ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Many in vitro and fewer in vivo studies have shown that tetracyclines present anti-inflammatory activity. We investigated if a novel non-antibacterial, non-chelating hydroxypyrazoline derivative of minocycline, 12S-hydroxy-1,12-pyrazolinominocycline (PMIN), also induced antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: Antibacterial effects against a minocycline-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus strain were evaluated by applying a cylinder-plate agar diffusion technique. Antibacterial effects of diluted serum from mice pre-treated with minocycline or PMIN were also evaluated. Ca2+ binding activity was assessed by spectrophotometry. Formalin-induced nociceptive responses and carrageenan-induced paw oedema were evaluated in mice. The rota-rod apparatus was used to evaluate motor coordination. KEY RESULTS: Minocycline, but not PMIN, inhibited bacterial growth. Serum from mice treated with minocycline, but not with PMIN, also induced such an effect. The UV absorption spectrum of solutions of minocycline, but not those of PMIN, was markedly changed in the presence of Ca2+. Minocycline or PMIN inhibited both phases of formalin-induced nociception and carrageenan-induced paw oedema. It is unlikely that antinociception resulted from lack of motor coordination, as tetracycline did not impair the performance of mice on the rotating rod. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: These results indicate that inhibition of nociception and oedema by tetracyclines is neither necessarily linked to antibacterial nor to Ca2+ chelating activities. This study supports the evaluation of the potential usefulness of PMIN in the treatment of painful and inflammatory diseases, as its lack of antibacterial and Ca2+ chelating activities might confer greater safety over conventional tetracyclines.
Subject(s)
Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal/therapeutic use , Edema/drug therapy , Minocycline/therapeutic use , Pain/drug therapy , Pyrazoles/therapeutic use , Animals , Anti-Bacterial Agents/chemistry , Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology , Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal/chemistry , Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal/pharmacology , Calcium/metabolism , Cations, Divalent/metabolism , Chelating Agents/chemistry , Chelating Agents/pharmacology , Male , Mice , Microbial Sensitivity Tests , Minocycline/chemistry , Minocycline/pharmacology , Molecular Structure , Motor Activity/drug effects , Pain Measurement , Pyrazoles/chemistry , Pyrazoles/pharmacology , Rotarod Performance Test , Staphylococcus aureus/drug effectsABSTRACT
High school students are at high risk for contracting sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). A sample of 69 rural high school students from the province of Alberta, Canada were surveyed regarding their knowledge, attitudes and behaviours related to STDs to ascertain whether they differ from urban students. Results indicate that rural and urban high school students are similar in terms of knowledge about STDs, attitudes towards their prevention and also in terms of sexual behaviours. As with other studies, behaviours lagged behind knowledge and attitudes with reported condom use low. Sexual decision making was influenced mainly by the peer group. Males and females were mainly influenced by the same factors which include the willingness of their partner, the behaviours of their friends and family, concern about contracting a STD. These data emphasize the need to implement primary prevention programs for high school aged youth in rural as well as urban settings.
Subject(s)
Adolescent Behavior , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Rural Population , Sexually Transmitted Diseases/psychology , Adolescent , Alberta/epidemiology , Contraceptive Devices, Male/statistics & numerical data , Female , Humans , Male , Peer Group , Sexually Transmitted Diseases/epidemiology , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
PIP: Researchers conducted a survey of 199 students enrolled 2 public high schools in Alberta in Canada to learn of their knowledge about sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and knowledge, attitude, and behaviors about condoms and their use. 41% were sexually active. 41% of these students did not or rarely used condoms. 44% had =or+ 3 partners. 61% of those with =or+ 3 partners used condoms and 56% with 1 partner used them. Knowledge of STDs and condom use stood high regardless of sex or sexual activity. 93% of the boys, 80% of the girls, 88% of sexually active and 87% of nonsexually active students stated it was their responsibility to carry condoms if they are sexually active. Moreover 96% of the boys, 78% of the girls, 81% of sexually active and 91% of nonsexually active students said they would use a condom during sexual intercourse. Nevertheless males and sexually active students did express some negative attitudes towards condoms, such as reduce sensation and interference with sexual spontaneity. Nonsexually active students tended to view condom use as a negative stigma (p.05). Most students claimed to be more likely to buy condoms from condom vending machines in the rest rooms than from stores (p.05). Sexual partners had the largest influence on students, especially sexually active students, to have or not have sexual intercourse followed by concerns about STDs, friends, and family. Further, the large majority of all students, especially females and sexually active students, said they would choose their sexual partner carefully because of the concern for AIDS and other STDs. They also tended to be monogamous and avoided high risk groups. In conclusion, no reliable differences occurred between attitudes towards condoms and use or nonuse of condoms to explain behavior. Future studies should be designed to center on factors that influence sexual behavior.^ieng
