The effect of region of application on absorption of ethanol and hexanol through canine skin

The effect of region of application on the percutaneous penetration of solutes with differing lipophilicity was investigated in canine skin. Skin from the thorax, neck, back, groin, and axilla regions was harvested from Greyhound dogs and placed in Franz-type diffusion cells. Radiolabelled (14C) ethanol (Log P 0.19) or hexanol (Log P 1.94) was applied to each skin section for a total of 5h. The permeability coefficient (kP, cm h(-1)) and residue of alcohol remaining in the skin were significantly (P=0.001) higher for hexanol compared to ethanol. In contrast, ethanol had a far greater maximum flux (Jmax, mol (cm2)(-1) h(-1)) than hexanol (P=0.001). A comparison of regional differences shows the kP and Jmax for ethanol in the groin was significantly lower (P=0.035) than the back. The kP and Jmax for hexanol were significantly higher (P=0.001) in the axilla than the other four skin sites. An understanding of factors influencing percutaneous drug movement is important when formulating topical preparations for the dog.     

When, how and why to perform a double ballooning technique for dogs with valvular pulmonic stenosis

Pulmonic valvuloplasty is a well-established method for the treatment of valvular pulmonic stenosis in people and dogs. In dogs, pulmonic valvuloplasty has been restricted to a single balloon; however, the simultaneous use of two balloons is common in pediatric cardiology. The use of two balloons provides an alternative to the use of a single large balloon in small dogs with a pulmonic anulus size that requires a large dilation catheter and large diameter introducer. Moreover, double balloon valvuloplasty permits dilation in large dogs with large pulmonic anulus sizes for which standard dilation catheters are not available. This report outlines the materials required, describes the technique, gives the advantages and disadvantages encountered when performing percutaneous double balloon valvuloplasty and provides some ‘tips’ for a successful outcome.     

Inhibitory effect of high-dose Xuezhikang on inflammatory response induced by percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with unstable angina

AIM: To study the inhibitory effect of high-dose Xuezhikang,administered before percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) on inflammatory response induced by PCI in patients with unstable angina (UA).METHODS: All patients with UA in class Ⅲ and ⅡB according to Braunwald classification were considered for inclusion in the present study.Finally,196 patients received Xuezhikang treatment 72 h before coronary angiography and successfully performed PCI with elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) level (>3 mg/L) were randomised to 2 groups: 1.2 g/d of Xuezhikang as group A,or 2.4 g/d of Xuezhikang as group B.The levels of CRP were measured at baseline,after 3 days of therapy (before procedure) and 48 hours after PCI.The patients were followed-up for 6 months for major adverse coronary events and left ventricular ejection fraction.RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the mean CRP level among the two randomized groups (P>0.05),however,after three days of pharmacological treatment,there was significantly reduced CRP content in group A ［(5.44±1.57） mg/L vs （4.04±1.54） mg/L,P<0.05］ and in group B ［(5.42±1.36） mg/L vs （3.60±1.14） mg/L,P<0.05］ compared with admission.Measurements performed 48 hours after the procedure revealed a marked CRP level increase in group A (up to 9.22 mg/L±5.03 mg/L) and an obvious increase in groups B (up to 4.97 mg/L±1.75 mg/L,P<0.05) compared with pre-procedure.The serum level of CRP in B group was distinctly lower than that in A group before (P<0.05) and after the procedure (P<0.05),respectively.Major adverse coronary events during the 6-month clinical follow-up occurred less in group A than that in group B ［21/104 (20.2%) vs 9/92 (9.8%); patients,P<0.05］.Follow-up echocardiography revealed lower left ventricular ejection fraction in group A than that in group B (55.41%±10.93% vs 59.30%±9.99%,P<0.05).CONCLUSION: High-dose Xuezhikang therapy,administered before PCI,has better inhibition effect than low-dose on inflammatory response induced by PCI in patients with UA.Attenuation of inflammatory response may be crucial for the reduction of coronary events following invasive coronary interventions.     

经皮髓芯减压结合介入外置管治疗早期股骨头缺血性坏死(附50例)

目的：观察经皮髓芯减压结合介入外置管治疗早期股骨头缺血性坏死的临床疗效。方法：经X线平片、CT、MRI检查及临床证实的早期股骨头缺血性坏死50例病人，首先行股骨头经皮髓芯减压术，同时行经皮介入外置管治疗，保留外引流管1周。结果：①骨髓静脉造影复查显示50例回流通畅，回流时间加快。②治疗后1年X线平片复查显示：35例复查显示骨质完全修复，余15例有不同程度的骨质修复。③治疗后1年．MRI复查显示：48例显示骨髓水肿消退，仅2例显示残留散在小斑点状骨髓水肿信号病灶。④治疗后1年临床症状随访结果：43例治疗后疼痛完全消除，大部分缓解5例，部分缓解2例，未改善0例，其临床症状改善率达100％。结论：经皮髓芯减压结合介入外置管治疗早期股骨头缺血性坏死，能明显改善股骨头的血液循环，促进股骨头坏死区的修复和重建。     

Assessment of in vitro dermal absorption of the kaurenic acid from Coespeletia moriziana extracts

Espeletiinae are plants which grow above 3000 m of altitude in the Northern Andes and kaurenic acid was extracted from the leaves of Coespeletia moritziana. This compound has shown a wide range of biological activities, including cytotoxicity which is efficient in cancer therapy. The percutaneous penetration of this compound was measured in vitro using Franz cells. At appropriate intervals for up to 24 h, diffusion samples were analyzed using HPLC. At the end of the test period, the amount of kaurenic acid was determined in each compartment and approximately 10% of kaurenic acid had been absorbed and was found in the skin layers.