The effect of hypo- and hyperthyroidism on uterine and cervical collagens and glycosidases in albino rats.

The effect of hypo- and hyperthyroidism on uterine and cervical collagen and glycosidases were studied in mature albino rats. Hypothyroidism significantly increased the salt-soluble, acid-soluble, insoluble and total collagen in the uterus and cervix. However, all of these collagens were significantly decreased in the hyperthyroid condition. The activities of alpha- and beta-galactosidases and glucosidases were significantly decreased in the uterus and cervix of hypothyroid rats, whereas, in hyperthyroid rats, all of these enzymes were significantly increased in the uterus and cervix. The data obtained in the present study suggested that the increase in lysosomal enzymes increased the degradation of uterine and cervical collagen. In contrast, the decrease in lysosomal enzymes in hypothyroid condition increased uterine and cervical collagen by decreasing degradation.

Interaction of estradiol, progesterone and corticosterone on uterine connective tissue degrading enzymes.

The impact of ovarian hormones and corticosterone acetate on uterine connective tissue degrading enzymes were studied in mature albino rats. Ovariectomy resulted in a significant increase in the activities of alpha- and beta-galactosidases and glucosidases in the uterus. Administration of estradiol to ovariectomized rats brought back the activities of alpha-galactosidase and alpha-glucosidase to normalcy. While beta-galactosidase and beta-glucosidase were significantly decreased. Administration of progesterone to ovariectomized rats resulted in the increase of alpha- and beta-galactosidases and glucosidases. Administration of corticosterone to ovariectomized rats produced a further increase in alpha- and beta-galactosidases and glucosidases in the uterus. Adrenalectomy in ovary intact rats produced a decrease in alpha-galactosidase however, beta-glucosidase was significantly increased. Administration of corticosterone to ovary intact rats significantly increased the activities of alpha- and beta-galactosidases, while alpha- and beta-glucosidases were found to be decreased. Ovariectomy resulted in a significant increase in the activities of cathepsin-D and cathepsin-E. Administration of estradiol to ovariectomized rats brought back the activity of cathepsin-D to normalcy, whereas cathepsin-E was significantly increased. Administration of progesterone as well as estradiol to ovariectomized rats significantly increased the levels of cathepsin-E, however, cathepsin-D was brought back to normalcy. Administration of corticosterone to ovariectomized rats as well as ovariectomy + adrenalectomy significantly increased the activity of cathepsin-D and cathepsin-E. Adrenalectomy significantly decreased the activity of cathepsin-D, while administration of corticosterone increased the cathepsin-D and cathepsin-E in the uterus. Therefore, these results suggest that estradiol is a potent ovarian steroid protecting the extra cellular matrix components. The effect of progesterone appears to modulate and act hand in hand with estradiol. Corticosterone appears to have an opposite effect to that of estradiol.

Influence of corticosterone acetate on the spleen in intact and ovariectomized rats.

Increasing evidence of the interaction of glucocorticoids and ovarian steroids prompted the current study. Effects of exogenously administered corticosterone acetate (3.5 mg/100 g b.w/day for one week) were examined on splenic nucleic acids, protein, lactate, and on lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) specific activity and its isozymes in ovariectomized and ovary-intact Wistar rats (65-75 days old). Ovariectomy resulted in no significant change in the parameters studied except DNA which increased significantly. The administration of corticosterone to these rats did not produce any remarkable change in the ovariectomy caused increase in splenic DNA content. Nevertheless, it decreased the ratio of heart type subunits (H)/muscle type subunits (M) [H/M] of LDH isozymes. In the case of ovary-intact rats, corticosterone produced an increase in the concentration of splenic lactate but a decrease in the H/M ratio. Exogenously administered corticosterone exerts selective synergistic interaction with ovarian hormones on splenic lactate. The specific activity of LDH and the concentrations of RNA and protein remained unchanged during the interaction between ovarian hormones and corticosterone.

Labetalol in the control of cardiovascular responses to electroconvulsive therapy in high-risk depressed medical patients.

Labetalol, a drug with alpha- and beta-adrenergic receptor blocking effects, was used to attenuate hypertension and tachycardia associated with electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in a series of 11 elderly patients with refractory depression and cardiovascular disease in a placebo-controlled, double-blind crossover study design. As compared with placebo, labetalol was found to blunt mean arterial pressure (MAP) increase by up to 8.26% (p less than .001), heart rate increased by up to 26.07% (p less than .001), frequency of atrial arrhythmias by up to 100% (p less than .01), and premature ventricular contractions by 41.97%. No untoward side effects were observed, and no effect on treatment outcome was noted. Labetalol appears to be an effective and safe agent to use in decreasing hypertension, tachycardia, and possibly arrhythmias in high-risk medical patients with cardiovascular disease undergoing ECT.