The significance of physical activity in the prevention of depressive disorders. / Znaczenie aktywnosci fizycznej w prewencji zaburzen depresyjnych.

Owing to the complex etiology of depression taking into account the psychosocial and biological interactions in its formation and course, a comprehensive and integrated approach to this health issue is essential, one that would take into account additional forms of therapeutic interventions besides traditional methods, and increase in physical activity as one of them. The objective of the present paper is to present the significance of physical activity in the prevention and treatment of depressive disorders, based on the results of research carried out in 2014-2019. The review of empirical works indicates that physical activity adjusted to the individual's needs and health situation can play a role in the prevention and complementary treatment of depressive disorders, including those that occur in the course of somatic diseases. It should be noted that hasty recommendation of physical training to the patients with a severe form of the disorder may cause provocative thoughts, their guilt because of the inability to face the challenge or suicidal behavior.

Effect of 4-week physical exercises on tryptophan, kynurenine and kynurenic acid content in human sweat.

The aim of the study was the detection of TRP, kynurenine (KYN), and kynurenic acid (KYNA) in human sweat, and determining whether physical activity affects their content in this secrete. Two different methods were used simultaneously-collection of sweat by means of an absorption pad from the inter scapular region, and collection of a drop of sweat from the region of the forehead. Quantitative determinations of TRP, KYN and KYNA were performed using high performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet and fluorescence detection. Determinations of sodium was carried out by the method of inductively coupled plasma collision/reaction cell ionization mass spectrophotometry. It was found that physical exercises evoked a decrease in the amount of KYN, and an increase in the amount of KYNA in sweat recorded on day 14, but not on day 28 of training. It appears that physical exercises result in a long-term increase in the kynurenine transaminase activity responsible for the formation of KYNA from KYN. Based on this results, it can be suggested that measurement of TRP, KYN and KYNA in sweat may have diagnostic potential and may help to establish an exercise regime appropriate for the age, gender and health status of rehabilitation patients.

Influence of regular climbing on depression, generalized anxiety and lower back pain.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Anxiety and depression disorders are increasingly affecting society. Anxiety disorders are the most prevalent psychiatric disorders, and depressive disorders are increasing in society worldwide. Lower back pain is one of the common health problems experienced by 50-80% of adults at some point in their lives. The aim of the study was to assess the climbing environment in terms of depression, generalized anxiety and pain in the lumbar spine. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 139 people training on climbing walls Lublin in December 2019 were invited to participate in the study. After applying exclusion criteria, 113 people with an average age of 30±8 years, 88 men (average age: 30 years) and 35 women (average age: 30 years) were qualified for the study. They were examined by the author's own questionnaire and the PHQ-9, GAD-7 and ODI questionnaires. Statistical analyses were applied and the significance threshold was set at 0.05. RESULTS: Overall percentage results suggest mild depression at 27%, moderate anxiety at 27%, and mild back pain at 26% in the group of climbers tested. Climbing level and climbing sub-discipline did not affect the average results of PHQ-9, GAD-7 (p>0.05). Back pain was more common in boulder climbers (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The level of sport climbing did not affect the level of depression, generalized anxiety, and back pain. The sport climbing level did not affect the incidence of injuries. The association in climbing clubs is connected with overcoming more difficult climbing routes and a higher level of generalized anxiety. Bouldering was associated with a greater level of pain in the lumbar spine and more injuries.

High concentration of kynurenic acid in bile and pancreatic juice.

Kynurenic acid (KYNA) is an agonist of the G-protein-coupled receptor GPR35, which is predominantly expressed in gastrointestinal tissues. The aim of this study was to determine the content of KYNA in gastric juice, bile and pancreatic juice and intestinal content. KYNA was determined by means of high performance liquid chromatography. The mean concentrations of KYNA in human gastric juice is 9.91 +/- 0.71 nM in contrast to human bile (832.5 +/- 204.1 and 306.8 +/- 35.2 nM) obtained from patients with cholecystolithiasis and obstructive jaundice, respectively. In pigs, the KYNA levels in bile and pancreatic juice are 1,113.3 +/- 63.34 and 757.0 +/- 394.4 nM, respectively. The KYNA concentration increases along the digestive system, reaching 1,638 nM in the colon content. We suggest that the liver and pancreas affect the content of kynurenic acid in the lumen of the digestive tract.

