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• Soil A horizons from a large area typical for beech (Fagus sylvatica) in northern Italy were investigated to understand the phyto-hormone-like activity of humic substances (HS) with respect to the vegetation. These soils had developed under thermophilous (Cephalonthero-Fagion with Carici albae-Fagetum), mesophilous (Fagion sylvaticae with Dentario pentaphylli-Fagetum and Galio-odourati-Fagetum) or acidophilous (Luzulo-Fagion with Luzulo niveae-Fagetum) beech forests. • The development of organic and humic matter in the three forest types was assessed by quantifying chemical parameters. Phyto-hormone-like activity of HS was evaluated by measuring auxin-like (IAA like ) and gibberellin-like (GA like ) activity as well as IAA concentration, invertase and peroxidase activities. • Soil pH differed between the forest types. Soil C: N distinguished the thermophilous and the mesophilous from the acidophilous types but did not distinguish thermophilous from the mesophilous types. Phyto-hormone-like activity of HS varied significantly across the beech forests. Acid conditions were essential for the release of IAA like activity whereas neutral conditions promoted GA like activity. Plant isoenzymatic polymorphism confirmed the different auxin activities of HS. • The phyto-hormone-like activity of HS is highly suitable, and better than soil chemical parameters, for differentiating between these ecosystems.

The Hürthle cell carcinoma and "insular" carcinoma are two uncommon types of thyroid carcinoma. These neoplasms do not present accurate characteristics as to incidence, natural history, pathophysiology and therapies. Two cases are presented: the first was submitted to near-total thyroidectomy for Hürthle cell carcinoma, the second to total thyroidectomy for "insular" carcinoma with bone and lung metastases. Some literature previous studies on pathophysiology and natural history of both tumors are discussed. At the end, personal trend on the surgical treatment of these two thyroid neoplasms is presented: total thyroidectomy for CCh and "insular" carcinoma, and near-total thyroidectomy for Hürthle cell adenoma.

Postsplenectomy thrombocytosis is a well recognised complication about which there is little published information. Therefore, postoperative complications of this effect have not been emphasised. An experience with a case of superior mesenteric artery thrombosis and small intestinal ischemia following splenectomy is reported. We reviewed the literature, but we wasn't able to find any case, whereas the association between splenectomy and mesenteric or portal vein thrombosis is well known. Pathogenesis of postsplenectomy thrombocytosis is poorly understood. Theories to explain it include removal of the splenic sequestration effect or removal of a regulatory humoral factor produced by the spleen. Both mechanisms could be operative at the same time, explaining the observation that some patients develop thrombocytosis related complications soon after surgery, while others after a longer time. The literature on the thromboembolic risk of postsplenectomy thrombocytosis is inconclusive and no studies have established whether patients with thrombocytosis following splenectomy should be treated with anticoagulants or antiplatelet medications in order to prevent thrombotic complications. Certainly, a recommendation for the routine use of these drugs cannot be made on the basis of one observation, but the need for controlled studies must be stressed.

The development of the Maillard reaction in pasteurized, UHT and in-bottle sterilized dietetic milks was studied. In these products damage caused by heat treatments could increase as a result either of the addition of various ingredients or of manufacturing processes that alter their content of reducing carbohydrates. Protein damage was evaluated by measuring furosine by reversed-phase ion-paired HPLC. The levels of furosine detected made it possible to assess the amounts of biologically unavailable lysine. In all milks analysed blocked lysine values were < 340-350 mg/g total lysine, the level at which lysine becomes the limiting amino acid in milk. Pasteurized dietetic milks had levels of blocked lysine similar to that in ordinary pasteurized cows' milk. In some UHT and in-bottle sterilized dietetic milks their different composition resulted in an increase in the blocked lysine content. In some in-bottle sterilized milks, protein damage greatly reduces the beneficial effects of milk as a dietary supplement. Lactose-free milks, which are more susceptible to protein deterioration because of their higher content of reducing carbohydrates, were also analysed after storage at 20 degrees C and at < or = 4 degrees C. At the end of their recommended storage times, they contained limited amounts of blocked lysine only if they had been stored at < or = 4 degrees C.

