Sexual maturation in chronic opioids treated rats

This work was conducted to study the effect of morphine and naloxone administration during prepubertal period on sexual maturation, serum level of gonadotrophins, prolactin and sex hormones. Naloxone 2.6 mg/kg/8 h, injected SC to female rat from day 21, advanced the age of onset of puberty assessed in terms of vaginal opening and first estrus [33.5 vs 40.75/day in control]. Also, these animals showed significantly higher level of plasma FSH, IH, and estradiol. The number of ova released at first estrus, weight of ovaries and uterus were significantly higher. While, at age of 50 days, a number of indices of male sexual maturation viz. FSH, IH, testosterone, and weight of testis were significantly increased after naloxone [2.5 mg/kg/8 h SC], the same indices were significantly decreased after SC morphine injection in graded doses starting by 5 mg/kg to male rats from day 21. The time of first ovulation and vaginal opening was delayed in morphine dependent female rats [47.5 vs. 40.75 days in control]. Also, chronically morphine treated female rats had lower level of weight of ovaries and uterus, number of ova, H and estradiol at day of first ovulation

Effects of Beta 2 adrenergic agonist [terbutaline], in dogs with acute hyperkalemia

This work was carried out to study the effects of gradually increasing doses of terbutaline [B2 agonist] on canine model of acute hyperkalemia to evaluate the possible use of B2 agonists in the management of acute hyperkalemia. The latter was induced by IV. infusion of Kcl during the whole period of the experiment, 4 hours. Potassium chloride infusion leads to a gradual increase in plasma K+ and no significant change in plasma glucose or arterial Bp. Hyperkalemic ECG changes depend on plasma K+ level ending in marked widening of QRS and large undulated pattern and lastly asystole. Administration of terbutaline IV in gradually increasing doses, and increasing by the same for 5 doses, resulted in dose related decrease of plasma K+ and increase in glucose levels. Also, terbutaline converted ECG changes induced by Kcl loading to sinus rhythm and prevented the ECG changes resulting from continuous Kcl infusion. The effect of terbutaline is mediated through stimulation of B2 receptors, since it is blocked by non selective blockade B1 and B2 [propranolol] and not by selective B1 blockade [atenolol]. So, correction of hyperkalemic ECG changes following terbutaline is a result of a decreased plasma K+ level, which is blocked by propranolol and is not affected by atenolol

Renal changes after co-administration of verapamil with acetyl salicylic acid or diclofenac

The effect of chronic co-administration of verapamil with either acetyl salicylic acid [ASA] or diclofenac were investigated on renal function parameters [serum urea and creatinine] and histopathologic changes that occur in the kidney. Also, urinary prostaglandin PGE2 changes were studied to uncover the possible protective effect of calcium channel blocker upon untoward renal effects of NSAIDs. Although chronic oral administration of verapamil alone increased, PGE2 level in urine of rats, yet, it did not induce any significant change on serum urea, creatinine or renal histopathology

Effects of beta adrenoceptor blockers and diazepam on blood lipids, glucose, catecholamines and 11 hydroxycorticosteroids of hyperlipidemic rats

This work was conducted to study the effect of oral administration of some B blockers on serum glucose, cholesterol, triglycerids [TG], high density lipoproteins [HDL] and plasma 11 hydroxycorticosteroids, adrenaline [A] and noradrenaline [NA] in hyperlipidemic rats, as well as their possible interaction with diazepam. Hyperlipidemia was induced in rats by feeding them with a special high cholesterol diet for 4 months. It was associated with significant elevation of plasma A and NA, serum glucose, cholesterol, TG and a decrease of serum HDL. Treatment of these rats by propranolol for 3 weeks led to significant decrease of serum HDL, while pindolol induced significant increase of HDL, atenolol did not affect HDL. All B blockers did not change the other parameters. Diazepam administration, induced significant decrease of plasma A and NA, and rise of 11 hydroxycorticosteroids level. Its combination with each of B blocker used induced significant decrease of A and NA, and increase of 11 hydroxycorticosteroids. Meanwhile, serum HDL was significantly decreased following administration of diazepam with propranolol and increased after its administration with pindolol

Effects of beta adrenoceptor blockers and diazepam on blood lipids, glucose, catecholamines and 11 hydroxycorticosteroids of stressed rats

This work was conducted to study the effect of oral administration of some B blockers on serum glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides [TG], high density lipoproteins [HDL] and plasma 11 hydroxycorticosteroids, adrenaline [A] and noradrenaline [NA] in stressed rats, as well as their possible interaction with diazepam. Forced immobilization led to significant increase in plasma A, NA, 11 hydroxycorticosteroids, serum glucose, HDL, while TG was significantly decreased. Propranolol pretreatment, 3 weeks before exposure to stress, led to significant reduction of A, NA, 11 hydroxycorticosteroids, glucose, HDL and a rise of TG. Also pindolol pretreatment was followed by increase in HDL and TG in stressed rats. While, atenolol has no significant effect on all parameters. Pretreatment of rats with diazepam alone or in combination with any of B blockers under test induced significant reduction of plasma A and NA. While concomitant administration of propranolol with diazepam decreased significantly the serum glucose, HDL and plasma 11 hydroxycorticosteroids and TG increased. Lastly, pindolol and diazepam increased significantly serum TG and HDL

