In this study, a real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction was used to determine the effects of adjuvant-induced arthritis (AA) on the amounts of mRNA of 12 types of rat ATP-binding cassette (ABC) and solute carrier (SLC) transporters in the liver and small intestine, 7 (D7) and 21 days (D21) after the injection of adjuvant. There were no significant differences in mRNA levels of ABC and SLC transporters between the livers of AA and control rats on D7, except in the case of Mdr1a. However, levels of Mdr1a, Mrp2 and Oatp SLC transporters were significantly lower in AA than in the control livers on D21. In contrast, the mRNA levels of several ABC and SLC transporters, especially Mrp2, Bcrp, LAT2 and Oatp1a5, were significantly lower in the small intestines of AA rats compared with the controls on D7, though there were no significant differences by D21. The time-dependent alterations in mRNA levels of the pregnane X receptor, but not the constitutive androstane receptor, in the liver and intestine were similar to the changes in mRNA levels of most transporters examined. The present study showed that AA was associated with reduced mRNA expression of several ABC and SLC transporters in the liver and small intestine, but that the time courses of the effects of AA on mRNA expression differed between the liver and small intestine. These results raise the possibility of a functional change of the transporters of liver and intestine in AA rats.

Thirty patients received morphine and 27 received ketamine. Morphine anaesthesia did not influence plasma concentrations of luteinizing hormone (LH) significantly, but there was a significant increase during ketamine anaesthesia. Plasma LH increased in the early stage of surgery under both anaesthetics. A significant decrease in the plasma concentration of testosterone was found during and following both techniques of anaesthesia, the lowest concentration being detected on the first day after surgery. Ketamine anaesthesia, but not morphine, stimulated adrenocortical function significantly. Furhter stimulation was detected in the periods during and after operation with both anaesthetic techniques.

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We report here two cases of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) with renal dysfunction that were treated with tolvaptan. Case 1 was a 47-year-old man with a glomerular filtration rate (GFR) of 17.0 ml/min/1.73 m 2 who received tolvaptan treatment (30 mg/day). After treatment, kidney pain was alleviated, and the estimated GFR (eGFR) decline improved from -9.84 ml/min/1.73 m 2 per year to -4.08 ml/min/1.73 m 2 per year, respectively. The rate of increase in total kidney volume was reduced from 18 % per year before treatment to 4 % per year following tolvaptan administration. Case 2 was a 44-year-old man with a GFR of 22.6 ml/min/ 1.73 m 2 , and the eGFR decline improved from -5.76 ml/ min/1.73 m 2 per year before treatment to -3.12 ml/min/ 1.73 m 2 per year following tolvaptan treatment (30 mg/day). The rate of increase in total kidney volume was also decreased from 10 % per year before treatment to -7 % per year following tolvaptan administration. These results suggested that tolvaptan may be effective in impeding kidney function aggravation and kidney volume increase in ADPKD patients with advanced renal dysfunction.