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The purpose of this study was to find out whether the effect of acute exposure to lead on memory processes in mice could be exacerbated by cerebral oligemia. Adult mice were subjected to 30 min of bilateral clamping of carotid arteries (BCCA) and then treated intraperitoneally with lead acetate at a single dose of: 29.3 mg/kg, 58.6 mg/kg or 87.9 mg/kg. Long-term memory was assessed in the passive avoidance task while spontaneous alternation was evaluated using the Y-maze task. Performance of the tasks was tested on the 2nd, 7th and 14th post-surgical day. On the 14th post-surgical day, significant retention deficits in passive avoidance performance were only observed in BCCA mice injected with the 87.9 mg/kg lead. Co-exposure to cerebral oligemia and lead did not change spontaneous alternation in the Y-maze task. These results show that cerebral oligemic hypoxia combined with acute lead exposure may cause selective and long-lasting impairment in memory function.

It is known that glutamatergic system is one of neurotransmitter systems affected by a transiently reduced oxygen supply. The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of MK-801, a noncompetitive NMDA receptor antagonist, on spontaneous alternation in mice exposed to cerebral oligemic hypoxia. Spontaneous alternation behavior and locomotor activity were evaluated using the Y-maze task. Transient cerebral oligemia was induced by bilateral clamping of carotid arteries (BCCA) for 30 min under pentobarbital anesthesia. MK-801 was injected 48 h after BCCA or sham surgery, 30 min before the test session. Treatment with MK-801 (0.1 mg/kg ip) impaired spontaneous alternation both in sham-operated and BCCA mice. MK-801 (0.1 mg/kg ip) significantly enhanced the locomotion of mice. The effects of MK-801 were not exacerbated by BCCA. These results show that cerebral oligemic hypoxia induced by BCCA does not change alternation behavior of mice treated with MK-801.

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of competitive NMDA receptor antagonists,D,L-(E)-2-amino-4-methyl-5-phosphono-3-pentenoic acid (CGP 37849) and its ethyl ester (CGP 39551), or agonist, N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) on spontaneous alternation in mice exposed to cerebral oligemia. Alternation behavior was evaluated in an Y-maze. Transient cerebral oligemic hypoxia was induced by bilateral clamping of carotid arteries (BCCA) for 30 min under pentobarbital anesthesia. In BCCA mice, CGP 37849 (5 mg/kg, ip) impaired spontaneous alternation when given 48 h or 7 days after surgery. CGP 39551 (5 mg/kg, ip) had no effect.NMDA (50 mg/kg, sc) improved performance of the task in BCCA mice when tested 48 h after surgery. These results suggest that cerebral oligemic hypoxia induced by BCCA leads to functional disturbances in the central nervous system, such as spontaneous alternation impairment and increased susceptibility to NMDA receptor-related drugs. Adverse potential of cerebral oligemia may limit a therapeutic use of NMDA receptor antagonists.

The synthesis of tetra(hexa)hydropyrazolo[1,2-a]pyrido[3,4-d]pyridazine derivatives (14-21) and the results of pharmacological screening are described in this paper. All compounds tested were non-toxic and showed a significant analgesic action. The analgesic effects were associated with the suppression of the spontaneous locomotor activity. Furthermore most of the synthesized compounds displayed a weak antimycobacterial action in the preliminary screening.

Iodine is a microelement necessary for thyroid gland hormones production. It is essential for the growth and development of human body. The aim of the study was to determine urine iodine excretion in schoolchildren living in urban area. We found out that approximately 42% of the examined children excreted small amounts of iodine with urine, which proves low dietary intake of the element. Therefore, it is necessary to promote the right dietary patterns and iodine supplementation in developing children.

