Antimorphine antibodies as an indicator of chronic morphine intoxication and impaired immunological reactivity

Chronic intoxication of rats with morphine during 2- and 4-week periods resulted in the emergence of antimorphine antibodies in the blood of 50 and 80% of the animals, respectively, in hemagglutination titers 1∶20 and higher. Antibodies were not detected in the control animals (not treated with morphine) but were detected in 17% of rats given alcohol during a 3-month period. The animals with a high titer of antimorphine antibodies displayed a lower level of humoral reactivity in response to immunization with a thymus-dependent antigen (sheep erythrocytes) compared with the animals with a low titer of the antibodies. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 118, N ^o 7, pp. 74–76, July, 1994     

Enkephalinas activity in various brain structures of naloxone-treated and morphine-insensitive rats

Morphine injected subcutaneously in a dose of 2 mg/kg body weight exerted an analgesic effect in some Wistar rats (morphine-sensitive animals), as was indicated by a significantly prolonged latency of the tail-flick response, butfailed to produce analgesia in others (morphine-insensitive animals). In morphine-sensitive rats, the striatum had the highest enkephalinase A activity, followed in decreasing order by the mesencephalon, hippocampus, pons, cortex, medulla oblongata, and hypothalamus. Thirty minutes after intraperitoneal administration of naloxone (0.3 mg/kg body weight) to morphine-sensitive rats, enkephalinase activity fell significantly in the hippocampus, striatum, and cortex, remained unchanged in the pons and medulla oblongata, and rose significantly in the mesencephalon and insignificantly in the hypothalamus; generally similar differences in enkephalinase activity from naloxone-untreated morphine-sensitive rats were recorded in the brain structures of morphine-insensitive rats given saline instead of naloxone. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 120, N ^o 11, pp. 492–494, November, 1995 Presented by K. V. Sudakov, Member of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences     

Variation in plasma morphine level and pain sensitivity in prenatally morphinized rats

It is established that mature random-bred and Wistar rats exhibit the same level of pain sensitivity in the tail-flick test, but the analgetic effect of morphine (5 mg/kg) is variously expressed: marked hypalgesia is observed in mongrel but not in Wistar rats. Prenatal morphinization enhances the analgetic effect of morphine in both mongrel and Wistar rats. There is a direct correlation between the plasma morphine content in prenatally morphinized rats and their sensitivity to the analgetic action of morphine. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 120, N ^o 9, pp. 273–275, September, 1995 Presented by D. A. Kharkevich, Member of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences     

Increased anxiety and reduced pain sensitivity in offspring of rats after prenatal morphinization

Administration of morphine to outbred female rats is shown to result in increased anxiety in the conflict test and reduced pain sensitivity in the tail flick test in 2.5-monthold offspring. In prenatally morphinized offspring the analgetic effect of morphine was enhanced, while the anxiolytic effect of buspirone was lower than in intact animals, which suggests rearrangements in the opioid and serotoninergic systems of the brain. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 118, N ^o 8, pp. 154–156, August, 1994 Presented by M. D. Mashkovskii, Member of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences     

Inheritance of morphine sensitivity in (WAG/G-fischer-344) F1 rats

The effects of morphine on the pain sensitivity and motor activity of progeny obtained by different variants of crossing purestrain WAG/G and Fischer-344 rats are studied. Four groups of rats were investigated: WAG/G (male and female WAG/G rats were crossed), Fischer-344 (Fischer-344 male and female), F/W (Fischer-344 male, WAG/ G female) F₁ hybrids, and W/F (WAG/G male, Fischer-344 female) F₁ hybrids. It is shown that the inheritance of individual features of sensitivity to the analgetic effect of morphine as well as of pain sensitivity is apparently sex-linked. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 120, N ^o 9, pp. 291–293, September, 1995 Presented by V. N. Yarygin, Member of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences     

