The effect of repetitive electrical field stimulation and the response of the guinea-pig and rat ileal longitudinal muscle to single pulse stimulations was examined. Single pulse field stimulation produced twitch contraction which was inhibited by repetitive field stimulation (10 Hz, 40V, 0.5 msec for 5 m). This inhibition was largely, though never completely, reversed by naloxone. Contrac...

Neste trabalho apresentamos um método de eletroforese capilar simples e de baixo custo para determinação ultra-rápida de princípios ativos presentes em três formulações farmacêuticas diferentes: (i) escopolamina (SCO) e dipirona (DIP); (ii) orfenadrina (ORP), cafeína (CAF) e DIP; (iii) mepiramina (MEP), CAF, DIP e ácido ascórbico (AA). O método proposto é baseado em eletroforese capilar com det...

The discovery of synthetic antihistaminic substances has had a great influence on studies of the cellular defense mechanism. Experiments with antihistamines have permitted better understanding of the functioning of certain defence processes. These substances inhibit the formation of the first barrier against bacterial invaders, and also the phagocytic activity of fixed (8,9, 10) and mobile (4, ...

Mast cell activation and degranulation can result in the release of various chemical mediators, such as histamine and cytokines, which significantly affect sleep. Mast cells also exist in the central nervous system (CNS). Since up to 50% of histamine contents in the brain are from brain mast cells, mediators from brain mast cells may significantly influence sleep and other behaviors. In this st...

Bites by tarantulas (Theraphosidae, Mygalomorphae) in humans can result in mild clinical manifestations such as local pain, erythema, and edema. Vitalius dubius is a medium-sized, nonaggressive theraphosid found in southeastern Brazil. In this work, we investigated the mediators involved in the plasma extravasation caused by V. dubius venom in rats. The venom caused dose-dependent (0.1-100 μg/s...

The pharmacological characteristics of hindlimb scratching induced by serotonergic compounds were studied. We conclude that hindlimb scratching induced by serotonergic compounds is mediated by a serotonin1D (5-HT1D) or 5-HT1D-like receptor outside the blood-brain barrier because hindlimb scratching could be induced by s.c. injection of 5-methoxytryptamine (5-MeOT), 5-carboxamidotryptamine (5-CT...

The ability of human umbilical endothelial cells to release relaxing substance(s) in response to different agonists was investigated. Endothelium-denuded aortic rings of rats were used for the bioassay and tension recording. After precontraction, this preparation showed no response to histamine, acetylcholine, A 23187, or adenosine triphosphate while serotonin elicited further contraction. Supe...

BACKGROUND The bark of Terminalia arjuna L. (Combretaceae) is used in Ayurveda since ancient times for the treatment of cardiac disorders. Previous laboratory investigations have demonstrated the use of the bark in cardiovascular complications. The present study was aimed to find the effect of 70% alcoholic extract of Terminalia arjuna on anaesthetized dog blood pressure and probable site of ac...

Intravascular challenge of isolated perfused and ventilated guinea pig lung (IPL) from actively sensitized guinea pigs, with cumulatively increasing (10-10,000 microg) doses of ovalbumin (OVA), resulted in dose-dependent and reproducible reductions in lung conductance. The antihistamines mepyramine (1 microM) and metiamide (1 microM), the leukotriene antagonist zafirlukast (0.1 microM), or the ...

The human histamine H(4)-receptor (hH(4)R) possesses high constitutive activity and, like the human H(1)-receptor (hH(1)R), is involved in the pathogenesis of type-I allergic reactions. The study aims were to explore the value of dual H(1)/H(4)R antagonists as antiallergy drugs and to address the question of whether H(1)R ligands bind to hH(4)R. In an acute murine asthma model, the H(1)R antago...