Faculty Bibliography

The pharmacokinetics of sulfadimethoxine (SDM) blood clearance, gastrointestinal absorption and tissue distribution and elimination were determined in channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) after intravenous and oral dosing using radiolabelled SDM. Blood clearance of SDM in catfish was rapid compared to mammals when the drug was given iv. Results from in vitro equilibrium dialysis studies suggest that this is due to a lower binding of SDM to plasma proteins in fish (18.4%) compared to mammalian species (60-88%). Results from oral dose studies indicated that SDM is readily absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract in channel catfish and distributes rapidly to body tissues, primarily the muscle. With time, concentrations of SDM in muscle decrease and the drug accumulates in the bile, primarily as the N-acetyl-metabolite

Onion and garlic oil were seen to shorten the cell-doubling time and stimulate the growth and proliferation of NIH-3T3 cells. Following treatment with either onion or garlic oil, an increase in the growth rate and almost a 2-fold increase in cell number over the control was observed within a 24-hour period. Phorbol myristate acetate when given simultaneously with either oil appeared to nullify both effects. Following exposure to low doses (less than 10 micrograms/ml) of either oil, an increase in cell survival, not seen with the oil control tricaprylin, was observed following a 5-day exposure period. At higher concentrations cell survival decreased proportionately in all cases. The appearance of multinucleated cells, which increased with dose and time, was also observed following treatment with both garlic and onion oil

Fifteen cases of Sarcoidosis were investigated for the presence of complement dependent cytotoxicity against human lung cells grown in tissue culture. Significant levels were found in eleven cases. Absorption studies revealed that these antibodies associated with sarcoidosis could be absorbed by human lung fibroblasts but not by fibroblasts derived from human foreskin or kidney. Although we found a similar antibody frequently associated with extrinsic asthma we have only rarely found these antibodies in cases of tuberculosis, carcinoma of the lung, emphysema and intrinsic asthma