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Biomedical subjects

G Mack

Publications and source records attributed to G Mack.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1982

Effect of valproic acid on brain serotonin metabolism in isolated and grouped rats.

The effect of the GABA transaminase inhibitor valproic acid (DPA) on serotonin (5HT) metabolism of different brain regions were studied in both grouped and isolated rats. One hour after DPA injection 5HT levels in the amygdala were increased in grouped and isolated rats. In the hypothalamus of grouped rats, changes in 5HT metabolism were also found. The alteration in 5HT metabolism in grouped rats was reversed 150 min after injection of DPA. At this same time, a large and significant increase in 5HT turnover was observed in all brain areas examined in isolated rats. It can be concluded that prolonged isolation induces a differential sensitivity to the effects of DPA leading to differences in 5HT metabolism: the drug effect being more intense in isolated rats.

Animals↗
PubMed1981

[Drug treatment of apnoea in premature infants (author's transl)].

Primary apnoea in premature infants can be treated by three categories of drugs. Drugs of the first category act on chemoreceptors and include doxapram and possibly almitrine if the latter proves non-toxic during the neonatal period. Phenobarbitone is so far the only representative of the second category of drugs which alter the pattern of sleep. As for the third category, it has the second messenger of respiratory centres for target and includes the phosphodiesterase's inhibitor (not yet tried in man) and the xanthines. At the moment, xanthines are the drugs of choice, since they are both effective and safe, provided dosage is adjusted to each patient.

Apnea↗
PubMed1981

[Influence of the GABAergic system on eating behavior induced by the tail pinching technic in rats].

The present experiment was undertaken to investigate the possible involvement of GABAergic neurons in the regulation of the feeding behavior induced by tail pinching. Injections before the tail pinching of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) agonist (Muscimol: 570 micrograms.kg-1 i.p. 20 min before testing), GABA antagonist (Picrotoxine: 1,5 mg.kg-1 i.p. 30 min before testing) and a GABA transaminase inhibitor (Acetate dipropyle: 200 mg.kg-1 i.p. 40 min before testing) have no effects on the ingestion of sweet milk. These preliminary results provide support for the hypothesis that the feeding behavior induced by TP is not mediated through GABAergic system.

Animals↗
PubMed1979

Modifications in the sarcoplasmic reticulum and subcellular calcium distribution in skeletal muscle in a case of Westphal's disease (hypokalemic periodic paralysis).

In a case of hypokalemic periodic paralysis with characteristic alterations of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) in the skeletal muscle, subcellular calcium re-partition, as revealed with the pyroantimonate technique, appears disturbed during paralysis. Pyroantimonate precipitates, normally concentrated in the terminal cisternae of the SR, were localized in the T tubules, whereas the terminal cisternae appeared empty. The increase (about 14%) in muscular calcium during paralysis may result from the accumulation of calcium in the extracellular compartment (T tubules). Defects in calcium uptake and storage by the SR may be involved in the pathogenesis of the periodic paralysis syndrome.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1979

Cholinergic involvement in ethanol intoxication and withdrawal-induced seizure susceptibility.

The enzymes of the cholinergic system have been investigated in discrete brain areas in alcohol-dependent rats, which were still intoxicated or were undergoing withdrawal. The ethanol intoxication resulted in a slight, but significant increase in choline acetyltransferase (CAT) activity in the caudate nucleus both 1 and 7 h after the last dose of ethanol. We also found a significant decrease in CAT activity in the temporal limbic cortex while rats were highly intoxicated. All other brain regions investigated, e.g., cerebellum, pons-medulla, frontoparietal cortex, hypothalamus and septum showed unchanged CAT activity. Rats were also analysed immediately following the onset of a withdrawal-induced audiogenic convulsive seizure where, in addition to the striatum, depressed CAT activity was observed in the hippocampus. In all the analysed situations acetylcholinesterase activity remained unchanged. These results show that ethanol intoxication leads to a perturbation in the synthetic capacity of acetylcholine in certain defined brain structures and that this may have some correlation to the observed behavioural impairments.

Acetylcholinesterase↗
PubMed1979

Effects of apomorphine and sodium Di-n-propylacetate on the aggressive behaviour of three strains of mice.

1. The effects of apomorphine and sodium Di-n-propylacetate (DPA, sodium valproate) on pain-induced aggressive behavior were investigated in three inbred strains of mice: BALB/c, C57B1/6 and DBA/2, which exhibited spontaneously low levels of aggression. 2. Apomorphine elicited aggressive behavior in the three strains, the range of effective doses being different for each strain of mice. 3. Di-n-propylacetate was effective in inhibiting apomorphine elicited aggression but the three strains exhibited a different sensitivity to this drug. 4. The effects of Di-n-propylacetate were not related to pain sensitivity, posture and locomotion. Only C57 strain exhibited a slight postural and locomotor impairment when injected with a higher dose of Di-n-propylacetate. 5. The results are discussed in terms of a genetic inference and of biological differences existing between these three strains.

Aggression↗
PubMed1978

[Renewal of noradrenaline in different zones of the central nervous system of inbred mice strains and their recombinants].

A good correlation exists between the learning capacity and norepinephrine metabolism in the neocortex of C57 and Balb inbred Mice strains, as well as their F1 hybrids and seven recombinant inbred strains derived from their cross. The animals with a better learning performance are characterised by low levels of norepinephrine, as well as a slow metabolic rate of this neurotransmitter in the cortex. Such a correlation has not been found to exist in the other cerebral regions studied.

Animals↗
PubMed1978

Comparative study of miscellaneous properties of cysteine sulfinate transaminase and glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase in chick retina homogenate.

The activity, properties, and developmental pattern of cysteine sulfinate transaminase (CSA-T) were studied in chick retina and compared with the activity, properties, and developmental pattern of glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT). Their optimum pH is identical whereas the effect of pyridoxal phosphate seems to be different. Developmental patterns are also different. The Km and Vm of CSA-T and GOT were determined in chick retina homogenate. These results suggest that two different enzymes are responsible for the transamination of cysteine sulfinate (CSA) and aspartate.

Aging↗
PubMed1978

[The effects of phenylbutazone on the decrease of lithium clearance].

During the treatment of a manic depressive patient, the authors reported some lithium toxicity signs, as lithium carbonate (3 X 300 mg p.d.) and phenylbutazone suppository (3 X 250 mg/p.d.) were associated, this last medication being prescribed for a phlebitis. Lithiemia increased from .70 to 1,44 mEq/l., the lithiemia clearance falling from 10 ml to 5 ml/mn/1.73 m2) and the lithium tubular reabsorption percentage increasing from 85 to 94% (standard rates: 77.4 +/- 1.3%). In a second time, a rat experimentation corroborated these findings: phenylbutazone treatment (100 mg/kg/p.o. for five days) resulted in a lithium tubular reabsorption increase. It seems that the association of lithium carbonate with phenylbutazone should be avoided. The authors point out the risk of prescribing lithium and pyrazolic by-products as phenylbutazone, which are potentially nephrotoxic.

Animals↗