Vigabatrin has an anxiolytic effect in the elevated plus-maze test of anxiety.

tau-Vinyl GABA (vigabatrin, GVG) is a novel antiepileptic drug that irreversibly inhibits GABA transaminase and elevates GABA levels in all parts of the brain. In the present study, we investigated the anxiolytic and behavioral effects of GVG in the elevated plus-maze and the hole board compared to diazepam. Doses of 500 and 1,000 mg/kg GVG were injected IP to different groups of male Wistar rats and animals were tested either 4 or 24 h after injection. Animals administered diazepam (1.5 mg/kg, IP) and saline (1 ml) were tested 20 min after injection. GVG and diazepam were found to decrease significantly the number of squares visited and rearing; both had a suppressant effect on locomotor activity. Neither drug had an effect on exploration (head dipping). GVG at a dose of 1,000 mg/kg was shown to have a similar anxiolytic activity either after 4 or 24 h as diazepam, while GVG at 500 mg/kg did not show any significant anxiolytic effect.

Suppression of atherogenesis by n-3 fatty acids in the cholesterol-fed rabbit.

The effects of n-3 fatty-acid supplementation on serum lipids, platelet aggregation, and the development of atherosclerotic lesions were studied in the cholesterol-fed rabbit. Serum total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol values were significantly reduced in comparison with those of the nonsupplemented cholesterol-fed group (p less than 0.005, p less than 0.0025, respectively), though still higher than those of the control group (p less than 0.0025, p less than 0.0125 respectively). Platelet aggregation was reduced below that of the cholesterol-fed and the control levels (p less than 0.0005, p less than 0.0025, respectively). The endothelial injury encountered in cholesterol-fed rabbits was inhibited in the supplemented group. It is concluded that n-3 fatty acids suppress atherogenesis in this animal model by interfering with platelet aggregation and lipid metabolism.

Psoriasis-like lesions in guinea pigs receiving propranolol.

BACKGROUND: beta-Blockers cause a psoriasiform eruption. We investigated the skin effects of systemic propranolol in a formal protocol. METHODS: Propranolol, 0.1 mg/day, was used systemically by gavage in eight albino guinea pigs. Normal saline was given to another group of seven guinea pigs. RESULTS: Propranolol produced psoriasiform lesions in five of seven guinea pigs on the 30th day. Biopsies showed acanthosis, parakeratosis, microabscesses, and cellular infiltration of upper dermis. Topical application of propranolol did not produce clinical psoriasiform changes, while acanthosis and papillomatosis was observed in six of the six guinea pigs.

The effect of vitamin E on glycosylated hemoglobin levels in diabetic rats: a preliminary report.

The effect of vitamin E (D-alpha-tocopherol acetate) on glycosylated hemoglobin levels was investigated in streptozotocin-diabetic rats. The animals were divided into four groups: (a) Group 1: control group, (b) Group 2: diabetic group, (c) Group 3: diabetic group treated with low-dose vitamin E and (d) Group 4: diabetic group treated with high-dose vitamin E. Starting 24 hr after streptozotocin injections (60 mg/kg), Groups 3 and 4 received intraperitoneal injections of vitamin E on days 1, 4, 7, 11, 14, 18 and 21 at doses of 500 mg/kg and 1,000 mg/kg respectively. Vitamin E treatment did not prevent weight loss or improve glycemic control in diabetic animals but significantly suppressed the increase in glycosylated hemoglobin in Group 4 (7.7 +/- 0.6 mumols fructose/g hemoglobin versus 5.5 +/- 0.2 mumols fructose/g hemoglobin in Group 2 and Group 4 respectively). These levels were still significantly higher than the levels in healthy control group animals (2.6 +/- 0.1 mumols fructose/g hemoglobin). Further studies on the suppressive effect of vitamin E are warranted.

Turkish population data on the HLA-DO alpha, LDLR, GYPA, HBGG, D7s8, and GC loci.

We have determined the allele and genotype frequencies of six PCR-based genetic markers HLA-DQ alpha, LDLR, GYPA, HBGG, D7S8 and GC in the Turkish population (n = 361 for HLA-DQ alpha, and n = 260 for PM). All loci meet Hardy-Weinberg expectations. The frequency data can be used in forensic analyses in the Turkish population.