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R Samardzić

Publications and source records attributed to R Samardzić.

67 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Differential inhibition by ethanol of norepinephrine- and clonidine-induced emesis in cats.

The effect of acute ethanol administration into the cerebral ventricles on the unanesthetized cat upon emesis produced by norepinephrine and clonidine injected similarly as well as upon emesis evoked by copper sulfate given orally was compared and investigated. Ethanol inhibited the norepinephrine- and clonidine-induced emesis. The inhibitory effect of ethanol occurred after a transient and inconsistent emetic action of the drug. Norepinephrine-induced emesis was about 12 times more sensitive than clonidine-induced emesis to the inhibitory effect of ethanol. In addition, norepinephrine-, but not clonidine-induced emesis was abolished after ablation of the area postrema. On the contrary, intracerebroventricular ethanol had virtually no effect on emesis caused by intragastric copper sulfate. The inhibitory effect of ethanol is ascribed to an action on alpha-2 adrenoceptors within the area postrema and on imidazoline-preferring sites and/or muscarinic cholinoceptors outside the area postrema, but not on the emetic region of the brainstem reticular formation. It follows then that ethanol can differentiate alpha-2 adrenoceptors from imidazoline-preferring sites and/or muscarinic cholinoceptors in the brain of the cat.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Selective effect of ethanol on norepinephrine- and nicotine-induced emesis in cats.

The effect of acute ethanol administration into the cerebral ventricles of the unanesthetized cat upon emesis produced by norepinephrine and nicotine injected similarly was investigated. Ethanol inhibited the norepinephrine- and nicotine-induced emesis. The inhibitory effect of ethanol occurred after a transient and inconsistent emetic action of the drug. Ethanol was about 10 times more potent inhibiting the emesis caused by nicotine. On the other hand, intracerebroventricular ethanol had virtually no effect on emesis produced by intragastric copper sulfate. The inhibitory effect of ethanol is ascribed to an action on alpha-noradrenergic and nicotinic receptors in the area postrema. Differential responses to ethanol most probably reflect the microenvironment of alpha-noradrenergic and nicotinic synapses in the area postrema of the cat.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Opposite effects of GABAA and NMDA receptor antagonists on ethanol-induced behavioral sleep in rats.

The effects of the GABAA receptor antagonists, pentylenetetrazol, bicuculline, and picrotoxin, the glycine antagonist, strychnine, and the NMDA receptor antagonist, memantine, on ethanol-induced behavioral sleep and body temperature were investigated. Pentylenetetrazol, bicuculline, and picrotoxin given prior and following ethanol reduced the behavioral sleep and potentiated the hypothermia caused by ethanol. However, convulsions appeared when bicuculline, but not pentylenetetrazol and picrotoxin, were given following ethanol. After the reversal of unconsciousness in rats without convulsions the animals remained awake throughout the experiments without motor incoordination, hyperexcitability, and sedation, but they were in hypothermia within 12 h. The glycine antagonist, strychnine, given prior or after ethanol had virtually no effect on ethanol-induced behavioral sleep and hypothermia. Ethanol given prior or following strychnine failed to antagonize strychnine-induced convulsions. The NMDA receptor antagonist, memantine, given following ethanol potentiated the behavioral sleep and had virtually no effect on hypothermia induced by ethanol. It is suggested that the ethanol-induced behavioral sleep may be attributed to its ability to enhance the GABAergic mechanisms and to inhibit NMDA-mediated excitatory responses. However, the ethanol-induced hypothermia may be ascribed solely to the facilitation of GABAergic transmission. Further, it is postulated that a bidirectional inhibitory system subserves the regulation of behavioral sleep and convulsions. However, one-way inhibitory system underlies the ethanol-induced hypothermia.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Thyrotropin-releasing hormone: distribution, role and importance].

TRH is one of the first hypothalamic releasing hormones which has been identified and applied in humans. It is a tripeptidamid which belongs to the family of neuropeptides together with endorphins, neurotensin and substance P. TRH is widely distributed not only in hypothalamus, but also in extrahypothalamic parts of CNS as well as in many peripheral tissues and organs. TRH receptors are one of the first discovered peptide receptors in the brain. TRH coexists with other neurotransmitters and neuromodulators in brain neurons. In addition to its endocrine function in the regulation of TSH secretion, it also releases prolactin, FSH and NOR. Moreover, its extrapituitary actions have not yet been fully elucidated. Although TRH receptors are identified in CNS, it is not yet known whether it is a neurotransmitter or a neuromodulator. In particular, its relationship with cholinergic, noradrenergic, dopaminergic, serotonergic and opioid systems as well as other putative neurotransmitters in the brain, has been discussed. Finally, TRH is used as a diagnostic means in some endocrine and nonendocrine disorders.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor: biologic effects and possibilities of therapeutic use].

