Effects of atenolol injected into the nucleus accumbens septi in rats in the elevated plus-maze test.

Background In previous studies, we have observed that glutamate antagonists injected within the nucleus accumbens septi (NAS) induced an anxiolytic-like effect in the elevated plus maze (EPM) test in rats. In the present study, the effect of Atenolol, a specific Beta Adreno-receptor antagonist in the EPM was studied in male rats bilaterally cannulated NAS. Methods Rats were divided into five groups that received either 1 µL injections of saline or atenolol in different doses (0.75, 1 or 2 µg/1 µL, n=15-16) 15 min before testing. Results Time Spent in the Open Arm was modified by treatment (F=4.563, p=0.006, df 3). This was increased by the lowest dose of atenolol (p<0.05), by the medium doses (p<0.001) and also by the highest dose (p<0.01). Time per Entry was modified by treatment (F=4.54, p=0.06, df 3). This parameter was increased by the lowest dose of atenolol (p<0.01), but not for the medium and higher doses. Conclusions We conclude that Atenolol beta receptor blockade in the accumbens lead to an anxiolytic-like effect related to an increase in the time spent in the open arm and in the time per entry, showing specific behavioral patterns.

[Kawasaki disease: heart disease during childhood]. / Enfermedad de Kawasaki: afección cardiaca durante la infancia.

The aim of this study was to determine risk factors for coronary lesions, the type of heart lesion present, and long-term outcome in Kawasaki disease. We studied 150 children, aged 3 months to 9.5 years, who met the criteria for a diagnosis of Kawasaki disease. Of the 18% who were diagnosed with heart disease, 100% had coronary artery abnormalities, 11.1% had pancarditis, and 3.7%, mitral insufficiency. The coronary abnormalities were classified according severity as follows: diffuse ectasia in 40.7%; a small-to-medium-sized solitary coronary artery aneurysm in 33.3%; numerous small-to-medium-sized aneurysms in 11.1%; giant aneurysms in 11.1%; and coronary artery stenosis in 3.7%. The presence of pancarditis was a predictor of a giant coronary artery aneurysm. Mortality was 3.7%. Coronary aneurysm was the predominant heart lesion. The risk factors for coronary aneurysm in Kawasaki disease included age less than 27 months, fever lasting more than 8 days, erythrocyte sedimentation greater than 70 mm, and pancarditis.