Effect of the anti-oestrogen tamoxifen on some bile constituents in the dog

The effect of oral administration of tamoxifen in a dose of 0.3 mg/kg daily for 3 months was investigated on some constituents of hepatic bile, gallbladder bile and serum of mongrel dogs. Tamoxifen caused significant increase in the level of total cholesterol, triglycerides, alkaline phosphatase and bilirubin in bile and serum. Total protein concentration did not change significantly in both bile and serum. Also, serum albumin did not alter, while albumin/globulin ratio significantly decreased. Osmolality and sodium increased in bile while potassium level decreased. No changes were observed in serum osmolality, sodium or potassium levels. These results support the concept that tamoxifen has some estrogen-like effects

Biochemical and electroencephalographic changes in the brain of rats treated with fluphenazine decanoate

Treatment of rats with 0.5 mg/kg fluphenazine decanoate every 2 weeks for 4 doses caused significant increase in the level of whole brain gamma amino butyric acid [GABA], glutathione and glutamic acid decarboxylase [GAD] activity and no significant changes in L- glutamic acid. EEG records showed damping in amplitude without changes in frequency. The data of this study suggested that the effects of antipsychotic drugs on dopaminergic systems could be secondary to the effects on GABA neurons

Influence of general anaesthesia with halothane and isoflurane on some parameters of gastric juice in the rat

The effect of two inhalational anesthetics, halothane and isoflurane on gastric secretory activity was investigated in the rat. Compared with the control group, halothane significantly decreased the hydrochloric acid concentration, peptic activity and volume of the gastric secretion, while it produced no change in the mucin content. Isoflurane caused a significant decrease in the volume and hydrochloric acid concentration as compared to control. On the other hand, the mucin content showed a significant increase and no change in the peptic activity. Attempts to explain the possible mechanisms underlying these findings have been discussed. The risk from inhalation of acid gastric contents seems to be reduced during and at the end of general anesthesia using anesthetic agents. Also, the results show that isoflurane and halothane appeared to be a reasonable choice when emergency surgery is required and/or in patients with symptoms of hyperacidity

effects of tricyclic and tetracyclic antidepressants on the levels of norepinephrine, dopamine and serotonin in rat brain

After 3 weeks of daily intraperitoneal administration of either incyclic [amitriptyline, clomipramine] or tetracyclic [maprotiline] antidepressants in a dose of 20 mg/kg each to male rats, the whole brain levels of norepinephrine and dopamine were significantly increased as compared to control values. In contrast, the level of serotonin increased only with the tetracyclic antidepressant maprotiline and this increase was moderate. However, it is not yet certain, how far these effects contribute to the mechanism of antidepressant action. A study of the turn-over rate and the activities of the enzymes along the monoamine metabolic pathway are currently underway for adequate interpretation of the results

Atherogenic effect of cigarette smoke exposure and high salt intare using the rabbit as an experimental model

The effect of cigarette smoke exposure and high salt intake, either singly or in combination, were assessed on some atherogenic factors. Significant increases in total cholesterol were found in all treated groups. When combined cigarette smoke exposure and high salt intake had an additive effect. This was combined with a lack of effect on HDL cholesterol. Cigarette smoke exposure resulted in a 28% increase in serum triglycerides. Although high salt intake alone was without effect on this parameter, it had a synergistic effect when combined with cigarette smoke exposure. Platelet aggregation was significantly increased after cigarette smoke exposure, high salt diet intake and their combination. Significant decrease of prothrombin time and partial thromboplastin time were recorded after high salt intake and its combination with cigarette smoke exposure, which may denote increase tendency for thrombus formation. Results were fully discussed