The anticonvulsive activity of nociceptin, endogenous OP4 receptors agonist was investigated in pentylenetetrazole (PTZ), N-methyl D-aspartic acid (NMDA), bicucculine (BCC) and electrically evoked seizure models of experimental epilepsy. Nociceptin, at the dose of 10 nmol, suppressed the clonic seizures induced by PTZ, NMDA and BCC. [Phe1(psi)(CH2-NH)Gly2]nociceptin-(1-13)-NH2 which has been proposed to be selective antagonist OP4 receptors, did not prevent the action of nociceptin. The effect of [Phe1(psi)(CH2-NH)Gly2]nociceptin-(1-13)-NH2 on seizures induced by PTZ, NMDA and BCC was very similar to that of nociceptin. These data support the hypothesis that it possesses agonistic properties. Naloxone did not reverse the anticonvulsive action of nociceptin as well as [Phe1(psi)(CH2-NH)Gly2]nociceptin-(1-13)-NH2 which excludes the participation of opioid receptor in this action. On the other hand in the electroconvulsive model of generalized seizures, nociceptin as well as [Phe1(psi)(CH2-NH)Gly2]nociceptin-(1-13)-NH2 influenced neither the electroconvulsive threshold nor the maximal electroshock test. The data suggest that nociceptin and [Phe1(psi)(CH2-NH)Gly2]nociceptin-(1-13)-NH2 can exert anticonvulsive action. These properties depend on OP4 but not opioid receptors activation.

Health behaviour of children and youth is being taught from the earliest years of their lives. Hygiene, dental care, hygiene of work and rest as well as proper nutritional habits determinate health condition of a child and, later on, of an adult. The aim of this work was to evaluate the hygienic habits of children and youth in the commune of Horyniec. An especially designed questionnaire was used as an examination tool. It consisted of 27 questions. 151 students of primary and grammar school were examined. The highest percentage of the interviewed students (37.1%) washed their hands 4-5 times a day. After using WC 78.1% of them washed hands, whereas the rest of them neglected that routine. Only 21.2% of the examined children brushed their teeth after every meal. An average student of the primary or grammar school spent daily 7 hours at school. They did homework or studied themselves usually 2 hours a day. Vast majority of them slept 8-9 hours every night. The most numerous group of the examined children watched TV about 2 hours a day. 57% of the students did physical activities more of ten than twice a week, 29.1% once a week and 13.3% less frequently. 85% of the kids regularly had three meals a day. The study of hygienic habits of children and youth in the commune of Horyniec shows that most of them have proper nutritional habits. Unfortunately, majority of them neglect brushing teeth after every meal and washing hands. Too many children don't do sports intensively enough.

HIV carrier state and AIDS generate multiple medical, psychological, social and legal problems. The aim of the work was to evaluate selected psycho-social problems among HIV carriers. The examination method was a questionnaire. We interviewed 60 HIV carriers. The results obtained confirmed the existence of the problems affecting the carriers and their families. It creates need for social education in this field.

Iodine is the element necessary for the human organism to function properly. Iodine is essential especially for the synthesis of thyroid hormones that regulate the cellular metabolism of the whole organism. The purpose of the work was to estimate the concentration of iodine in urine among the inhabitants of a typical agricultural region as a simple method of detecting deficiency of iodine in the human organism. The biggest iodine excretion was observed in a group above 40 years of age. The amount of the excretion of iodine together with urine was similar among men and women up to 40 years old. Monitoring of iodine concentration in urine is a sensitive marker of iodine deficiency in the human organism.

In recent years more and more adolescents use addictive and psychoactive substances. Lack of love and safety feeling in their families, being in conflict with peer group and the need for acting opposite to social rules are amongst the most pertinent reasons of the matter in hand. The aim of this paper is to find out how may teenagers use and fall in dependence on alcohol, tobacco and drugs. We interviewed 140 pupils aged 17-18 years attending secondary schools in Sanok. 91.4% of the interviewed students said that they had been informed at school about health hazards resulting from drinking alcohol, smoking tobacco and use of drugs. In spite of that all of them said that they did use alcohol. 46.4% of them confirmed that they overused it. 35.7% of the examined students smoked cigarettes. 25.7% of the respondents used drugs at least once in their lives. 62.5% of them used marihuana, 25% hashish, 5.7% hallucinogenic mushrooms, 3.6% LSD, 1.8% amphetamine and 1.8% ecstasy. When asked to evaluate how difficult for them the access to drugs was 27.9% of pupils said that it was easy, 6.45--diffucult, 65.7% didn't know. The results obtained in our study show that adolescents use addictive substances in spite of having knowledge about their hazardous influence on their health.

The problem of the incidence of traumas among children is still topical and statistical data confirm an increasing tendency in the last decades. The purpose of the work was to estimate the causes and circumstances of injuries in children at the age of 7 to 15, who were admitted to Surgical Ward of Specialist Paediatric Hospital in Kielce between 30th June 1997 and 30th June 1998. A retrospective analysis of medical documentation concerned 768 patients. Our studies showed that the biggest number of injuries was related to children 10-12 years old (46%). The majority of patients were boys. Most injuries occurred in summer (33%). In the studied population dominant were accidents at home (56%) and then road accidents (18%), injuries at school (13%) and on farms (7%). Accidents and injuries occurred more often in children from the rural areas (53%).

