The Effects of MK-801 and Verapamil on Ethanol Withdrawal Syndrome-Induced by Inhalation in Mice

Purpose: It has previously been suggested that chronic ethanol consumption upregulates NMDA receptors and increases synaptic activation of calcium currents in the animal brain. Methods: Researchers developed an experimental ethanol dependence by inhalation in mice to determine the withdrawal signs. Then, the effects of dizocilpine (MK-801), a non-competitive NMDA receptor antagonist, and verapamil, a calcium channel blocker, on the behavioral changes and handling- and PTZ-induced seizures during withdrawal were investigated. Results: Stereotypic behaviors, abnormal posture, walking impairments, tremors, handling and PTZ-induced convulsions were observed for the signs of withdrawal syndrome. There were significant changes in the signs of withdrawal syndrome in the mice that received the ethanol by inhalation. Dizocilpine and verapamil inhibited behavioral signs and convulsions in a dose dependent manner. Conclusion: These results suggest that activation of NMDA receptors and calcium channels may play a role in ethanol withdrawal syndrome

Influence of sex on the interaction between dizocilpine (MK-801) pretreatment and acute cold-restraint stress in epilepsy susceptibility in an animal study

PubMedID: 18573481Background: Stress is a part of our daily life, inducing neurochemical and neurophysiological changes in the central nervous system. Objective: The present study was designed to investigate the importance of sex differences in the interaction between dizocilpine (MK-801) pretreatment and acute cold-restraint stress (CRS) in pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced seizures in Swiss albino mice. Methods: A CRS protocol was applied to mice to investigate the interaction between MK-801 pretreatment (30 min before CRS) and stress (followed by PTZ injection) in epilepsy susceptibility. For this purpose, 6 groups were designated: (1) PTZ control group (received only PTZ); (2) stress group (received stress and PTZ); (3) saline group (received saline and PTZ); (4) MK-801 group (received MK-801 and PTZ); (5) saline + stress group (received saline, stress, and PTZ); and (6) MK-801 + stress group (received MK-801, stress, and PTZ). Results: Pretreatment with MK-801 (0.125, 0.25, 0.50 mg/kg) significantly potentiated the protective effect of stress in PTZ-induced (65 mg/kg) seizures in both sexes by prolonging the onset of myoclonic jerks and clonic convulsions. Male mice had a significantly greater delay in the onset of myoclonic jerks (males, 66.7-295.5 sec; females, 54.0-247.5 sec; P < 0.05) and clonic convulsions (males, 123.5-789.8 sec; females, 94.5-757.2 sec; P < 0.05) compared with female mice in all groups (ie, PTZ control, stress, saline, MK-801, saline + stress, and MK-801 + stress groups). Conclusion: The findings of this study in mice suggest the involvement of sex hormones in the interaction between MK-801 pretreatment and acute CRS in PTZ-induced seizures. © 2008 Excerpta Medica Inc. All rights reserved.Firat University Scientific Research Projects Management UnitThis study was funded by a grant (no. SBE.2002.D.2) from the Scientific Research Projects Unit of the University of Cukurova, Adana, Republic of Turkiye

Amnesic effects of relative humidity and temperature in mice

PubMedID: 11910407Hypothermia and hyperthermia have been shown to adversely affect memory retention in humans and animals. The effect of heat combined with humidity has not been tested. The authors evaluated the impact of relative humidity and temperature on learning and memory in mice by using a plus-maze and found that the combination of high temperature and high humidity appeared to impair memory

The effects of some K+ channel blockers on scopolamine- or electroconvulsive shock-induced amnesia in mice

PubMedID: 11050303The effects of three K+ channel blockers, 4-aminopyridine, 3,4-diaminopyridine and apamin, on scopolamine- or electroconvulsive shock-induced amnesia were investigated in mice by using a one-trial step-down passive avoidance system. Scopolamine and electroconvulsive shock reduced the retention latency of passive avoidance, which indicated the amnestic effect of these treatments. 4-Aminopyridine, 3,4-diaminopyridine and apamin injected immediately after the acquisition trial, reversed the amnestic effect of scopolamine or electroconvulsive shock in a dose-dependent manner. None of the drugs or electroconvulsive shock treatment affected the rotarod or activity cage performance of the mice. These results indicate that K+ channel blockers may improve cognitive deficits when memory is impaired by a drug or any other manipulation. Copyright (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V.Grant Foundation: SBE 95-E-14This work was supported by Çukurova University Research Foundation Grant SBE 95-E-14

