The effects of angiotensin II (Ang II) and angiotensin receptor ligands sarmesin ([Sar1, Tyr(Me)4] Ang II) and saralasin ([Sar1, Ala8] Ang II) administered intracerebroventricularly (i.c.v.) on acute anoxic hypoxia were studied in mice. The interactions of these ligands and of amastatin (an aminopeptidase A inhibitor) after pretreatment with Ang II and sarmesin, respectively, were also studied. Ang II decreased the latency to hypoxia-induced convulsive seizures and altered survival time (increase or decrease depending on the dose). Sarmesin and saralasin significantly increased the latency to seizures as well as survival time. Pretreatment with saralasin and sarmesin antagonized the Ang II effect on the latency to seizures. Both drugs increased the Ang II effect on the survival time. Amastatin tended to increase the effect of sarmesin on the survival time. Taken together, the results suggest that the antihypoxic effect of sarmesin and saralasin is most likely due to an action on Ang II receptors, with the agents behaving as partial agonists.

Acute Disease↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Mechanisms of the angiotensin II effects on exploratory behavior of rats in open field. III. Modulatory role of GABA.

The effects of the octapeptide angiotensin II (AT II) and its interactions with GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) on the exploratory behavior of male rats in open field were studied. AT II (0.1 and 0.5 microgram i.c.v.) increased the open field behavior, mainly ambulation and rearing. GABA (100 micrograms i.c.v.) significantly reduced the effects of AT II. This influence of GABA was potentiated by subconvulsive doses of bicuculline. Our results demonstrate that the GABAergic system exerts an inhibitory control on pathways mediating the stimulatory effects of AT II on exploratory behavior in open field. The data also suggest close interactions between GABA AT II receptors.

Angiotensin II↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Vulvovaginal candidiasis complicating recurrent bacterial vaginosis.

In this study the authors reveal a high incidence of asymptomatic and symptomatic vulvovaginal yeast infection in patients with recurrent bacterial vaginosis. Symptomatic yeast vaginitis in these patients presents frequently as a mixed infection with symptoms and signs of both clinical entities being present simultaneously. The authors diagnosed vulvovaginal candidiasis in 10 (29%) out of 35 patients with a history of recurrent bacterial vaginosis; vulvovaginal candidiasis and bacterial vaginosis together were detected in 12 (34%) out of 35 women. Optimal therapeutic results usually require concomitant treatment of both candidal vaginitis and bacterial vaginosis. The lack of specificity of signs and symptoms of vaginitis mandates that women with recurrent bacterial vaginosis, for each symptomatic recurrence, be examined and evaluated by the use of simple laboratory tests to determine a specific diagnosis. Failure to appreciate the frequency of candida superinfection leads to empirical and inappropriate therapy for bacterial vaginosis.

Bacterial Infections↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Delusion and sleep deprivation].

In this article, the authors report two observations of short delusion that occurred after taking Guronsan--a psychostimulant commercialized in France--for a few days, with the intention of maintaining a total deprivation of sleep for three days in both cases. The ensuing clinical picture included a state of depersonalization, a loss of the sense of reality, illusions and even visual hallucinations as well as a delirious feeling of persecution. These disorders altered with the state of vigilance and the patients remembered them clearly. The authors discussed the etiopathogenic role of this psychotrope, as its components--acid ascorbic, glucuronamide and caffein--are not mentioned in literature as causing factors of a psychotic state. Then they compared this psychotrope with other molecules: amphetamines in particular may start a delirium of persecution, but normally they just reveal an underlying psychotic structure, which doesn't seem to be the case here, where the two young adults were only found a little immature. Chloroquine has sometimes been incriminated for disorders similar to those mentioned above, with a difference lying in a greater stability in the duration of these disorders that would persist several days after the end of the treatment. The clinical picture of the two cases was more labile and sedation was complete as soon as the absorption of the psychotrope was interrupted and sleep was restored at the same time. That is why the authors emphasize the importance of the deprivation of sleep as a causing factor of those delusion disorders which have particularly been observed in the case of solitary navigators. The psychiatrist dealing with emergencies shouldn't overlook this clinical and etiological possibility, all the less so as the treatment is simple and the resort to neuroleptics unnecessary.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Effects of angiotensin II on biogenic monoamine uptake in the brain of nonhypoxic and hypoxic mice.

The effects of angiotensin II (ATII) administered intacerebroventricularly (i.c.v.) at a dose of 0.5 microgram per mouse on dopamine (DA), noradrenaline (NA) and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) high-affinity uptake in mouse forebrain during hypoxia (asphyxic and hemic) were studied. The influence of hypoxia on biogenic monoamine uptake was also investigated. It was found that DA uptake increased, NA uptake decreased and 5-HT uptake was unchanged after asphyxic hypoxia. Hemic hypoxia had no effect on biogenic monoamine uptake. ATII did not affect uptake of biogenic monoamines in normoxic mice after asphyxic and hemic hypoxia. The results suggest that ATII increases the susceptibility of animals to hypoxia through alterations in the brain high-affinity monoamine uptake.

Angiotensin II↗