Effects of brain monoamine depletion on thermoregulation,active avoidance,and food and water intake in rats

Summary Intraventricular administration of 6-OHDA or 5,6-DHT suppressed food intake, whereas their effect on active avoidance produced a suppression with the former and an enhancement with the latter. The increased water intake was specifically associated with 5,6-DHT treatment in rats.This work supported by grants from the National Science Council (Republic of China), J. Aron Charitable Foundation (USA) and John B. Pierce Foundation (USA). The authors are grateful to Drs C.Y. Chai and H. H. Lu for their support and advice.     

Respective effects on locomotor activity of injections of 5, 7-DHT in median raphe nucleus and of 6-OHDA in the mesolimbic dopaminergic group area in the rat]

This experiment was performed in order to demonstrate that the locomotor hyperactivity provoked by a radiofrequency lesion of the ventral mesencephalic tegmentum-A10 DA group area was not due to a 5-HT fiber damage. Four groups of Rats were used. First groups II and IV received a 5, 7-DHT injection in the median raphe; groups I and III received the vehicle. Locomotor activity was measured in a circular corridor 10 and 30 days; no hyperactivity was obtained. Then the same groups received a 6-OHDA injection, bilaterally in the A 10 area (groups III and IV) or the vehicle (groups I and II); the activity was measured 10 days later: significant hyperactivity was obtained with groups III and IV, without statistical differences between these two groups. In conclusion (i) 5-HT neurons are not directly involved in the VMT-hyperactivity, (ii) the DA A 10 neurons seem to be a critical anatomical target for this symptom.     

Über pharmakodynamisch interessante Aminoalkylderivate von Acridan- und Phenthiazinhomologen

Summary The synthesis of aminoalkyl derivatives of 1-aza-2, 3; 5,6-dibenzocycloheptadiene (homoacridane) and 1-aza-4-thia-2, 3; 5,6-dibenzocycloheptadiene (homophenothiazine) is described. Salts of these bases possess high antihistamine and local anaesthetic activity.     

Correlation between acidic phospholipids and serotonin and between lysolecithin and dopamine in ganglia of the marine mussel,Mytilus edulis

Summary These studies have demonstrated a positive correlation between the acidic phospholipids and the serotonin content and between the lysolecithin and the dopamine content in the cerebral, pedal and visceral ganglia ofMytilus edulis. These relationships were further supported by experiments utilizing 6-hydroxydopamine and 5,6-dihydroxytryptamine.This study was partially supported by USPHS grant NS 10845 to Dr E. Aiello of Fordham University.Presently at Medgar Evers College of C.U.N.Y., Brooklyn, N.Y. 11225.     

1,1-Dimethyl-5,6-dihydroxyindolinium chloride from a deep water marine sponge,Dercitus sp.

Summary 1,1-Dimethyl-5,6-dihydroxyindolinium chloride (1a)was identified from a deep water sample of the marine sponge,Dercitus sp., and its structure was elucidated by spectral methods.Acknowledgments. This is Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution, Inc., SeaPharm Project Contribution No. 612. We thank Drs K. Rinehart, Jr, S. Pomponi and E. Armstrong for sponge collection.     

The effects of brain monoamine depletion on p-chlorophenyl-alanine-induced hypothermia.

I.p. administration of p-chlorophenylalanine produced a fall in rectal temperature in rats. The hypothermia was attenuated after pretreatment of the animals with 5,6-dihydroxytryptamine, but was unaffected after pretreatment of the animals with 6-hydroxydopamine.     

Selenium and selenoproteins in mammals: extraordinary,essential, enigmatic

Selenium (Se), once known only for its potential toxicity, is now well established as an essential trace element for mammals. Insufficient Se intake predisposes to and manifests in a variety of diseases. Recent studies have proven that it is the synthesis of selenocysteine (Sec)-containing proteins, designated selenoproteins, which represents an essential prerequisite for regular development and a long and healthy life. New transgenic mouse models analysing those selenoproteins with proven enzymatic functions displayed particular phenotypes and highlighted essential Se-dependent processes in development, growth or against specific challenges. While there is a growing molecular understanding of and general agreement on the importance of sufficiently high Se intake and undisturbed selenoprotein biosynthesis, many of the recently identified selenoproteins are still uncharacterised, and the effects and consequences of supra-physiological Se dosages are not biochemically understood. With the recent definition of the human and mouse selenoproteomes and a growing number of available tools, the Se field is now geared for a great leap forward. Se biology has already broadened our knowledge about the genetic code and about protein translation. It now holds great promises also for a better understanding of some key aspects of cancer, inflammation, fertility and prevention of age-associated diseases.Received 17 March 2004; received after revision 29 April 2004; accepted 27 May 2004     

