Yechiel Eshel

Chloral Hydrate in Intractable Status Epilepticus

Five adult patients were admitted to the neurological department in a state of status epilepticus. All were treated unsuccessfully with IV diazepam and diphenylhydantoin. Administration of sodium valporate or phenobarbital also was ineffective. However, after treatment with intrarectal chloral hydrate, all seizures ceased. The excellent effect of this drug was proved both clinically and electrodiagnostically. Discussed is the possibility of using chloral hydrate to treat patients with status epilepticus in whom conventional treatment has failed.

Enkephalin mydriasis in mice

Morphine is known to produce mydriasis in mice. We have found that enkephalins caused a similar effect. Morphine was twice as active as D-Ala-D-Leu-enkephalin (BW-180C), 5 times as active as Met-enkephalin and 7 times as active as Leu-enkephalin. The time course of the effect was shortest for the enkephalins ( t 1/2 = 8-12 min), intermediate for BW-180C (60 min) and longest for morphine (80 min). Naloxone antagonised the effect of all agents to a similar extent. The question whether enkephalins are involved in the physiological regulation of pupillary diameter was investigated by administering either naloxone or D-phenylalanine to mice. None of these agents changed pupillary size, thus making such an involvement unlikely.

The stability of dopamine-β-hydroxylase activity in blood samples

Abstract Dopamine-β-hydroxylase activity was measured in serum samples that were incubated at 37°C for up to seven days and were compared with preincubation values. No change of activity was observed.

Somatostatin mydriasis in mice

Administration of somatostatin intracerebroventricularly to mice produced a dose-dependent mydriasis, whereas intravenous injections were ineffective. Naloxone could prevent or abolish this effect. It is suggested that somatostatin either directly excites opiate receptors or activates endopioid pathways involved in the regulation of pupillary size.

Circling behavior induced by phencyclidine in mice and its inhibition by naloxone

Phencyclidine (PCP), when given to mice, induces general hyperactivity and rapid circling, similar to that caused by morphine. These effects are partially antagonized by naloxone.

Effect of electroconvulsive treatment on serum dopamine-beta-hydroxylase activity in man.

The activity of dopamine-beta-hydroxylase was measured in the serum before and immediately after electroconvulsive treatments. No significant difference was observed, suggesting that the seizures did not cause an increase in the peripheral sympathetic tone.

Dopamine-beta-hydroxylase activity in serum of patients with hepatic damage

1. The activity of dopamine-beta-hydroxylase (DBH) was assayed in the serum of 102 patients, mostly with varying degrees of hepatic dysfunction. 2. DBH activity was not elevated in those with liver disorder and did not correlate with serum bilirubin, transaminase, lactic dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase or creatine phosphokinase. 3. It is concluded that the liver is not necessarily involved in the inactivation of DBH.

Mydriasis Induced by Δ1-Tetrahydrocannabinol in Rats

The biological activity of cannabinoids has been the focus of considerable experimentation by scientists as well as by the lay man. Among its discovered actions, the observation of a decrease in intraocular pressure (IOP) has created interest in its potential therapeutic use in glaucoma. The mechanism underlying the fall of IOP has been studied but the complete picture is still unclear. A prevailing view is that the cannabinoids interact with the sympathetic system. The effects of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) on the ocular sympathetic system have been studied by investigating the pupillary reaction in rats.

Sex-ratio in chorea associated with systemic lupus erythematosus and hypoparathyroidism. Role of sex hormones

Abstract 1. 1. The sex ratio of chorea associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and with hypoparathyroidism reported in the literature showed increased preponderance in females (86% for SLE, 60% for hypoparathyroidism). These ratios are similar to those of the two diseases, respectively. 2. 2. It is concluded that sex hormones do not contribute significantly to the development of chorea in these two diseases.