Jens Mølholm Hansen

Sulfamethizole‐induced inhibition of diphenylhydantoin, tolbutamide, and warfarin metabolism

The influence of sulfamethizole on the metabolism of diphenylhydantoin (DPH), tolbutamide, and warfarin is examined. In 8 patients DPH mean half‐life (T/2) increased from 11.8 ± 3.3 hr to 19.6 ± 5.2 hr and mean metabolic clearance rate (MCR) decreasedfram 43.7 ± 16.8 to 28.1 ± 9.1 ml/min during sulfamethizole treatment. In 6 patients mean tolbutamide T/2 increased from 5.7 ± 1.2 to 9.2 ± 1.2 hr MCR decreased from 17.0 ± 5.4 to 10.5 ± 1.2 ml/min. In 2 patients warfarin T/2 increased from an average of 64.7 to 92.7 hr and MCR decreased from 1.65 ml/min to 1.05 ml/min. In 4 patients on long‐term DPH treatment after 1 wk on sulfamethizole, there was an increase in serum DPH concentration in 3. It is suggested that sulfamethizole inhibits hepatic metabolism of DPH, tolbutamide, and warfarin.

Natural Killer Cell Activity in Hashimoto, Graves’ Disease and Euthyroid Exophthalmos

Natural killer (NK) cells are functionally identified by their ability to lyse a variety of target cells; morphologically they are identified as large granular lymphocytes (LGL). NK cells are augmented by interferon (IF), interleukin 2 (11-2) and inhibited by various agents including certain prostaglandins (PG), e.g. PGE1, PGE2, PGA1 and PGA2. NK cells are thought to play an important role in immune surveillance against cancer and certain infections. Evidence for a role of NK cells in autoimmune disorders is forthcoming. Significantly reduced NK cell activity has been described in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, Sjogren’s syndrome and multiple sclerosis. In the present study we have characterized the quality and quantity of NK cells in patients with Hashimoto, Graves’ disease and euthyroid exophthalmos