The effects of glutamate on the noradrenergic innervation of the rat vas deferens have been investigated. Administration of a single dose of kainate (50 micrograms) to the peripheral noradrenergic ganglia innervating the vas deferens induced a time-dependent decrease of norepinephrine in the organ; after 10 days the norepinephrine concentration had fallen to 35% of control values. This effect was accompanied by a 70% decrease in the potassium-induced release of recently incorporated 3H-norepinephrine. Concomitantly, postsynaptic hypersensitivity to both norepinephrine and dopamine appeared. The finding that adrenergic ganglia possess high-affinity glutamate binding sites suggests that the effect of kainate may be ascribed to glutamate receptors present on the perikarya of the noradrenergic neurons. It is concluded that noradrenergic neurons of the vas deferens are under glutamatergic control and that this might be important in the motor control of the organ.

-It was studied in Antarctic fishes the anesthetic and/or analgesic actions of central depressors ketamine, fentanyl and thiopental as well as the local anesthetic benzocaine. The drugs were added to aerated marine water at temperatures of 1-1.5 C. Ketamine (15 mg/L) and fentanyl (50 g/L) failed in inducing anesthesia but caused a long lasting analgesia and sedation. Thiopental was required in doses of 100 mg/L to anesthetize the fishes, that is, about 30 times higher than the usual anesthetic dose for mammals. The anesthesia was long lasting, that is, 3-4 h, and difficult to control. One fish remained in a comatose state for four days with survival. Benzocaine in doses of 100 mg/L was successful in anesthetizing the fishes within 6-8 min, anesthesia lasting for 15-20 min, with a minor respiratory depression.Key Words: Antarctic fish; Nototheniidae; benzocaine; fentanyl; ketamine; thiopental; analgesia; anesthesia.RESUMO -Foi levado a efeito em peixes antárticos um estudo sobre as ações anestésicas e/ou analgésicas de depressores centrais ketamine, fentanyl e thiopental bem como do anestésico local benzocaina. As drogas foram adicionadas à água marinha aerada nas temperaturas de 1 a 1,5 o C. Ketamine (15 mg/L) e fentanyl (50 g/L) não induziram anestesia mas causaram demorada analgesia e sedação. Doses de 100 mg/L de Thiopental foram necessárias para anestesiar peixes, ou seja, em concentração 30 vezes maior do que a dose anestésica usual utilizada para mamíferos. A anestesia ocasionada nos peixes foi longa -de 3 a 4 horas -e difícil de ser controlada. Um dos peixes utilizados na experimentação permaneceu em estado de comatose por quatro dias com sobrevida. Benzocaina em doses de 100 mg/L foi eficiente para anestesiar peixes dentro de 6 a 8 minutos após a sua administração. A anestesia, neste caso, teve duração de 15 a 20 minutos acompanhada de pequena depressão respiratória.

A study was carried out on the effects of the human amniotic membrane (HAM) during wound healing fresh extraction dental sockets on rat maxillary incisors after HAM implantation. Material and Methods. A new method of HAM storage was developed and was denominated as Modified Criovac Technique, which can be divided into 3 phases: cell disintegration, dehydration, and sterilization by gamma irradiation. This method increased the membrane life time, is safe and its sterilization was effective, facilitating the future use of the material. Experiments were performed in 30 male rats, with an average weight of 320 grams each. The animals were divided into 2 groups: experimental and control. The observation times were 2, 7, 14, and 30 days. Three animals of each group were sacrificed, and the specimens were processed for histological routine. Results. Studies under light microscopy revealed that HAM was biologically compatible with bone tissue, did not show signs of rejection. In addition, we observed resorption of HAM during healing time that has been increased at the dental socket because of HAM presence.

Calcium blockers are important therapeutic agents used in cardiovascular diseases. Their effects on osseous tissue are about unknown and an action on dental tissues was not previously studied. It was intended in the preent study to analyze the action of calcium blocker verapamil on dental caries induced by cariogenic diet and to correlate the results with alkaline phosphatase inhibition. Material and Methods. Thirty four Wistar male rats were divided in four groups as follows: a)-animals treated with normal diet and no drug (control 1); b)-animals treated with cariogenic diet and no drug (control 2); c)-animals treated with normal diet and verapamil (24 mg/rat/day); c) animals treated with normal diet and verapamil. Salivary alkaline phosphatase was assayed in all the rats. A total of 160 teeth were examined under light stereoscopic microscope regarding to the presence of dental caries in enamel, dentine and pulp. Results. Results are presented as percentage of caries in each group. a)-Control 1-normal diet: no caries; b)-Control 2-cariogenic diet: 48 % of caries; c)-cariogenic diet and verapamil: 75% of caries; d)-normal diet and verapamil: 71% of caries. In the verapamil treated rats, a significant increase of dentine caries was observed. The drug increased salivar phosphatase alkaline activity. Conclusion. Verapamil significantly stimulated dental caries by itself, a result not dependent of the diet and the increasethe in salivary alkaline phosphatase activity; these two phenomena are possibly related between them.

