Barbiturates Research Articles

Synthesis of phosphorus-containing barbiturates by the N-arylation of P-zwitterions with 2,4,6-trinitrofluorobenzene

Barbiturates containing a phosphonium and an N-2,4,6-trinitrophenyl groups were synthesized by the reactions of P-zwitterions with 2,4,6-trinitro-1-fluorobenzene.

Reduction of Brain β-Amyloid (Aβ) by Fluvastatin, a Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitor, through Increase in Degradation of Amyloid Precursor Protein C-terminal Fragments (APP-CTFs) and Aβ Clearance

Epidemiological studies suggest that statins (hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA reductase inhibitors) could reduce the risk of Alzheimer disease. Although one possible explanation is through an effect on beta-amyloid (Abeta) metabolism, its effect remains to be elucidated. Here, we explored the molecular mechanisms of how statins influence Abeta metabolism. Fluvastatin at clinical doses significantly reduced Abeta and amyloid precursor protein C-terminal fragment (APP-CTF) levels among APP metabolites in the brain of C57BL/6 mice. Chronic intracerebroventricular infusion of lysosomal inhibitors blocked these effects, indicating that up-regulation of the lysosomal degradation of endogenous APP-CTFs is involved in reduced Abeta production. Biochemical analysis suggested that this was mediated by enhanced trafficking of APP-CTFs from endosomes to lysosomes, associated with marked changes of Rab proteins, which regulate endosomal function. In primary neurons, fluvastatin enhanced the degradation of APP-CTFs through an isoprenoid-dependent mechanism. Because our previous study suggests additive effects of fluvastatin on Abeta metabolism, we examined Abeta clearance rates by using the brain efflux index method and found its increased rates at high Abeta levels from brain. As LRP1 in brain microvessels was increased, up-regulation of LRP1-mediated Abeta clearance at the blood-brain barrier might be involved. In cultured brain microvessel endothelial cells, fluvastatin increased LRP1 and the uptake of Abeta, which was blocked by LRP1 antagonists, through an isoprenoid-dependent mechanism. Overall, the present study demonstrated that fluvastatin reduced Abeta level by an isoprenoid-dependent mechanism. These results have important implications for the development of disease-modifying therapy for Alzheimer disease as well as understanding of Abeta metabolism.

Shock: Blalock and Cannon

In many of the experiments on shock which I have previously reported, sodium barbital was used as the anesthetic. Parsons and Phemister used ether or sodium barbital or either of these supplemented by morphine in most of their experiments. Similar findings were reported 1 by the two groups of investigators. Sodium barbital in the dosages employed in these experiments produces unconsciousness, an acceleration of the pulse rate, a decline in the pulse pressure, occasionally a drop in the arterial blood pressure, infrequently early death and frequently a moderate amount of capillary congestion and hemorrhage in some of the organs of the body. Most of these changes are produced by any agent which will produce profound anesthesia for a number of hours. It is unfortunate that the experimental production of a great many pathologic conditions has for humane reasons to be accompanied by a complicating factor such as an anesthetic. However,

Oncological outcomes in rats given nephrocarcinogenic exposure to dietary ochratoxin a, followed by the tumour promoter sodium barbital for life: a pilot study.

The potent experimental renal carcinogenesis of ochratoxin A (OTA) in male rats makes the dietary contaminant a potential factor in human oncology. We explored whether the tumour promoter sodium barbitate could shorten the otherwise long latency between exposure to toxin and tumourigenesis. Young rats, of a hybrid in which mononuclear leukaemia was rare, were given feed contaminated (5 ppm) with OTA for 36 weeks to initiate renal tumourigenesis. Some individuals were thereafter given sodium barbitate (500 ppm in drinking water) for life. Pathological outcomes were studied at or near the end of natural life. Renal tumours in males given barbitate became evident after latency of one year, but only slightly before those without barbitate. In contrast, female mammary tumourigenesis was advanced by at least 6 months synchronously in all rats given the OTA-barbitate regimen compared to tumourigenesis in controls. Diagnosis of malignant mammary angiosarcoma in a female given the OTA-barbitate regimen is a new finding in the rat. The long latency of OTA-induced renal tumourigenesis was not notably susceptible to accelerated promotion by barbitate, contrasting with an apparently marked effect of barbitate on development of mammary tumours.

Separation and purification of saponins from Semen Ziziphus jujuba and their sedative and hypnotic effects

Semen Ziziphus jujuba (SZJ) has long been used in Chinese traditional medicine for the treatment of anxiety and insomnia because of its effect of decreasing monoaminergic system activity; saponins are thought to be the main bioactive factors. To investigate the sedative and hypnotic effects of saponins from SZJ, silica gel column chromatography and thin-layer chromatography were used to purify the crude extract of total saponins from SZJ. High-performance liquid chromatography showed that saponins from SZJ comprised two components, compounds I and II. Animal tests were conducted using these two compounds to compare their sedative and hypnotic effects. Results showed that both compounds had a significant effect (P < 0.05, P < 0.01) on walking time compared with that of the control group. Compound I had a significant effect on coordinated movement (P < 0.05). Both compounds prolonged the suprathreshold barbiturate induced sleeping time (P < 0.05). The number of sleeping animals increased by 30% and 20% for compounds I and II, respectively, under the subthreshold dose of sodium barbital.

