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C Cannizzaro

Publications and source records attributed to C Cannizzaro.

25 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

Behavioural responsiveness to picrotoxin and desipramine in adult rats prenatally exposed to different benzodiazepine receptor agonists.

The behavioural responsiveness to picrotoxin and desipramine was investigated in adult rats prenatally exposed to different benzodiazepine receptor agonists such as diazepam, alprazolam and zolpidem. Prenatal exposure to diazepam and alprazolam similarly potentiated the anti-immobility effect on the forced swimming test and the inhibitory effect on spontaneous motor activity of picrotoxin and desipramine and increased the seizure sensitivity to picrotoxin. Prenatal zolpidem seems to be ineffective. These data suggest that, despite the differences in their pharmacodynamic profile, prenatal exposure to diazepam and alprazolam, but not zolpidem, may have similar permanent consequences on the behavioural effects of drugs acting on the GABAA receptors.

Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors↗
PubMed1994

NMDA-GABA interactions in an animal model of behaviour: a gating mechanism from motivation toward psychotic-like symptoms.

We studied the effects of desipramine, alprazolam, muscimol and dizocilpine (MK-801) (alone or associated with desipramine) in the forced swimming test in rats after long-lasting termination of chronic exposure to vehicle and pentylenetetrazol. Sensitisation with pentylenetetrazol was ineffective in changing immobility time in the forced swimming test compared to vehicle treatment; pentylenetetrazol enhanced the anti-immobility effect of desipramine, abolished the anti-immobility effect of alprazolam and did not affect the anti-immobility effect of muscimol. MK-801 at the dose that did not modify immobility time in vehicle-treated rats and in pentylenetetrazol-treated animals strongly potentiated the anti-immobility effect of desipramine in pentylenetetrazol-treated rats. MK-801 in association with desipramine induced a marked hyperlocomotion and hyperexcitability, with swaying movements and oral stereotypies in pentylenetetrazol-sensitised rats. Results are considered the experimental representation of a 'gating mechanism' toward psychotic-like symptoms.

Alprazolam↗
PubMed1993

Effects of desipramine and alprazolam in the forced swim test in rats after long-lasting termination of chronic exposure to picrotoxin and pentylenetetrazol.

Rats were treated for 5 weeks with three subconvulsant doses of picrotoxin (PTX) and pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) per week to induce a persistent reduction of the GABAA receptor function which results in chemical kindling. Fifteen days after termination of this treatment schedule, the effect of desipramine (DMI) and alprazolam (ALP) on immobility time in the forced swim test (FST) was evaluated. Chronic PTX and PTZ did not alter the immobility time. Acute PTX and PTZ reduced the immobility of rats chronically treated with vehicle but not of those exposed chronically to PTX and PTZ. Chronic PTX did not influence the anti-immobility effect of DMI, but blocked that of ALP. Chronic PTZ markedly potentiated the anti-immobility effect of DMI but blocked that of ALP. Concomitant administration of chlordiazepoxide prevented the effects of chronic PTX and PTZ. These findings suggest that a long-lasting reduction in GABAA receptor function, unlike acute reduction, does not play an important role in the mobility of rats in the FST and in the anti-immobility effect of DMI while it blocks that of ALP.

Alprazolam↗
PubMed1992

Antidepressant and anxiolytic effects of alprazolam versus the conventional antidepressant desipramine and the anxiolytic diazepam in the forced swim test in rats.

The antidepressant and anxiolytic effects of alprazolam were compared to those of desipramine, diazepam and buspirone in the forced swim test. Subchronic alprazolam induced a reduction in immobility similar to that of desipramine in 'non-pretested' and 'pretested' rats. In 'non-pretested' rats, the anti-immobility effect of desipramine was potentiated by diazepam and alprazolam, given before subchronic desipramine, while the anti-immobility effect of subchronic alprazolam was counteracted by diazepam. Diazepam, administered before the pretest session, counteracted, 24 h later, the anti-immobility effect of subchronic desipramine and alprazolam; alprazolam counteracted the anti-immobility effect of alprazolam but not of desipramine, buspirone at the highest doses tested potentiated the anti-immobility effect of subchronic desipramine but not of alprazolam. These data provide further support for the hypothesis that the GABA/benzodiazepine/Cl complex is directly implicated in the action of antidepressants and that systems other than the GABA system are involved in the antidepressant and anxiolytic effects of alprazolam.

Alprazolam↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Intrathoracic alimentary tract duplication cysts treated in utero by thoracoamniotic shunting.

Alimentary tract duplication cysts are rarely diagnosed in utero. We report two fetal patients that presented with intrathoracic alimentary tract duplication cysts, mediastinal shift and hydrops. In one fetus, the cyst continued into the fetal abdomen and pelvis through a left diaphragmatic hernia. Despite successful ultrasound-guided needle aspirations in both fetuses, there was rapid reaccumulation of the fluid and recurrence of the mediastinal shift, prompting the placement of a thoracoamniotic shunt. In one fetus, there was rapid resolution of the mediastinal shift with the disappearance of the hydrops within 2 weeks. The second fetus suffered an intrauterine demise 2 days after the shunt placement. Postnatal resection in the surviving infant revealed a large cyst consistent with an intrathoracic duplication of the stomach. The autopsy of the second fetus revealed an intrathoracic duplication cyst of the stomach and proximal small intestine.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Changes in the rat brain 5-HT1A and 5-HT2 receptors after chronic administration of levoprotiline, (+)-oxaprotiline and other antidepressant drugs.

The effects of levoprotiline (LEV), a (-)-enantiomer of oxaprotiline (OXA) and a clinically effective antidepressant, on the binding parameters of hippocampal 5-HT1A and cortical 5-HT2 receptors of rats were compared with those of (+)-enantiomer of OXA ((+)-OXA), imipramine and mianserin. Both LEV and (+)-OXA displayed in vitro some affinity for 5-HT1A receptors labelled with [3H]-8-OH-DPAT, and for 5-HT2 receptors labelled with [3H]-ketanserin. Repeated administration of LEV, for 14 days led to a marked increase in the number of 5-HT1A binding sites in the rat hippocampus, with no change in the KD values. (+)-OXA, imipramine and mianserin produced similar effects on 5-HT1A binding parameters. The number of 5-HT2 receptors was increased after two weeks of LEV administration, not altered after (+)-OXA, and decreased after imipramine or mianserin. The number of [3H]-ketanserin binding sites was decreased after four weeks of (+)-OXA administration, but not altered after LEV. The specific binding of [3H]-ketanserin in the rat cerebral cortex was decreased after repeated treatment with LEV and (+)-OXA (ex vivo). In competition studies the affinity of serotonin for [3H]-ketanserin binding sites was decreased in LEV- and increased in (+)-OXA-treated rats. The results suggest that LEV similarly to other antidepressants increases the number of 5-HT1A receptors, however without common alteration in 5-HT2 receptor number and function.

Animals↗