The research was conducted in the selected population of rural environment. Health state was assessed in the aspect of environmental exposure to lead. While analyzing obtained research results, the higher incidence of the disease was revealed among female population in comparison with male population and it was the highest in the age group above 60 years of age. The predominating group was the diseases of the circulatory system including chronic hypertensive disease and coronary heart disease, then dermatoses and the diseases of the osteo-articular system. The values of delta-amino-laevulinic acid were within the range of valid standards and no toxic risk of the investigated population was revealed.

Unlabelled: Local anesthetics are widely used in alleviating pain concomitant with small surgery procedures and in dentistry. Especially medication in ductal anesthesia after penetrating into systemic circulation can have significant influence on the central nervous system and stimulus conduction in the heart. Clonidine and reserpine are centrally acting antihypertensive drugs. The aim of this study was to examine an interaction of lidocaine, articaine and mepivacaine with some antihypertensive drugs clonidine and reserpine on the pentylenetetrazole induced seizures., In Conclusion: articaine is the most safe local anesthetic and can be used in epileptic patients Co-administration of local anesthetics with centrally acting antihypertensive drugs did not influence seizures activity in mice.

The work aimed to determine the leisure time activities in teenagers on weekdays, weekends, during winter and summer holidays. Vast majority of teenagers spend their leisure time resting in a passive way, i.e. watching TV or playing computer games irrespectively of the season. As a result of this, the number of kids with posture defects increase. On weekdays the country teenagers spend much more time doing outdoor sports and games than town children. They also more often help their parents and less frequently travel away from their homes than children living in towns.

Circulatory system diseases (c.s.d.) belong to the group of civilization diseases. The risk factors of circulatory system diseases are: stress, overuse of alcohol, smoking cigarettes, bad eating habits, sitting life style. Calorie overconsumption, animal fat rich diet, sitting life style result in the development of android obesity, hypercholesterolemia, that enhance atheromatosis. The most dangerous consequences of atheromatosis are: angina pectoris, hypertension, myocardial infarction, brain insult, type II diabetes. The aim of the work was to evaluate life style and its correlation with development of circulatory system diseases. The results obtained significantly indicate how important is health education about the danger of widely understood unhealthy life style. Propagation of staying healthy model with emphasizing real profit resulting from leading healthy life style is the only righteous way to improve it.

The aim of the work was to find out about school environment and burdensome factors that occur at school according to students. The research was conducted at Primary School no. 23 in Tarnów. 244 students were examined, including 135 students of 8th form and 109 students of 4th form. Troublesome factors, which students are exposed to, may be divided into two groups. The first group is related to physiochemical environment, the second group are the factors which result from a child's way of living and working in the school environment. On the basis of the analysis of the results, the necessity of restriction of both physical and psychosocial burden of students is emphasised. What seems to be especially crucial is ergonomic school furniture, diminishing of noise, improvement of hygienic condition of toilets, rational school timetable, and elimination of dangers resulting from other students' behaviour.

The purpose of the work was to appraise the correlation between magnitude of iodine excretion with urine and concentration of iodine ions in drinking water in the population living in the Lublin province. The tests were also performed among the citizens of the Zamość voivodship. Mean concentration of iodine in urine of the tested citizens was 132.0 micrograms/g creatinine. Mean value of I ions in drinking water was 27.5 micrograms/l. The obtained results of concentration of iodine both in urine and drinking water did not differ as shown in references. Statistically significant correlation between the measure of I excretion in urine and I ions concentration in drinking water was confirmed. There is no ascertained deficiency of iodine in Zamość region inhabitants. The concentration of iodine in drinking water from adjacent wells was fluctuating in wide limits, but did not differ from recommended norms. There is a positive correlation between concentration of iodine in drinking water and its level in excreted urine.

