Reviews on Clinical Pharmacology and Drug Therapy

The review is a continuation of the previously published one on the toxicity of spherical nanostructures of carbon, namely fullerenes and nanoonions. This review considers data on the toxicity of carbon nanostructures in sp²-hybridization of carbon atoms, which can be considered as formed from graphene sheets, and nanostructures formed by carbon atoms in sp³-hybridization, namely, nanodiamonds. Unfortunately, it should be repeated the conclusion made in the previous review that at the moment there is not enough data to use carbon nanostructures in practice, and therefore it is necessary to develop more effective and informative tests on animals, taking into account the characteristics of each type of nanomaterials.

The review analyzes the results of scientific research on the role of aquaporins in the pathogenesis of CNS diseases and the possibility of their pharmacological regulation.

Aquaporins (AQP) are proteins involved in the transmembrane transport of water and other substances. They form the water channels of cell membranes and are widely represented in various mammalian cells, including the membranes of human brain and spinal cord cells. To date, about 300 types of proteins of the aquaporin family have been discovered, of which 13 (AQP0–AQP12) have been identified in human cells. Localization of different types of AQP in CNS structures, their functional activity and involvement in the development of CNS diseases differ. There are mainly three types of AQPs in the central nervous system: AQP1, AQP4 and AQP9. The results of scientific research indicate the most important role of AQP in maintaining water-salt homeostasis and ensuring physiological processes in the central nervous system, and also confirm the role of AQP in the pathogenesis of a number of diseases of the central nervous system (cerebral edema of various genesis, invasion of tumor cells and the formation of peritumorous edema, in the development of autoimmune diseases — opticomyelitis, Alzheimer’s disease). Pharmacological regulation of the functional activity of aquaporins can influence the course of these diseases. Therefore, there is a natural interest in drugs that can change the expression of AQP.

Proteins of the aquaporin family provide transmembrane transport of water and play an essential role in the development of pathological conditions of the central nervous system. They can be potential targets for pharmacological effects in a number of diseases of the central nervous system. The search and study of drugs affecting the expression and functional activity of AQP is pathogenetically justified and is a promising direction in the development of pharmacotherapy strategies for cerebral edema, malignant brain tumors and other CNS diseases.

BACKGROUND: Gestosis (preeclampsia) is an important problem of modern obstetrics. Despite the improvement of methods of prevention and treatment, there is an increase in the rate of this pregnancy complication. In this regard, the search for new approaches to the treatment of preeclampsia is an important problem of modern perinatology.

AIM: The aim of this study is studying of the effect of taurine on experimental gestosis in rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Preeclampsia was induced on female rats by sodium nitrite and lipopolysaccharide. 2-aminoethanesulfonic acid was administered at a dose of 44.3 mg / kg (in terms of taurine) from the 16^th to the 19^th day of pregnancy. The number of implantation sites, resorption sites, live fetuses, weight of placentas and fetuses, lactate dehydrogenase activity, content of lactic and pyruvic acids, nitric oxide, malondialdehyde and creatine were evaluated.

RESULTS: It has been shown that 2-aminoethanesulfonic acid leads to normalization of the metabolic processes (the level of malondialdehyde, nitric oxide, lactate and lactate dehydrogenase activity) in the body of pregnant female rats with induced preeclampsia in the last trimester of pregnancy. Taurine reduced the quantity of resorption, increased the weight of placentas and fetuses. Along with a correction of the lactate level, pyruvate and lactate dehydrogenase activity, it was observed a decrease of creatine level in placentas.

CONCLUSIONS: Obtained results allows us to recommend taurine, which has antioxidant, antihypoxic, membrane stabilizing, detoxifying, osmoregulating and diuretic effects, for the treatment of placental disorders with preeclampsia.

BACKGROUND: Exposure to acute or chronic stress contributes to the occurrence of various disorders of the central nervous system, psycho-emotional sphere, as well as increases the risks of development of various forms of addiction.

AIM: The aim of the study is analyze the influence of maternal deprivation on voluntary alcohol consumption in adolescents and to determine the degree of the signs of compulsive behavior in experimental animals.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty male Wistar rats were taken in the research. A maternal deprivation model was carried out from day 2 to day 12 of the postnatal period (MD). Compulsivity (compulsive tendency) was evaluated in the ball burial test. Voluntary alcoholization with 10% ethyl alcohol solution in a two-bottle test was employed. Level of progesterone in blood plasma was determined by enzyme- immune analyses.

RESULTS: Changes in the level of progesterone in blood plasma in MD and control group of animals were detected. In the test of two bottles 10% of ethanol solution presented on days 2 and 3, statistically significant differences in consumption were determined in contrast to the control group. In the test of balloon diapering, MD group of animals showed a statistically proved significant increase in compulsiveness both before the beginning of voluntary alcoholization and on day 3 from the start.

CONCLUSIONS: The increase in compulsivity and voluntary ethanol consumption was significantly higher in the MD group, that is comparable to the increased level in blood plasma progesterone samples.

Modern ideas about the physiology of sleep and the pathogenesis of insomnia, as well as methods for its correction are presented. The classification of hypnotics by chemical structure, requirements for an ideal hypnotic, mechanisms of action, side effects, indications for use and features of the pharmacokinetics of individual representatives of hypnotics are given.