Search

Background/Aim. It is known that bile acids improve the absorption, bioavailability and pharmacodynamic characteristics of some drugs. Morphine analgesia is produced by activation of opioid receptors within the central nervous system (CNS) at both spinal and supraspinal levels. Since a morphine molecule contains 3 polar groups and therefore hard to transfer through the blood-brain barrier, the aim of the study was to examine the potential influence of bile acids derivates, namely sodium salt of monoketocholic acid (MKH-Na) and methyl ester of monoketocholic acid (MKH-Me), on analgesic effect of morphine. Methods. White male mice of NMRI-Haan strain, with body weight of 20-24 g, were used in this study. The analgesic effect of morphine (administered by subcutaneous and intramuscular route in a dose of 2 mg/kg), with and without pretreatment with MKH-Na (4 mg/kg) and MKH-Me (4 mg/kg) was estimated by the hot plate method. Results. Administration of MKH-Me prior to subcutaneous administration of morphine increased the morphine analgesic effect but the increase was not statistically significant. At the same time administration of MKH-Na did not affect morphine analgesic effect. The analgesic effect of morphine increased when administered intramuscularly 20 min after MKH-Me administration. When compared with the group of animals treated only with morphine, a statistically significant increase in analgesic effect was detected 10, 30, 40 and 50 min after morphine administration (p < 0.05). Pretreatment with MKH-Na did not affect morphine analgesic effect. Conclusion. According to the results of this study it can be presumed that after intramuscular morphine administration methyl ester of monoketocholic acid increases morphine transport into the central nervous system and consequently the analgesic effect, as well. Further research on bile acids-morphine interaction both in vitro and in vivo is necessary to completely elucidate the mechanism of this interaction and increase in the morphine analgesic effect. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. 41012: Interactions of xenobiotics and the impact on biomedical system i br. 172050: Development and application of advanced chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques in analysing xenobiotics and the mechanisms of their decomposition in biotic and abiotic samples]

Background/Aim. Stevioside is a glycoside that supposedly possesses a number of pharmacodynamic effects such as anti-infective, hypoglycemic, along with the beneficial influence on the cardiovascular system. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of rats pretreatment with aqueous solution of stevioside on pharmacological actions of adrenaline, metoprolol and verapamil. Methods. Rats were administered (intraperitoneally 200 mg/kg/day) stevioside as aqueous solution or physiological saline in the course of 5 days, then anaesthetized with urethane and the first ECG recording was made. The prepared jugular vein was connected to an infusion pump with adrenaline (0.1 mg/mL), verapamil (2.5 mg/mL) or metoprolol (1 mg/mL). Control animals, pretreated with saline, in addition to the mentioned drugs, were also infused with the solution of stevioside (200 mg/mL) in the course of recording ECG. Results. The infusion of stevioside produced no significant changes in ECG, even at a dose exceeding 1,600 mg/kg. In the control group, a dose of adrenaline of 0.07 ± 0.02 mg/kg decreased the heart rate, whereas in the steviosidepretreated rats this occurred at a significantly higher dose (0.13 ± 0.03 mg/kg). In stevioside-pretreated rats, the amount of verapamil needed to produce the decrease in heart rate was significantly lower compared to the control. The pretreatment with stevioside caused no significant changes in the parameters registered on ECG during infusion of metoprolol. Conclusion. The results suggest that pretreatment with stevioside may change the effect of adrenaline and verapamile on the heart rate. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. 41012]

Introduction. Dental professionals may be at increased risk of developing occupational allergic diseases specially to methacrylates that can permeate protective disposable gloves. Case report. We presented a case of occupational allergic contact dermatitis in a 28-year-old dental technician. The patient had complained of itching and cracking of fingers for 6 months. The dermatitis improved over weekends. Skin erythema and scaling were present with primarily involvement of the fingertips. Patch testing with dental series gave positive vesicular reaction to methyl methacrylate. Follow-up after 6 months of allergen avoidance showed a complete regression of dermatitis. Conclusion. Methacrylates serve as bases for acrylic resins which are used in prosthetics. Methyl methacrylate as a small molecular acrylate can permeate thin protective disposable gloves. Using adequate personal protective equipment, like nitrile rubber gloves, is the most important preventive measure in this occupation. Health practitioners should recognize possible occupational hazards in dentistry and implement appropriate preventive measures to protect health of workers.