[Changes in lipid spectrum in rats with chronic heart failure of different severity on the background of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and beta-adrenoblockers].

The character of lipid spectrum changes in rats with experimental heart failure of non-ischemic genesis depended on its severity. In mild heart failure there was found an increase in the low density lipoprotein levels, whereas in the severe one--a decrease of total cholesterol levels at the expense of the low density lipoproteins. The ACE inhibitors produced no significant changes in the lipid spectrum.

[Effect of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, beta-adrenoblockers, and their combinations on survival and plasma catecholamine levels in rats with chronic heart failure with induced exacerbations].

By using model of chronic heart failure (CHF) occurring with induced decompensations, it was shown that inhibitors of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and beta-adrenoblockers promoted to different degree the correction of hypercatecholaminemia and an increase of survival of rats. The most pronounced effect was characteristic of beta-adrenoblockers atenolol, propranolol, and carvedilol. The lower activity was demonstrated by other adrenoblockers that had no intrinsic sympathomimetic activity, as well as captopril.

[Plasma lipid spectrum and survival in rats with heart failure varied by severity under the influence of neurohormonal modulators].

In rats with relatively mild chronic heart failure (CHF) there was an increase in plasma LDL levels. In turn, in severe CHF it was revealed a significant decrease in total cholesterol concentration due to LDL levels decline. ACE inhibitors (captopril, enalapril and lisinopril) and the most selective beta1-adrenoblockers (metoprolol, nebivolol) had not any significant influence on plasma lipids.

Peculiarities of heart rhythm variability in narcotized and immobilized wakeful rats during blockade of calcium channels.

In narcotized rats, verapamil and cinnarizine modified some heart rate variability (HRV) indices and heart rate (HR) indicating up-regulation of parasympathetic tone in contrast to nifedipine that elevated activity of sympathetic subdivision of ANS producing no influence on HR. In wakeful stressed rats, the time-domain and geometric analysis established that verapamil decreased HR and up-regulated sympathetic tone; nifedipine elevated sympathetic tone and produced no effect on HR, while cinnarizine enhanced parasympathetic tone without any effect on HR. Spectrum analysis of HRV revealed probable activation of some other neurohumoral mechanisms by the employed calcium blockers.

Heart rate variability in conscious and anesthetized rats under the action of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors.

We studied the effects of three various angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (enalapril, lisinopril and quinapril) on heart rhythm variability in anesthetized and immobilized rats. In all cases (except for quinapril in experiments on anesthetized animals), the preparations reduced the total rhythm variability and, according to spectrum analysis, increased activity of the parasympathetic autonomic nervous system to different degrees and decreased sympathetic tone. Quinapril and lisinopril produced the most pronounced influence on heart rhythm in anesthetized rats; enalapril was less potent in this respect.

Lipid composition in rats with nonischemic chronic heart failure.

The initial stages of nonischemic chronic heart failure in rats (model of oleothorax) were accompanied by the development of dyslipidemia. This state was characterized by an increase in total cholesterol concentration (due to the fraction of low-density lipoproteins) and atherogenicity index. The concentrations of plasma total cholesterol and low-density lipoproteins were shown to decrease in animals with severe course of nonischemic chronic heart failure.

Heart rate variability in kittens during early postnatal ontogeny.

Heart rate variability in awake kittens under resting conditions was studied during the following periods of postnatal ontogeny: newborn animals, 10-day-old animals (eye opening), 20-day-old animals (rise on the legs), and 30-day-old animals (control). Newborn animals were characterized by high activity of the sympathoadrenal system due to birth stress. The effect of stress factors increased in 10-day-old kittens, which was related to the start of functioning of distant receptors and delivery of new environmental information into the brain.

[Neurohumoral mechanisms of the rat heart adaptation to overload].

The present study confirms involvement of the sympathicoadrenal system in adaptation of heart to overload. Besides, at formation of chronic heart failure (CHF) there have been revealed a rise of the histamine and serotonin levels in blood plasma and myocardium as well as glucocorticoid hyperactivation.

[The levels of thyroid hormones in hemorrhagic stroke].

Radioimmunoassay using was used to study the blood concentrations of thyroid hormones (thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), T3, and T4) in patients with hemorrhagic stroke as intracerebral hematoma. The authors analyzed two patient groups: 1) those operated on for intracerebral hematoma removal; 2) those receiving medical treatment. Surgical intervention resulted in local fibrinolysis of a hematoma remnant.

Effect of beta-adrenoblockers on heart rate variability in awake and narcotized rats.

In narcotized rats, beta-adrenoceptor blockers changed all parameters of heart rate variability indicating up-regulation of parasympathetic activity and down-regulation of the sympathetic one. In immobilized awake rats, the temporal and geometrical parameters varied similarly, while spectral analysis indicated possible activation of other neurohumoral mechanisms against the background of beta-blocker treatment.

