The involvement of nitric oxide (NO) in the reinforcing properties of opiate reward was studied by examining the effect of a NO precursor (L-arginine) and a NO synthase inhibitor (L-NAME) on the rate of intravenous self-administration of morphine. This experiment was investigated in male albino Sprague Dawley rats (300 ± 50 g). At doses of 5 and 10 mg/kg (i.p.), L-arginine decreased morphine ...

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Cannabinoids are associated with analgesia in acute and chronic pain states. A spectrum of central cannabinoid (CB(1)) receptor-mediated motor and psychotropic side effects limit their therapeutic potential. Here, we investigate the analgesic effect of the palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) analogue, palmitoylallylamide (L-29), which via inhibition of fatty acid amide hydrolase ...

Patients with severe immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) may require an acute increase in the platelet count for surgery or ongoing hemorrhage as well as long-term maintenance treatment. Certain of these patients may be refractory to steroids, intravenous anti-D, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), and splenectomy. Therefore, acute platelet increases were studied in 35 patients completely unre...

Myocardial NO signaling appears elevated in heart failure (HF). Whether this results from increased NO production, induction of the high-output NO synthase (NOS)2 isoform, or changes in NOS regulatory pathways (such as caveolae) remains controversial. We tested the hypothesis that increased abundance of caveolin-3 and/or sarcolemmal caveolae contribute to increased NO signaling in pacing-induce...

BACKGROUND In most countries with a high burden of tuberculosis, children with tuberculosis are prescribed isoniazid at dosages of 4-6 mg/kg/day, as recommended by international authorities. METHODS We studied isoniazid concentrations in 56 hospitalized children (median age, 3.22 years; interquartile range [IQR], 1.58-5.38 years) who received isoniazid daily (median dosage, 5.01 mg/kg/day; ra...

L-368,899 is a potent, orally-active oxytocin antagonist that completed phase I clinical trials for the prevention of preterm labor. The pharmacokinetics and disposition of L-368,899 were studied in rats (female and male) and dogs (female), the two species used in the toxicology studies. L-368,899 exhibited similar pharmacokinetics in rats and dogs. After iv dosing at 1, 2.5, and 10 mg/kg, the ...

The methanolic extract of leaves of Turnera ulmifolia L was evaluated for its effect on blood glucose in alloxan-induced diabetic and euglycemic rats. The extract were administered at three doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg, p.o. Glibenclamide (10 mg/kg, p.o.) was used as standard for control group. In euglycemic rat, extract were administered at three doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg, p.o. Extr...

The objective of the present investigation was to evaluate the effect of L-glutamine on cardiac myopathy in streptozotocin-nicotinamide induced diabetic rats. Diabetes was induced in overnight fasted Sprague Dawely rats by using intraperitonial injection of streptozotocin (55 mg/kg). Nicotinamide (100 mg/kg, i.p.) was administered 20 min before administration of streptozotocin. Experimental rat...

Immunophilins are abundantly present in the brain as compared to the immune system. Immunophilin-binding agents like FK506 are known to inactivate neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) by inhibiting calcineurin and decrease the production of nitric oxide. Nitric oxide is involved in the mediation of nociception at the spinal level. In the present study, the effect of FK506 on the tail flick res...