[An impact of neuroprotective therapy on blood rheological and morphodensitometric parameters in patients with chronic cerebral ischemia].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the dynamics of aggregation of platelets and erythrocytes, their deformity and computed morphodensitometric parameters in patients with chronic cerebral ischemia, stages I and II, treated with cerebrolysin. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We examined 300 patients, including 87 men and 213 women, aged from 30 to 55 years. Patients were randomized by disease stage and treatment (standard treatment with or without cerebrolysin). The dynamics of neurological and emotional status as well as cognitive functions and results of laboratory studies were assessed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Along with the total positive effect of cerebrolysin on the clinical picture, additional mechanisms of its action (antiaggregant, antihypoxic and membranotropic) improved the erythrocyte morphodensitometric parameters, hemostatic, hemorheological and blood gas transport characteristics, in particular on the microcirculatory level.

A contribution to the taxonomy, cytogenetics and reproductive biology of the genus Aclerda Signoret (Homoptera, Coccinea, Aclerdidae).

A new species of scale insects, Aclerda pseudozoysiae sp. n., is described and illustrated. The karyotypes and some aspects of reproductive biology and cytogenetics of the new species species and Aclerda takahashiiKuwana, 1932 were studied, representing the first data for the genus Aclerda Signoret, 1874 and the family Aclerdidae as a whole. Aclerda pseudozoysiae sp. n. has 2n=16, bisexual reproduction, and heterochromatinization of one haploid set of chromosomes in male stages of the life cycle, matching either a Lecanoid or a Comstockioid genetic system. Aclerda takahashii demonstrates 2n=18 and unusual type of parthenogenesis with diploid and haploid embryos (inside each gravid female) without heterochromatinization. Both species are ovoviviparous; all stages of embryonic development occur inside the mother's body.

[A comparative study of hemantane and amantadine effects on dopamine transporter expression in brain of normal and MPTP-treated C57BL/6 mice].

The effects of acute and subchronic administration of antiparkinsonian drugs hemantane and amantadine on dopamine transporter (DAT) content in the brain of normal and MPTP-treated mice have been studied. MPTP treatment (30 mg/kg, daily for 2 days, i.p.) led to an insignificant decrease of the DAT level in striatum, while not influencing the DAT content in the frontal cortex of mice. The acute administration of hemantane (20 mg/kg, i.p.) failed to influence the DAT levels in the tested structures of mice brain, while amantadine (13.9 mg/kg, i.p) decreased the DAT level but only in striatum. The acute administration of a drug (hemantane or amantadine) simultaneously with MPTP toxin reduced the DAT levels in striatum but did change the DAT concentration in the frontal cortex. On the contrary, the subchronic injection of hemantane alone (7 x 20 mg/kg, i.p.) and in combination with the toxin increased the DAT levels in the brain structures, while amantadine (7 x 13.9 mg/kg, i.p.) led to a pronounced increase of DAT concentration only in the striatum. Thus, both similar and dissimilar trends in the neurochemical effects of hemantane and amantadine have been experimentally revealed.

New cytogenetic data for some Palaearctic species of scale insects (Homoptera, Coccinea) with karyosystematic notes.

New cytogenetic data are reported for 17 species from 15 genera of the families Pseudococcidae, Eriococcidae, Kermesidae, and Coccidae. Twelve species and 6 genera (Peliococcopsis Borchsenius, 1948, Heterococcopsis Borchsenius, 1948, Heliococcus Sulc, 1912, Trabutina Marchal, 1904, Lecanopsis Targioni Tozzetti, 1868, and Anapulvinaria Borchsenius, 1952) were studied cytogenetically for the first time. The taxonomic problems in the genera Trionymus Berg, 1899, Acanthopulvinaria Borchsenius, 1952 and Rhizopulvinaria Borchsenius, 1952 are discussed based on karyotype characters. Two chromosomal forms (cryptic species) of Acanthopulvinaria orientalis(Nasonov, 1908), 2n=18 and 2n=16 were discovered.

[Role of the brain dopaminergic and serotoninergic systems in psychopharmacological effects of ladasten and sydnocarb].

