beta-Carbolines occur in man and rat. The concentration in various tissues is about 100 to 1000 times lower than that of classical neurotransmitters. Administration of beta-carbolines in animals induces overlapping but not identical activity profiles. The molecular modes of action differ. For example, harman (1-methyl-beta-carboline) acts as an endogenous inhibitor of monoamine oxidase [E.C. 1.4.3.4.], subtype A, whereas norharman (beta-carboline) probably acts by stimulation of a specific beta-carboline receptor which is different from the benzodiazepine-GABA receptor complex. There is substantial evidence that tetrahydroisoquinolines occur under physiological conditions as well. Whether tetrahydropapaveroline serves as a precursor of morphinanes in mammals, as has been found in opium poppies, remains to be elucidated.

No abstract

No abstract

No abstract

BACKGROUND: The wound healing process includes inflammation, proliferation, and remodelling phases, the main features of which are inflammation, neoangiogenesis, and epithelialization. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is one modality postulated to improve wound healing. The objective of this study was to determine whether HBOT could improve selected features of burn wound healing in an experimental rabbit model. METHODS: Researchers conducted an experimental study with 36 rabbits given second-degree burns. Subjects were separated into two groups: a control group (n = 18) and an intervention group that was given HBOT at 2.4 atmospheres absolute for 6 days (n = 18). The main outcome measure was wound healing. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the HBOT group showed more robust inflammatory cells ( P = .025) and epithelialization ( P = .024), but no significant difference in angiogenesis ( P = .442). CONCLUSIONS: The authors conclude that HBOT may improve second-degree burn healing by increasing inflammatory cell migration and re-epithelialization.