Work conditions in agriculture as risk factors of spinal pain in postmenopausal women.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the risk factors for spinal pain in Polish postmenopausal women working in agriculture. The study included 1751 randomly selected postmenopausal women aged 45-65 years. The women were exposed to hazardous work conditions, in particular the use of force and heavy lifting, often more than 10 kg and with frequency of at least once a day. Two-thirds of them suffered from spinal pain, mostly in the lumbar spine and less frequently in the cervical and thoracic spine. The prevalence of spinal pain depended on exposure to health risks associated with overwork, early onset of menopause and increasing age. The prevalence of pain in the lumbar spine correlated positively with higher frequency of heavy lifting and using excessive force during agricultural work. The severity of spinal pain correlates positively with the age of pain onset and negatively with level of education.

Psychometric properties of the Scale for Evaluating Attitudes towards Seniors (SEAS).

INTRODUCTION: The Scale for Evaluating Attitudes towards Seniors (SEAS) was developed based on the concept of social attitudes towards the elderly by G. Mialkowska. The main objective of the study was validation of Scale. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The validation procedure was carried out on a sample of 304 adults. Content validity was estimated based on the CVR coefficient, the theoretical validity was verified by means of exploratory factor analysis with simple Oblimin rotation and Kaiser normalization, and criterion validity determined based on analysis of the correlation matrix of SEAS from IVE and SES. Reliability of the tool was estimated based on the values of alpha Cronbach and the discriminatory power of test items coefficients. RESULTS: Content validity rates CVR range from 0.83-1.00. Three SEAS factors were distinguished on the basis of factor analysis - Respect and Support, Rejection and Misunderstanding, Social distance. Their alpha Cronbach's coefficient range is 0.93-0.86. Extracted SEAS scales correlate with IVE and SES dimensions. CONCLUSIONS: The validation procedure confirms the high psychometric properties of the constructed research tool and allows its use in both individual diagnosis and scientific research, which in turn will contribute to broadening of knowledge about the psychological mechanisms associated with seniors' perception, and can be used to design responses to preventive actions supporting quality of intergenerational interpersonal interactions.

Influence of environment on residence and selected demographic and clinical parameters of preschool children with IgE-dependent asthma.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: An important role in the pathogenesis of asthma in children is played by individual parameters and environmental factors, in particular, those related to the place of residence. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of the living environment on the basic demographic and clinical parameters of preschool children with IgE-dependent asthma. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 176 children (126 from urban and 52 from rural areas) aged 5.22±0.34 years, with newly-diagnosed IgE-dependent asthma, hospitalised at the Clinic for Lung Diseases and Paediatric Rheumatology of the Prof. Antoni Gebala Children's Hospital of Lublin, were qualified for the study. Medical documentation of the children was analysed, including the implementation of vaccinations. Due to the clinical form of the disease, patients were separated into groups with mild, moderate and severe asthma. RESULTS: No statistically significant differentiation was observed between age and current body weight and height of the children. Similarly, gender and the clinical form of asthma were not significantly correlated with the place of residence. Children with asthma, at the time of exacerbation symptoms of the disease, living in a city, significantly more often (p <0.05) were treated with antibiotics in the hospital during hospitalization, while the value of OR (5.08) indicated that the rural environment enforces more frequent use of OGCs during asthma exacerbation therapy. In children from the urban environment, there was a significant correlation between the current body weight and serum calcium concentration, as well as a negative statistically significant correlation between the current body weight and serum selenium concentration. CONCLUSIONS: Residence does not determine the clinical course of IgE-dependent asthma in preschool children.

Interpersonal correlates of the tendency to seek help in the situation of indebtedness in healthy people and in patients with impaired mobility, related to chronic disorders of the locomotor system - Pilot study.

INTRODUCTION: The way of functioning in everyday life and the style of coping with the challenges encountered, including the situations of financial difficulties, are shaped by various adaptation mechanisms conditioned by the state of psychophysical health, as well as social and cultural factors. They are related to the intrapsychic features, among which the personality plays a key role. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The research sample consisted of 2 groups - 50 patients with mobility impairment resulting from chronic pathologies of the locomotor system hospitalized in the Department of General and Neuro Rehabilitation, Institute of Rural Health in Lublin, and 50 healthy people. The research was carried out using the NEO-FFI Personality Inventory, Perceived Stress Scale, Self-Esteem Scale, General Self-Efficacy Scale, Impulsiveness Inventory and the APSZ Questionnaire. RESULTS: In the group of patients with impaired mobility resulting from chronic pathologies of the locomotor system, the leading correlate of the tendency to seek help in the situation of indebtedness was extraversion. In the healthy group, the leading correlates of the tendency to undertake this type of activity were the intensity of perceived stress, neuroticism, self-esteem, self- efficacy and empathy. CONCLUSIONS: In the group of patients with impaired mobility resulting from chronic diseases of the locomotor system, extroversion was the factor conducive to seeking help in the situation of indebtedness. In the group of healthy people, self-esteem, self- efficacy and empathy were the factors conducive to taking such actions, whereas intensity of perceived stress and neuroticism were the risk factors.