Isradipine and indomethacin effects on collagen adjuvant arthritic rats

This work was carried out to study the effect of a relatively new calcium channel blocker "isradipine" on some therapeutic and side effects of indomethacin. Inflammatory collagen polyarthritis model which bears resemblence to rheumatoid arthritis was induced by injection of collagen in complete Freund's adjuvant. Treatment of arthritic rats either by indomethacin or isradipine or combination of both drugs for 15 days resulted in significant analgesic activity as evaluated by the analgesimeter. Meanwhile, indomethacin either alone or in combination with isradipine reduced the rats hind paw thickness. Induction of arthritis was accompanied by significant elevation of serum C-reactive protein and a decrease in albumin, with no significant change in cortisol levels. These parameters were not significantly affected by treatment with any drug i.e. these drugs improved the symptoms and did not affect the progress of the disease. Histopathologic changes of the stomach revealed that, isradipine improved the gastric lesions of nontreated and indomethacin treated arthritic rats. Also, isradipine partially protected the kidney from renal tubular necrosis and interstitial nephritis caused by indomethacin. It could be concluded that administration of calcium channel blockers in association with N.S.A.I.Ds in rheumatologic practice may be used to increase the analgesic effect and decrease the gastric erosion and nephrotoxicity of NSAIDs

Effect of calcium antagonists on rat's testis; serum prolactin and testosterone

The effect of chronic administration of phenylakylamine derivatives [Verapamil] on the gonadal structure and function of adult male rats were investigated and compared with dihydropyridine dervatifves [nifedipine and isradipine] 64 male albino rats were included in this study, they were divided into four equal groups the first group received water and served as control Verapamil 20 mg/kg/day, nifedipine 1 mg/kg/day and israpidine 0.3 mg/kg/day were given orally through a stomach tube without anaesthesia for 6 weeks to group II, III and IV respectively. Serum testosterone and prolactin were estimated by radioimmunoassay method. Furthermore, histopathological study of testis was performed Verapamil included marked alteration in histopathology of testis, which was followed by some recovery after drug withdrwal serum prolactin was significantly increased while serum testosterone was significantly decreased. The histopathologic changes in testis following nifedipine were less marked but irreversible, however, no significant decrease in serum testosterone level were observed. Israpidine, neither, induced histopathologicl changes in testis, nor changes in serum prolactin and testosterone thus, this study shows that the effects of calcium antagonists are variable on fertility, though israpidine is more safe for long term therapy

Evaluation of the prophylactic and the possible therapeutic effects of silymarin in experimental liver cirrhosis

The present work was conducted to evaluate the prophylactic and possible therapeutic effects of silymarin in experimental liver cirrhosis 60 albino rats were included in this study, they were divided into four equal groups The first group was non cirrhotic and served as control, the other three groups were rendered cirrhotic by intraperitoneal injection of carbon tetrachloride every other day for 10 weeks.The second group was chosen as a cirrhotic control and received saline, the third group was given silymarin orally [80 mg/kg/day]throughout the induction of cirrhotic and the fourth group was given silymarin orally [80 mg/kg/day] for 10 weeks after induction cirrhotic. For laboratory evaluation of functional state of liver, serum glutamic oxalacetic transaminase [SGOT], glutamic pyruvic transaminase [SGPT], Alkaline phosphate, bilirubin, free fatty acids, triglycerides and total cholesterol were estimated. In addition, histopathological study of liver was performed Simultaneous administration of silymarin with CCL[4] throughout the induction of cirrhosis [Group III] i.e.as prophylactic agent produced marked improvement in the histopathological changes of liver and completely normalized the biochemical abnormalities of CCL[4] induced liver cirrhosis. On the other hand, administration of silymarin for the same period after cirrhosis [Group IV] i.e. as a therapeutic agent produced partial improvement of the histopathological changes and significant but not complete correction of the biochemical abnormalities.The result of the present study indicate that silymarin has both prophylactic and therapeutic effects However it`s prophylactic use exerts a more hepatoprotective effects than its therapeutic use.This point is worthy to be considered in the clinical use of silymarin as early as possible in the management of any hepatic disease or on exposure of the liver to any injurious agent

Assessment of anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities on the co-administration of acetyl salicylic acid and ibuprofen in adjuvent-arthritic rats

The effects of interaction between acetyl salicylic acid [300 mg/kgm/day orally for 2 weeks] and ibuprofen [100 mg/kgm/day orally for 2 weeks] were studied in albino rats rendered arthritic by intradermal injection of mycobactrium butyricum. The fluorimetric estimation of plasma cortisol level showed significant elevation following acetyl salicylic acid administration and also following combined ibuprofen and acetyl salicylic acid administration but to a less extent, while ibuprofen alone failed to produce any significant change. Analgesic activity was assessed by analgesymeter test. Acetyl salicylic acid and ibuprofen given seperately or conceurrently produced a highly significant analgesic action which did not differ statistically in various groups. Anti-inflammatory activity was assessed by the paw oedema test, the anti-inflammatory action of ibuprofen was statistically more marked than that of acetyl salicylic acid, but was more or less similar to the effect of concurrent drug administration. It could be concluded that the analgesic action of combined acetyl salicylic acid and ibuprofen administration was not superior to either drug when given alone, and the anti-inflammatory action of combined administration did not differ from that of ibuprofen alone, thus one could suggest that, this form of combined drug therapy has no advantage over ibuprofen alone