This study examined the effect of two high doses (3 or 6 mg/kg/day) of nicotine administrations via injections to pregnant rats on the dopaminergic, serotonergic, and noradrenergic systems in six brain regions in young adult male rats. The 3 mg/kg/day and 6 mg/kg/ day nicotine exposure resulted in significant decreases in dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) content in the neocortex and in both the neocortex and in the midbrain plus pons medulla, respectively, without any effects on the other brain regions such as the hypothalamus or striatum. No significant effects of prenatal nicotine were found on norepinephrine, serotonin, or 5-hydroxy-3-indolacetic acid levels. These data demonstrated that prenatal nicotine induced disturbances in the dopaminergic system in the young adult period. Furthermore, the region-specific reductions in the DOPAC content suggests that the exposure to a high dose of nicotine in utero might cause a predisposition to diseases related to a dopaminergic dysfunction in the frontal cortex.

3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic Acid↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Isolation, structure, and synthesis of novel 4-quinolinone alkaloids from Esenbeckia leiocarpa.

Two new biocidal quinolinone alkaloids, 3-methoxy-1-methyl-2-propyl-4-quinolone [1] and 2(1'-ethylpropyl)-1-methyl-4-quinolone [2], were efficiently isolated using reversed-phase recycling hplc from the leaves of Esenbeckia leiocarpa. The structures were determined through spectroscopic data and confirmed by total synthesis. These alkaloids have antifeedant activities against the pink bollworm, Pectinophora gossypiella.

Alkaloids↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Relationship between body mass index and anti-hypertensive efficacy of doxazosin according to a survey of Japanese patients.

In this cross-sectional study, we surveyed a population of 101 hypertensive patients in Japan to determine the efficacy of the blood pressure lowering effect of alpha 1-blockers in relation to their body mass index (BMI). We found that doxazosin was frequently administered to obese hypertensive patients; many patients treated with doxazosin were taking concomitant medication. We also demonstrated that the higher the dose of doxazosin, the lower the ambulatory blood pressure measured in the out-patient clinic. Doxazosin showed a more favourable blood pressure lowering effect in patients with a higher BMI. These results suggest that anti-hypertensive drugs are useful when used in obese patients receiving multiple concomitant medications. These patients would normally be considered to show a poor response to anti-hypertensive treatment. Furthermore, we expect the alpha 1-blocker doxazosin to demonstrate a dose-dependent effect in obese patients with hypertension.

Adult↗