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

Possible role of certain neurotransmitters of the monoamine type on butorphanol tartrate-induced physical dependence in mice

Brain monoamines were spectrophotofluorometrically determined during the appearance of butorphanol tartrate withdrawal symptoms in addict adult male mice. The animals were rendered addict by daily administration of the drug for 12 successive days in gradually increasing doses, starting from 1mg/kg and up to 15 mg/kg body weight. Such animals when deprived from butorphanol tartrate, showed after 24 hours severe syndrome consisting of writhing, teeth chattering, ptosis, tachycardia, tremors, and marked nervous hyperexcitability. The animals were decapitated at that time for the determination of their brain contents of dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin. Compared with a parallel group injected with normal saline and used as control, there was a significant increase in dopamine and norepinephrine contents in brain amounting to 53 and 220%, respectively. On the other hand, no change in brain serotonin content was observed. The results of this work point to a probable role for brain dopamine and norepinephrine but not for serotonin on the induction of butorphanol tartrate withdrawal symptoms in addict adult male mice

Ocular hypotensive effect of 7 series of newly synthetised adrenoreceptor blockers: 3-[4-[3-[4-aryl-1-piperazinyl]-isopropanoloxy]phenyl]- 4[3H] quinazolones in rabbits

Screening of an ocular hypotensive effect of seven newly synthesized B-blockers was performed. Aqueous solutions of the hydrochloride salts of the drugs, given the code 3a, b, c, d, f, g were applied locally [50 ug/0.25 ml] or administered intravenously through the marginal vein [1 mg/kg] in groups of adult healthy male rabbits, each of 6 animals. Controls used were saline solutions having the same pH as that of the drugs. The intraocular pressure [IOP] was measured using weighted Schiotz tonometer at different time intervals ranging from 15-405 minutes after the drug administration, and compared with controls. The intravenous administration of all drugs tested induced hypotensive action. The onset of action appeared after 45, 60, 45, 30, 75, 15 and 75 minutes, while the duration of action lasted for 150, 310, 210, 120, 90, 60 and 105 minutes respectively. The peak of ocular hypotensive effect of these drugs were obtained after 75, 150, 105, 45, 75, 30 and 75 minutes and amounted to 24.9%, 37.4%, 40.6%, 24.5%, 24.5%, 24.6% and 20.7% respectively. On the other hand, the topical application of drugs, 3 a, b, c, d, e, g, induced an ocular hypotensive action. Its onset appeared after 75, 60, 75, 120, 90 and 75 minutes. While, their duration of action was 165, 300, 270, 135, 240 and 165 minutes respectively. Time peak of ocular hypotensive effect of these drugs were obtained after 120, 240, 180, 120, 150 and 120 minutes respectively and amounted to 42,7, 33.9, 38.6, 25, 27.9 and 21.2% respectively. Screening of these drugs point to a probable useful ocular hypotensive agents which needs further clinical studies