Prevention of pro-depressant effect of L-arginine in the forced swim test by NG-nitro-L-arginine and [1H-[1,2,4]Oxadiazole[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one].

Previous studies have shown that l-arginine, the precursor of nitric oxide, has a dual effect (antidepressant and pro-depressant) in the forced swim test. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether nitric oxide-cGMP pathway was involved in this dual effect. Porsolt swim test was conducted to resemble the symptomatology of major depressive disorder. An open field locomotor activity test was also used. L-arginine exerted a U-shape effect in the forced swim test: doses of 30, 100, 300, and 1000 mg/kg caused no alteration, statistically significant reduction, no alteration, and non-significant enhancement, respectively. Neither N(G)-nitro-L-arginine (NNA) nor [1H-[1,2,4]Oxadiazole[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one] (ODQ) at doses of 3 mg/kg was found to be effective in the forced swim test, whereas 10 mg/kg ODQ significantly reduced the immobility time. In the presence of NNA, the antidepressant and pro-depressant effects of L-arginine disappeared, however, only the pro-depressant component of l-arginine effect was prevented by ODQ (3 and 10 mg/kg). Saline, the solvent of L-arginine and NNA, and dimethyl sulfoxide (15% in saline), the solvent of ODQ, had no effect on the duration of immobility. None of the drugs or solvents used in the present study had any effect on locomotor activity over the dose range applied. The results show that L-arginine exerts its paradoxical effects by producing nitric oxide and that cGMP seems to have a role only in the pro-depressant component.

Co-administration of a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor and melatonin exerts an additive antidepressant-like effect in the mouse forced swim test.

BACKGROUND: The aim was to assess the combination therapy of nitric oxide synthase inhibitors and melatonin, since they had been separately shown to be as efficacious as conventional antidepressant drugs in pre-clinical antidepressant screening procedures. MATERIAL/METHODS: The Porsolt swim test was conducted to resemble the symptornatolog of major depressive disorder and an open-filed locomotor activity was also used. RESULTS: N(G)-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA) at 3 mg/kg slightly, but not significantly, reduced the duration of immobility, and increasing the dose to 10 mg/kg was sufficient to attain a significant reduction. On the other hand, the maximal dose of L-NNA (30 mg/kg) was without effect, although a non-significant small increase was observed. The results obtained with L-NNA were in accorldance with a U-shape effect. While 3 mg/kg melatonin was ineffective, a statistically significant decrease in the duration of immobility was determined at the dose of 10 mg/kg. While the combination of ineffective doses (3 mg/kg, each) of L-NNA and melatonin revealed no further inhibition in the duration of immobility, the most effective doses (10 mg/kg, each) caused a more pronounced reduction when compared with those of each drug alone. None of the drugs used in the present study had any effects on locomotor activity over the dose range applied. CONCLUSIONS: The combination therapy with L-NNA and melatonin seems to have an additive effect and may be considered as a feasible candidate in attenuating the symptoms of major depressive disorder.

[Knowledge and attitude of nursing and midwifery college students on developmental dysplasia of the hip]. / Hemsirelik ve ebelik bölümü ögrencilerinde gelisimsel kalça displazisi konusundaki bilgi ve tutumun degerlendirilmesi.

OBJECTIVES: It is of special importance to educate families and health care providers, in particular midwives and nurses who are in close and frequent contact with families, for the prevention and early diagnosis of developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH). A knowledge and attitude study was conducted concerning DDH among students of Nursing and Midwifery College of Kahramanmaras Sütçü Imam University. METHODS: A structured form was prepared consisting of 28 statements about medical and practical knowledge and traditional attitudes with regard to DDH and was administered to 232 voluntary students before and after an educational session of 60 minutes by a specialist in orthopedics. Prior to the study, the students of grade I and II had not received any theoretical or practical lectures about DDH, which were included in the curriculum of grades III and IV. RESULTS: The knowledge of the students about risk factors and prevention strategies for DDH was of a moderate level. They were not sufficiently furnished with information about traditional attitudes and applications that predispose infants to DDH. The mean test scores before and after training were 51.52+/-13.90 and 87.86+/-5.90, respectively (p=0.000). Compared to grade III and IV students, grade I students performed significantly less in the former test (p=0.00); however, the scores of the latter test did not differ significantly between the grades (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: The curriculum during the license education of midwives and nurses should include essential information on traditional attitudes. With sufficient knowledge and application skills, midwives and nurses may play an important role in the primary and secondary prevention of DDH in our country.