Electrocorticogram disturbances detected in rats exposed from early stages of life to residual doses of lindane

Functional brain alterations induced by lindane were examined in Rat chronically exposed to low doses of lindane (1 and 2 μg L⁻¹ in drinking water) from conception. Histological and electrophysiological investigations were conducted at 14 weeks of age. Lindane did not induce histological changes. It did not significantly modify the sleep-wakefulness cycle and EEG did not show major alterations. The spectral EEG analysis, by recording cortical variations in both energy spectrum and energy levels of different frequency bands, showed an increase in the 11-15 Hz activity in both groups exposed to lindane. This activity was characterised by spindles well-depicted during slow wave sleep or associated with fast activity during wakefulness and theta activity in paradoxical sleep. These data suggest that chronic exposure to lindane doses as low as 1 μg L⁻¹ in drinking water could lead to central electrophysiological effects possibly involving GABA-benzodiazepine mechanisms.     

Influence of acute exposure to a low dose of systemic insecticide fipronil on locomotor activity and emotional behavior in adult male mice

Fipronil (FPN) is a systemic insecticide that antagonizes the gamma-aminobutyric acid type A (GABA_A) receptors in insects. Recently, adverse effects of FPN on mammals have been reported, but most of those were caused by high doses of FPN and additives in the products. We investigated the effects of low-dose pure FPN on the emotional behavior of mice. Nine-week-old male mice conducted behavioral tests 24 hr after FPN administration by gavage at doses of 0.05 or 5 mg/kg based on the no-observed-effect level (NOEL), showed a significant increase in locomotor activity and dose-dependent responses on the time they spent in the central zone in the open field test. Pure FPN below the NOEL dose may affect the emotional behavior of mice.     

Possible Anxiolytic Effects of Ivermectin in Rats

Ivermectin, a mixture of 22,23-dihydroavermectin B_1a (80%) and B_1b (20%), is produced by Streptomyces avermectilis, an actinomycete. It is a macrocyclic lactone disaccharide, a member of the avermectin family, and is used as an antiparasitic drug. Previous studies performed in our laboratory showed that doramectin, another avermectin drug, interferes with GABAergic-related behaviours, leading to anxiety and seizures. The objective of the present study was to examine the effects of ivermectin (0.5 and 1.0 mg/kg) on the central nervous system of rats, using behavioural models related to GABAergic neurotransmission. A known anxiolytic drug, diazepam, was used as a positive control. Open field and elevated plus-maze behaviours, as well as conflict behaviour to a conditioned response, were assessed. The effects of ivermectin and diazepam in reversing the anxiety induced by picrotoxin was studied. The protective effects of ivermectin on pentylenetetrazole- and picrotoxin-induced seizures were also investigated. In the open field, 1.0 mg/kg ivermectin decreased locomotion frequency at 15 and 60 min of observation, rearing behaviour showed a biphasic effect at 15 and 30 min and duration of immobility was increased in all sessions after 1.0 mg/kg ivermectin. These data suggest anxiolytic or sedative effects. Ivermectin and diazepam both had a tendency to cause an increase both in the number of entries into the open arms and on the time spent in the open arms of an elevated plus-maze. Picrotoxin on its own reduced the number of entries as well as the time spent in the open arms. Both diazepam and ivermectin reversed these effects of picrotoxin. In conflict behaviour analysis, ivermectin and diazepam gave the classic effect of an anxiolytic drug, reversing the conditioned response to shock. Ivermectin protected rats from the convulsant effects of pentylenetetrazole but not from those of picrotoxin. Thus, ivermectin had the pharmacological profile of an anxiolytic drug with GABAergic properties. The lack of effect on seizures induced by picrotoxin suggests that the action of ivermectin is different from that of the benzodiazepine drugs.     

Baclofen intoxication in a dog successfully treated with hemodialysis and hemoperfusion coupled with intensive supportive care

Objective: To describe a case of confirmed baclofen intoxication in a dog that was successfully treated with hemodialysis and hemoperfusion (HD/HP) and to report the serum baclofen kinetics. Case summary: A 2.5‐year‐old, 23 kg, spayed female Brittany Spaniel‐mix was treated after ingesting 21‐52 mg/kg of baclofen. The dog was comatose and was receiving manual ventilation at the time of presentation. Extracorporeal HD/HP was started 10 hours after admission. Within 3 hours of starting HD/HP the dog began initiating breaths and was extubated 18 hours after admission. Serial serum samples that were obtained during the first 24 hours of hospitalization were later analyzed for baclofen concentrations. The dog had elevated creatine phosphokinase and liver enzymes that correlated with an agitated recovery period. The dog had thrombocytopenia that resolved by 10 days after presentation. New or unique information provided: HD/HP shortened the baclofen serum elimination half‐life from 5 to 1.5 hours in the initial 2 hours of treatment. The intrinsic elimination rate constant (K_intr) for this dog was 0.138/hour and the total elimination rate constant (K_tot) during the first 2 hours of HD/HP treatment was 0.458/hour. In this dog, HD/HP was an effective method for rapidly decreasing serum baclofen concentration after an acute overdose.     