The involvement of the organs of the urinary tract in an inguinal hernia represent a constant trap for the surgeon because the diagnosis of that pathology is very rare. The authors report two cases: 1) male, carrier of a voluminous bilateral inguinal hernia, that on the right, contains a diverticulum of the bladder. 2) male, with a bilateral inguinoscrotal hernia. Bilaterally the hernia contains the ureter. The hernias of the bladder properly called are very rare but the involvement of a small portion of the organ, often a diverticulum, in an inguinal hernia is more frequent and always associated with hypertrophy of the prostate. The relative symptoms to this interest seem to supply obvious indications but very rarely are interpreted in the right way. The hernias of ureter are rare too, some acquired, some, about a quarter, congenital. The case-history don't supply useful news for the diagnosis. In the most of the cases of involvement of the urinary tract organs in an inguinal hernia, we arrived at operative-room without knowing the hernia content. The structures of urinary tract usually are recognised by particular maneuvers but is not infrequent that, moreover unforeseen, they are accidentally damaged.

The colo-uterine fistula is a rare complication of diverticular disease of the colon; the literature review has shown only few well studied cases. The fistula, among the complications of the sigma diverticulitis, is 20% of the observed cases; generally, the bladder is the most involved organ, but also the skin or gut can be interested. If we consider the aetiology of the colo=uterine fistula of the observed case, the presence of the sigma locked stenosis with an endocolic pressure increase, associated with a peridiverticulitis condition, seems to have a relevant rule. The clinical symptomatology is represented by vague abdominal pain localized in particular in the left iliac cavity and by emission of blood, purulent material and stools from the vagina. The diagnosis of colo-uterine fistula is not easily reached: barium enema, Fallopian tube endoscopy and colon endoscopy not always allow to visualize in a right manner the fistula and only the oral administration of non-absorbable substances to be searched in the vaginal tampon, clear each doubt. Regarding the therapy to be carried out, we think that, colic resection en bloc with the uterus is the treatment of choice, while, in emergency, the Hartman operation is the most suitable to avoid the beginning of septic complications.

The in vivo response of falciparum malaria to oral chloroquine and quinine was evaluated in two identical hospital-based, comparative open trials carried out 2 years apart in the same seasonal period at a hospital located in the highlands of Northern Burundi. Children aged 0-14 with uncomplicated falciparum malaria were administered either chloroquine, at 25 mg/kg over 3 days, or quinine, at 10 mg/kg per 8 hourly for 5 days (alternate allocation) and treatment response was evaluated by the WHO 7-day test. In the first study (1992/1993) 472 patients qualified for analyses (211 in the chloroquine and 261 in the quinine group), as compared to 249 subjects in the second study (1994/1995). In each study, the response to quinine was significantly higher than that to chloroquine (P = 0.004 and < 0.001, respectively). While the response to quinine showed insignificant changes over time (95.8 vs. 92.9%), chloroquine was found to be significantly less effective in the second study as compared to the first (77.8 vs. 63.1%; OR (95% CI) 2.04 (1.21-3.43)). Such decline in chloroquine efficacy was attributable to the age group < 5 years of age, where response to chloroquine decreased from 72.9% in 1992/93 to 56% in 1994/1995. Uncontrolled chloroquine use, which spread after the onset in late 1993 of the still ongoing ethnic fighting, appears to be the most likely reason for such a decrease in chloroquine efficacy. Chloroquine resistance has long been known to be present in the hyperendemic lowlands of Burundi, but no data have so far been reported on the response to antimalarials in the highlands of the country. These findings should be considered when deciding on drug policies for the treatment of falciparum malaria in Burundi.

Pb, Cd, and Ni contents were determined in the scalp hair of the Asmat of Irian Jaya (Indonesian New Guinea) on 35 adult subjects. These data are presented together with those of Al, Ca, Ti, Fe, Cu, Zn and Sr, which were determined in previous research on the same group. Hair samples were analyzed by EDXRS and ICP. Trace elements were also determined in 12 soil samples from the same area by EDXRS (Al, Si, K, Ca, Fe) and ICP (Cu, Sr, Ti), and by AAS (Cd, Ni, Pb). When hair element levels are compared and discussed with those of other New Guinea populations, acculturated and nonacculturated tropical groups, populations from Western countries and from polluted areas, and "recommended levels" in the literature, they greatly exceed Western levels and generally fit those of other New Guinea populations, stressing the importance of common environment, subsistence, and behavior. The results of soil analyses are consistent with the presence of those elements in hair, and their quantitative distribution follows a common trend. Metal mobility in soil, patterns of absorption, and transfer from soil to plants and to humans are considered here.