O verapamil e outros bloqueadores dos canais de cálcio são usados como antihipertensivos e antiarrítmicos tratamentos prolongados ou por toda a vida, podendo ser indicados em gestantes. Foi estudado o efeito do bloqueador dos canais de cálcio sobre o germe dental, tempo de erupção dentária de filhotes nascidos de mães tratadas e mineralização óssea nas mães. As fêmeas tratadas foram divididas em dois grupos: o primeiro recebeu verapamil na dose de 2,4 mg/rato/dia e o segundo, 24 mg/rato/dia. Os animais foram divididas em dois subgrupos: o primeiro recebeu a droga durante 10 semanas: 7 semanas antes do acasalamento e 3 semanas durante a gestação realizando-se a operação cesariana ao 21o dia; o outro foi tratado como o primeiro, porem os filhotes nasceram de parto natural e o tratamento das mães foi continuado por 15 dias. Foram determinados os níveis plasmáticos de cálcio e fosfato de mães e filhotes. As cabeças dos filhotes foram seccionadas para histologia dos germes dentários e determinados os pesos úmido e seco do osso femoral das mães. Os resultados mostraram que a droga, na dose mais elevada, diminuiu os níveis séricos de cálcio e fosfato nas mães, enquanto que nos filhotes, os valores foram significativamente mais baixos em comparação com as mães. O verapamil causou aumento da mineralização óssea nas mães durante a gestação, mas não após o parto. Um aumento da calcificação dos germes dentários dos filhotes não pôde ser demonstrada, porem na dose mais elevada, o verapamil causou retardo significativo na erupção dentária. Abstract Verapamil and other calcium blocker drugs are used as antihypertensive and antiarrhythmic in long term treatments and appropriate to be prescribed for pregnant women. It was studied in rats the effects of verapamil on dental germ calcification, the time of dental eruption in offspring born from treated mothers and on mother’s bone mineralization. The rats were divided in two groups: one received verapamil in doses of 2.4 mg/rat/day and the other, 24 mg/rat/day. The animals were divided in two subgroups: one was treated during 10 weeks: 7 before mating and 3 during pregnancy, cesarean surgery performed on the 21st day; the other was treated in the same way but the offspring were born by natural delivery and the mothers’ treatment continued for 15 days. Plasma calcium and phosphate were assayed in mothers and offspring. The offspring’s heads were isolated to histology of dental germs and determined mothers’ femoral bone fresh and dry weights. Results show that the higher dose verapamil lowered mother’s plasmatic calcium and phosphate while a significant lower values were observed in offspring as compared to their mothers. Verapamil increased mothers’ femoral bone mineralization during mineralization but not after delivery. An increased calcium deposition of dental germ could not be demonstrated but verapamil significantly delayed newborn’s dental eruption.

-A research has been carried out on the sensitivity of the Antarctic fish Notothenia neglecta towards the non-pollutant anticholinesterase agent Malathion [O,O-dimethyl S-(1,2-dicarbethoxyethyl) phosphorodithioate]. Specimens of N. neglecta were injected with Malathion in doses of 15 or 30 mg/kg bw and observed regarding their behavior, somatic and physiological responses during ten days. They were monitored by the assay of serum cholinesterase activity as well as by the observation of respiratory depression and by the catatonic behavior, changes of body color and cholinergic muscarinic responses. Results of this experiment showed that N. neglecta is significantly more sensitive to Malathion as compared to the fresh water fish Oreochomis niloticus. At the end of the experiment all waste material was packed up and carried to our laboratories back home.

No abstract

-Calcium blockers are used in cardiovascular diseases, usually in long term treatments and sometimes in pregnant women. Isradipine is an important antihypertensive drug, considered to be safe in pregnancy. In this study, the effects of isradipine were evaluated regarding to the uterine implantation, fetal reabsorption, plasmatic levels of calcium, phosphate and total protein of mother and offspring. Thirty-two female and 12 male quality-controlled Wistar rats were used. The drug was administered in drinking water for 56 days: 35 days before mating and 21 days along the pregnancy. In one group, caesarean surgery was performed on the 20 th //day and in the other, isradipine treatment continued for the naturally born rats, which were observed along 30 days. During the caesarean, blood samples of mothers and newborns were taken and plasmatic / levels of calcium, phosphate and total proteins determined. To observe the drug influence on the bones, femur mineralization of mothers was evaluated. Results showed that isradipine stimulated uterine implantation; however, it increased the fetal reabsorption. No teratogenic effect was observed but newborns displayed a lower body weight. Plasmatic levels of calcium, phosphate and total proteins were not influenced by the drug. Dental eruption was not disturbed in the offspring born from the treated mothers.Key words: isradipine, calcium channel blockers, calcium antagonists and pregnancy.RESUMO -Os bloqueadores de cálcio são utilizados em doenças cardiovasculares, usualmente em tratamentos de longa duração e ocasionalmente em mulheres grávidas. A isradipina é uma importante droga antihipertensiva, considerada segura na gravidez e sem efeitos teratogênicos. Neste estudo foram estudados, em ratos Wistar, os efeitos da isradipina sobre a implantação uterina, reabsorção fetal e sobre os níveis plasmáticos de cálcio, fosfato e proteínas totais. Foram utilizados 32 fêmeas e 12 machos com qualidade controlada. A droga foi administrada na água de beber durante 56 dias, sendo 35 antes do acasalamento e 21 durante a prenhêz. Em um grupo, foi realizada operação cesareana ao 20º / dia de gestação e em outro, os ratos nasceram de parto natural e foram observados durante 30 dias, com manutenção da administração de isradipina. Por ocasião da cesareana foram obtidas amostras de sangue de mães e filhotes, para determinação de cálcio, fosfato e proteínas totais plasmáticas. Para observar a influência da droga no / tratamento prolongado sobre os ossos, a mineralização do fêmur das mães foi avaliada. Os resultados mostraram que a isradipina estimulou a implantação uterina porém aumentou a reabsorção fetal. Nenhum efeito teratogênico foi observado, entretanto ocorreu diminuição significativa do peso dos filhotes. Os níveis plasmãticos de cálcio, fosfato e proteínas totais não foram alterados pela droga. O período da erupção dental não foi alterado nos filhotes nascidos de mães tratadas.