Nicardipine does but glofibrate does not elevate high density lipoprotein in experimental atherosclerosis in rats

In the present investigation, the effect of oral administration of nicardipine [NCP] [12.5-100 mg/Kg] and clofibrate [CF] [25-200 mg/Kg] on lipids and lipoproteins in normal and hyperlipidemic rats were studied. The serum and liver levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, and phospholipids were determined. Moreover serum high density lipoprotein [HDL], low density lipoprotein [LDL] and very low density lipoprotein [VLDL] were estimated. Results revealed that in normal rats both NCP and CF induced significant reductions of serum cholesterol. Moreover NCP tended to increase serum HDL-L cholesterol. However neither NCP nor CF significantly affect serum phospholipids, although serum triglycerides were significantly reduced by CF. Moreover; CF but not NCP produced significant decrease of liver cholesterol. Although liver triglycerides were significantly reduced by CF, they were significantly elevated by NCP. In hypercholesterolemic rats: NCP but not CF significantly increased serum HDL-cholesterol. Both CF and NCP induced significant reduction of serum cholesterol. Moverover serum triglycerides were significantly elevated by NCP but not by CF. However, serum phospholipids were significantly decreased by CF, whereas NCP showed no effect. In liver, NCP produced significant elevation of phospholipids, whereas CF caused no significant alterations in phospholipids, cholesterol and triglycerides. The analysis of serum lipoproteins proved that NCP and CF caused significant reductions of both VLDL and LDL. Moverover NCP exhibited significant elevations in serum levels of high density lipoproteins Although CF caused no significant effects on high density lipoproteins of serum of hypercholesterolemic rats. Results were discussed

Inhibition of paracetamol induced reduction in hepatic glutathione level by INH of rifampin coadministration in mice

Repated administration of paracetamol induces hepatotoxicity due to depletion of the liver tissue from its glutathione contents. As paracetamol may be currently used in combination with INH and rifampin it was notworthy to explore the effect of these drugs on hepatic glutathione contents. Paracetamol, INH and rifampin were given either alone or in combination. After certain period of drug treatment, the animals were sacrificed and their livers were homogenized to determine its glutathione contents. It was observed that paracetamol significantly decreased while either INH or rifampin significantly increased the glutathione contents of the liver. When given in combination, both INH and rifampin could prevent the decrease in glutathione level when paracetamol was given with either of them for 2 days and only partially when it was given for 7 days. How much this effect can be benificial ? this needs thorough clinical investigation

Effect of GABA, GABA agonists and antagonists on gastric ulcer in rats

In the present investigation the effect of gamma-aminobutyric acid [GABA] on indomethacin [IM] [25 mg/kg orally] induced gastric ulcer in rats was studied. Results revealed that GABA at doses of 75 mg/kg [I.P.] and 150 mg/kg [I.P.] were devoid of significant effect on IM-induced ulceration, mean while higher doses of GABA 300 mg/kg [I.P.] and [450 mg/kg [I.P.] potentiated IM-ulceration. Regarding the effect of GABA antagonists, data proved that picrotoxin [2.5 mg/kg I.P] bicuculline [2.5 mg/kg I.P.] and pentylenetetrazole [PTZ] [25 mg/kg I.P.] blocked the aggravating effect of GABA on IM-induced gastric ulceration. It was noticed that GABA antagonists produced no significant changes on IM-ulceration. Also diazepam [0.5 mg/kg I.P.] and pentobarbital [5 mg/kg I.P.] potentiated the exacerbating effect of GABA on IM-induced gastric ulceration. At the same time both diazepam and pentobarbital were devoid of significant effect on IM-ulceration. In contrast GABA agonist muscimol [6 mg/kg orally] had cytoprotective effect against IM-induced gastric ulceration, while GABA agonist baclofen [6 mg/kg orally] showed no significant effect on IM- ulceration However, atropine [1 mg/kg I.P.] was protective against both IM-induced gastric ulceration and the GABA potentiating effect of IM -ulceration. The results suggested that GABA induced exacerbation of IM -ulceration might be due to the activation of peripheral muscarinic receptors in the stomach. This effect was mediated by stimulation of GABA[A] .-receptors and not GABA receptors in the stomach

Studies on electrolyte balance during different phases of menstrual cycle at rest and after muscular exercise

The present work is a trial to evaluate the effect of menstruation on electrolyte balance in response to muscular exercise. 30 volunteer girls from a faculty of physical education for girls participated in exercise program in form of running for 30 min. Pre and post exercise, blood samples were collected during menstruation and during the mid-menstrual cycle, and examined for their levels of sodium and potassium. Menstruation significantly decreased sodium level, both at rest and after muscular exercise [P < 0.05, P < 0.01 respectively]. Menstruation also significantly increased serum potassium level after muscular exercise [P < 0.001], than during the mid menstrual cycle. This work suggest that, the hyperkalemia and hyponatremia during menstruation may affect the female athletic performance and rendering them unfit for exercise during menstruation

Antireproductive effects of the pineal extract of camel in female mice

This investigation has been carried out to study the effect of graded doses [0.5, 1 and 1.5 ml] of the peptide pineal extract of camel on the uterine weight and on early pregnancy in female mice. It has been demonstrated that the highest dose [1.5 ml] of the pineal extract, administrated to mature female mice induced the following effects: Inhibited the stimulatory effect of HCG on uterus of non pregnant mature female mice. On the 2nd day of pregnancy, injection of the same dose of the extract led to 100% interruption of pregnancy and 100% reduction in the mean number of implantation sites. A significant decrease [P < 0.001] in the average number of corpora lutea, Lutein cells, and number of uterine blood capillaries and their transverse diameter when compared with that of normal pregnancy. Histological examination of the interrupted pregnant uteri showed similar finding to those of the dioestrus phase. On the 4th day of pregnancy, injection of the same dose of the pineal extract led to a lesser interruption of pregnancy on comparison with that on the 2nd day or pregnancy. The administration of another two low doses [0.5 and 1 ml] on the 2nd day of pregnancy, lead to a weaker effect on the uterine weight and pregnancy. This work suggests that, the inhibition of the stimulatory effect of the HCG on uterine weight and interruption of pregnancy of the pineal extract may be due to its antigonadal action

Effect of some stress factors on plasma testosterone and cortisol levels in male rats

This study demonstrated that acute immobilization stress induced suppression in testosterone and elevation in cortisol levels in plasma of albino rats. The rise in cortisol is partially responsible for the declining in the testosterone concentrations. High serum level of glucocorticoids impaired directly the testicular function, decreased the sensitivity of pituitary gland to LHRH and reduced the hypothalamic release of LHRH. On the other hand, chronic immobilization stress, noisy test and harmony sounds induced a decrease in both testosterone and cortisol plasma levels. This indicated that other mechanisms were implicated in the suppression of testosterone level included the inhibition of the hypothalamic pituitary gonadal axis by increased prolactin secretion and the release of endogenous opioid peptides