The authors describe five cases of acute pseudo-obstruction of the colon: the first, alcoholic, treated with antidepressant drugs, with a long history of intestinal occlusions and explorative laparotomies, treated successfully by conservative therapy; the second, with meningitis, in which right colectomy for the presence of multiple perforations of the cecum was performed; the third with acute neurological problems of ischemic nature, died before any treatment was given; the fourth, with left hemicolectomy performed for cancer, in which transversostomy was performed after colonoscopy and medical treatment with prokynetic drugs had failed; the last one, in a young woman treated with anti-depressant and antipsychotic drugs, treated by conservative therapy. In reviewing 470 cases from the literature the most commonly associated disorders are found; 33 patients (7%) were diagnosed as idiopathic. Only 273 cases were available for detailed analysis of age, sex, mode of treatment, presence of perforation, mortality rate. The mortality rate was 17.6%. When comparing the different treatment procedures, surgery has a higher mortality rate (23.5%) than medical treatment or colonoscopy (12.1%) (p < 0.02). In this study the presence of perforation increased mortality from 15.1% to 29.9% (p < 0.03). The mortality rate for cecostomy is 15.3% vs 30.1% for other surgical procedures. Recently the syndrome pathogenesis is attributed to an autonomic imbalance, between the sympathetic and parasympathetic innervation of the colon: sympathetic prevalence due to sacral parasympathetic derangement, lead to inhibition of colonic peristalsis. The attention must be focused on early diagnosis and prompt treatment; for this purpose colonoscopy seams to be a safe method of establishing the diagnosis and carrying out treatment.

We compared the effectiveness of systemic corticosteroids with the use of high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) in the treatment of Graves' ophthalmopathy. This was performed as a prospective, nonrandomized study including a blinded ophthalmological and orbital computed tomographic (CT) evaluation. The two groups of patients were not significantly different in relation to sex composition, age distribution, duration of Graves' disease, and ophthalmopathy and previous hyperthyroidism. All patients were followed up by endocrinologic evaluation and blinded ophthalmological (before therapy = B, at the end of therapy = E, and 6 months after the end = 6M) and orbital CT (B and E) evaluations. Twenty-seven patients treated with IVIG were followed up after the end of treatment for an average of 21 months (range 12 to 48 months). Soft tissue involvement (NOSPECS) improved or disappeared in 32 of 35 (90%) patients treated with IVIG and in 25 of 27 (92.5%) patients treated with corticosteroids. Diplopia improved or disappeared in 22 of 29 (75%) patients treated with IVIG and in 16 of 20 (80%) patients treated with corticosteroids. The results observed by clinical evaluation were confirmed with orbital CT score in 30 IVIG patients and in the corticosteroid-treated patients; a significant reduction of extraocular muscle thickness was observed after treatment in both groups. Proptosis improved or disappeared in 20 of 31 (65%) patients treated with IVIG and in 15 of 24 (62%) patients treated with corticosteroids. Mean values of proptosis evaluated by Hertel's exophthalmometer showed a slight reduction both in IVIG as well as in corticosteroid-treated patients. It is interesting to observe that in 28 IVIG-treated patients in whom it was possible to evaluate soft tissue involvement, proptosis and diplopia in the period between the fifth and sixth month from the start of therapy, the most important part of the amelioration (if responders) was already obtained at that time. Responder patients were defined in relation to the decrease in the highest NOSPECS class or grade. Among IVIG-treated patients 26 of 34 (76%) responded; while in the corticosteroid group 18 of 27 (66%) responded to treatment. The prevalences of patients who responded to the treatments were not significantly different in the two groups (Chi-square). The initial values of the subjective eye score were similar in the two groups, and a significant reduction was observed in both. Major side effects requiring discontinuation of the corticosteroid therapy were observed in two patients with hemorrhagic gastritis and in one patient with manic-depressive psychosis. Among 15 patients submitted to the evaluation of bone mineral content before and after corti-costeroid therapy, 4 presented signs of osteoporosis and 3 a reduction of bone mineral content. Moderate and minor side effects were more frequently noted in steroid-treated patients than in the IVIG group. These data suggest that IVIG is safe and effective in reducing the eye changes in patients with Graves' ophthalmopathy.

