Prostaglandin E1-induced fever in rabbits pretreated with p-chlorophenylalanine.

The prostaglandin E1-induced fever was neither potentiated nor attenuated at all levels of the ambient temperatures (2, 22 and 32 degrees C) studied after pretreatment of the conscious rabbits with p-chlorophenylalanine, when compared to the untreated control.     

Pyrogen fever in rabbits pretreated with p-chlorophenylalanine or 5, 6-dihydroxytryptamine.

The hyperthermic effect of a bacterial pyrogen has been studied in rabbits pretreated or not with p-chlorophenylalanine or 5, 6-dihydroxytryptamine. The results obtained indicate that a selective reduction of cerebral 5-hydroxytryptamine levels by these drugs do not significantly affect pyrogen hypertermia.     

Pyrogen fever in rabbits pretreated withp-chlorophenylalanine or 5,6-dihydroxytryptamine

Summary The hyperthermic effect of a bacterial pyrogen has been studied in rabbits pretreated or not withp-chlorophenylalanine or 5,6-dihydroxytryptamine. The results obtained indicate that a selective reduction of cerebral 5-hydroxytryptamine levels by these drugs do not significantly affect pyrogen hypertermia.     

Prostaglandin E1 induced salivary secretion

Summary PGE₁ but not PGF₂ at 500–1000 g/kg induced a slow and sparse flow from the parotid and no flow at all from submaxillary glands. Composition of PGE₁-induced parotid saliva was quite different from that evoked by any autonomic agonists. The present study suggests that PGE₁ might act directly on parotid acinar cells.Acknowledgment. This work was supported by NIDR grant DE05633. The authors wish to thank Ms Sonya Wynn for her technical assistance.     

Pimozide and pyrogen-induced fever in rabbits

Summary Pimozide, a selective blocker of DA receptors, partly inhibits but does not suppress either the DA-induced hyperthermia or the LPS-induced fever in rabbits. This suggests that a common DA-related mechanism could be at least partly involved in both responses.Acknowledgments. We wish to thank Laboratories Le Brun (Paris) for the generous supply of pimozide.     

Aflatoxin B1 hepatotoxicity in rats pretreated with ethanol

Summary Ethanol pretreatment has the potentiation of the aflatoxin B₁-induced hepatotoxicity was indicated by an increase in the activities of plasma GPT, plasma GOT and in the severity of liver necrosis. The effect of ethanol pretreatment on an increase in the accumulation of liver triglycerides is additive in nature.     

Über die Wirkung von Prostaglandin E1 auf den Ca-Haushalt isolierter Meerschweinchenherzen

Summary The stimulatory effect of PGE₁ on different functions of isolated guinea-pig hearts (Langendorff method, Tyrode solution) was coupled with an increase in the rate of⁴⁵Ca uptake from the perfusion medium. The total myocardial Ca content and the amount of exchangeable cellular Ca were not affected. This action of PGE₁ on the myocardial Ca metabolism seems to be related to the positive inotropic action of PGE₁ and can most probably be explained by an increase in the membrane permeability to Ca ions (similar to the action of epinephrine).     

Role of 5-hydroxytryptamine in prostaglandin E1-induced potentiation of hexobarbitone hypnosis in albino rats

Summary PGE₁ potentiated, while diclofenac, a prostaglandin synthesis inhibitor, antagonized hexobarbitone hypnosis in rats. PGE₁-induced potentiation of hexobarbitone sleep was inhibited by a 5HT synthesis inhibitor and by a 5HT receptor blocker, suggesting that this potentiation is 5HT mediated.Acknowledgment. The gift of the following drugs are gratefully acknowledged: PGE₁ (Dr.J. E. Pike, Upjohn), diclofenac (Ciba-Geigy), methysergide (Sandoz) and hexobarbitone (Bayer).     

Prostaglandin E2 increases mechanically evoked potentials in the peripheral nerve

Summary Subdermal injections of PGE₂ (5 g) in the rat foot lead to increases in the potentials evoked in sensory nerve branches by the mechanical stimulation of the skin. This sensitization of both A and C fibres complements the previously described hyperalgesic effects of prostaglandins of the E series.     

Role of 5-hydroxytryptamine in prostaglandin E1-induced potentiation of hexobarbitone hypnosis in albino rats.

PGE1 potentiated, while diclofenac, a prostaglandin synthesis inhibitor, antagonized hexobarbitone hypnosis in rats. PGE1-induced potentiation of hexobarbitone sleep was inhibited by a 5HT synthesis inhibitor and by a 5HT receptor blocker, suggesting that this potentiation is 5HT mediated.     

Covalent binding of aflatoxin B1 to liver DNA in rats pretreated with ethanol

Male Fischer F-344 rats were given ethanol in the drinking water and/or by single oral administration. Following this, the animals received p.o. 100 ng/kg of the hepatocarcinogen [3H]aflatoxin B1 (AFB1). 24 h later, the level of DNA-bound AFB1 was determined in the liver and was found not to be affected by any type of ethanol pretreatment. A cocarcinogenic effect of ethanol in the liver is therefore unlikely to be due to an effect on the metabolic activation inactivation processes governing the formation of DNA-binding AFB1 metabolites.     

Covalent binding of aflatoxin B1 to liver DNA in rats pretreated with ethanol

Summary Male Fischer F-344 rats were given ethanol in the drinking water and/or by single oral administration. Following this, the animals received p.o. 100 ng/kg of the hepatocarcinogen [³H]aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁). 24 h later, the level of DNA-bound AFB₁ was determined in the liver and was found not to be affected by any type of ethanol pretreatment. A cocarcinogenic effect of ethanol in the liver is therefore unlikely to be due to an effect on the metabolic activation and inactivation processes governing the formation of DNA-binding AFB₁ metabolites.To whom correspondence should be addressed.Acknowledgment. We thank the European Science Foundation for the Toxicology Research Fellowship awarded to M.M.     

Induced increase of meprobamate metabolism in rats pretreated with phenobarbital or phenaglycodol in relation to age

Riassunto Si è osservato che il metabolismo del meprobamato è tanto più rapido quanto più giovani sono i ratti usati ed anche che l'induzione dell'aumento del metabolismoin vivo è tanto più intensa quanto più giovani sono i ratti usati.     

Antioxidant and prooxidant roles of copper in Tween 20-induced hemolysis of hamster and pig erythrocytes containing marginal vitamin E

The concentration-dependent effects of copper acting either as an antioxidant or as a prooxidant were examined in vitro using Tween 20-induced hemolysis. When cupric ion concentration was more than 10 M, free copper(II) acted as a prooxidant; both extensive hemolysis and production of unknown thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance occurred in hamster and pig erythrocytes irrespective of vitamin E status. However, when cupric ion concentration was 2–4 M in the incubation medium, copper showed a clear antioxidant activity, reducing both hemolysis and malondialdehyde production induced either by diluted peroxide-containing Tween 20 with ascorbic acid and sodium azide in vitamin E-deficient hamster erythrocytes, or by peroxide-containing Tween 20 in pig erythrocytes containing marginal amounts of vitamin E. Copper(II) is taken up by the erythrocytes, where copper(I)-complexes may contribute to the protection of cells with membrane vitamin E against oxidative radical attack.