Survival of rats with experimental chronic heart failure depending on pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic parameters of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and beta-adrenoceptor blockers.

Lipophilic inhibitors of angiotensin-converting enzyme increased 6-month survival and/or lifetime of rats with experimental chronic heart failure. These drugs had no effect on the mortality rate of animals with acute decompensation of the disease. beta-Adrenoceptor blockers without intrinsic sympathomimetic activity not only prolonged 6-month survival and lifetime, but also decreased the mortality rate of rats with decompensation of chronic heart failure.

[Morphometric characteristics of rat viscero- and somatosensory neurocytes of the caudal ganglia in the vagus nerve].

In experiments performed in 63 adult albino male rats, the participation of afferent neurons of caudal vagal ganglion in the innervation of different organs was investigated. Horseradish peroxidase and conjugate of horseradish peroxidase with wheat germ agglutinin were used as the tracers. Metric parameters (diameter of an equivalent circle) and shape parameters (circular factor of the form) of marked neurocytes were studied using computer videoanalysis method.

[Populations of afferent neurons in the sensory ganglia detected using lectin from Laburnum anagyroides].

The purpose of the present research was the study of afferent neuron subpopulations in vagal caudal ganglia and trigeminal ganglion of adult albino rats using a conjugate of fucose-specific Laburnum anagyroides lectin (LAL) with peroxidase. Histochemical preparations obtained were examined using computer videoanalyzer with the determination of dimensions of afferent neurons and integral optical density (IOD) of their cytoplasm. In the ganglia studied LAL was found to bind to the majority (more than 98%) of neurons.

Circuits and projections of cat stellate ganglion.

Background: Although connections of stellate ganglion (SG) have been widely explored, some features of pathways and projections remain unknown, such as the source and fate of preganglionic axons present in output branches, including both synaptically interrupted and traversing pathways as well as axon composition (efferent and afferent) of these output nerves.

Methods: Circuits and central projections of cat SG were investigated using horseradish peroxidase (HRP) tracer and electrophysiologic techniques including stimulation of ganglionic branches during recording of genesis of compound action potentials in other nerves or centrally evoked responses.

Results: All branches of SG including vertebral nerve are mixed, i.

Neuronal organization and cell interactions of the cat stellate ganglion.

The functional structure of the cat stellate ganglion (SG) and, in particular, its extra- and intraganglionic connections and neuronal organization, were investigated using histochemical, immunohistochemical, morphological and histological methods. Retrograde axonal transport of horseradish peroxidase was used to determine most of the extraganglionic interactions. Of the targets tested, the most extensive efferent connections of the SG were with the stemocleidomastoid muscle, trachea, esophagus and heart.

Age-dependent changes of electrophysiologic characteristics of the stellate ganglion conducting pathways in kittens.

The conducting pathways of the cat stellate ganglia were examined in newborn, 10- and 20-day-old kittens by recording the evoked responses in the branches of the ganglion following electrical stimulation of its other branches. In the course of postnatal ontogenesis, the average conduction velocity of excitation and the average amplitude of the responses was increased. In newborn and 10-day-old kittens, all fibers on their conduction velocities belong to C-fibers.

[The electrophysiological properties of the conduction pathways of the stellate ganglion in the cat in postnatal ontogeny].

In new-born, 10-, and 20-day-old kittens and in adult cats, the stellate ganglia branches contained both continuous and synaptically interrupted fibres. In the course of postnatal ontogenesis, the average conduction velocity of excitation and average amplitude of the responses increased. In new-born and 10-day old kittens, these are C-fibres.

[Asymmetry of the neuronal organization of the cat stellate (cervicothoracic) ganglion in the postnatal period of ontogenesis].

By direct and indirect morphometry the cell density maximal diameter and area of section of neurocytes in the zones of the emergence of the basic nerves and in the centre of the stellate ganglion were determined in kittens of various ages and adult cat. There is an increase of the maximal diameter, average area of section of neurons (16.98 +/- 0.

[Efferent sympathetic preganglionic and afferent spinal transit pathways of the cat stellate ganglion].

Using a technique of retrograde axonal transport of horseradish peroxidase, labeled neurons were detected in the intermedialateral nucleus (pars principalis and pars funicularis), intercalatous spinal nucleus, and in the ventral horns of the spinal cord in cats. Afferent spinal transit pathways pass in all the above branches as well as the vertebral nerve. Bodies of the labeled neurons with branches passing in the vertebral nerve are located in the T2-T7 spinal ganglia, whereas those with branches passing in other nerves--are located in the C8-T8.