Recently we reported on 2H-4,6-dimethyl-2-[(4-phenylpiperazin-1-yl)methyl]-3-oxo-2,3-dihydroisothiazolo[5,4-b]pyridine (V), which exhibited high anorectic action in animal models as a result of stimulation of serotoninergic system. This paper describes the synthesis of the series 3-5 of analogues of V prepared from 2-hydroxymethyl-4,6-dimethylisothiazolopyridine (2) and corresponding 4-substituted-piperazines(piperidines) or tetrahydroisoquinoline. The 12 compounds obtained were screened in standard CNS tests in in vivo (mice and rats). In contrast to V, none of its analogues showed serotoninergic activity, whereas several of these compounds were found to be active as weak to moderate analgesic agents. According to X-ray and molecular modeling studies the different pharmacological profile of V and its o-OCH3 analog 3a, taken as an example, should be referred back to the conformational restriction incorporated by the o-substitution rather than effects of different lipophlicity or basicity of these compounds.

The aim of the study was measuring noise intensity in the selected points of traffic routes in the city of Lublin. Investigations were carried out at 11 points located in the centre of the city and at escape roads. Noise value levels showed variable intensity, the highest being observed in the morning and afternoon hours. The highest mean level of noise intensity was recorded at the crossing of Solidarności Avenue and Sikorskiego Street, and the lowest in Narutowicza Street.

Clinical observations indicate that seizures induced by hypoxia are common kind of convulsive activity in both infants and elderly patients. The occurrence of seizure episode during hypoxia is important risk factor of epilepsy development in the future. Experimental hypoxia was obtained by exposure of adult (20-23 g) Albino Swiss mice to spontaneous breathing in gas mixture composed of 5% oxygen and 95% nitrogen. The latency time to convulsive activity was determined. Single sublethal episode of seizures induced by hypoxia (HS) resulted in higher susceptibility to pentetrazol (PTZ), bicuculline (BCC), N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) but not in electrically induced convulsions. Adenosine A1 receptor agonist, R(-)N6-(2-phenyl-isopropyl)adenosine (R-PIA) (0.01; 0.05; 0.1 mg/kg, i.p.) prolonged the latency to HS-induced convulsions. A1 receptor antagonist, 8-cyclopentyltheophylline (CPT), reversed the protective action of R-PIA. A2 receptor agonist, N(6)-[2-(3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-2-(2-methylphenyl)]ethyladenosine (DPMA), only at the highest dose (5 mg/kg i.p.) prolonged the latency time to convulsive activity. This effect was only partially reversed by A2 antagonist 3,7-dimethyl-1-propargylxanthine (DMPX). Administered immediately after episode of HS R-PIA diminished the higher susceptibility to PTZ, BCC, NMDA at 3rd day after HS, while DPMA appeared to be ineffective. These results confirm the important role of adenosine A1 receptor agonist in protection against acute and chronic epileptogenic effect of hypoxia. The role of adenosine A2 receptors seems to be of minor importance.

The purpose of the work was to estimate to what extent the inhabitants of a typical agricultural region are exposed to the influence of lead compounds. 132 people at the age of 9 to 74 were included in the research. Urinary delta aminolevulinic acid (ALA) excretion was determined. The highest excretion of ALA was observed among the examined who were up to 18 years old, while the lowest was among those who were above 60 years old. These differences, however, were not statistically significant.

The aim of the research was to evaluate vitamin E influence on ochratoxin A (OTA) toxicity based on analysis of selected parameters of white and red cell system in rats. The animals were divided into groups: I--control, II--treated with OTA, III--treated with OTA and vitamin E. In group II a significant decrease in the values of hematocrit, hemoglobin level, red and white cell counts was observed. In group III an average hematocrit, hemoglobin level were significantly lower than in control group, nevertheless they were higher than in group II.

In this review article the authors describe a phenomenon of "brain tolerance" which represents transient resistance of brain tissue to a lethal insult established by preconditioning with a mild insult of short duration. Tolerance evoked by brief ischemia resembles transient ischemic attack(s) (TIA) often preceding full-blown ischemic stroke in a clinical setting. A series of recent studies have described another relevant phenomenon termed "chemical preconditioning". Several substances interfering with cellular energy metabolism applied in subtoxic doses may provide protection against lethal insults of a different type. For example, 3-nitropropionic acid (3-NP), antibiotics erythromycin and kanamycin, acetylsalicylic acid, and 2-deoxyglucose have been shown to evoke tolerance. Recently, we have reported that NMDA receptor antagonists and 2-deoxyglucose used at relatively low doses were potent agents to potentiate the protective anticonvulsant effect induced by transient brain mild ischemia. Further studies are expected to prove similar action of these drugs in other experimental models. Based on the accumulated experimental and clinical data the brain tolerance subsequently reinforced by pharmacological intervention might become a successful prophylactic strategy against serious brain insults in patients.