Validation of the Polish language version of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 in a population of adults aged 35-64.

INTRODUCTION: Depressive disorders are one of the most common psychiatric disorders. Recognition of signs of mental health disorders is not always easy, hence the availability of simple and accurate tools for assessing them is very important in the practice of primary care. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study is to assess the theoretical accuracy and reliability of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) in Polish conditions, when applied to general population studies for adults aged between 35-64. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study comprised a population of 4,040 people. Women constituted 59% of the research population and people living in the countryside 65%. The average age of participants was 53.45 ± 7.05 years. According to PHQ-9, 727 people (18.0%) had moderate, moderate to severe or severe depression. PHQ-9 showed a significant positive internal cohesion (Cronbach's alpha = 0.77), and factor charges oscillated between 0.43-0.63, and the R2 coefficients of determination were in the range of 0.21-0.40. CONCLUSIONS: The Polish version of PHQ-9 is a valid tool for diagnosing depression in the general population aged 35-64. Good psychometric properties and compactness make the PHQ-9 a useful clinical and research tool.

Use of the IPAQ questionnaire in the form of a mobile application in monitoring physical activity of patients with cardiovascular diseases.

INTRODUCTION: Systematic, dynamic physical effort brings about tremendous health benefits, not only in young individuals, but as a form of primary prevention, and primarily as secondary prevention of cardiovascular system diseases. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The research project was conducted in the Rehabilitation Centre at the Witold Chodzko Institute of Rural Health (IMW) in Lublin, Poland, and covered a group of 927 ambulatory patients. From among the study group, two subgroups were distinguished (Groups 1 and 2). Selection of patients was targeted, based on the criterion of the existing diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases (Group 1; N=53), and the lack of these diseases (Group 2; N=53). The daily level of physical activity was assessed using the monitoring application (Instrument for Activity Measurement IMW) - using a short version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), and alternatively analyzing the data from a smartphone accelerometer. RESULTS: The total level of weekly physical activity in Group 1 was 4532.88±3611.6 MET-min/week, and was considerably higher, compared to the control group (3142.58±2536.9 MET-min/week). Also, the values of weekly caloric cost of physical activity (KAF kcalxweek -1 ) showed higher values (6935.77±5957.4), compared to the control group (4274±3344.9). The group of cardiologic patients (Group 1) showed a higher level of activity, especially within the range of effort on an intensive level, and low level - going for walks, walking(MET1, MET3), which was also translated into the caloric cost of these levels of physical activity (KAF1, KAF3). CONCLUSIONS: The results of the study indicated a significantly higher level of physical activity in the group of patients with concomitant cardiovascular diseases, compared to the control group. The overestimation of the level of physical activity perceived by patients seems to be an important problem, especially in the control group.

Sweat iron concentration during 4-week exercise training.

INTRODUCTION: One possible way of iron loss is sweating. It is unclear how physical activity performed by untrained individuals affects the iron status in sweat. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to analyse iron concentration in sweat during 4-week exercise training to determine the changes in iron excretion during follow-up exercises. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 43 untrained volunteers participated in the study, 29 of whom completed the full exercise programme. The training programme consisted of exercises on a cycle ergometer and cross-trainer. In the first week, participants exercised for 8 minutes on each device, in the second for 10 minutes, and in the third and fourth weeks they exercised for 15 min on each device. Intensity was submaximal and defined as 85% of maximal heart rate. A sterile sweat patch was placed on the skin between shoulder blades. RESULTS: Concentration of iron on the first and the fifteenth day of exercises was comparable and statistically insignificant. Iron concentration was highly increased on the last day of training in comparison with first (p<0.001) and fourteenth day (p<0.006). The median of iron concentration in 29 samples on the first day of sampling was 21.2 ppb, in the fifteenth - 52.5 ppb, and on the twenty-eighth day - 286.2 ppb. In relation with the sodium concentration, the iron content was also increased on the twenty-eighth day of the training programme (p<0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Iron sweat loss significantly increased during the 4-week exercise programme. A possible explanation may be improvement in the thermoregulation mechanism and secretory activity of sweat glands. Iron sweat loss may be an indicator of iron deficiency observed in active individuals.

