Sexual function in adult male rats after prenatal modulation of the cholinergic system.

Prenatal administration of the n-cholinolytic ganglerone to pregnant female rats at different periods of gestation was found to lead to long-term changes in sexual behavior in pubescent offspring: there was a reduced dynamic of acquiring sexual experience and a very low level of sexual activity, with significant impairment to the motivational and ejaculatory components of sexual behavior. The number of males with reduced sexual activity in the experimental groups was significantly greater than that in control offspring. The results obtained here provide evidence that impairments of sexual function in adult offspring induced by prenatal administration of the n-cholinolytic ganglerone at 9-11 and 12-14 days of gestation and, to a lesser extent, the m-cholinolytic metamyzil at 9-11 days of gestation, were due to impairment to the central mechanisms regulating sexual function due to stable changes in neurotransmitter activity in the hippocampus and hypothalamus, along with a significant reduction in the blood testosterone level.

[The sexual function of mature rat males after prenatal modulation of cholinergic system].

The data obtained have shown that prenatal exposure of pregnant rat females of 9-19-day pregnancy to N-cholinolytics as compared to M-cholinolytics produce long-term behavioural changes in pubescent rat progeny. Pubescent rat progeny had low dynamics of gaining sexual experience and decreased sexual activity with equal disturbance of motivation and coitus. The number of males with absence of sexual activity was above that of the control group. We suggest that sexual dysfunction of offspring adulthood was provoked by introduction of ganglerone (N-cholinolytic) which had been injected on 9-11 and 12-14 days of gestation, and metamyzil (M-cholinolytic) injected on 9-11 days of gestation. Apparently, regulation of neuronal mechanisms for sexual function is disturbed as a consequence of lasting change in neurotransmitter activity. It is suggested that dopaminergic activity in brain limbic structures was affected the most. The significant decrease in blood testosterone values has also been elucidated.

Antiparkinson drugs used as prophylactics for nerve agents: studies of cognitive side effects in rats.

Antiparkinson agents possess excellent anticonvulsant properties against nerve agent-induced seizures by exerting both cholinergic and glutamatergic antagonisms. It is important, however, that drugs used as prophylactics not by themselves cause impairment of cognitive capability. The purpose of the present study was to make a comparative assessment of potential cognitive effects of benactyzine (0.3 mg/kg), biperiden (0.11 mg/kg), caramiphen (10 mg/kg), procyclidine (3 mg/kg), and trihexyphenidyl (0.12 mg/kg) separately and each in combination with physostigmine (0.1 mg/kg). The results showed that benactyzine, caramiphen, and trihexyphenidyl reduced rats' innate preference for novelty, whereas biperiden and procyclidine did not. When benactyzine, caramiphen, and trihexyphenidyl were combined with physostigmine the cognitive impairment disappeared. This counteracting effect, however, caused changes in locomotor and rearing activities not seen by each drug alone. Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors and anticholinergics used as prophylactics can offset each other, but exceptions are observed in a previous study when a very potent anticholinergic (scopolamine) or a high dose of procyclidine still results in cognitive deficits in spite of coadministration with physostigmine. Among the present drugs tested, procyclidine appears to be a robust anticonvulsant with few cognitive side effects.

[Method of treating parkinsonism with metamizil in combination with galanthamine (clinico-experimental basis)]. / Sposob lecheniia parkinsonizma metamizilom v sochetanii s galantaminom (kliniko-eksperimental'noe obosnovanie).

Using experimental models of parkinsonism, imitating the hypertonus of the parasympathetic system (hypokinesia, rigidity and tremor) following the intraperitoneal injection of the acetylcholinesterase inhibitor galanthamin (15 mg/kg) to mice, the authors showed that the m-cholinoblocker metamisyl (2 mg/kg) blocks all manifestations of the CNS parasympathetic hypertonus whereas the n-cholinoblocker eterofen (30 mg/kg) increases them. Based on the theory developed by the authors as to the reciprocity of interaction between the m- and n-cholinergic mechanisms within the framework of the single cholinergic system of the body, they offered the treatment of parkinsonism by the combined use of metamisyl (1-2 mg) and galanthamin (5-10 mg). Forty-five patients were treated with metamisyl alone and 40 patients with metamisyl coupled with galanthamin. The latter method of treatment proved to be more effective. The patients responded to the treatment immediately. It lasted 2-4 weeks. The follow-up showed that in some patients, the effect of the treatment stabilized and persisted for 4 weeks to 12 months without the use of the antiparkinsonian drugs. The authors emphasize that in cases of parkinsonism it is necessary to study and take into account the nature of changes in both intersystemic mediator interaction (between ACh and NA, ACh and D, ACh and 5-HT, etc.) and the intrasystemic one (between m- and n-cholino, alpha- and beta-adreno, D1 and D2, 5-HT1 and 5-HT2-ergic mechanisms).

Effects of benactyzine hydrochloride on dynamic vision functions.

We have investigated the effects of an anticholinergic drug, benactyzine HCl on vision and vision function. Our experiments assess the time course and severity of benactyzine effects on visual acuity for static and moving targets, amplitude and dynamics of accommodation, pupil response to light and the spatial contrast sensitivity function. A single dose of the drug (4.14 mg/70 kg body weight, which is within the therapeutic range) and placebo were administered intramuscularly to 12 subjects. Large and significant decrements in visual function were demonstrated after the administration of benactyzine, particularly for those functions performed at near focus. The drug effect was rapid in onset, beginning 7-10 min after injection, peaked at approximately 30-40 min, and declined to baseline values over the next 2 h. The drug increased pulse rate and blood pressure, and induced an intoxicated state involving loss of concentration, attention, and short-term memory.

[Experience in treating vascular parkinsonism with metamysil]. / Opyt lecheniia metamizilom sosudistogo parkinsonizma.

The paper is concerned with a study of the effect of metamizil in 45 patients with different forms of vascular parkinsonism. It was established that metamizil exerts a positive effect on the development of neurological symptoms (rigidity, bradykinesia, tremor) in mild and moderately expressed degrees of lesions. In most of the cases the drugs appeared effective in doses of 0.001 g thrice daily, and in separate cases 0.001 g 6 times daily. In the majority of patients metazil was tolerated without significant side effects. In some patients the side effects (vertigo, dryness in the mouth) were slightly expressed. The effect of treatment was seen after 2 days up to 2 weeks and lasted during the whole course of treatment and sometimes after it. Metamizil possessing a moderate sedative action, as well as spasmolytical and hypotensive is indicated for patients with vascular parkinsonism.