Effect of immunization against alcohol dehydrogenase on the behavior of white rats

Active immunization of white rats with alcohol dehydrogenase (horse ADH-1), a major ethanol-metabolizing enzyme shown to cause considerable and long-term inhibition of alcohol consumption, did not have adverse effects on their behavior. Rather, the rats showed enhanced motor and orienting-exploratory activities, developed conditioned responses (with both positive and negative reinforcements) more readily, and spent less time in a state of immobilization in the forced swimming test as compared with nonimmunized controls. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 118, N ^o 10, pp. 349–351, October, 1994     

Premature centromere division of metaphase chromosomes in drug addicts and alcoholics

The study of metaphase chromosomes in peripheral blood lymphocytes from alcoholics and drug addicts revealed enhanced incidence of chromosomes with premature centromere division. The mean proportion of such metaphases was 14.8% in patients in the abstinent state, which is related to drastic disturbances of physiological homeostasis. The detoxification course decreased this proportion to 6%, which is comparable to the value of 5.1% in the control group. Individual differences were found in the incidence of metaphases with premature centromere division. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 124, No. 9, pp. 322–326, September, 1997     

NO-synthase activity and generation of reactive oxygen species in the brain in old rats: Association with individual behavior

NO synthase activity and the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were measured in different brain regions of old rats separated in an “emotional resonance” test into two groups: passive rats (those preferring a dark space) and active ones (those preferring a lighted space). In both groups, NO synthase activity and ROS generation were at the highest level in the cerebellum. In the tested brain regions of active rats, NO synthase activity was lower and ROS generation more strongly marked than in the respective regions of passive rats. Interregional positive linear correlations were discovered both for NO synthase activity and for ROS generation. When the two groups were considered together, negative correlations were detected between NO synthase activity and ROS generation. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 120, N ^o 8, pp. 145–147, August, 1995 Presented by I. P. Ashmarin, Member of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences     

Vectorographic assessment of the effect of psychostimulants on avoidance behavior in rats

The effect of psychostimulants on relearning of the avoidance direction by rats in a Y-maze was assessed. The effects were analyzed vectorographically with absolute and relative values for the main response indices. In both cases the behavior profile of the group of animals was traced. Sydnocarb (20 mg/kg) gave the optimal effect, for unlike caffeine (25 mg/kg) and amphetamine (0.5 mg/kg), it not only stimulated active avoidance but also improved relearning by the animals. An increase in the dose of sydnocarb to 50 mg/kg did not disturb the rats' behavior, whereas caffeine (50 mg/kg) and, in particular, amphetamine (5 mg/kg) disturbed behavior. The behavior profile after amphetamine went far beyond the bounds of the original level and was characterized by marked worsening of passive avoidance.Department of Pharmacology, Medical Institute, Chita. (Presented by Academician of the Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR V. V. Zakusov.) Translated from Byulleten' Éksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 84, No. 9, pp. 303–306, September, 1977.     

Pattern of individual biorhythms of the rectal temperature of rats in health and during starvation

Individual cosinor-analysis with the use of special software demonstrates that the rectal temperature of intact rats exhibits two clear-cut rhythms: the circadian rhythm and a 96-h infradian rhythm. Under conditions of total starvation, including a lethal outcome, the spectrum of the biorhythms of the rectal temperature alters markedly: the circadian rhythm is completely eliminated in the majority of starving animals, the amplitude of the 4-day rhythm declines or this rhythm is also eliminated, and ultradian and infradian components appear in the biorhythmic pattern of the rectal temperature. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 117, N ^o 6, pp. 656–657, June, 1994 Presented by Yu. A. Romanov, Member of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences     

Role of brain stem in the mechanisms of individual resistance of rats to emotional stress

It is shown in rats that the structures of brain stem (medial and lateral nuclei) are involved in the mechanisms of individual resistance to emotional stress (immobilization and cutaneous electrostimulation). Bilateral destruction of brain stem structures reduces this resistance, which manifests itself as behavioral changes in the open field test (the behavior of rats resistant to stress resembles that of rats prone to it), increased adrenal hypertrophy, thymic involution, and high mortality under conditions of emotional stress. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 124, No. 11, pp. 501–505, November, 1997     

Effect of donor cerebrospinal fluid on the recovery of motor function in rats after partial decortication

The ability of donor cerebrospinal fluid from different sources the recover motor functions in partially decorticated rats is estimated. Cerebrospinal fluid from frogs, which have no cortex, and cerebrospinal fluid from donor rats obtained immediately or long after decortication hampers normal recovery of motor function in the recipient rats, while cerebrospinal fluid from intact adult or neonatal rats slightly decreases behavioral manifestations of the motor cortex damage in the recipients. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 123, No. 6, pp. 623–625, June, 1997     

Specific features in the behavior of rats with different genetic stability to stress

The effects of acute and chronic immobilization stress on the behavior of NISAG and outbred rats with different resistance to stress were evaluated. In the acute stress model, NISAG rats did not differ from stress-resistant outbred rats in the majority of the studied parameters. Chronic stress exhausted adaptive potential of NISAG rats, and their behavior became similar to that of rats with low resistance to stress. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 125, No. 4, pp. 420–424, April, 1997     

Effect of substance P on behavior in the open field forced swimming tests in rats with various types of behavior