The influence of ladasten and sydnocarb on dopamine and serotonin receptors and the biosynthesis and re-uptake of dopamine and serotonin has been studied. It is established that both drugs do not produce any direct effects on dopamine D1, D2, and D3 receptors in rat striatum as well as on serotonin 5-HT1A and 5-HT2A receptors in rat frontal cortex in vitro. Ladasten in a single dose of 50 mg/kg (i.p.) stimulated ex vivo dopamine biosynthesis and release in striatum, without any influence on serotonin formation neither in striatum nor in frontal cortex. On the contrary, sydnocarb (17.5 mg/kg, i.p.) decreased the level of serotonin synthesis both in striatum and frontal cortex, while not affecting the biosynthesis of dopamine. Both ladasten and sydnocarb inhibited the active transport of dopamine in rat striatal synaptosomes at IC50 = 3.56 microM and 28.66 nM, respectively, but failed to influence the serotonin re-uptake in rat frontal cortex.

[Effects of subchronic hemantane administration on dopamine and serotonin receptors in intact and MPP+-treated rat brain ex vivo].

The influence of the new antiparkinsonian drug hemantane on D1 receptors in striatum, 5-HT1A receptors in hippocampus, and 5-HT2A receptors in frontal cortex of intact and MPP+-treated (3 microg/0.6 ml dist., intranigral) rats was studied. Hemantane (20 mg/kg, i.p.) was administrated subchronically for 7 days (beginning a day after MPP+ injection). A modulatory effect of hemantane on D1, 5-HT1A and 5-HT2A receptors was revealed. It was found that hemantane increased the binding site density (Bmax) of D1 and 5-HT1A receptors and decreased the binding site density of 5-HT2A receptors without changing the affinity (Kd) to the selective ligands. These results demonstrate that subchronic administration of hemantane leads to the functional rearrangement of dopamine and serotonin receptors in the brain of both intact and MPP+-treated rats.

[Neurochemical mechanisms of antidepressant action of new adenine derivative].

We have studied the influence of the new adenine derivative VMA-99-82 on the exchange of monoamines and their metabolites in the brain of Wistar rats. In addition, the effect of VMA-99-82 on binding of 5-HT1A and 5-HT2A serotonin receptors and the system of 3H-serotonin reuptake in the brain synaptosomes has been studied in vitro. It is established that VMA-99-82 at a dose of 10 mg/kg has no affinity to 5-HT1A and 5-HT2A serotonin receptors and produces no effect on the reuptake of [3H]-5-HT. It is suggested that VMA-99-82 has a modulating effect on ion channel NMDA receptor complex of the glutamatergic system, which leads to the manifestation of antidepressant activity.

[Effects of antiparkinsonian drug hemantane on the level and metabolism of biogenic monoamines in brain structures of C57BL/6 mice].

Hemantane (N-adamant-2-yl-hexamethyleneimine hydrochlortide) is a new antiparkinsonian drug showing a broad activity spectrum, being superior to the reference drug amantadine in some tests. The effects of hemantane on the levels of biogenic amines and their metabolites in the striatum, frontal cortex, and hippocampus have been studied in C57BL/6 mice. It was found that a single administration of hemantane (20 mg/kg, i.p.) decreased the concentration of DOPA, serotonin, and its metabolite in mice striatum, gently inhibited the synthesis of dopamine in mice striatum, and influenced the HVA/DA balance in frontal cortex homogenates.

[Effects of hemantane on the main subtypes of dopamine receptors in the rat striatum ex vivo].

The effect of the antiparkinsonian drug hemantane on various subtypes of dopamine receptors in the striatum of Wistar rats have been studied after subchronic administration of the drug in a single daily dose of 20 mg/kg (i.p.) over seven days. The receptor binding was studied using the striatum membranes isolated from the test rats decapitated after the last injection of the drug. A modulatory influence of hemantane on the D1, D2 and D3 type receptors was revealed. It was found that hemantane increased the density of the binding sites of D1 receptors and decreased the density of the binding sites of D2 and D3 receptors without changing their affinity to the selective ligands. These results indicate that the subchronic administration ofhemantane can lead to the functional rearrangement of the main subtypes of dopamine receptors in the rat striatum.