Diurnal time course of hexenal narcosis in experimental hepatosis

A statistically significant circadian rhythm of hypnogenic effect of hexenal is revealed in intact Wistar rats, with the maximum recorded in the daytime and the minimum at night, and an amplitude of at least 30% of the mesor. Circadian rhythms of the analgetic action of hexenal and of α-tocopherol concentrations in the blood serum are found to be in reciprocal relationship. Experimental hepatosis induced by intragastric administration of CCl₄ is attended by alteration of the time organization of the antitoxic function of the liver and of the concentrations of iron, α-tocopherol, and lipid peroxidation products in the blood collected from the hepatic and portal veins. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 119, N ^o 5, pp. 540–543, May, 1995 Presented by E. D. Gol'dberg, Member of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences     

Immunization with neurotransmitters (serotonin,dopamine, noradrenalin) conjugated with protein suppresses the manifestations of morphine withdrawal syndrome

A protective effect of immunization with neurotransmitters (serotonin, dopamine, noradrenalin) conjugates with protein during reproduction of the withdrawal syndrome was demonstrated in two different models of opium narcomania. In the first experiment rats were immunized before morphinization, and in the second morphine dependence was induced in mice before immunization. Similar effects were observed in immunization of rats and mice: antibodies to serotonin caused the greatest suppression of symptoms of the withdrawal syndrome. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 119, N ^o 5, pp. 526–529, May, 1995 Presented by S. N. Kryzhanovskii, Member of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences     

Effect of perfluorodecalin on picrotoxin toxicity and some detoxication systems

Preliminary administration (at least 7 days before the experiment) of perfluorodecalin boosts resistance to the toxic action of picrotoxin in rodents. The antidotal activity of diazepam rises under these conditions. Perfluorodecalin induces the activation of monooxygenase, conjugation, and antioxidant detoxication systems; the protein content increases in the blood serum and carboxylesterase activity is enchanged. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 119, N ^o 2. pp. 176–178, February, 1995     

Significance of bacterial agglutination in the development of experimental sepsis

The development of signs of generalized infection were studied in rats infected with a suspension ofPseudomonas aeruginosa, with dissociated (controls) or agglutinated (experiment) immune serum. All signs of the generalization of the process were reliably lower in the experiment than in the control. A favorable course of the infection after the administration of agglutinated agent indicated that the infection was generalized and secondary foci were initiated during the first days postinoculation, when antibodies to the agent had not yet been produced. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 118, N ^o 9, pp. 292–294, September, 1994 Presented by V. D. Fedorov, Member of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences     

Reaction of mouse ovary to opioid receptor block during early postnatal ontogenesis

Prolonged administration of naloxone (5 mg/kg body weight) during the juvenile period stimulated ovarian folliculogenesis and pubescence in mice; the effect was absent in animals of other ages, when a single injection was given, or when the dose of preparation was decreased. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 121, N ^o 3, pp. 341–344, March, 1996 Presented by O. V. Volkova, Member of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences     

Immunotherapy of experimental drug addiction with antibodies to serotonin and dopamine

Systemic administration of antiserotonin and antidopamine antibodies to chronically morphinized animals reduces the major manifestations of the withdrawal syndrome induced by naloxone injection or discontinuation of morphine. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 122, No. 8, pp. 189–192, August, 1996     

The effect of morphine on RNA synthesis in some brain structures of rats with various narcological resistance

Different incorporation of³H-uridine in RNA and increased RNA synthesis after the addition of morphine are demonstrated in all brain structures of resistant rats, as well as in the cortex, nucleus accumbens, griseum centrale, and nucleus ventriculus hypothalami of prone rats. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 117, N ^o 1, pp. 100–102, January, 1994     

Effect of substance P on the content of catecholamines and on the enzymes of their synthesis in the brain of chronically alcoholized rats

The effect of a single administration of the endogenous peptide substance P on the content of dopamine (DA), and norepinephrine (NE), and on the activity of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and dopamine β-hydroxylase (D-β-H) is studied in the hypothalamus and midbrain of rats after a 6-month alcoholization. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 118, N ^o 7, pp. 46–48, July, 1994     

Effect of amiridine and tacrine on reuptake of neurotransmitters in experimental amnesia

