ABSTRACT
Monoamineoxidase (MAO) activity in some regions of brain and urinary xanthurenic acid were investigated in female rats administered with oral contraceptive (OC) steroids-ethynyl estradiol (Ees), lynestrenol (Ly) and both in combination (Cm) for 75 days. The MAO activity was reduced significantly in most regions specially in cortex-the extent of reduction being 65 per cent with Ees, 51 per cent with Ly and 69 per cent with Cm treatments. In the hypothalamus, the activity was decreased by 50 per cent with Ees, 38 per cent with Ly and by 40 per cent with Cm treatments. In the corpus striatum the activity was reduced by 14 per cent with Ly treatment, 25 per cent with Cm treatment and in the midbrain by 59 per cent with Ees treatment only. The concentration of xanthurenic acid in urine was higher by 55 per cent with Ees, 109 per cent with Ly and by 120 per cent with Cm treatments. These changes in MAO activity and level of xanthurenic acid excretion indicate the possible alteration in the metabolism of neurotransmitter, associated with prolonged use of OC.
Subject(s)
Animals , Cerebral Cortex/enzymology , Ethinyl Estradiol/metabolism , Female , Lynestrenol/metabolism , Monoamine Oxidase/metabolism , Rats , Xanthurenates/urineSubject(s)
Biopsy , Child, Preschool , Female , Ferric Compounds/diagnosis , Humans , India , Infant , Liver Cirrhosis/metabolism , Male , Tryptophan/metabolism , Xanthurenates/urineABSTRACT
Through estimation of urinary xanthurmic acid in cases of acute diffuse glomerulonephritis, tryptophan metabolism was found to be disturbed in these cases. This disturbance could be reversed by administration of pyridoxine in big doses. Pyridoxine is also thought to be therapeutically beneficial in restoring heart failure, and hypertension to normal in acute glomerulonephritis. Urinary xanthurenic acid was measured in 8 cases of uncomplicated and 21 cases of complicated acute diffuse glomerulonephritis. In the former cases the level of UXA was found to be 564 micro g.% i.e. coinciding with the normal level. In the latter cases, 18 cases, complicated by heart failure and hypertension had an average of UXA of 1750 micro g;%; and 3 cases complicated with heart failure but without hypertension had an average level of 1575 micro g.%. On giving ordinary treatment for nephritis the level of UXA returned to normal in an average of 6 days together with recovery of heart failure and hypertension. On giving pyridoxine in a dose of 25 mg. intramuscularly every 6 hours together with the ordinary treatment the level of UXA returned to normal in an average of 3 days. This either coincided with recovery of heart failure and hypertension or preceded it by 1-3 days. On giving pyridoxine in massive doses unaided by any other medication, the heart failure and the blood pressure were restored to normal in an average of 2 days. A possible beneficial effect of pyridoxine in heart failure and hypertension due to acute nephritis is suggested. [We are indebted to Roche laboratories for the supply of Benadon "Vitamin B6" Roche]