Dual effects of nitric oxide in the mouse forced swimming test: Possible contribution of nitric oxide mediated serotonin release and potassium channel modulation

PubMedID: 15006455Recent findings have indicated that nitric oxide (NO) may change the duration of immobility biphasically in the forced swimming test, which is a useful experimental model for screening antidepressant-like activity in rodents. In the present study, we have investigated the role of serotonin and of potassium (K+) channels in the dual effects of NO in the mouse forced swimming test (MFST). For this purpose, we tested the effects of L-arginine, an NO precursor, the NO synthase inhibitor NG-nitro-L- arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), and of K+-channel blockers tetraethylammonium (TEA) and 3,4-diaminopyridine (3,4-DAP). In addition, we used sertraline as a serotonin reuptake inhibitor and cyproheptadine as a serotonin antagonist. L-Arginine increased the duration of immobility in the MFST in low doses (25 mg/kg ip) but decreased it in higher doses (500 and 1000 mg/kg ip). Low doses of L-NAME (50 and 75 µg icv) decreased while higher dose of this drug (150 µg icv) increased the immobility time. TEA (5 µg icv) and 3,4-DAP (0.05 µg icv) significantly reduced the time, whereas K + channel opener pinacidil increased the duration of immobility. L-Arginine (100 mg/kg ip) significantly antagonised the effects of L-NAME (50 µg), 3,4-DAP and TEA. Higher dose of L-arginine (500 mg/kg ip) significantly potentiated the effects of 3,4-DAP and TEA, but reduced the effect of pinacidil. Low doses of L-arginine antagonized, but higher doses of L-arginine potentiated the antidepressant-like effect of sertraline. Sertraline potentiated the effects of 3,4-DAP and TEA, but reversed the effect of pinacidil. Cyproheptadine reduced the anti-immobility effect of L-arginine and 3,4-DAP. At the highest effective doses, drugs did not impair the motor functions. These data support the hypothesis that NO effects may involve the release of serotonin and/or modulation of K+ channels. © 2004 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.Firat University Scientific Research Projects Management UnitThe authors extend their thanks to Prof. Dr. John Nicholls for his language edition, Prof. Dr. Nazan Alparslan for her comments on the statistical methods and Dr. Ozan Batigun who kindly supported sertraline hydrochloride (Lustral, Pfizer) for this study. This work was also supported by Cukurova University Scientific Research Projects Department (project no. TF.2002.BAP.31)

The effects of piracetam on morphine-induced amnesia and analgesia: The possible contribution of central opiatergic mechanisms on the antiamnestic effect of piracetam

The involvement of optatergic mechanisms on the antiamnestic effects of piracetam was investigated in mice. First, the effects of piracetam and naloxone on the amnesia induced by scopolamine, electroconvulsive shock and morphine were evaluated by using elevated plus maze apparatus. Second, the effects of electroconvulsive shock and piracetam on the antinociceptive action of morphine were tested by means of radiant heat tail-flick experiment. Piracetam and naloxone reversed the drug- or electrically- induced amnestic effects. On the other hand, electroconvulsive shock treatment enhanced the antinociceptive effect of morphine while piracetam decreased the same activity. These results suggest an important role of the opiatergic system on the learning and memory process as well as on the antiamnestic effect of piracetam.This work was supported by (~ukurova University Research Foundation Grants No. TF 93-10 and TF 94-E-56

Synthesis of some 2-arylpropionic acid amides as prodrugs

PubMedID: 8876939The synthesis of amide prodrugs of some 2-arylpropionic acids (ibuprofen, naproxen, diclofenac and ketorolac) and the enantiomeric separation of these compounds are reported in this paper. The compounds were prepared from the corresponding 2-arylpropionic acids and (R-(-)-2-amino-1-butanol in the presence of N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC). Enantiomers were separated by preparative chromatography or crystallisation. The structure were confirmed by infrared, nuclear magnetic resonance and elementary analysis. The compounds prepared in the study have significant analgesic activity

Effect of thermotherapy in combination with merİstem culture for elİmİnatİng potato virus y (Pvy) and potato virus s (pvs) from infected seed stocks