Three methods for the detection of Plasmodium falciparum infection in peripheral blood were compared during antimalarial treatment and follow-up in 32 Burundian patients: dipstick antigen capture assay, standard (TBF) and prolonged thick blood film examination (PTBF) (3 x 5 min and 3 x 20 min examination respectively). Parasitaemia was determined daily by comparison with total white blood cell counts (determined by Coulter counter) until no parasite was detected on 2 consecutive days by PTBF. Cumulatively, 231 observations were made with each assay: 64 were negative and 167 positive by PTBF (59 had parasite counts < or = 100/microL). Compared to PTBF, the sensitivities of TBF and the dipstick assay were 1.0 for parasite counts > 100/microL and 0.458 and 0.966 respectively for counts < or = 100/microL. Overall, the dipstick assay was significantly more sensitive (0.988 vs. 0.808; P < 0.001) but less specific (P = 0.013) than TBF. The dipstick assay is of potential use for monitoring response to drug treatment and for detecting low parasitaemias.

Inconvenience due to tension along the suture, a relative high recurrence rate, the availability of optimal prosthetic materials and the tendency to reduce hospital stay are the motivations which induced many surgeons to adopt alternative techniques instead of the traditional ones for inguinal hernia repair. Among these latter it is worthwhile to add a personal update of the Bassini's technique: the plasty tailored upon the polypropylene mesh performed in local anesthesia. Thanks to the use of the prosthetic mesh, the plasty is performed using only four stitches tied loosely without much high tension on the conjoined tendon. Such technical expedients reduced postoperative pain and give better warrant for the plasty and allow hernia repair in local anesthesia and on a daily basis.

Twenty-four hours electrocardiogram from 4 patients with chronic atrial fibrillation and intraventricular aberrant conduction were analyzed. Aim of the study was to evaluate the reliability of the Ashman's and Akthar's rules in electrocardiographic differential diagnosis between aberrancy and ectopy. We computed parameters related to 10 RR interval preceding the aberrant conduction (AB+ Group), normal complex QRS (AB-Group) and ectopic QRS (E Group): coupling interval (CI), preceding CI cycle (PCL1), preceding PCL1 cycle (PCL2), the difference between PCL1 an PCL2 (delta PCL1), the difference between CI an PCL1 (delta CI), the mean value (RR10) and the standard deviation (RR10SD) of the 10 QRS complexes preceding the end of the sequence. Specificity of Akthar's rule was 48.7% (range 45-50%), sensibility was 90.1% (range 75-100%). PCL2, delta PCL1 and RR10DS were significantly different between AB+ and AB- Group but not between AB+, AB- and E Group. In this work Akthar's rule showed a better reliability than Ashman's rule but specificity was low (probably related to concealed conduction in atrio-ventricular node). RR10DS, but not RR10, were significantly higher in AB+ Group than AB- Group suggesting that acceleration of the cycle length can provoke CVA by increasing the difference between the refractory period of His bundle branches. Aberrant ventricular conduction cannot be determined by a mathematical rule. In the differential diagnosis of wide QRS during atrial fibrillation only morphological analysis of QRS and the study of coupling interval and compensatory pause are helpful.

To gain further insight into the macromolecular behaviour of humic substances we treated a humic material with simple organic compounds and followed the change in molecular size distribution. Monocarboxylic, dicarboxylic, and tricarboxylic acids shifted the humic absorbance from high to low molecular sizes in size exclusion chromatograms. Mineral acids, phenol, alcohols, were not able to produce the same shift and gave total absorbance at the column void volume as in the case of humic substances alone. Our results are evidence of the micellar behaviour of humic substances in solution and of the importance of hydrophobic bondings in holding humic molecules together. The organic acids enter in the interior of the humic micelle and alter its stereochemical hydrophobic arrangement. In alkaline conditions, the developed negative charges disrupt the apparent high molecular size configuration and disperse the humic material into small-size micelles. This macromolecular property, that we report for the first time, may be of great importance in understanding the biological activity and the overall environmental behaviour of humic substances.

The authors describe the clinical and radiographic findings of posterior dislocation of the shoulder by examining 19 cases observed at the Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute between 1981 and 1990; of the total number of cases, 16 were acute and 3 inveterate, equal to 1.7%. After analyzing the pathogenesis of the lesion, which was due to direct trauma, indirect trauma, or which occurred during an episode of convulsions, the authors call attention to the rareness of the lesion, and consequently the little amount of knowledge of the clinical and radiographic elements characterizing it. Three varieties are distinguished: subacromial (or retroglenoid), subglenoid, and subspinous. Finally, the results obtained with non-surgical treatment, which always allows for recovery of the joint relationships and complete functional recovery, are reported.

