The Frog Embryo Teratogenesis Assay-Xenopus (FETAX) was used to assess the teratogenic potential of two tocolytics. Embryos of the South African clawed frog, Xenopus laevis, were exposed to ritodrine or nifedipine. Exposure media were changed and monitored at 24-hour intervals. The 96-hour LC50 (Lethal concentration), the 96-hour EC50 (Malformation), and the No Observable Adverse Effect Concentrations (NOAEC) and the Lowest Observable Adverse Effect Concentration (LOAEC) for mortality, malformation and length were determined for each drug. Nifedipine was determined to be the more toxic and teratogenic than ritodrine, with a LC50 of 0.606 µg/L, an EC50 of 0.006 µg/L, and a teratogenicity Index (TI) value (LC50/EC50) of 101. On the other hand, the LC50 of ritodrine was 28.571 mg/L. In addition; the LC50, EC50 and TI values for nifedipine in the 5 mg/L ritodrine + nifedipine combination group were determined as 1.050 µg/L, 0.868 µg/L and 1.5 respectively. For ritodrine, the NOAEC and LOAEC values were determined as 2 mg/L and 4 mg/L, respectively. For the nifedipine and the ritodrine + nifedipine groups; while the LOAEC values of these groups were 0.0001 µg/L and 0.1 µg/L, respectively. NOAEC value couldn't be determined. Our results demonstrated that nifedipine administration was associated with higher levels of teratogenic and toxic effects. However, the ritodrine + nifedipine combination form reduced the toxic and teratogenic effects of nifedipine on Xenopus embryos. Further studies should be conducted in order to investigate the optimal combination concentrations of these substances for the treatment of preterm labor.
Although there is evidence that low doses of nicotine can affect glucose
metabolism, questioning whether glucose can reduce the harmful effects
of nicotine on embryo development may constitute an interesting research
area. This study planned to investigate how concomitant administration
of Glucose monohydrate modulates the effects of exposure to Nicotine
sulfate on embryos of Xenopus leavis by using a 96-h FETAX test. To this
purpose, in-vitro fertilized embryos were treated with nicotine and
glucose, alone or in combination, and then examined in order to
determine likely teratogenic consequences of those treatments. At the
end of FETAX procedure, the ratios of normal, abnormal and dead embyos
were determined and length of embryos were measured in all treatment
groups. Nicotine alone treatment significantly increased the ratios of
abnormal and dead embryos compared to controls. Concomitant treatment of
glucose and nicotine slightly decreased the ratio of abnormals but
increased the ratio of normal embryos in comparison with the results of
nicotine alone treatment group. According to our results, the addition
of Glucose to nicotine showed a protective effect on embryos embryos in
concomitant treatment groups. Confirmation of these results needs
similarly designed, more advanced studies.
St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum/ Cantarion) has been well-studied which has been showed to have antidepressant, antiviral, and antibacterial effects. St John's Wort gained popularity as an alternative treatment for mild to moderate depression. On the other hand, the neuropeptide, orphanin FQ/nociceptin (OFQ/N), is expressed in both neuronal and non-neuronal tissue. In the brain, OFQ/N has been investigated in relation to stress, anxiety, learning and memory, and addiction. The purpose opf this article is to review the current pharmacological, and clinical papers on St. John's wort, to provide information on orphanin FQ/nociceptin and finally to evaluate probable interaction between two.
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