This review is a brief overview on recent advances in biology as well as in the potential clinical application of recombinant methionil human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (r-metHuG-CSF). Biologically active human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor is a recombinant human protein expressed in Escherichia coli. It is localized on membrane of stroma cells in molecules of extracellular matrix. R-metHuG-CSF increases the number of circulating neutrophils, and to a much lesser extent macrophages. The clinically relevant uses of r-metHuG-CSF at present lie in two general areas: neutropenia and febrile netropenia present in patients with non-myeloid malignant diseases induced by anticancer agents. R-metHuG-CSF produces dose-dependent and reversible side effects such as: musculoskeletal pain, urinary disorders, retention of fluid, pericarditis, dyspnea, hypoxia and hypotension.

Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Evaluation of the efficacy of electroconvulsive therapy in the treatment of delusional, congruently delusional and non-congruently delusional subtypes of unipolar affective disorders].

In this retrospective pilot study we tried to find out whether there were any differences in therapeutic response to electroconvulsive therapy in the patients with diagnosed unipolar affective disorder due to the presence and type of delusions in the clinical course of the disease. The sample consists of 45 inpatient unipolar depressives, 15 male and 30 female, divided into 3 experimental groups: nondelusional depressions, depressions with congruent delusions and depressions with incongruent delusions. Two variables were used to estimate the therapeutic response: number of received ECT treatments and proportion of full remissions. Our results showed significant differences between all the groups for both variables with the best therapeutic response in the group of incongruent delusional depressions and the worst in the group of nondelusional depressions.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Alpha interferons--new therapeutic modalities].

Interferons are naturally occurring substances. In fact, interferons are intercellular signalling proteins produced by cells in response to various biological and synthetic stimuli. Three major classes of interferons have been identified: interferons alpha, beta and gamma. Interferons originate from natural sources and are products of recombinant technology. Two forms of recombinant alpha-interferons, 2a and 2b, are available. Alpha-interferons are secreted and synthetised by leucocytes and lymphoblasts. The objective herein is to review the current therapeutic implications of alpha-interferons. Interferons alpha have antiviral, anticancer and immunomodulatory activities. Clinical trials have proved interferons alpha to be of special value as adjuvant therapy (first line drugs) for hairy cell leukemia, virus hepatitis B and C and condylomata acuminata. The efficacy of interferons alpha is now also being evaluated in other malignancies and virus diseases. For instance, interferons alpha are an important advanced modality in the management of chronic myelogenous leukemia and can be considered a first-line therapy option in patients who cannot receive or relapse following allogenic bone marrow transplant. Of course, further research is also required to evaluate combination therapies with interferons alpha and other agents. Presently malignancies have the broadest potential in application of interferons alpha therapy. Hairy cell leukemia responds to interferons alpha in up to 90% of patients, Kaposi's sarcoma, which occurs primarily in association with AIDS, benefit in up to 40% of patents, lymphomas respond in about 65% of patients whereas chronic myelogeneous leukemia in more than 80% of patients in early cases. The uses of interferons alpha in infectious diseases (condylomaty acuminata, rhinovirus infection, protozoal, parasitic and fungal intracellular infections) may also be significant. However, the cost of interferons alpha is too high. This makes interferons alpha a second line therapy, but not in patients where it is more effective than alternative treatment. Interferons alpha are cytokines (intercellular signalling proteins) which have antiviral, anticancer and immunomodulatory activities. Interferons alpha therapy represents an important advanced modality in the management of patients with hematological diseases, malignancies, lymphomas, solid malignant tumours and viral infections. Clinical trials have proved interferons alpha to be of special value as first line drugs for hairy cell leukemia, virus hepatitis B and C and condylomata accuminata. Interferons alpha are used as single primary therapy, adjuvant therapy and maintenance therapy. The limiting factor for the application of interferons alpha is the cost of treatment.

Humans↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[The role of day care hospitals in psychosocial rehabilitation of patients with psychiatric war injuries].

The integrative therapy with the aim of psychosocial rehabilitation of the patients with war psychotraumas, treated in the Day-time hospital in the period 1992-1996, was described and analysed in this study. There were 209 patients (175 males and 34 females)--133 (63.6%) war veterans and 76 (36.4%) refugees. All patients had posttraumatic mental disorders caused by strong war stressors. Diagnostic estimation was carried out in accordance with DSM-III-R classification and standardized PTSD interview. The most frequent were adaptation disorders and posttraumatic stress disorder. Eclectically oriented therapy which consisted of pharmacotherapy, psychotherapy, sociotherapy, occupational and recreational therapy was applied. The results of therapy and specially group therapy and social support, were positive; 182 (67.1%) patients were pronounced capable and 27 (12.9%) uncapable for work, but in almost all of them the social functioning and adaptation were improved. It could be said that the Day-time hospital was the optimal place for psychosocial rehabilitation of patients with war psychotraumas, because hospitalization and stigmatisation was omitted, with favourable conditions for keeping and renewal of the social network.

Adolescent↗