Isolated papillary muscles have often been used in myocardial mechanical function studies. The objective of the present study was to compare the mechanical function of papillary muscle isolated from left ventricle between Wistar (W) and Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats of different ages (1, 3, 6 and 12 months), in order to examine whether there is a difference in intrinsic mechanical properties of muscle between the two rat strains. Muscles were perfused with Krebs-Henseleit solution at 28 degrees C and studied isometrically and isotonically at a stimulation rate of 0.2 Hz. The W and WKY showed statistically significant differences during both isometric and isotonic contractions. During isometric contraction, (1) the peak developed tension (DT) and +dT/dt were lower in WKY rats in the 1 mo groups, (2) the resting tension (RT) was greater in WKY at 3, 6 and 12 mo, (3) time to peak tension (TPT) was greater in WKY at 3 and 12 mo, (4) time for tension to fall from peak to 50% of peak tension (RT 1/2) was greater in WKY at 3 mo and (5)-dT/dt was lower in WKY at 1 and 3 mo. During isotonic contraction, (1) the peak shortening (PS) and--dL/dt were lower in WKY at 12 mo, (2) the time to peak shortening (TPS) was greater in WKY at 3 and 12 mo; (3) +dL/dt was lower in WKY at 3, 6, and 12 mo and (4) the relative variation of length (Lmax-PS)/Lmax was greater in WKY at 6 and 12 mo. These data showed a difference in mechanical behaviour of the papillary muscle between Wistar and Wistar-Kyoto rats of different age.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of an oral specific hyposensitization therapy in children with atopic dermatitis and positive prick skin tests and/or RAST to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (D.pt.). A total of 60 patients, in three different clinical groups, were selected for a three years clinical trial. Group A: children with atopic dermatitis and allergic asthma and/or rhinitis; groups B and C: children with exclusively atopic dermatitis. Groups A and B received specific hyposensitization therapy. Group C was the control group. The clinical evaluation of the dermatological lesions, at the end of our study, didn't show any significant difference among the three groups. Moreover, the onset of respiratory symptoms between the two groups with exclusively atopic dermatitis was similar and not related to the positivity of prick skin tests and/or RAST to seasonal allergens. Our study suggests that specific hyposensitisation therapy with extracts of D.pt., although with no side effects, does not affect the natural history of atopic dermatitis.

Purpose: To evaluate the effects of age on mechanical performance of rat myocardium., Methods: Left ventricular papillary muscles were isolated from male Wistar rats at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months of age. Muscles were studied isometrically and isotonically, stimulated at 0.2 Hz, perfused with Krebs-Henseleit solution having an external calcium concentration of 2.52 mM, and maintained at 28 degrees C., Results: Peak isometric developed tension was significantly higher in 1 month than 3, 6 and 12 months. Peak rate of isometric tension rise decreased substantially between 1, 3 and 12 months. Time to peak isometric developed tension showed a significant increase of both 3 and 12 months of age. Time to half relaxation increased significantly from 3 to 6 and from 3 to 12 months. Maximum rate of tension decline decreased from 3 to 6 and from 3 to 12 months. No difference in resting tension was noted among any group. Isotonically, peak shortening and time to peak shortening increased from 1 to 3 months of age. Time to half re-lengthening increased from 3 to 6 and from 3 to 12 months of age. No difference in peak shortening velocity, peak relaxation velocity and relative change in muscle length was noted among any groups., Conclusion: The maturation affects the mechanical performance of cardiac muscle.

An energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence method for trace element analysis in plants (leaves and roots) is presented. The method is characterized by the use of a secondary target excitation, thin specimen, and microwave acid digestion. The accuracy is about 10% and the sensitivity is in the range 10-50 ng/cm2. The analysis time (from dry sample to concentration data) is about 4 x 10(3) s. The effects of Cr in sewage sludge on barley seedling growth is presented.

Myelolipoma is a rare benign neoplasm of the adrenal gland, histologically characterized by the presence of mature fat cells and bone marrow elements. In the international literature were reported 126 cases of adrenal myelolipoma surgically treated. The indications to surgical removal of this tumor are the presence of large symptomatic tumours, high risk of spontaneous haemorrhage, and suspicion of malignant neoplasms. The authors present a case of adrenal myelolipoma, preoperatively identified with an abdominal MNR, and surgically removed.

