Download Total and Subtype Beta Adrenoceptor Density in Endomyocardial

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abnormal mitochondrial function (Chance et a1 Fed Proc
45:2915) but is rather a consequence of creatine depletion.
Altered ADP,Pi and p H do not contribute to cardiac dysfunction
in this model. The low myocardial creatine levels point to a
membrane defect, either reduced creatine transport or increased
efflux.
91 Total and subtype beta adrenoceptor density in
endanyocardial biopsies in the first thirteen months
following human orthotopic transplantation
% Chester, % Madden, *DB
2 5 ~
12 were taking NSAIDs, EGF concentration
2.0ng/ml (1.17) compared to 8 who were not
1.69ng/m1(0.8) p=NS. In the control group
8 were taking NSAIDs EGF concentration
3.39n / m l (1.83) and 12 were not 3.8ng/ml
(2.367 p=NS. This study shows no apparent
effect of NSAID ingestion on salivary EGF in
either group. Reduced salivary EGF in
rheumatoid disease is unrelated to NSAID
ingestion but appears to be a feature of the
disease itself.
Barnett and +M Yacoub
*Pharmacology Dept, Leicester Royal Infirmary
k I Harefield, Middlesex
Recently it has been suggested that i n spite of the
known supersensitivity to catecholamines, myocardial
beta adrencceptor density (BARD) is not increased
following transplantation in h u n s .
In order to
determine whether the BARD is constant over time we
analysed the Bmax using 125 iodopindolol binding in
hanogenates fran endomyocardial biopsy specimens fran a
cross section of forty-six patients during the first
thirteen
months
following
orthotopic
heart
transplantation.
We have shown that there is a highly significant rise
in total BARD in the biopsies taken during the fourth
post operative month compared to the values for the
group as a whole (mean 46.9 fmol/mgp +/- 2.02 vs 28.5
fmol/mgp +/- 1.5
p< .008)
which is followed by a
decline to the previous values. Subtype analysis in 32
of these specimens shows that the beta 1 receptor is the
predominant subtype (72% +/-2) and indicates that the
upregulation in total BARD in the fourth month probably
results from an increase in the beta 1 subtype with no
change in beta 2 receptor density. In biopsies taken
between ten to thirteen months there is a significant
reduction in beta 1 but not of the beta 2 subtype. There
was no significant change in receptor affinity (Kd) for
the ligand over time (mean 50.78 pnol +/- 29.45). The
increase in receptor density in the fourth month follows
the withdrawal of a number of routinely prescribed drugs
not previously known to effect BARD. Parameters of
myocardial function were routinely measured within 24
hours of the biopsies and those in the patients biopsied
at four months were all within one standard deviation of
those for the group as a whole.
This data indicates that the total BARD following
cardiac transplantation is not constant and that the
variation is predominantly due changes in density of the
beta 1 subtype.
92 EFFECT OF NON STEROIDAL ANTI INFLAMMATORY
DRUGS ON SALIVARY EPIDERMAL GROWTH FACTOR
93
RELATIVE DEFICIENCY OF IN VIVO OPIOID
RECEPTOR BINDING IN THE PRIMARY HUMAN MOTOR
SENSORY CORTEX
-
K P JONES, introducing V C CUNNINGHAM,
S K LUTHRA, R MEYERS, L G MANJIL, V W PIKE and
A
J E CREMER
MRC Cyclotron Unit, Hammersmith Hospital,
Ducane Road, London W12 OHS
The heterogeneous distribution of opioid
receptors in the central nervous system has
given rise to much speculation about the
possible physiological role of these
receptors. The high concentrations of opioid
receptors within certain parts of the sensory
projec t.ion pathways has led to speculation
that they may be concerned with the modulation
of response to painful stimuli.
In order to test this hypothesis in man we
have developed a technique to quantitate
opioid receptor binding in the brain using
"C-diprenorphine and positron emission
tomography (PET).
Preliminary studies
using a high resolution (5-7 mm) tomograph I
have demonstrated very high concentrations of
opioid receptors in regions such as the
frontal association cortes, cingulate cortex
and thalamus but. surprisingly low
concentrations in a strip corresponding to
the primary motor/sensory c o r t . e x . The latter
observation has not been previously observed
i n man, but interestingly has been observed in
the rat. These observations are consistent
with the distribution of high concentrations
opiate receptors within the sensory system in
areas of the brain concerned with processing
related to the medial pain system and less
consistent with those areas of the brain
concerned with the somatotopic lateral pain
sysi.em.
SM KELLY, J CRAMPTON AND JO HUNTER
Department of Gastroenterology, Addenbrooke's
Hospital, Cambridge 682 2QQ, England
94
Salivary epidermal growth factor (EGF) is an
important element of gastric mucosal defence.
It promotes ulcer healing and contributes to
normal gastric mucosal integrity. Recent work
has demonstrated a deficiency of salivary EGF
in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
which may be an important factor in their
susceptibility to gastric ulceration. It has
been suggested that non steroidal anti
inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) decrease salivary
EGF s o explaining this finding and contributing
to the gastric injury associated with these
drugs. This study examined the effect of NSAID
ingestion on salivary EGF in 20 patients with
RA and 20 controls. EGF was measured by
radioimmunoassay and results expressed as the
mean with standard deviations. In the RA group
W.H.TAYLOR
METABOLIC DISORDERS IN PATIENTS PRESENTING WITH
RENAL STONES AND INFECTED URINE
Royal Liverpool Hospital, Liverpool L7 8XP UK
Urinary tract infection is accepted as a factor contributing to renal stone disease. When the two conditions
present together, managemen,t may be confined to surgical
and antibiotic therapy. 4 3 such patients were however
referred for metabolic investigation between 1965 and
1985, and followed for up to 24yr. In 29 patients,
bacterial infection was confirmed at referral, but 14
were receiving or had been treated with antibiotics. Of
the 29, 12 had E.coli alone, 6 E.coli with other organism:
7 Proteus (Spp)alone, one, Proteua with Strep. faecalis,
and one each Strep. faecalis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and
Klebsiella. Eleven suffered recurrent infection throughout follow-up.