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The aim of this work was to study the behavioral and histopathomorphological signs of peripheral neuropathy development in male Wistar rats on the model of alcoholic neuropathy. Chronic consumption of ethanol solution with concentration increasing from 7.47 to 26.2% (w/w) resulted in neuropathy (allodynia) de- velopment after 8 weeks of chronic alcohol administration. The behavioral signs of allodynia became significant on the 8th week and were retained up to the end of experiment (15 weeks of ethanol administration). The reference drug gabapentin effectively reduced the manifestation of allodinia. Histological exami- nation of sciatic nerve preparations from animals killed after ethanol consumption for 5, 10 and 15 weeks revealed the development of histopathomorphological pattern with increasing duration of chronic alcoholization. At the initial stage, the morphological basis of observed behavioral manifestations was provided by excess lipid deposition in peri/epineurium of nerve specimens). The further increase in treatment duration (up to 10 and 15 weeks) was associated with demye- lination and development of inflammation of the sciatic nerve. This experimental model allows one to investigate the efficacy of new neuroprotective and ana- lgesic substances - potential drugs for both prevention and management of neuropathy.

The three phases of mollusk nociception alteration as a result of extended ferromagnetic screening combined with exposure to a variable magnetic field of 8 Hz correlated with phase changes in the opioid system activity (OSA) deduced from the naloxone action on the thermal avoidance response. On phase I, OSA inactivation was inhibited and, consequently, hyperalgesia progression was expedited. On phase II, OSA rose so that naloxone annulled completely the antinociceptive effect produced by the ferromagnetic screening. On phase III, OSA declined progressively, as naloxone merely reduced the antinociceptive effect because of apparently, growing OSA tolerance to the ferromagnetic screening. Phase I was absent when mollusks were exposed to the ferromagnetic screening and variable magnetic field; however, OSA changes on phases II and III were present. It was concluded that the variable magnetic field of 8 Hz can be used for correcting changes in the opioid system activity in mollusks behind the ferromagnetic screening.