The authors review 101 cases of herniated lumbar intervertebral disc in children and adolescents treated by surgery. The most significant etiologic and pathogenetic factors in this series were early onset of disc degeneration, congenital lumbosacral malformations, and repeated trauma. The main clinical symptom was pain, usually sciatica, while neurological symptoms were less common than they are in adults. In all patients diagnosed correctly with the aid of appropriate imaging studies (myelography, CT scan, MRI), discectomy by means of conservative hemilaminectomy achieved satisfactory results, except in two cases of concomitant spinal instability due to spondylolysis and in one case of recurrence.

The authors report the results obtained in a review of all of the young patients who have been found to be affected with vertebral deformity in an epidemiological study conducted during the academic years 1983-84 and 1984-85. There is predilection for the female sex, which is also more vulnerable to the risk of progression. Menarchal age constitutes the most important period for the progression of the deformity. The most frequent type of curve observed is the double primary one, in particular, right thoracic and left lumbar, which proved to be that most vulnerable to angular progression. The cases which in a previous screening had been defined risk cases were followed-up, and thanks to early diagnosis and suitable treatment surgery was not required in any of these.

A method is described for the microbiological determination of the protein content of biological materials. This method can also be adopted to titrate the concentration of a single amino acid in the protein and has the following advantages: (1) titration can be done without purification and hydrolysis of proteins; (2) the titration graph is a straight line between 25 and 800 microgram/ml; (3) protein values agree with those obtained using the Kjeldhal method; and (4) each mutant requiring one amino acid may be used to titrate the concentration of a single amino acid of the protein. The leucine content of various kinds of flour was measured with this system.

A clinical series of cysts and fistulas of the thyroglossal tract has been examined. Clinical aspects of this pathology and the results obtained with surgical treatment are compared with reported data.

A retrospective study of 28 cases of thymoma classified according to Marino and Müller-Hermelink (cortical, medullary, mixed common, mixed with cortical predominance, mixed with medullary predominance thymoma) was undertaken to determine the existence of correlations between histology and clinical behavior. Cortical thymoma was observed in 11 cases (39.2%), mixed common thymoma in 9 (32.1%), mixed with cortical predominance in 5 (18%), and medullary thymoma in 3 (10.7%). In patients with cortical thymoma the tumor was always invasive (stages II and III according to Bergh), whereas medullary thymomas were noninvasive in 2 cases (stage I) and slightly invasive with a moderate infiltration of the capsule in the remaining case (stage II). Mixed common and mixed with cortical predominance thymomas displayed intermediate behavior. Twelve patients were affected by myasthenia gravis: 1 had medullary thymoma, 6 had mixed common thymoma, 3 had mixed thymoma with cortical predominance, and 2 had cortical thymoma. One patient with cortical thymoma had superior vena cava syndrome and 1 had erythroid hypoplasia; mixed common thymoma was associated with Cushing's syndrome in 1 patient. These data confirm previously reported observations (16) showing a higher degree of malignancy in patients with cortical thymoma.

H2-receptor antagonists, such as cimetidine (C), ranitidine (R) and famotidine (F) seem to be effective in the prevention and treatment of stress ulcer in transplant recipients receiving cyclosporin A (CyA). The aim of this study was to detect the possible synergistic nephro- and hepato-toxicity of these drugs, assaying the serum creatinine (SC), ALT, AST levels, and the histological features of 45 young male Sprague-Dawley rats, divided into nine groups of five rats each. After 10 days of treatment the results showed: (i) serum CyA levels were increased in the group receiving daily CyA (5 mg/kg) + R(5 mg/kg) (2430 +/- 403 ng/ml; p less than 0.05 vs. controls) and in the group receiving daily CyA (5 mg/kg) +/- C (10 mg/kg) (2440 +/- 265 ng/ml; p less than 0.01 vs. controls); (ii) ALT and AST levels were increased in this latter group (ALT 223 +/- 133 UL, AST 114.67 +/- 39 UL; p less than 0.01 vs. controls); (iii) SC levels were normal; and (iv) steatosis of the liver was observed in these two groups. These findings suggest that C and R, but not F, may inhibit the hepatic cytochromes P-450 which are involved in the oxidative metabolism of the drugs. Furthermore, the high serum CyA levels seem to play a major role in the appearance of biochemical and histological damage to the liver.