Follow-up monitoring of physical activity after rehabilitation by means of a mobile application: Effectiveness of measurements in different age groups.

BACKGROUND: Active monitoring of the level of daily physical activity seems to be a useful element for secondary prevention in public health. Low physical activity increases the incidence of cardiovascular diseases, obesity, diabetes, musculoskeletal diseases, and causes loss of the previously achieved effects of rehabilitation. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to assess the level of physical activity in different age groups of adults with the use of the telemedical system based on a mobile application. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The research covered data collected remotely from 927 individuals of both genders, aged 20-80 years (group I: 20-40 years, group II: 41-60 years, group III: 61-80 years). A monitoring system (Activity Measurement Tool) developed in the Department of General Rehabilitation at the Witold Chodzko Institute of Rural Health (Lublin, Poland) was used to measure home physical activity in the examined group. The system uses a dedicated mobile application, cellular data transmission and web data-showing software. Home physical activity was assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire - Short Form (IPAQ-SF) and simultaneous processing of data from a smartphone accelerometer. RESULTS: The mean level of physical activity in the group of active application users (≥2 days, n = 494), expressed as Metabolic Equivalent of Task (MET)-min/week (IPAQ-SF), was as follows: group I (female participants (F): 5,767.9, n = 73; male participants (M): 4,888.4 n = 251), group II (F: 3,468.7, n = 24; M: 4,053.5, n = 119) and in group III (M: 5,769.3, n = 27; no female participants were involved). In 72.3% of users, the registered physical activity was smaller in relation to IPAQ-assessed/7 days physical activity (sign test: n = 494; percentage of negative differences: 72.3%; Z = 9.9; p = 0.00). CONCLUSIONS: The research findings indicate a high level of self-reported physical activity among the users in all age and gender groups, although it is not reflected in the level of registered activity. Although the level of daily physical activity was evaluated, it was mainly among young and middle-aged men who gladly and regularly made use of the measurement possibilities offered by mobile technology.

Comprehensive outpatient rehabilitation increases the ability of people over 60 to live independently.

INTRODUCTION: The answer to current social and health needs of people aged over 60 are the multidirectional and carefully planned, comprehensive activation and rehabilitation activities carried out as part of Daycare Centres (DCC). The aim of creating and the functioning of DCCs deployed all over Poland is to improve the health and psychophysical fitness of this group of people. Health factors and psychophysical fitness determine the ability to live independently, both today, and later in life. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to assess the impact of comprehensive ambulatory rehabilitation, including tailored endurance training preceded by an ergospirometry test, on indicators demonstrating the ability to live independently and the risk ratio of future health problems in the elderly. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 60 people participating in a rehabilitation cycle implemented as part of the services provided to patients aged over 60 in the DCC of the Witold Chodzko Institute of Rural Medicine (IMW) in Lublin comprised the sample. The tests were carried out in the test-retest model on the first and last day of the kinesiotherapy cycle. Patients were tested using standardized Barthel, I-ADL and VES-13 questionnaires. The rehabilitation programme applied included systemic kinesiotherapy (endurance training) with a load determined according to individual exercise capacity, determined on the basis of a ergospirometry test, and varied rehabilitation activities resulting from the condition of the locomotor system, as provided for under the project. RESULTS: After completing the rehabilitation cycle, patients obtained higher results in comparison to the tests carried out before the beginning of the cycle in the Barthel index used to measure functional efficiency (Z = 5.41; p = 0.001), as well as lower in the I-ADL scale used to test the degree of dependence on the help of others when performing complex activities of everyday life (Z = 2.63; p = 0.009) and in VES-13 scale used to assess the risk of geriatric health problems (Z = 5.47; p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: As the result of the use of comprehensive rehabilitation, including obligatory endurance training, desired changes were achieved in terms of fitness and independence in performing advanced daily activities and reducing the risk of geriatric health problems.

Gender, age, social disadvantage and quitting smoking in Argentina and Uruguay.

