Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0010200 (cough)
 23,843 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

The influence of drugs which modify the concentration of brain monoamines on the size of the 50% antitussive dose (AtD50) of morphine (M), dihydrocodeine (DC) and dextromethorphan (DX) was investigated in male Sprague-Dawley rats. The puncture electrode-induced cough method was used for inducing cough. The AtD50 was calculated by the "up and down" method. All drugs were injected i.p. Concentrations of norepinephrine (NE), dopamine (DA) and serotonin (5-HT) in the whole brain were measured by means of high performance liquid chromatography with electro-chemical detection. The values for the AtD50 of M, DC and DX were 1.22, 1.44, and 6.06 mg/kg, respectively. Reserpine (2.5 mg/kg/day, 2 days) produced depression of more than 80% in levels of NE, DA and 5-HT in the brain. This treatment resulted in a substantial reduction in the antitussive effect of the cough suppressants, as evidenced by an increase in the AtD50 of M, DC and DX. p-Chlorophenylalanine (PCPA; 300 mg/kg, 24 hr) specifically produced a reduction of more than 70% in the level of 5-HT in the brain. The PCPA-treated rats also displayed an inhibition of the antitussive effect. The AtD50 in reserpine- and PCPA-treated rats was 2- and 4-fold higher, respectively, than the AtD50 for normal rats. alpha-Methyl-p-tyrosine (300 mg/kg, 5 hr) produced a significant reduction in the levels of NE and DA in the brain, but the antitussive effects of M, DC and DX were not altered. These results suggest that 5-HT in the brain may play an important role in the mechanism of action of antitussive drugs.
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PMID:Monoamines and the mechanisms of action of antitussive drugs in rats. 296 57

Hypersensitivity reactions to heparin preparations with a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations have been reported frequently in the past, but are a rarity now. A 88 year old man was admitted for physical therapy of a collum femoris fracture. Treatment with a diuretic, Reserpine and Verapamil was continued. Chest x-ray revealed a large thoracic aortic aneurysm. From the 12th to the 18th day of low dose heparin prophylaxis with calcium heparin, 7500 U twice daily, at least eight attacks of asthma or cyanosis were observed, starting about two hours after heparin injection. The last attack began suddenly with wheezing, tachypnoea and cough and was associated with apprehension, a sudden blood pressure increase and severe cyanosis. Ventilation improved with oxygen and a beta 2-stimulator, but hypertension and cyanosis lasted for three hours. After discontinuation of heparin no further attacks occurred. Causes other then heparin could not be found. Despite the use of porcine mucosa heparin, avoidance of preservatives and use of low doses a hypersensitivity reaction occurred in our case. The delayed onset after preceding subcutaneous application as well as difficulties in separating the reaction from complications of underlying disease may delay heparin discontinuation.
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PMID:[Asthma attacks in low-dose preventive use of heparin in a male with femoral neck fracture and aortic aneurysm]. 366 60