Almost all circulating serotonin is contained within platelets in specialised granules. During platelet aggregation serotonin is released.8 In systemic sclerosis platelet activation has been clearly shown.91To study circulating serotonin concentration in systemic sclerosis we developed a simple and reliable method of harvesting intact platelets and adapted our high performance liquid chromatography catecholamime methodi2 to the measurement of serotonin, the serotonin precursor 5-hydroxytryptophan, and the breakdown product 5-hydroxy-
Sodium metabisulfite, commonly used to prevent the oxidation of catecholamines during extraction from plasma onto alkaline alumina, does not prevent their subsequent degradation in acetic acid eluates. However, ascorbic acid, a potent antioxidant, is extracted with the catecholamines onto the alumina and prevents such destruction. However, ascorbic acid may interfere with the electrochemical measurement of catecholamines, unless sequential oxidation and reduction are used. Other methods of minimizing catecholamine oxidation in acetic acid eluates include refrigerating at 4 degrees C and capping the sample vials to exclude atmospheric oxygen.
A pharmacokinetic study was undertaken to determine the bioavailability of bumetanide in grossly oedematous patients. Six nephrotic patients were administered bumetanide 2mg orally (as tablets) and intravenously as single doses, in a randomised fashion. Serum bumetanide concentration-time profiles were characterised. Data were fitted to a 2-compartment model (5 patients) and a 3-compartment model (1 patient). Analysis of the areas under the curves showed a bioavailability of 0.84 +/- 0.2, which is similar to that in normal individuals. It is suggested that the bioavailability of oral bumetanide in oedematous patients is not altered significantly and that the apparent resistance to diuretics in such patients may be due to another cause.
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