Sympathetic influences on presynaptic inhibition of the dorsal spinal cord potential

Experiments on cats anesthetized with hexobarbital or chloralose showed that tetanization of the sympathetic trunk for 30 sec weakens presynaptic inhibition of the N₁ component of the dorsal spinal cord potential (DCP) and reduces its amplitude for 5 min or more. In response to application of conditioning and testing stimuli to various afferent nerves, recovery of presynaptic inhibition is synchronized with recovery of amplitude of the N₁ component of the DCP. When the same nerve is stimulated, presynaptic inhibition reaches its maximum after 30 sec and is restored more slowly than the N₁ component, and does not reach its original level even after complete recovery of that component. It is postulated that the mediator liberated during stimulation of the sympathetic trunk potentiates depolarization of afferent fibers, increasing the efficiency of the depolarizing systems acting on the first synaptic relays of the dorsal horn.     

Use of phisiotens for the treatment of arterial hypertension in elderly patients

AIM: To study effectiveness and safety of physiotens in elderly patients with essential hypertension (degree 1-2). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The trial enrolled 10 patients (6 males and 4 females) at the age of 60 to 75 years (mean age 66.4 +/- 3.7 years) with untreated or ineffectively treated essential hypertension (degree I-II by WHO classification). The disease stood for 17 +/- 5.3 years. Physiotens was given for 2 weeks in a single daily dose 0.2-0.4 mg. 24-h blood pressure monitoring, standard neuropsychological examination, echoCG, assessment of quality of life (Visual Analog Scale, Disability Scale) were performed before and after the treatment. RESULTS: Physiotens significantly reduced systolic and insignificantly diastolic pressure in daytime and at night; improved memory and thinking; 24 weeks of the treatment led to a decrease in left ventricular myocardium mass (by 13%, on the average) and in the thickness of left ventricular walls (by 7% on the average) as well as in life quality. CONCLUSION: Long-term physiotens treatment of elderly patients with mild and moderate hypertension provides a fall in day and night arterial pressure, regression of left ventricular myocardium mass, improves quality of life, memory and thinking.