The present study was conducted to investigate the impact of thermotherapy along with meristem culture for eliminating Potato virus Y (PVY) and Potato virus S (PVS). The plantlets were subjected to enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to check the presence of targeted viruses. A total of 110 plants including 65 infected with PVY and 45 with PVS belonging to six potato cultivars (Agria, Russet Burbank, Shepody, Granola, Marabel, and Sante) were subjected to thermotherapy (under constant temperature of 36°C and constant light conditions) for a period of five weeks. The obtained results revealed no PVY and PVS positive plants after five week of thermotherapy. However, plant mortality was observed in cv. Granola, R. Burbank, Shepody and Agria. Cv. Granola was sensitive, whereas, Sante and Marabel were found to be resistant cultivars. Marabel and Sante responded effectively to thermotherapy treatment by producing PVY and PVS negative plants with no plant mortality after application of thermotherapy. The study showed that propagation of clean production material is possible by applying thermotherapy treatment along with tissue culture method by using meristem culture and shoot tips cultures. © 2019, Pakistan Agricultural Scientists Forum. All rights reserved

Effects of tramadol on ?2-adrenergic receptors in the rat brain

PubMedID: 15246863In recent years, it has been postulated that tramadol, used mainly for the treatment of moderate to severe pain, might display a potential as an antidepressant drug. The present study investigated the effects of acute and repeated tramadol administration on the binding of [3H]RX 821002, a selective ?2-adrenergic receptor ligand, in the rat brain. Male Wistar rats were used. Tramadol (20 mg/kg, i.p.) administered acutely (single dose), at 24 h after dosing, induced a significant decrease in the ?2-adrenergic receptors in all brain regions studied. The most pronounced effects were observed in all subregions of the olfactory system, nucleus accumbens and septum, thalamus, hypothalamus, amygdala, and cerebral cortex. Repeated treatment with tramadol (20 mg/kg, i.p., once daily for 21 days) also induced statistically significant downregulation of [3H]RX 821002 binding sites in the rat brain. However, the effect - although statistically significant - was less pronounced than in the group treated acutely with the drug. Since drugs such as mianserin and mirtazapine are potent antagonists of central ?2-adrenergic receptors and are effective antidepressants, it is tempting to suggest that, in addition to other alterations induced by tramadol, downregulation of these receptors may represent a potential antidepressant efficacy. On the other hand, one should be careful to avoid the treatment of chronic pain with tramadol in patients already receiving antidepressant drugs. Tramadol-induced downregulation of ?2-adrenergic receptors - when combined with ongoing antidepressant therapy with drugs, which themselves inhibit serotonin reuptake or are antagonists of ?2-adrenergic receptors - might cause threatening complications. © 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.This work was supported by the statutory activity of the Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences (Kraków, Poland)

Facilitating method for removal of the large uterus after laparoscopic hysterectomy: Vaginal vault vertical incision

Background: In patients with a large uterus, an important part of the laparoscopic hysterectomy operation time is the phase of removing the uterus from the abdomen.The development of techniques that will shorten the morcellation time is the key to reducing the total operation time. Aim: To evaluate the effect of vaginal cuff vertical incision in accelerating removal of the large uterus in laparoscopic hysterectomy. Methods: This study was performed with patients who underwent total laparoscopic hysterectomy. In the study group, a vertical incision was performed in the middle of the posterior vaginal stump before the vaginal removal of the larger uterus (weighing more than 500 g). The control group consisted of patients who underwent vaginal morcellation after conventional colpotomy. Patients in both groups were matched in terms of uterine weights +/-50 g and the same vaginal morcellation technique was applied to all patients. Results: In patients who underwent a vertical incision procedure, the time to remove the uterus from the abdomen (17.55±2.53 min vs 26.62±4.72 min, p<0.001) and the total operation time (130.81±12.83 min vs.143.29±13, 15 min, p = 0.001) was statistically significantly less than the patients without vertical incision. There was no difference between the groups in terms of intraoperative complications, drop in hemoglobin levels, time to flatus, postoperative 6th,24th hour visual analog score and length of hospital stay. Conclusions: The vertical incision procedure reduces the time to remove the large uterus from the abdomen after laparoscopic hysterectomy and, accordingly, the total operation time. This procedure may be the preferred method before vaginal morcellation, especially in large uterus. © 2022 Elsevier Masson SA