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Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was measured by constant infusion of iothalamate in conscious rats with and without streptozotocin diabetes. Kidney weight had already increased significantly after 4 days of diabetes. GFR was unchanged at that time, but increased subsequently, so that GFR/kidney weight was normal after 1 month of diabetes. Tubular glucose reabsorption rate was increased to the same extent as kidney weight after 4 days of diabetes. It is concluded that renal growth in experimental diabetes cannot be initiated by glomerular hyperfiltration, but that increased glucose reabsorption may have a causal role.

In a double-blind randomised trial patients with acute herpes zoster received either 5 mg/kg acyclovir (27) or placebo (29) intravenously three times daily. Acyclovir significantly improved the rate of healing of the skin lesions and shortened the period of pain in the acute phase of zoster. Particularly responsive patients were those above 67 years, those with fever, and those with less than four days of pain before treatment. No adverse effects were observed. Acyclovir seems to be active against varicella/zoster virus.