INTRODUCTION: Cessation of tobacco use has the potential to provide the greatest immediate benefits for tobacco control. Understanding the social determinants of smoking cessation is an essential requirement for increasing smoking cessation at the population level. The purpose of this study was to analyze the socio-economic dimensions associated with cessation success among adults in Argentina and Uruguay. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data from the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS), a cross-sectional, population-based, nationally representative survey conducted in Argentina (n=5,383) and Uruguay (n=4,833) was utilized. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses with results being presented as odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals were applied to study differences among those respondents who sustained smoking abstinence (≥1 year) and those who continued smoking. RESULTS: The GATS study revealed that social gradients in tobacco quitting exist in Argentina and Uruguay. Being aged 25-34, particularly men in Uruguay, women in Argentina, low educated men in Argentina and having a lower asset index were associated with reduced odds for quitting. CONCLUSIONS: Factors that are driving differences in smoking cessation between diverse social groups in Latin America countries need to be considered when implementing relevant interventions to ensure tobacco control strategies work effectively for all population segments.

Telemedical assessment of the level of energy expenditure in overweight and obese individuals.

INTRODUCTION: Increasing the energy expenditure above the elementary level of metabolism by undertaking regular physical activity causes body mass reduction and its maintenance at a healthy level. AIM: To remote assessment of the level of physical activity in a group of overweight and obese individuals. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The research was conducted in the Department of Rehabilitation at the Institute of Rural Health, Lublin, Poland, and included a group of 514 volunteers of both genders (38 ±12 years). The examined group was divided into three subgroups depending on the body mass index (BMI) level (I - normal, II - overweight, III - obese). The level of physical activity at home was assessed based of the short version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), conducted by means of a mobile application, and was compared with data registered by the accelerometer of a smartphone. RESULTS: The IPAQ-assessed level of the physical activity expressed in MET-min/week amounted to the following values: group I: 5190.38 ±6629.84, group II: 5099.53 ±6380.97, group III: 3939.31 ±4000.73; and the caloric cost (cal × week-1) amounted to: group I: 5825.47 ±7512.99, group II: 7204.09 ±9187.96), and group III: 7002.10 ±7296.22. Registered levels of physical activity (MET-min/week) were lower than IPAQ-assessed: in group I (3741.24 ±3958.29), in group II (2447.72 ±2156.44) and in group III (1927.42 ±1790.85) (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The average values of energy expenditure showed a declining tendency, together with an increase in the BMI. On the other hand, the total weekly caloric cost showed the lowest average values in the group with normal body mass.

Impact of spinal pain on daily living activities in postmenopausal women working in agriculture.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Postmenopausal women working in agriculture suffer from spinal pain for two overlapping reasons, the first is related to the menopause and the second to the specificity of rural work, which includes lifting heavy objects and changing weather conditions. Spinal pain affects the daily life of women as well as their ability to work. The objective of the study was to analyse the impact of spinal pain on activities of daily life in Polish postmenopausal women performing agricultural work. MATERIALS AND METHOD: The study was conducted in 2016 in Poland and included 1,119 post-menopausal women living in rural areas and working in agriculture. The women assessed the severity of spinal pain in 3 sections: neck, thorax and lumbar. Neck Disability Index (NDI) and Oswestry Low Back Disability Index (ODI) questionnaires were used to assess the impact of spinal pain on daily life activities. Generalized linear models were estimated in statistical analyses. RESULTS: Postmenopausal women working in agriculture suffered most often from pain in the lumbar spine, less frequently in the neck, and the least in the thoracic. The most common was an isolated pain in only one section of the spine. Spinal pain disturbed the most the women's rest, standing, lifting objects, while sleep, concentration, and walking the least. The impact of spinal pain on the activities of daily life, on average, was moderate, and increased with greater pain severity, the earlier the age the pain started, the higher the body weight, the lower education level and if there was a co-existing pain in any of the other spine sections. The impact of spinal pain on daily life activities did not depend on age between 45-65, WHR, age at last menstruation, parity, and number and types of births. CONCLUSIONS: The impact of spinal pain on daily life activities in postmenopausal women working in agriculture was assessed as moderate, on average, and depended mainly on spinal pain-related characteristics, such as severity, age at onset and co-existence of pain in any other spinal sections.

Effect of pesticides on kynurenic acid production in rat brain slices.

