title: The relation between the status of adaptive system and the number of postoperative complications in patients with gastrointestinal cancer: the effect of phenazepam.
abstract: The decrease in 11-hydroxycorticosteroids concentration caused by 0.5 mg of dexamethasone administered at 11 pm was studied in 91 primary patients suffering from gastrointestinal cancer. In dexamethasone-resistant patients postoperative complications developed in 65% of colon cancer patients and in 42% of stomach cancer patients. In dexamethasone-sensitive patients the complications were observed in 24% and 12% of patients, correspondingly. The elevation of hypothalamic threshold of sensitivity to the inhibiting effect of glucocorticoids, revealed by the dexamethasone suppression test, was considered to be as result of a combined action of age, the tumor itself, and pronounced emotional stress during the preparation for operation. The derivative of benzodiazepin--phenazepam--when administered before the operation in colon cancer patients improved the results of the dexamethasone suppression test and decreased the number of postoperative complications.
mesh_terms: D015062:11-Hydroxycorticosteroids / Q000097:blood; D000222:Adaptation, Physiological / Q000187:drug effects; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological / Q000187:drug effects; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D001570:Benzodiazepinones / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D005770:Gastrointestinal Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000523:psychology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011300:Preoperative Care
chemical_list: D015062:11-Hydroxycorticosteroids; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D001570:Benzodiazepinones; D001569:Benzodiazepines; C017928:phenazepam; D003907:Dexamethasone