Noradrenolutin

Zusammenfassung Herstellung und einige Eigenschaften von kristallinem Noradrenolutin (5,6-Dioxyindoxyl), dem gelbgrün fluoreszierenden Oxydationsprodukt von Noradrenalin, werden beschrieben.     

Enzymatic activities in the liver, and muscle nucleic acids, in swine receiving an unbalanced diet with an excess of methionine for 100 days

Twelve growing Swine were fed an 18% protein diet (Maize and Soja bean) for one hundred days containing either 0,6% sulfur amino acids (basal diet) or 0,6% and 1% DL-methionine added to the control diet. Such an excess, reduced food intake and body weight gain mainly during the "finishing period" (60 to 100 kg). The RNA/DNA and protein/DNA ratios in the muscle did not show any difference. Hepatic activities of some enzymes involved in glycolysis, gluconeogenesis and amino acid metabolism, were unchanged, except that of methionine adenosyl transferase, the first step of transsulfuration, which was induced in proportion with the amount of the methionine ingested. Swine seemed to adapt to the excessive methionine intake, which did not show any toxicity in our experimental conditions.     

Platelets, endothelium and blood vessel wall

Aggregating platelets cause contraction of vascular smooth muscle, because they release serotonin and thromboxane A2. If the platelets aggregate in a blood vessel with intact intima, the platelet-products cause endothelium-dependent relaxation of the underlying smooth muscle. Hence, the presence of an intact intima considerably reduces the vasospastic response to platelet-aggregation. The major platelet products which trigger endothelium-dependent relaxations are the adenine nucleotides and serotonin. The ability of the endothelium to prevent platelet-induced vasospasm is augmented after chronic intake of cod liver oil, but is reduced after previous intimal injury.     

Gastrointestinal transit and digestibility of maltitol,sucrose and sorbitol in rats: A multicompartmental model and recovery study

Using data obtained with a dye marker and the gavage technique, the kinetics of gastrointestinal transit of different loads of sugar substitutes (maltitol, sorbitol) and sugar (sucrose) in the rat were analysed using a linear multicompartmental model over a range from the realistic to the non-physiologic high, of carbohydrate intake levels and using only a few experimental time points. The model gave detailed insight into intestinal propulsion and gastrocecal transit time. Rate constants of transport between the compartments investigated were determined; they showed characteristics which could be related to the substance and the dosage administered. Analyses of the gastrointestinal content and calculations of the intestinal net water movement showed that the digestibility and absorption of the disaccharide sugar alcohol, maltitol, in the small gut depended inversely on the dose ingested. For all substances tested, caloric availability in the small intestine was calculated. At a physiological low level of maltitol intake, the results also indicated an insignificant calorie-saving effect in comparison to sucrose, an effect based mainly on the slow absorption rate of the maltitol cleavage product sorbitol.     

Gastrointestinal transit and digestibility of maltitol, sucrose and sorbitol in rats: a multicompartmental model and recovery study.

Using data obtained with a dye marker and the gavage technique, the kinetics of gastrointestinal transit of different loads of sugar substitutes (maltitol, sorbitol) and sugar (sucrose) in the rat were analysed using a linear multicompartmental model over a range from the realistic to the non-physiologic high, of carbohydrate intake levels and using only a few experimental time points. The model gave detailed insight into intestinal propulsion and gastrocecal transit time. Rate constants of transport between the compartments investigated were determined; they showed characteristics which could be related to the substance and the dosage administered. Analyses of the gastrointestinal content and calculations of the intestinal net water movement showed that the digestibility and absorption of the disaccharide sugar alcohol, maltitol, in the small gut depended inversely on the dose ingested. For all substances tested, caloric availability in the small intestine was calculated. At a physiological low level of maltitol intake, the results also indicated an insignificant calorie-saving effect in comparison to sucrose, an effect based mainly on the slow absorption rate of the maltitol cleavage product sorbitol.     

