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We describe two patients with the primary antiphospholipid syndrome who presented with severe hypertension. Renal biopsy specimen provided histologic evidence of intra-renal vascular disease with intravascular microthrombosis and nephrosclerosis, without feature of proliferative glomerulopathy. Accelerated hypertension and nephroangiosclerosis might indeed be one of the complications associated with anticardiolipin antibodies. The mechanism responsible might be the interaction of anticardiolipin antibodies, platelets and endothelial cell leading to microthrombi formation and increased local mitogenic activity that attract and stimulate neighbouring smooth muscle cell and fibroblast proliferation.

We describe the long term results of treatment with interferon (IFN) in two patients with cryoglobulinemia and chronic hepatitis related to Hepatitis C virus (HCV). Our results suggest that interferon may induce long remission in cryoglobulinemia associated with HCV infection and that the effect of IFN is not dependent on the effect on liver function, but results of its antiviral activity.

The interaction between isofezolac and probenecid has been studied with the aid of a specific HPLC assay for isofezolac in plasma and urine. 8 healthy adult volunteers received a single 40 mg oral dose of isofezolac before and after 3 days of loading with 0.5 probenecid t.i.d. There was an increase in the maximum plasma isofezolac concentration from 2.44 to 3.38 micrograms X ml-1 when probenecid was given. The AUC of isofezolac in plasma increased from 6.73 to 11.28 micrograms X h X ml-1. After the last dose in a 7 day treatment with 40 mg isofezolac t.i.d., there was an increase in the maximum plasma isofezolac level from 2.84 to 4.96 micrograms X ml-1 when probenecid was given. The rate of absorption of isofezolac was not affected. An increase in the AUC of isofezolac in plasma was observed from 11.74 to 26.34 micrograms X h X ml-1. The major effect of probenecid on isofezolac metabolism was a 50% reduction in total isofezolac (free + conjugates) excreted inurine. Because of this interaction, patients given isofezolac combined with probenecid will have a higher steady-state plasma level of isofezolac than when probenecid is not administered.

The pharmacokinetics of a new sustained-release preparation of theophylline (Dilatrane à Action Prolongée capsules filled with homogenous microgranules) has been after its studied administration to 7 healthy volunteers at 8 p.m. in order to achieve therapeutic levels at night and in the morning. In separate trials the test dose of 500 or 600 mg was administered for 7 days, once daily at 8 p.m. Plasma theophylline levels were measured by capillary gas chromatography with a mass specific detector after pentylation, using internal standards labelled with stable isotopes (15N-1,3 and 13C-2 theophylline). The new sustained-release preparation showed a monophasic regular absorption phase with very low inter-individual variability. After administration, the plasma level stayed within 80% of the peak levels for 8.5 +/- 1.5 h. There was a good correlation between the dose and the steady state plasma level (r = 0.9587; p less than 0.05). This preparation can be chronically administered once daily day at 8 p.m. in order to achieve a therapeutic level during the night and the morning, and to provide sufficient protection during the nycterohemeral period, with a once dose a day schedule.