Background/objectives: Recent studies have investigated the effects of ketamine on fear memory in animals. However, it is unclear if ketamine might affect avoidance memory and emotional behaviors concomitantly. In this study, we compared the effects of (,)- and ()-ketamine in modulating avoidance responses, depression- and anxiety-related behaviors in stressed mice.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAtomoxetine is a drug widely used for the treatment of the attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) with reduced risk of adverse motor reactions and chemical dependence. However, the pharmacokinetics characteristics as well as the toxicological risk of atomoxetine deserves further investigation to comprehensively analyze the therapeutic and safety aspects of this drug. This study aimed to predict the physicochemical profile and medicinal chemistry characteristics of atomoxetine, alongside its pharmacokinetic properties-namely absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion-as well as its toxicology (ADMET) potential through the utilization of web-based in silico tools.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFParkinson disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disease mainly characterized by the loss of nigral dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta. Patients suffering from PD develop severe motor dysfunctions and a myriad of non-motor symptoms. The treatment mainly consists of increasing central dopaminergic neurotransmission and alleviating motor symptoms, thus promoting severe side effects without modifying the disease's progress.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe effects of acute treatment with sibutramine on the peripheral sympathetic neurotransmission in vas deferens of young rats were still not evaluated. Therefore, we carried out this study in order to verify the effects of acute sibutramine treatment on the neuronal- and exogenous agonist-induced contractions of the young rat vas deferens. Young 45-day-old male Wistar rats were pretreated with sibutramine 6 mg/kg and after 4h the vas deferens was used for experiment.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIn the normotensive rat atrium, adenosine-5'-triphosphate and uridine-5'-triphosphate exert a biphasic effect consisting of an initial negative inotropic effect (NIE) followed by a subsequent positive inotropic effect (PIE). We comparatively studied these responses in normotensive Wistar rats (NWRs) and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). Compared with NWRs, the NIE responses in the atria were lower and the PIE responses were higher in SHRs.
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