Antihypertensive and central nervous system depressant properties of 3-(γ-p-fluorobenzoyl propyl) 2,3,4,4a,5,6-hexahydro-1(H)-pyrazino(1,2-a) quinoline hydrochloride (compound 69-183, centpyraquin)

Zusammenfassung Centpyraquin (3-(-p-fluorobenzyl propyl) 2,3,4,4a,5,6-hexahydro-1(H)-pyrazino (1,2-a) quinoline hydrochloride) zeigte hypotensive Aktivität bei narkotisierten wie auch bei wachen Katzen. Es senkt auch den Blutdruck bei Ratten mit nephrogenem Hochdurck. Die Hypotension scheint auf einem peripheren Mechanismus zu beruhen.

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Thanks are due to Drs.M. L. Dhar andN. Anand for their interest in the work.

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Communication No. 1600 from the Central Drug Research Institute; Lucknow.     

Effects of hypothalamic injections of 5,6-dihydroxytryptamine on thermoregulation in rats.

5,6-Dihydroxytryptamine, a serotonin depletor, infused directly into the anterior hypothalamus of rat's brain, produced an increase in both heat production and heat loss (as indicated by changes in peripheral circulation) at temperatures of 8, 15 and 22 degrees C. The rectal temperature of these treated rats remained constant.     

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.     

The oxidative Dephosphorylation of phosphoryl esters derived froml -ascorbic acid

Zusammenfassung Die 2- und 3-Phenylphosphorylester von 5,6-Isopropylidenl-ascorbinsäure wurden synthetisiert. Nach Oxydierung in Wasser oder Äthanol übertragen diese Ester ihre Phosphorylgruppe auf das Lösungsmittel.     

Preparation of 5,6-o-isopropylidene-l-ascorbic acid

Zusammenfassung Die Synthese der 5,6-o-Isopropyliden-l-ascorbinsäure mit Hilfe von Chlorwasserstoffgas wird beschrieben.

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Supported by PHS Research Grant CA-03994-06.     

The structure of adrenochrome and its reduction products

Zusammenfassung Für das Adrenochrom wird, gestützt auf die physikalischen Eigenschaften und das Verhalten bei der Reduktion, eine Zwitterionenstruktur vorgeschlagen. Zwei Reduktionsprodukte, und zwar 5,6-dihydroxy-N-methylindol und 2,3,5,6-tetrahydroxy-N-methyldihydroindol, konnten isoliert und charakterisiert werden. Die erwartete Reduktionsstufe,Leuko-Adrenochrom, konntenicht erhalten werden.Es wird ein Reduktionsmechanismus in Vorschlag gebracht, bei dem als Zwischenstufe ein Semichinon beteiligt ist. Dieser Zwischenkörper dürfte bei biologischen Oxydationen, die das Adrenochrom betreffen, eine Rolle spielen.     

Activité staphylostatique de composés du groupe des benzophénarsazines

Summary It is shown that certain compounds belonging to the group of angular benzophenarsazines display a high specific bacteriostatic activity towardsMicrococcus pyogenes var.aureus. This biological property provides a further ground of similarity between these compounds and one of their structural analogues, 3,4–5,6-dibenzocarbazole.     

Chronic hydrogen peroxide intake and peroxide metabolizing enzyme activities in some tissues of mice and rats

Chronic daily intake of 0.5% H2O2 in drinking water decreased Se-dependent glutathione peroxidase (Se-GSHPx) activity in rat skeletal muscle, kidney and liver. Non-Se GSHPx activity decreased in kidney. Deprivation of drinking water decreased Se-GSHPx activity in kidney and non-Se GSHPx activity in kidney and liver. H2O2 intake decreased activity of catalase in rat skeletal muscle. H2O2 intake or water deprivation caused no changes in these enzyme activities in mice.