Kynurenic acid (KYNA) is a broad spectrum antagonist of ionotropic glutamate receptors, preferentially active at the strychnine-insensitive glycine allosteric site of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor, and a noncompetitive antagonist of alpha7 nicotinic receptor. Animal studies showed that it possesses anticonvulsant and neuroprotective properties. Its involvement in the pathophysiology of various brain disorders was suggested. In this study, the effect of pesticides on KYNA production in brain cortical slices was investigated. Pyrethroids, deltamethrin and fenpropathrin significantly lowered KYNA production. Methomyl, bensultap, fipronil, diquat and MCPA were ineffective in this regard. In view of this data, the inhibition of KYNA synthesis appear to merit further investigation as a potential factor contributing to the toxicology of pyrethroids.

Psychosocial generalised resistance resources and clinical indicators of patients suffering from osteoarthritis at the Institute of Rural Health in Lublin, Poland.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was investigation of the correlations between medical indicators of the course of illness and psychological factors, treated as generalised resistance resources, according to the Salutogenic Model by A.Antonovsky. The salutogenic orientation is one of the more viable paradigms for health promotion research and practice, and is offered as a useful theory for taking a salutogenic approach to health research. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data was used of 67 patients at Institute of Rural Health in Lublin, Poland, suffering from Osteoarthritis. Using psychological test methods: SOC-29, CISS, AIS, IZZ, KNS, GSES, BDI and The Index of Severity for Osteoarthritis of the Hip or the Knee and The Low Back Pain Rating Scale as medical indicators of the course of the illness. RESULTS: Analysis showed significance correlations between some psychosocial (sense of coherence, stress coping strategies, acceptance of illness, health behaviour, hope for success, self-efficacy and depression) and medical variables (intensity of the degenerative disease and low back spine). CONCLUSIONS: Results of analysis showed that psychological factors within the meaning of psychosocial resources may be potential pathways for improving or disturbing the treatment effects in the course of hip and knee osteoarthritis treatment, and/or the patient's condition.

Nefopam enhances the protective activity of antiepileptics against maximal electroshock-induced convulsions in mice.

Nefopam is a centrally acting non-opioid analgesic with a mechanism of action that is not completely understood. Adverse effects associated with the therapeutic use and overdose of nefopam are mainly associated with the central nervous system, such as hallucinations, cerebral edema and convulsions. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of nefopam on the electrical threshold and its influence on the protective activity of antiepileptic drugs in the maximal electroshock test in mice. A 5 mg/kg dose of nefopam significantly elevated the electric seizure threshold, while a dose of 1 mg/kg failed to protect mice against electroconvulsion. At a subthreshold dose of 1 mg/kg, nefopam significantly enhanced the anticonvulsant activity of valproate against electroconvulsions. The protective activity of phenobarbital and phenytoin was significantly enhanced by co-administration of nefopam at the 5 mg/kg dose, but this same dose of nefopam failed to affect the protective activity of carbamazepine. In conclusion, nefopam exerts an anticonvulsive effect when given alone and significantly enhances the protective activity of certain antiepileptic agents against electroconvulsions induced in mice.

Influence of orphenadrine upon the protective activity of various antiepileptics in the maximal electroshock-induced convulsions in mice.

Orphenadrine is an anticholinergic drug used in the treatment of Parkinson's disease, and is also known to exert nonspecific antagonistic activity at the phencyclidine binding site of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor. The aim of this study was to assess the anticonvulsant properties of orphenadrine and to evaluate its effect on the anticonvulsant activity of antiepileptic drugs against maximal electroshock-induced seizures in mice. Orphenadrine given at a dose of 5.65 mg/kg elevated the electrical seizure threshold from 5.7 (5.4-6.1) to 6.8 (6.3-7.3) mA, while a dose of 2.8 mg/kg was ineffective. The ED(50) values of orphenadrine administered 10, 30 and 120 min before maximal electroshock-induced convulsions were 16.8 (11.3-25.1), 17.8 (15.7-20.0) and 25.6 (23.3-28.3) mg/kg, respectively. Orphenadrine at a sub-threshold dose of 2.8 mg/kg significantly enhanced the anticonvulsant activity of valproate by reducing its ED(50) value from 315.8 (270.0-369.4) to 245.9 (207.1-292.0) mg/kg without affecting the free plasma levels of valproate. However, orphenadrine failed to enhance the protective activity of carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital, lamotrigine, topiramate, or oxcarbazepine against maximal electroshock-induced seizures.