Biochemical and molecular effects of folic acid metabolism to Parkinson, Alzheimer, bipolar and schizophrenic diseases

Folates are the vitamin B derivatives that play important roles on cell metabolism. They function in cell proliferation, cell growth, amino acid and purine biosynthesis. Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase enzyme is crucial for folate metabolism and some variations in the gene that encode the enzyme may cause some problems affecting enzyme kinetics. Absence of folates causes a range of pathologies from neural tube defects to congenital anomalies. Recently, variations in the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene are associated with neurological and psychiatric diseases like Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and bipolar diseases and the role of these variations in these diseases were better diagnosed and described. In this review, upon giving brief information about folates, we aim to specify the association of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene with Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, bipolar and schizophrenic diseases

Effects of olanzapine on ethanol withdrawal syndrome in rats

The present study was designed to investigate the effects of olanzapine, a serotonin-dopamine antagonistic atypical antipsychotic agent, on ethanol withdrawal syndrome in rats. Adult male Wistar rats were subjects. Ethanol (7.2%, v/v) was given to rats by a liquid diet for 21 days. Control rats were pair fed with an isocaloric liquid diet containing sucrose as a caloric substitute to ethanol. After 2nd, 4th and 6th h of ethanol withdrawal, rats were observed for 5 min, afterwards withdrawal signs that included locomotor hyperactivity, agitation, stereotyped behavior, tremor, wet dog shakes, abnormal posture and abnormal gait were recorded or rated. Olanzapine (0.5, 1 and 2 mg/kg) and saline were injected to the rats intraperitoneally 30 min before ethanol withdrawal assessment. A second series of injections was also given 30 rain before the 6th-h-observation, and subjects were then tested for audiogenic seizures. Olanzapine (2 mg/kg) produced significant inhibitory effects on stereotyped behaviors and wet dog shakes at the 6th h of ethanol withdrawal. Contrary, the same dose caused some increases in the intensity of posture and gait impairments at the 2nd h of ethanol withdrawal. In addition, that dose was found to be ineffective on agitation, tremor, tail stiffness and audiogenic seizures. Our results suggest that acute olanzapine treatment has beneficial effects on stereotyped behavior and wet dog shakes, but it also has some adverse effects on posture and gait during ethanol withdrawal in rats. Overall, olanzapine does not seem to be an adequate and suitable drug in controlling of ethanol withdrawal syndrome. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Effects of escitalopram on ethanol withdrawal syndrome in rats

The present study was designed to investigate the effects of escitalopram, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, on ethanol withdrawal syndrome in rats. Adult male Wistar rats (266-278 g) were subjects. Ethanol (7.2%, v/v) was given to rats by a liquid diet for 21 days. Control rats were pair fed with an isocaloric liquid diet containing sucrose as a caloric substitute to ethanol. Escitalopram, (2.5, 5 and 10 mg/kg) and saline were injected to rats intraperitoneally just before ethanol withdrawal. After the second and sixth hours of ethanol withdrawal, rats were observed for 5 min, and withdrawal signs that included locomotor hyperactivity, agitation, stereotyped behavior, wet dog shakes, tremors and audiogenic seizures were recorded or rated. A second series of injections was given 30 min before sixth hour of withdrawal test. Effects of escitalopram on the locomotor activities of the naive (no ethanol-dependent) rats were also evaluated. Escitalopram (5 mg/kg) reduced the increased stereotyped behaviors at the sixth hour of ethanol withdrawal. It inhibited tremors at the second hour of ethanol withdrawal at doses of 5 and 10 mg/kg. Escitalopram (2.5 and 5 mg/kg) also produced some significant attenuations in the incidence of wet dog shakes at the second and sixth hours of the observation period. It was found ineffective on locomotor hyperactivity, agitation and audiogenic seizures. Escitalopram (2.5 and 5 mg/kg) did not cause any significant effect on locomotor activities of the naive rats. Our results suggest that acute escitalopram treatment has some limited beneficial effects on ethanol withdrawal syndrome in rats. (c) 2006 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved

A Case of Ciprofloxacin Induced Delirium

A previously healthy 82-year-old woman presented with acute-onset delirium with psychotic features as a consequence of ciprofloxacin therapy. Withdrawal of the medication was associated with return of the patient's normal mental status. The quinolones called gyrase inhibitors are known for their potential to cause central nervous system-related adverse effects, including headache and insomnia. Risk factors for neurotoxicity include renal insufficiency, underlying central nervous system (CNS) disease and increased CNS penetration of drug. Acute delirium resulting from ciprofloxacin therapy is an exceedingly rare complication that has been thought to occur more commonly in elderly patients. Herein, we described that a ciprofloxacin induced delirium case after ciprofloxacin use

Effects of venlafaxine on ethanol withdrawal syndrome in rats

The present study was designed to investigate the effects of venlafaxine, a serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor (SNRI), on ethanol withdrawal syndrome in rats. Adult male Wistar rats (187-319 g) were used for the study. Ethanol (7.2%, v/v) was given to rats by a liquid diet for 21 days. Control rats were pair-fed an isocaloric liquid diet containing sucrose as a caloric substitute to ethanol. Venlafaxine (5, 10, 20 and 40 mg/kg) and saline were injected to rats intraperitoneally just before ethanol withdrawal. After the 2nd, 4th and 6th hour of ethanol withdrawal, rats were observed for 5 min, and withdrawal signs that included locomotor hyperactivity, agitation, stereotyped behaviour and wet dog shakes were recorded or rated. A second series of injections was given at the 6th hour after the first one, and rats were then tested for audiogenic seizures. Venlafaxine produced some inhibitory effects on locomotor hyperactivity, stereotypic behaviours and wet dog shakes. However, a two-way ANOVA of the data did not indicate any significant effect. It reduced the incidence of the audiogenic seizures at the 6th hour of ethanol withdrawal. Venlafaxine (20 mg/kg) also prolonged the latency of the seizures significantly. Our results suggest that acute venlafaxine treatment has limited beneficial effects on ethanol withdrawal syndrome in rats

Depressive symptoms associated with dabigatran: a case report

Several studies have reported that depression and anxiety are very common in atrial fibrillation due to impaired quality of life. Dabigatran is an anti-aggregation agent used for the treatment of atrial fibrillation. In terms of drug interactions during treatment with dabigatran, patients suffering from minor depression are reported to be a population at risk. This report is about a 68-year-old man whose depressive symptoms were aggravated after taking dabigatran for atrial fibrillation. The case is discussed in terms of his aggravated depressive symptoms and the interaction between his prescription medications