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Pancuronium, Org 6368 and gallamine were compared in control cats and in cats with experimental cholestasis. A decrease in the plasma clearance and a prolongation of neuromuscular blockade with Org 6368 and pancuronium were found in the latter; no significant difference was detected in the biotransformation pattern of Org 6368 and pancuronium compared with controls. Inhibition of hepatic uptake of Org 6368 and pancuronium in extrahepatic cholestasis might explain the significant alterations in the pharmacokinetics of the two steroid neuromuscular blocking drugs. The pharmacokinetics of gallamine were normal during cholestasis. The results suggest that, under pathological conditions involving increased plasma concentrations of bile salts, neuromuscular blocking agents that are cleared from the plasma by the liver may have an impaired hepatic uptake and consequently a prolonged duration of action.

The contamination caused by rubber stoppers of collection tubes preceding the determination of zinc in plasma and serum was investigated. The use of evacuated blood collection tubes (EBC-tubes), normally used for the collection of serum samples, could give rise to an average artificial increase of normal serum zinc concentrations of about 250%. Heparin containing EBC-tubes, used for the collection of plasma, and plain EBC-tubes of an experimental production appeared to be suitable for correct zinc determinations. There was no difference between the serum and plasma zinc levels of fifty volunteers.

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