It was found that substance P administered to rats with active and passive types of behavior reversed their behavioral type but dit not affect the behavioral parameters of rats comprising an intermediate group. The “pure” effect of substance P (discounting the influence of repeat testing) was significant only for the number of rearings and the time of passive floating. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 121, N ^o 3, pp. 244–247, March, 1996 Presented by P. V. Simonov, Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences     

Impact of 8-isoestrone analogs on estradiol binding in uterine tissue from ovariectomized rats

8-Isoanalogs of estrone were studied for their ability to influence estradiol binding in the cytosolic fraction of uterine tissue from ovariectomized rats and for their uterotropic activity 24 h after injection into such rats. Two groups of estrone 8-isoanalogs with opposite biological effects were identified: those increasing estradiol binding in the cytosolic fraction of uterine tissue and those decreasing this binding. Uterogenic activity was exhibited by all of the compounds tested, with the exception of compound I. No correlation was found between the uterogenic activity of the isoanalogs and hormone-receptor interactions. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 119, N ^o 2, pp. 165–167, February, 1995     

Effects of Parlodel on sleep-wake cycles in rats with MPTP-induced depressive syndrome

Chronic treatment with Parlodel normalized the parameters of REM sleep disturbed by multiple systemic administration of the dopaminergic neurotoxin MPTP, which is a novel model of depressive syndrome in rats. When administered prior to MPTP, Parlodel reduced the occurrence of REM sleep episodes, shortened duration of REM sleep, and prolonged REM sleep latency. It also reduced the percentage of REM sleep episodes in the total time of sleep. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 127, No. 4, pp. 380–383, April, 1999     

Effects of buspirone on experimental depressive syndrome induced by systemic administration of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) in rats

It is shown that pretreatment with buspirone 45–60 min prior to MPTP administration performed daily for 12 days prevented or weakened the development of depressive symptoms in rats. Specifically, it prevented a reduction of daily water intake, weakened the preference for sugar solution over water, and, to a lesser degree, shortened the increase in the duration of immobilization and lowered the index of depression in the forced swimming test, but did not affect the drop in motor and exploratory activity. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 121, No. 5, pp. 489–494, May, 1996     

Effects of different stress techniques and adaptation on behavioral and somatic indices in rats

We developed a model of stress (free swimming in a cage) which allows to assess the immediate and long-term effects of emotional stress. This stress induced typical changes in the open field test and ulceration of gastric mucosa. Unlike standard immobilization stress the proposed technique excludes a traumatic factor, it is well reproducible and simple. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 128, No. 8, pp. 157–160, August, 1999     

Isolation and characterization of soluble β-amyloid and apolipoproteins from cerebrospinal fluid

An original method of isolation and purification of soluble β-amyloid and apoproteins from the cerebrospinal fluid of healthy donors is developed. The method consists of purification of high density lipoproteins by centrifugation of cerebrospinal fluid and reverse phase high-performance liquid chromatography of isolated lipoproteins. The obtained β-amyloid and apoproteins from cerebrospinal fluid are characterized immunologically and by mass-spectroscopy. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 124, No. 10, pp. 425–428, October, 1997     

Effect of cerebrospinal fluid preparation from opiate addicts on anxiety level in rats

Intranasal administration of a preparation isolated from the cerebrospinal fluid of opium addicts in the initial stage of withdrawal to rats reduced their exploratory activity and increased anxiety and nociceptive threshold in a tail-shock test. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 128, No. 7, pp. 13–16, July, 1999     

Role of inherent and individual acquired factors in the development of morphine sensitivity in WAG/G and Fischer-344 rats

Individual differences in sensitivity to morphine-induced suppression of vertical motor activity and analgesia in WAG/G and Fischer-344 rats are determined mainly by genetic factors, while sensitivity to morphine-induced suppression of total motor activity depends primarily on environmental factors. The severity of morphine dependence is determined predominantly by individually acquired factors. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 125, No. 5, pp. 535–538, May, 1998     

Ulcerative gastric lesions in august and wistar rats: Effects of acute emotional stress

Wister rats, but not August rats, developed ulcerative lesions in the gastric mucosa as a results of exposure to severe emotional stress caused by immobilization in closed tubes submerged in water. In addition, the stressed rats of both strains showed an increased ratio of thymus weight and a decreased ratio of adrenal weight to body weight. It is concluded that emotionally stressed Wistar, but not August, rats are prone to develop ulcerative gastric lesions. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 120, N ^o 11, pp. 469–470, November, 1995 Presented by K. V. Sudakov, Member of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences)     

Effect of thymoptin on the behavior of experimental animals

A study is made of the effect of thymoptin, a preparation containing a complex of acid peptides from the thymus, on the behavior of experimental animals. It is found that in a dose of 400 μg/kg the preparation enhances motor activity, raises the body temperature, augments pain sensitivity, stimulates behavior in the open field test, and facilitates learning and memory processes. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 121 N ^o 3, pp. 285–287, March, 1996 Presented by Yu. A. Romanov, Member of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences     

Effect of interleukin-1β on the thymus, adrenals, and spleen in august, wistar, and WAG rats in stress

Emotional stress causes a decrease in the relative mass of the thymus, adrenals, and spleen in August, Wistar, and WAG rats, which is the greatest in animals with a low motor activity in the open field test. Intraventricular administration of interleukin-1β diminishes the decrease in the relative mass of spleen in August and Wistar rats, has no significant effect on the relative mass of thymus in all rats, and leads to an increase in the relative mass of adrenals in immobilized WAG rats. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 124, No. 7, pp. 32–35, July, 1997