The aim of the study is the evaluation of lead levels in body fluids in a chosen study group with diagnosed arterial hypertension employed in a car factory. The study was carried out on workers diagnosed with various stages of arterial hypertension who had been subjected to long-term lead exposure at different workplaces. The examination of the patients included medical history, physical examination and biochemical tests of blood and urine, following routine in the laboratory diagnosis in order to assess medical condition in terms of subclinical symptoms of lead exposure. Mean values of the lead level in blood and urine of studied population are insignificantly higher than in the control group. The obtained results seem insufficient to confirm the effect of occupational exposure to lead in subthreshold doses on the development of arterial hypertension, and are within the recommended hygienic standards.

The aim of the study was measuring noise intensity in the selected points of traffic routes in the town of Lublin. Investigations were carried out at 11 points located in the centre of the town and at escape roads. Noise value levels showed variable intensity, the highest being observed in the morning and afternoon hours. The highest mean level of noise intensity was recorded at the crossing of Solidarności Avenue and Sikorskiego Street, and the lowest in Narutowicza Street.

The aim of the study was to examine the role of NMDA receptors in the modulation of brain tolerance after transient cerebral ischemia. Adult mice were exposed for 30 min to bilateral clamping of common carotid arteries (BCCA) under anaesthesia. The non-competitive NMDA antagonist, MK-801 was administered intraperitoneally (ip) in two experimental paradigms: a) acute: twice at 1.0 mg/kg; 1 h before the clamping of the vessels and 6 h after re-circulation; b) chronic at a dose of 0.1 mg/kg, started 24 h after recirculation and continued once daily for 13 days with the last injection 24 h before the induction of convulsions. Seizures were evoked with pilocarpine (400 mg/kg, ip) 14 days after BCCA. It was found that transient incomplete brain ischemia induced protection against pilocarpine toxicity. The acute treatment with MK-801 did not diminish the anticonvulsant action of the procedure. In contrast, the chronic treatment with the drug led to a marked potentiation of the effect. In conclusion, it can be suggested that studied NMDA receptor antagonist used at relatively low dose may enhance the brain tolerance activated after a transient ischemic episode.

We have synthesized several new isothiazolopyridines possessing a side chain at the isothiazole ring typical, among others, for trazodone or NAN-195. Representatives of the novel isothiazolopyridines were examined for acute toxicity and in several commonly used CNS tests in mice and for arterial blood pressure in rats. Three of the five compounds tested showed significant analgesic activity. The most active compound (3b) exhibited analgesic action in the "writhing" test in a dose 1/1280 of LD50 (LD50 = 1135.5 mg/kg) after administration i.p. to mice. Additionally, the compounds described here and related isothiazolopyridines obtained previously were evaluated against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv at 12.5 micrograms/ml in in vitro assays. Seven of the nineteen compounds tested showed 100% inhibition of that mycobacterium.

As a continuation of our work on N-[4-aryl(heteroaryl)piperazin-1-ylalkyl]-3,4-pyrro ledicarboximides, which were characterized by strong analgesic activity and CNS depressive action, several novel N-substituted 3,4-pyrroledicarboximides were prepared and eleven representatives were examined in a series of in vivo CNS tests. A few of these compounds displayed a similar profile of biological selectivity to that of 3,4-pyrroledicarboximides described previously; their structure-activity relationships are discussed.

The synthesis of 1-(4-substituted)butyl derivatives of amides of 7-methyl-3-phenyl-2,4-dioxo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyrido[2,3-d]pyrimid ine-5- carboxylic acid and the results of the preliminary pharmacological screening are described in this paper. Some of them showed a weak analgesic action and caused suppression of the spontaneous locomotor activity of mice.

Synthesis of amides of 7-methyl-3-phenyl-2,4-dioxo-1,2,3,4- tetrahydropyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidine-5-carboxylic acid (6-10) and their 1-[2-hydroxy-3(4-phenyl-1-piperazinyl)propyl] derivatives (11-15) are described. Some of them displayed strong analgesic activity.

As an extension of our previous work we describe the synthesis and pharmacological investigation of a new series of derivatives of pyrrole-3,4-dicarboximide possessing the 4-substituted-piperazin-1-ylalkyl group linked to the imide nitrogen. The products were evaluated for acute toxicity, and effectiveness in a series of CNS and arterial blood pressure tests. The preliminary pharmacological screening was determined in animal models. Several compounds demonstrated moderate to high analgesic activity in the 'writhing syndrome' test (5f-1/640 LD50). Some of the structure-activity relationships are also discussed.

2-(1-Piperidino)- and 2-(4-methyl-1-piperazinyl)-6-methyl-3,4-pyridinedicarboximides (1, 2) react with N-phenylhydrazine yielding N-phenylamino-3,4-pyridinedicarboximides (7, 8). The same reaction with 1,6-dimethyl-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro- and 2-chloro-6-methyl-3,4-pyridinedicarboximides (3, 17) gives the salts of the corresponding N-phenylpyridopyridazines with phenylhydrazine (13, 18), which transform into N-phenylaminoimides (14, 19) during boiling in 80% acetic acid. Compounds 7, 8 and 14 isomerize to the corresponding 2-phenyl-1,4-dioxo(1,4,5-trioxo)-1,2,3,4-tetra(1,2,3,4,5,6-hexa) hydropyrido[3,4-d]pyridazines (9, 10, 15) under the influence of heating in alcoholic solution of C2H5ONa or CH3ONa. Only in the case of imide 19 are 2- and 3-phenyl isomers (20 and 21) formed under these conditions. Some of the obtained compounds were pharmacologically active.

Synthesis of 4-aminosubstituted 2,6,7-trimethyl-1,5-dioxo-1,2,5,6-tetrahydropyrido[3,4-d]pyridazin es 2-11 and the results of the preliminary pharmacological screening of the selected compounds 2, 4, 5, 10, 11 are described in this paper.

The 2-[3-(substituted-amino)-2-hydroxypropyl]-4,6-dimethyl-3-oxo-2,3- dihydroisothiazolo[5,4-b]pyridines 3 were synthesized and pharmacologically evaluated in animal models. The preliminary pharmacological screening study showed that the investigated compounds were toxic and had no significant activity in central nervous system (CNS) tests. Additionally, compounds 3, and several other 2-substituted-4,6- dimethyl-3-oxo-2,3-dihydroisothiazolo[5,4-b]pyridines described here (2), together with those (4) reported in a previous paper, were evaluated in vitro against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv. For comparison, products of the rearrangement of some isothiazolopyridine 1,1-dioxides (4a,b) with the corresponding pyrido[3,2-e]-1,2-thiazines (5a,b) and different N2-substituted derivatives of the latter (5c-i) were also prepared and investigated in antimycobacterial tests. The most potent antituberculars of the 23 compounds assayed are 2-[3-(4-benzylpiperidin-1-yl)-2-hydroxypropyl]-4,6-dimethyl-3-oxo- 2,3- dihydroisothiazolo[5,4-b]pyridine 3d and ethyl (4,6-dimethyl-3-oxo-2,3-dihydroisothiazolo[5,4-b]pyridin-2-yl)acet ate 4c (MIC < 12.5 micrograms/ml, 100 and 98% inhibition, respectively).

Ethyl 3-chloro-6-(4-chlorophenyl)-pyridazine-4-carboxylate [VII] was cyclized with some nucleophilic reagents (hydrazine hydrate or N-monosubstituted hydrazines) to the new derivatives of pyrazolo[3,4-c]pyridazine [IXa-d]. The structures of the novel compounds were confirmed by elemental and spectral analyses. The effect of several synthesized derivatives on the central nervous system was studied.

The experiments carried out on Albino Swiss mice indicated that bilateral clamping of carotid arteries (BCCA) for 30 min caused no neuronal damage but produced an increase in GABA content in the hippocampus, striatum and frontal cortex. The behavioral studies have shown that BCCA did not influence the motor coordination, the spontaneous locomotor activity, the reactivity to pain and the cataleptic response to haloperidol of the mice. However, a significant increase in amphetamine-induced hyperactivity was observed after BCCA. In mice, BCCA did not impair long-term memory and spatial working memory, reflected by alternation behavior in the Y-maze. The same dose of scopolamine impaired the working memory in mice which underwent BCCA much more than sham-operated controls. Naftidrofuryl improved the working memory in mice subjected to BCCA as measured 48 h after the surgery. Pretreatment with naftidrofuryl protected the animals against the impairment of alternation behavior caused by scopolamine administration.

The central action of the peptide of intestinal tract, glucagon, was studied in Albino Swiss mice (20-25 g) and Wistar rats (200-220 g). Glucagon was injected intracerebroventricularly (icv) at the dose of 0.25, 0.5 and 1 microgram in 1 microliter of distilled water per mouse or 5 micrograms in 5 microliters per rat. It was found that glucagon administered icv increased glucose content in the peripheral blood serum. Behavioral studies have shown that glucagon diminished spontaneous locomotor activity in rats and mice, impaired exploratory activity and reduced amphetamine-induced hyperactivity. The results were not dependent on hyperglycaemia because the administration of 20% glucose solution po did not cause above effects. In addition, glucagon potentiated cataleptogenic effects of haloperidol. Icv injection of glucagon did not change the pain sensitivity or seizure susceptibility. The substance did not show the anxiolytic properties and did not affect the duration of hexobarbital-induced sleep. In biochemical studies it was found that glucagon injected icv induced the decrease in GABA content while the DA content was increased. The utilization of DA was not changed. The obtained results indicated, that glucagon injected icv exerted the central action, which was manifested by the central regulation of glucose level in the periphery. Moreover, glucagon inhibited the locomotor and exploratory activity as well as the amphetamine-induced hyperactivity and enhanced haloperidol-induced catalepsy. These effect could be connected with the inhibition of the central dopaminergic structures by glucagon.

The experiments were carried out on male Wistar rats. The influence of brain oligemic hypoxia and lithium chloride (LiCl) on some behavioural parameters was investigated. Reduction of brain blood supply was performed by surgical clamping of both carotid arteries for 60 min in general anaesthesia induced by brietal (Methoxitone sodium, 10 mg/kg i.p.). Control animals had their vessels separated, but not clamped (sham operated). 6 days after surgery animals received LiCl (2.5 mEq/kg i.p.). Behavioral experiments were performed 24 h and 7 days after lithium administration. Experimental groups consisted of 12 animals. It was found that oligemic hypoxia reduced inconsiderably spontaneous locomotor and exploratory activity in rats. Similar influence of LiCl was observed. But LiCl administered to animals after oligemic hypoxia prevented them against locomotor and exploratory impairment. In addition, LiCl strongly enhanced amphetamine-induced hyperactivity and diminished haloperidol-induced catalepsy in hypoxic animals. These effects were not observed in sham operated animals. The above results could be connected with antidepressive action of LiCl and the model of moderate oligemic hypoxia used in present work could be a useful model for investigation of new antidepressive compounds.

It was stated that three analogous ethyl 2,4-dioxo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidine-5-carboxylates (7-9) react with hydrazine hydrate giving derivatives of the new heterocyclic system pyrido[2,3,4-ef]pyridazino[3,4-e]-1,2,4-triazepine (10-12), pyrido[3,4-d]pyridazine (16-18) and pentaazaphenalene (13-15). The latters were formed in low yields. The results of the preliminary pharmacological study of 2 of these compounds are reported.

The central action of periplanetin CC-1 (Pea-HrTH) (Glp-Val-Asn-Phe-Ser-Pro-Asn-TrpNH2), octapeptide of the insect adipokinetic hormone family (AKH-family), isolated from American cockroach-Periplaneta americana, was studied in Albino Swiss mice (20-25 g). CC-1 was injected intracerebroventricularly (i.c.v.) in the volume of 5 microliters at the dose of 50 ng/mouse. It was found that CC-1 showed strong analgesic activity in "writhing syndrome" test and in "hot plate" test. In addition, periplanetin CC-1 decreased the threshold for tonic seizures and increased mortality in pentetrazole-induced seizures, having no influence on the electric convulsions. CC-1 is known to be a glucagon-like AKH in insects. However, administered i.c.v. to mice, it did not increase the peripheral blood glucose level. The obtained results indicate that periplanetin CC-1 shows a biological action in vertebrates, but its metabolic effects are different than in insects.

Synthesis of 2-substituted N-(4-phenyl-1 piperazinyl)propyl(butyl)- and N-2-hydroxy-3[4-phenyl(2-pyrimidinyl)-1-piperazinyl]propyl-6-methyl-3,4- pyridinedicarboximides [VI-XIV] is described. Some of them displayed depressive action on the central nervous system.