GABA、牛磺酸和pH值影响蝌蚪耐缺氧能力的研究

在水中溶解氧一定的条件下,将蝌蚪放入50 mL密闭三角瓶内,观察不同质量分数的牛磺酸、GABA以及水体不同pH值对蝌蚪耐缺氧能力的影响.结果显示,质量分数为0.4%的GABA水溶液对蝌蚪耐缺氧能力有极显著改善(P＜0.01),0.3%的GABA对蝌蚪耐缺氧能力有显著改善(P＜0.05).0.3%的牛磺酸对蝌蚪耐缺氧能力有极显著改善(P＜0.01),0.1%、0.2%、0.4%、0.5%的牛磺酸对蝌蚪耐缺氧能力有显著改善(P＜0.05).实验证明,GABA、牛磺酸均可提高蝌蚪的耐缺氧能力.而0.2%的β-丙氨酸可明显减弱牛磺酸的耐缺氧能力.pH值为5.4、8.0时可极显著减弱蝌蚪的耐缺氧能力(P＜0.01),pH值为7.2、7.7时可显著减弱蝌蚪的耐缺氧能力(P＜0.05).     

GABA、牛磺酸和pH值影响蝌蚪耐缺氧能力的研究

在水中溶解氧一定的条件下, 将蝌蚪放入50 mL密闭三角瓶内, 观察不同质量分数的牛磺酸、GABA 以及水体不同pH 值对蝌蚪耐缺氧能力的影响。结果显示, 质量分数为0. 4% 的GABA水溶液对蝌蚪耐缺氧能力有极显著改善(P < 0. 01) , 0. 3%的GABA 对蝌蚪耐缺氧能力有显著改善(P < 0. 05)。0. 3%的牛磺酸对蝌蚪耐缺氧能力有极显著改善(P < 0. 01) , 0. 1%、0. 2%、0. 4%、0. 5%的牛磺酸对蝌蚪耐缺氧能力有显著改善(P < 0. 05)。实验证明, GABA、牛磺酸均可提高蝌蚪的耐缺氧能力。而0. 2%的B- 丙氨酸可明显减弱牛磺酸的耐缺氧能力。pH值为5. 4、8. 0时可极显著减弱蝌蚪的耐缺氧能力(P < 0. 01), pH 值为712、7. 7时可显著减弱蝌蚪的耐缺氧能力(P < 0. 05) 。     

桑叶中γ-氨基丁酸含量及富集方法的研究进展

综述桑叶中γ-氨基丁酸（GABA）的含量及富集方法的研究进展,介绍了桑叶品种、叶龄、叶位和不同采摘季节对桑叶中γ-氨基丁酸含量的影响;厌氧、添加外源物、低温冷激、红外线照射等处理可提高桑叶γ-氨基丁酸的含量。桑叶作为一种富含γ-氨基丁酸的蛋白质资源,具有可观的开发前景。在桑叶中γ-氨基丁酸的富集方法,如红外线照射处理、低温冷激处理等方面还有进一步研究的空间。     

牛磺酸、γ-氨基丁酸对鲫抗缺氧能力的影响

研究牛磺酸、γ-氨基丁酸对鲫抗缺氧能力的影响,结果表明质量分数5‰、7‰牛磺酸水溶液对鲫抗缺氧能力有显著(P<0.05)和极显著作用(P<0.01),质量分数3‰γ-氨基丁酸水溶液对鲫抗缺氧有显著作用(P<0.05)。实验证明,γ-氨基丁酸、牛磺酸均可提高鲫的抗缺氧能力。     

The GABA a agonist muscimol enhances locomotor activity, but does not alter the behavioural effects of CRH in juvenile spring chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha)†

The present study investigated the effects of manipulating the GABAergic system on locomotor activity in juvenile spring chinook salmon, Oncorhynchus tshawytscha. In addition, we evaluated whether the GABAergic system is important for mediating the behavioural effects of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH). An intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection of the GABA_a agonist muscimol caused an acute and dose dependent increase in locomotor activity in juvenile spring chinook salmon. ICV injections of the GABA_a antagonist bicuculline prevented the increase in activity when administered concurrently with muscimol. The GABA_b agonist baclofen had no effect on locomotor activity in this study. Furthermore, we found no evidence that the locomotor response to exogenous CRH was altered by the concurrent administration of muscimol or bicuculline. These results provide evidence to support the hypothesis that endogenous GABA within the central nervous system is involved in the control of locomotor activity in fish. The data also suggest that there is no interaction between the GABAergic system and CRH with regards to the control of locomotor activity in this species.     

Mechanism of action of insecticidal secondary metabolites of plant origin

Insect pest management is facing the economic and ecological challenge worldwide due to the human and environmental hazards caused by majority of the synthetic pesticide chemicals. Identification of novel effective insecticidal compounds is essential to combat increasing resistance rates. Botanicals containing active insecticidal phytochemicals appear to be promising to address some of these problems. Therefore, there is a continuous need to explore new active molecules with different mechanisms of action. Secondary metabolites present in plants apparently function as defense (toxic), which inhibits reproduction and other processes. The phytochemical biomolecules could be used for maximizing the effectiveness and specificity in future insecticide design with specific or multiple target sites, while ensuring the economic and ecological sustainability. In this article, the current state of knowledge on phytochemical sources and insecticidal activity, their mechanism of action in insects, resistance, and promising advances made in phytochemical research are reviewed.