Intrathecal administration of roscovitine inhibits Cdk5 activity and attenuates formalin-induced nociceptive response in rats.

Aim: To investigate effects of the cyclin-dependent kinase5 (Cdk5) inhibitor roscovitine on formalin-induced nociceptive responses in rats.

Methods: The flinch response as a methood of pain threshold measurement and intrathecal injection techniques were used. Cdk5 and phosphorylation of its downstream target, DARPP-32 (dopamine- and cAMP-regulated phosphoprotein of M(r) 32 kDa), were investigated by Western blot analysis.

Single injection of naked plasmid encoding alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone protects against thioacetamide-induced acute liver failure in mice.

Oxidative stress has been implicated in the propagation of acute liver injury. The aim of our study was to investigate whether gene transfer of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH), a potent anti-inflammatory peptide, could prevent fulminant hepatic failure in mice. Acute liver damage was induced by intraperitoneal administration of thioacetamide.