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Radionuclide gastric solid-phase emptying was studied in 10 subjects with diabetic gastroparesis comparing the acute intravenous administration of cisapride (2.5, 5, 10 mg), placebo, and metoclopramide (10 mg). No hemodynamic or electrocardiographic changes were noted. While both cisapride and metoclopramide normalized impaired solid emptying, cisapride at its highest dosage (10 mg) resulted in significantly faster gastric emptying (P=0.003) than metoclopramide. The effects of cisapride were dose related and correlated well (r=0.48,P<0.01) with the plasma drug levels. Clinical studies of chronic oral usage must take into account the dose-related response and factors affecting blood levels.

Summary Using bDNA, the plasma viral load trend of HCV-infected patients undergoing IFN therapy was analyzed. Nine patients were enrolled, each assigned to one of three groups, based on IFN response as determined by ALT and AST level trend. HCV was genotyped using DEIA. Each patient's clinical stage was determined by liver biopsy analysis. In nonresponding patients elevated viral loads and biochemical parameters were observed. These values were not influenced by IFN treatment. In relapsed patients the cessation of IFN treatment increased viral load; this was associated with a rise in ALT and AST values. In responders ALT and AST levels remained normal; viral load was low. Patients with elevated HCV viral load showed a worsening in their liver histology during the follow-up period. These results confirm that plasma viral load is a good marker of biochemical change and disease progression.