Antiepileptic potential and behavioral profile of L-pGlu-(2-propyl)-L-His-L-ProNH2, a newer thyrotropin-releasing hormone analog.

Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) and its analogs have a number of neurobiological functions and therapeutic uses in disorders of the central nervous system. In this study, the newly synthesized TRH analogs were evaluated for central nervous system activity in pentobarbital-induced sleeping in mice. The most potent TRH analog (L-pGlu-(2-propyl)-L-His-L-ProNH(2) coded as NP-647) was evaluated for its antiepileptic potential in various seizure models in mice in comparison with TRH. Intravenous pretreatment with NP-647 (10 and 20 micromol/kg body wt) significantly delayed the onset and reduced the frequency of convulsions in the pentylenetetrazole model, but not in the maximum electroshock seizure model. Also, it was found to be protective against picrotoxin- and kainic acid-induced seizures. However, NP-647 did not significantly affect theophylline-induced seizures. Further study of the effect of NP-647 on locomotor activity and a functional observational battery revealed that it did not significantly exhibit any undesirable effects as compared with vehicle and TRH. NP-647 did not significantly affect cerebral blood flow, whereas the native peptide TRH markedly increased cerebral blood flow. Furthermore, NP-647 exerted antiepileptic activity without significantly altering plasma thyroid-stimulating hormone levels and mean arterial blood pressure. This suggests that NP-647 is more selective for central nervous system activity and devoid of hormonal and cerebrovascular system effects. In contrast, TRH exhibited cardiac and endocrine effects as marked by significant elevation in mean arterial blood pressure and plasma thyroid-stimulating hormone levels. This study demonstrates that NP-647 has potential antiepileptic activity devoid of undesirable effects and, thus, can be exploited for the prevention and treatment of epilepsy.

Noise induced hearing loss (NIHL) in saw mill and printing press workers in Akluj Town of Solapur district.

Noise pollution and allied health problems are seen at all ages worldwide. This is due to increase in mechanization in industries, transportation as well as home appliances produce high level of noise. Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) is common health complaint found in industrial workers. The present research work reveals the NIHL problem in workers related to saw mill and printing press in Akluj town, Solapur district of Maharashatra state. For the present study measurement of noise levels are done in saw mills and printing presses. The standard noise level value is calculated in respective locations. Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) among the workers is measured by an Audiometer. 420 workers, viz. 250 from ten saw mills and 170 from ten printing presses respectively were investigated to find out NIHL. The average noise levels in printing press and saw mill are 90.2 dB and 79.3 dB respectively. Whereas standard noise level (Leq) in above locations are 101.4 dB and 98.7 dB respectively. The average NIHL are found in 28% saw mill workers and 13% in printing press workers. It is reported that medicine treatments are not very useful for curing NIHL. Today's available tool which prevents NIHL is ear plugs and ear muffs, which are suitable for preventing NIHL problems in industrial workers.