protective effect of dimethyl-4,4' dimethoxy - 5,6,5',6' - dimethylenedioxybiphenyl -2.2' - dicarboxylate [DDB] on isolated rat hepatocytes compared with vitamin E

This work aimed to compare the protective effect of dimethyl- 4, 4'dimethoxy-5, 6, 5', 6'-dimethylenedioxybiphenyl-2, 2'dicarboxylate [DDB] with that of vitamin E against the hepatotoxicity induced by carbon tetrachloride on isolated rat hepatocytes. Vitamin E and various concentrations of DDB were preincubated in the isolated rat hepatocyte suspension for 30 minutes before being subjected to the hepatotoxin CC14 for an additional 150 minutes. Lactate dehydrogenase [LDH], malondialdehyde [MDA] for lipoperoxidation and the depletion of reduced glutathione [GSH] were measured as indices for liver damage. Protection against the induced cell injury was conferred by DDB as evidenced by the decreased leakage of LDH, the inhibition of lipoperoxidation and the restoration of cellular glutathione. Vitamin E induced similar hepatoprotection against CC14-induced damage, but to a lesser extent than DDB

Does nitrous oxide produce an effect upon brain neurotransmitters namely dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin and is it the answer to postoperative nausea and vomiting?

The effect of nitrous oxide [N2O] was studied on the changes of brain neurotransmitters [dopamine [DA], serotonin [5HT] and norepinephrine [NE]] in rats. Nitrous oxide was found to have no significant effect on the contents of NE, and 5HT, but decreases that of DA [mid- brain], thalamus-hypothalamus and medulla] after one hour. Decreased levels of DA indicated that, N2O increases dopaminergic neuronal activities in the mesocortical projections [midbrain, thalamus and hypothalamus] as well as the medullary network. The euphoric properties of nitrous oxide may be an indication of activation of mesocortical dopaminergic projection, while the increased incidence of emesis may indicate activation of medullary dopaminergic system. The observed plateau of the dopamine effect within the two hours of exposure could reflect the development of an acute tolerance to nitrous oxide. The effect of N2O on the liver function enzymes was studied as well as to investigate whether it has a hepatotoxic effect. Both enzymes tested, ALAT and ASAT, showed no significant difference from control