The Effect of a Noradrenaline Liberator (4, alpha-dimethyl-meta-tyramine) on Reflex Transmission in Spinal Gats

In unanesthetized acute spinal cats an i.v. injection of 4, α-dimethyl-meta-tyramine (H 77/77), which liberates noradrenaline (NA), depresses short-latency transmission from the flexor reflex afferents (FRA) to motoneurones, ascending pathways and primary afferent terminals. The effect is similar to that produced by DOPA but the late flexor reflex evoked from the FRA after DOPA is not found after H 77/77. The effect by H 77/77 is reversed by the adrenergic α-blockers phenoxybenzamine and chlorpromazine. H 77/77 has no effect in animals in which the stores of NA have been depleted by pretreatment with reserpine and a blocker of tyrosine hydroxylase. It is suggested that H 77/77 inhibits reflex transmission by transmitter liberation from noradrenergic terminals. H 77/77 also depresses short-latency transmission from the FRA in chronic spinal cats after degeneration of the descending fibres. As a possible explanation it is suggested that the receptor sensitivity may have changed in the neurones deprived of NA terminals or that neighbouring glia cells may have taken over some of the functions of the NA terminals.     

Dynamic changes in synovitis activity after intra-articular administration of xefocam in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (according to clinical and device examinations)

AIM: To assess efficacy of intraarticular administration of lornoxicam (xefocam) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Xefocam was injected into the knee joints of 58 patients with RA once a week for 3 weeks in a dose 8 mg. The treatment efficacy was evaluated by changes in the severity of arthralgias, pain in the joints at palpation, circumference of the knee joints at the level of the upper edge of the patella, ultrasound and thermography of the knee joints. RESULTS: Xefocam relieved arthralgia (in 44 patients at least by 30%), pain in the joints at palpation and joint circumference. Ultrasound investigation registered a significant thinning of the synovial membrane and amount of exudates. CONCLUSION: If local steroid therapy is not definitely indicated, intraarticular administration of xefocam can be effectively used for suppression of moderate inflammation in the joints in RA patients.     

Nucleoli in Developing Histaminergic Neurons in the Rat Brain

Neuroscience and Behavioral Physiology - Introduction. There are various physiological, experimental, and pathological conditions which can induce changes in the size, morphology, location, and...     

Protein kinase G oxidation is a major cause of injury during sepsis

Sepsis is a common life-threatening clinical syndrome involving complications as a result of severe infection. A cardinal feature of sepsis is inflammation that results in oxidative stress. Sepsis in wild-type mice induced oxidative activation of cGMP-dependent protein kinase 1 alpha (PKG Iα), which increased blood vessel dilation and permeability, and also lowered cardiac output. These responses are typical features of sepsis and their combined effect is a lowering of blood pressure. This hypotension, a hallmark of sepsis, resulted in underperfusion of end organs, resulting in their damage. A central role for PKG Iα oxidative activation in injury is supported by oxidation-resistant Cys42Ser PKG Iα knock-in mice being markedly protected from these clinical indices of injury during sepsis. We conclude that oxidative activation of PKG Iα is a key mediator of hypotension and consequential organ injury during sepsis.     

Comparative Efficacies of Doxorubicin Complexes with Dextran Phosphate and Dextran Sulfate for Intracavity Chemotherapy of Zajdela Ascitic Hepatoma in Rats

Pharmaceutical Chemistry Journal - The efficacies of doxorubicin (Dox) complexes with carbohydrate polymers dextran phosphate (DP) and dextran sulfate (DS) in rats with grafted Zajdela ascitic...     

The nephrotic syndrome: pathogenesis and treatment of edema formation and secondary complications

Nephrotic syndrome is an important clinical condition affecting both children and adults. Studies suggest that the pathogenesis of edema in individual patients may occur via widely variable mechanisms, i.e., intravascular volume underfilling versus overfilling. Managing edema should therefore be directed to the underlying pathophysiology. Nephrotic syndrome is also associated with clinically important complications related to urinary loss of proteins other than albumin. This educational review focuses on the pathophysiology and management of edema and secondary complications in patients with nephrotic syndrome.