It is demonstrated that a single administration of amiridine, tacrine, piracetam, and physostigmine has no effect on the reuptake of adrenalin, noradrenalin, dopamine, and glycine, or of γ-aminobutyric, glutamic, and aspartic acids. Scopolamine (single administration or a 20-day treatment) also has no effect on the reuptake of these neurotransmitters. Administration of amiridine to intact rats during a 20-day period leads to a decrease in the reuptake of dopamine and γ-aminobutyric acid. A course of amiridine therapy of rats after repeated administration of scopolamine results in a reduced reuptake of dopamine. Tacrine, piracetam, and physosostigmine exhibit no activity under the chosen experimental conditions. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 119, N ^o 5, pp. 512–514, May, 1995 Presented by Yu. A. Romanov, Member of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences     

Effects of β-casomorphin-7 on different types of learning in white rats

The heptapeptide β-casomorphin-7, a casein fragment of cow's milk, accelerated the learning of a food-procuring habit in a T-maze by rats injected with this heptapeptide in a dose of 1 or 5 mg/kg body weight 5 min before the start of each learning session. This effect was blocked by pretreating rats with naloxone. On the other hand, β-casomorphin-7 in the indicated doses delayed learning of the active avoidance response involving the use of a painful reinforcing stimulus. The results of this study indicate that β-casomorphin-7 attenuates defense reactions by shifting the total balance of motivations toward food-procuring behavior. Translated fromByulleten's Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 120, N ^o 11, pp. 499–502, November, 1995 Presented by I. P. Ashmarin, Member of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences     

Effect of melipramine on the development of experimental depressive syndrome induced by systemic administration of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)

The effects of chronic administration of melipramine on the development of behavioral signs of depression in rats are studied using the model of a depressive syndrome induced by systemic administration of MPTP. Preadministration of melipramine prevents such MPTP-induced behavioral signs of depression in rats as decreased motor activity, reduced total daily liquid intake, reduced preference of sucrose solution over water, and increased depression index. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Giologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 120, N ^o . 8, pp. 160–163, August, 1995     

The effect of etimyzol on the development of the deafferentation pain syndrome

Administration of etimyzol in a dose of 4 mg/kg to rats with deafferentation pain syndrome reduces the incidence of the syndrome and its severity. This effect is associated with activation of the hypothalamic-hypophyseal-adrenal system. Systematic administration of the preparation models repeated stress, thus developing adaptation. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 121, N ^o 3 pp. 258–261, March, 1996 Presented by G. N. Kryzhanovskii, Member of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences     

Morphological analysis of the thymus of albino rats with tumors for experimental chemotherapy alone and in combination with activator influences of an alternating magnetic field

A study of the histological structure and cell composition of the thymus in rats with ascitic ovarian tumors for chemotherapy alone and in combination with an alternating magnetic field, which induces an antistressor adaptive response in the organism, showed that an alternative magnetic field potentiates the antitumor effect of thioTEPA and protects the thymus from toxic damage caused by high doses of chemotherapy. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 118, N ^o 11, pp. 535–539, November, 1994 Presented by N. V. Vasil'ev, Member of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences     

Tolerance for opiate analgesia: Complex effect of antagonists of receptors for excitatory amino acids

The effect of excitatory amino acid receptor antagonists on the development of the conditioned reflex component of the tolerance for morphine analgesia is studied. It is demonstrated that the antagonists of NMDA and non NMDA receptors reduce the development of associated component of the tolerance, while the magnitude of the nonassociative component changes after co-administration of morphine with NMDA receptor antagonists. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 117, N ^o 5, pp. 494–496, May, 1994 Presented by D. A. Kharkevich, Member of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences     

Polyunsaturated phosphatidylcholine micelle-induced decrease of atherogenicity of the serumin vitro

It is shown that polyunsaturated phosphatidylcholine administered in micelles stabilized by a plant-derived glycoside prevents the accumulation of cholesterol by cells incubated in atherogenic serum and, moreover, in certain cases causes a 1.4–1.5-fold drop of intracellular cholesterol as compared to control cells. The optimum antiatherogenic effect was achieved when using a micelle concentration of 100–200 μg/ml and an incubation time of at least 4 hours. The antiatherogenic effect was analogous to the effect of high density serum lipoproteins. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 119, N ^o 5 pp. 497–501, May, 1995 Presented by Yu. M. Lopukhin, Member of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences