Pharmacology
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We evaluated the nature of the pharmacologic interaction after concurrent administration of 5-HT-gabapentin and 5-HT-adenosine at the spinal level. Intrathecal catheters were placed in the subarachnoid space of male Sprague-Dawley rats. Nociception was induced by subcutaneous injection of formalin solution (5%, 50 microl) into the hind paw. ⋯ The intrathecal combination of 5-HT with a fixed dose of gabapentin or adenosine in phase 1 had little effect or increased the antinociception of 5-HT alone. Isobolographic analysis in phase 2 revealed an additive or a synergistic interaction after intrathecal delivery of 5-HT-gabapentin or 5-HT-adenosine mixture. Taken together, the combination of 5-HT with either gabapentin or adenosine may offer a potential remedy in the treatment of the facilitated state as well as acute pain in the spinal cord.
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Several studies demonstrate that taurine treatment prevents tissue damage in various models of inflammation. Experiments have shown that chronic nicotine administration caused oxidant damage in various organs by increasing lipid peroxidation products and decreasing the activity of endogenous antioxidants. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of taurine treatment on nicotine-induced oxidative changes in rat urinary bladder and kidney and to explore the possible mechanisms of action. ⋯ Taurine supplementation to nicotine-treated animals reversed the contractile dysfunction of the bladder strips. It also preserved the renal functions, restored the endogenous GSH levels and decreased high lipid peroxidation and MPO activities in both urinary bladder and kidney tissues. These data suggest that taurine supplementation effectively counteracts the deleterious effect of chronic nicotine administration on bladder and kidney functions and attenuates oxidative damage possibly by its antioxidant effects.