Many studies have shown that pyrazoline derivatives have therapeutic potential as antidepressant drugs. In this study, we aimed to investigate the antidepressant-like effect of eight new 1-[(N,N-disubstituted thiocarbamoylthio)acetyl]-3-(2-thienyl)-5-aryl-2-pyrazolines that have previously been synthesized in our laboratory. Antidepressant-like activity was investigated in mouse forced swimming test (FST). Drug-induced effects on motor function were also tested by using digitized motor activity monitoring system. Shortened immobility time in FST was accepted as indicator of antidepressant-like activity. Results showed that three of eight pyrazoline compounds (1b, 1d, 1g) significantly shortened immobility time compared with control. Compound 1b was found to be more effective in FST than were clomipramine and tranylcypromine, used as reference antidepressant drugs. This compound also significantly increased horizontal motor activity, like clomipramine, compared with control mice. These results suggest that the N,Ndisubstituted dithiocarbamate moiety of pyrazoline derivatives may have therapeutic antidepressant potential.

In this study, the effect of propofol on isolated bovine coronary artery tone was studied in artery rings precontracted with PGF2a. Propofol, in concentrations of 10-6-10-5 M did not change vascular smooth muscle tone, but at high concentrations (10-4-10-1 M) produced relaxation in rings with intact endothelium. In rings denuded of endothelium or treated with methylene blue, propofol produced relaxation at 10-3-10-1 M concentrations, but there was a significant decrease in relaxation compared to endothelium intact rings. In the presence of a calcium agonist (Bay K 8644; 10-5 M), propofol produced constriction in rings denuded of endothelium. These results suggest that high concentrations of propofol may have vasorelaxant effect on bovine coronary artery and that these effects may be due to actions on the endothelium and mediated by calcium channels.

Coronary heart disease because of atherosclerosis is still the most common cause of mortality. Elevated levels of low-density lipoprotein and total cholesterol are major risk factors for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the olive leaf extract on serum lipid profile, early changes of atherosclerosis and endothelium-dependent relaxations in cholesterol-fed rats. For this purpose, rats were fed by 2% cholesterol-enriched or standard chow for 8 weeks. Some rats in each group were also fed orally by olive leaf extract at doses of 50 or 100 mg/kg/day. Atorvastatin at dose of 20 mg/kg of body weight daily was also given as positive control. After 8 weeks, lipid profiles of rat serums were analyzed. Antioxidant enzyme activities (superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase) and degree of lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde levels) were also measured in the hearts isolated from rats. In addition, expression of adhesion molecules and endothelium-dependent relaxations of isolated thoracic aortas of rats were evaluated. Total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol levels were found to be increased in cholesterol-fed rats, and both doses of olive leaf extract and atorvastatin significantly decreased those levels. In conclusion, because the olive leaf extract attenuates the increased cholesterol levels, it may have beneficial effects on atherosclerosis.

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These results suggest that the impaired relaxant effects were further decreased depending on K(ATP) channel activity but the effects of Rho-kinase enzyme inhibitors on relaxation responses were not significantly changed in diabetes mellitus.