inhaled control. Salbutamol inhalation (5 mg/mL) significantly inhibited sRaw in IAR, but inhalations of cromolyn sodium (10 mg/mL) and dexamethasone (5 mg/mL) significantly inhibited sRaw in IAR, LAR and LLAR, respectively. Inhibitory activity of quercetin inhalation on sRaw was similar to effect of its oral administration (10 mg/kg) in asthmatic responses. Quercetin (10 mg/mL, inhalation for 2 min) significantly decreased histamine and protein contents, PLA2 activity, and recruitments of leukocytes in BALF and also improved slightly infiltration of eosinophils and neutrophils in histopathological survey. Its anti-asthmatic activity was similar to cromolyn sodium and dexamethasone.
IgE-mediated food hypersensitivity disorders.
Georgian Med News. 2008 Apr; 39-44
Gotua M, Lomidze N, Dolidze N, Gotua T
Food allergy has become a serious health concern especially in developed countries in the past two decades. In general population approximately 4-6% of children and 1-3% of adults experience food allergy. The article reviews IgE-mediated food hypersensitivity disorders. Epidemiology, Mechanism, Clinical manifestations, Genetically modified crops (GMOs), Diagnosis, Prevention and Treatment of IgE-mediated food allergies are discussed. The investigations show that over 90% of IgE-mediated food allergies in childhood are caused by: cow's milk, hen's egg, soy, peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, fish and shellfish. Also the causes of food allergy are food additives, genetically modified crops. Risk factors for food-dependent exercise-induced anaphylaxis include asthma and previous allergic reactions to the causative food. Food allergy is one of the most common causes of systematic anaphylaxis and anaphylactoid reactions, with an annual incidence of four cases per million populations and estimated 500 deaths annually. In addition to gastrointestinal symptoms, individuals may experience urticaria, angioedema, atopic dermatitis, oral syndrome, asthma, rhinitis, conjunctivitis, hypotension, shock and cardiac arrhythmias, caused by the massive release of mediators from mast cells and basophiles. Diagnosis of food allergy is based on history, detailed dietary analysis, skin testing, measuring specific IgE in blood serum and challenge tests. Treatment and prevention includes: avoidance diet, application of auto-injectable epinephrine, H1 and H2 antihistamines, corticosteroids, antileukotrienes, prostaglandin synthetase inhibitors, cromolyn sodium, etc.
In vivo pharmacological evaluation of compound 48/80-induced airways oedema by MRI.
Br J Pharmacol. 2008 Jul; 154(5): 1063-72
Karmouty-Quintana H, Blé FX, Cannet C, Zurbruegg S, Fozard JR, Page CP, Beckmann N
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Allergen-induced airways oedema in actively sensitized rats has been studied earlier by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We used MRI to follow the consequences of non-immunological mast cell activation induced by compound 48/80 in the rat lungs in vivo. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: Male naïve rats were scanned by MRI prior to and at several time points following intratracheal administration of the mast cell secretagogue, compound 48/80. The effects of a range of drugs on the response induced by compound 48/80 were studied. KEY RESULTS: Strong fluid signals were detected by MRI in the lungs at 24 h after compound 48/80, correlating with increased protein concentration and inflammatory cell infiltration in bronchoalveolar lavage, and with perivascular oedema observed histologically. Pharmacological intervention demonstrated that the increase in MRI signal volume induced by compound 48/80 24 h after challenge was blocked by disodium cromoglycate and the glucocorticoid, budesonide. Pretreatment with wortmannin, capsazepine, DNK333 (a dual neurokinin (NK) 1 and NK2 antagonist) or the anti-allergy drug CGS8515, but not indomethacin, resulted in partial inhibition. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Compound 48/80 induced a complex inflammatory reaction which did not solely involve mast cell degranulation but also activation of sensory nerves and was qualitatively similar to allergen challenge. Changes observed by MRI correlated with decreases in protein concentration in BAL fluid. However, the magnitude of the changes detected was greater using MRI. Our results demonstrate that MRI is a sensitive and efficient tool to assess the effects of drugs on lung inflammation.
Br J Pharmacol. 2008 Jul; 154(5): 1094-103
Costa R, Marotta DM, Manjavachi MN, Fernandes ES, Lima-Garcia JF, Paszcuk AF, Quintão NL, Juliano L, Brain SD, Calixto JB
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: We investigated the mechanisms underlying the pruritogenic response induced by trypsin in mice, to assess the relevance of neurogenic inflammation components in this response. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: Itching was induced by an intradermal injection of trypsin in the mouse neck. The animals were observed for 40 min and their scratching behaviour was quantified. KEY RESULTS: Trypsin-induced itching was blocked by the lima bean trypsin inhibitor, the selective proteinase-activated receptor-2 (PAR-2) antagonist FSLLRY and PAR-2 receptor desensitization. An important involvement of mast cells was observed, as chronic pretreatment with the mast cell degranulator compound 48/80 or the mast cell stabilizer disodium cromoglycate prevented scratching. Also, trypsin response was inhibited by the selective COX-2 inhibitor celecoxib and by the selective kinin B2 (FR173657) and B1 (SSR240612) receptor antagonists. Moreover, an essential role for the mediators of neurogenic inflammation was established, as the selective NK1 (FK888), NK3 (SR142801) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP(8-37) fragment) receptor antagonists inhibited trypsin-induced itching. Similarly, blockade of transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) receptors by the selective TRPV1 receptor antagonist SB366791, or by genetic deletion of TRPV1 receptor reduced this behaviour in mice. C-fibre desensitization showed a very similar result. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Trypsin intradermal injection proved to be a reproducible model for the study of itching and the involvement of PAR-2 receptors. Also, trypsin-induced itching seems to be widely dependent on neurogenic inflammation, with a role for TRPV1 receptors. In addition, several other mediators located in the sensory nerves and skin also seem to contribute to this process.