Structural studies of cyclic ureas: 3. Enthalpy of formation of barbital

A thermochemical and thermophysical study has been carried out for crystalline barbital [5,5′-diethylbarbituric acid]. The thermochemical study was made by static bomb combustion calorimetry, from which the standard ( p ∘ = 0.1 MPa ) molar enthalpy of formation of the crystalline barbital, at T = 298.15 K, was derived as −(753.0 ± 1.8) kJ · mol −1. The thermophysical study was made by differential scanning calorimetry over the temperature interval (265 to 470) K. A solid–solid phase transition was found at T = 413.3 K. The vapour pressures of the crystalline barbital were measured at several temperatures between T = (355 and 377) K, by the Knudsen mass-loss effusion technique, from which the standard molar enthalpy of sublimation, at T = 298.15 K was derived as (117.3 ± 0.6) kJ · mol −1. The combination of the experimental results yielded the standard molar enthalpy of formation of barbital in the gaseous phase, at T = 298.15 K, as −(635.8 ± 1.9) kJ · mol −1. This value is compared and discussed with our theoretical calculations by several methods (Gaussian- n theories G2 and G3, complete basis set CBS-QB3, density functional B3P86 and B3LYP) by means of atomization and isodesmic reaction schemes.

Effects of preconditioning with leg ischemia on lung ischemia-reperfusion injury in rabbits

Objective To evaluate the effects of leg ischemic preconditioning on lung ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury in rabbits.Methods Eighteen healthy Japanese long-ear white rabbits of both sexes weighing 2.0-2.5 kg were randomly divided into 3 groups ( n = 6 each) : group I sham operation (group S) ; group II I/R and group ID leg ischemic preconditioning (group L) . The animals were anesthetized with iv barbital sodium (1 ml/kg) 25 g/L. Tracheal intubation was performed and the animals were mechanically ventilated. The left hilum of lung was threaded but no occlusion was performed and then the animals were observed for 340 min in group S. Left lung I/R was produced by left hilum of lung occlusion for 60 min followed by 180 min reperfusion in group I/R. Leg ischemia was induced by placing tourniquet on both legs. The animals underwent 3 episodes of 10 min leg ischemia at 10 min intervals, and 60 min later left hilum of lung was occluded for 60 min followed by 180 min reperfusion in group L. Blood samples from left internal carotid artery were taken for blood gas analysis before ischemia and at 15, 30, 60, 120 and 180 min of reperfusion. Respiratory index (RI) was calculated. The animals were killed at 180 min of reperfusion and the lungs were removed for determination of SOD and MPO activities, MDA content, calculation of W/D lung weight ratio, and lung permeability index (LPI) in broncho-alveolar lavage fluid (BALF), and histological examination with light microscrope, and diffuse alveolar damage (DAD) was scored. Results Compared with group S, RI, MDA content, MPO activity, W/D lung weight ratio, LPI in BALF and DAD scores were significantly increased while SOD activity decreased in group I/R ( P < 0.05 or 0.01). RI, MDA content,MPO activity, W/D lung weight ratio, LPI in BALF and DAD scores were significantly lower while SOD activity higher in group L than in group I/R (P < 0.05 or 0.01). There were no significant differences in the indices mentioned above between group L and S. The histological damages were significantly milder in group S and L than in group I/R.ConclusionLeg ischemic preconditioning can attenuate the lung I/R injury in rabbits. Key words: Lower extremity; Ischemic preconditioning; Lung; Reperfusion injury

Urine levels of drugs for which Triage DOA screening was positive

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between urine levels of target drugs of abuse for which Triage DOA gave positive results, as well as the cut-off levels for these drugs. Thirty-eight forensic urine samples positive for commonly abused drugs were involved. Of these samples, 12 were positive for barbiturates (BAR), 11 for benzodiazepines (BZO), 8 for opiates (OPI), 7 for amphetamines (AMP), and 4 for tricyclic antidepressants (TCA). In the BAR-positive urine samples, phenobarbital, amobarbital or barbital was detected at concentrations higher than cut-off levels. In the BZO-positive samples, diazepam, nordiazepam, triazolam, nitrazepam and/or midazolam was detected at concentrations lower than cut-off levels; in the triazolam-involved urine, α-hydroxytriazolam, a metabolite of triazolam, showed concentrations higher than cut-off level. In the AMP-positive samples, methamphetamine was detected at concentrations higher than cut-off level. Urine samples positive for OPI contained total dihydrocodeine, codeine or morphine at concentrations higher than cut-off levels. In TCA-positive samples, amitriptyline was detected at concentrations higher or lower than cut-off level, and clomipramine was detected at a concentration much lower than cut-off level. Metabolites of BZO and TCA, which are not typically analyzed by instrumental procedures, may cross-react to varying degrees with the antibodies used for Triage DOA.

The Low Density Lipoprotein Receptor-related Protein 1 Mediates Uptake of Amyloid β Peptides in an in Vitro Model of the Blood-Brain Barrier Cells

The metabolism of amyloid beta peptide (A beta) in the brain is crucial to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer disease. A body of evidence suggests that A beta is actively transported from brain parenchyma to blood across the blood-brain barrier (BBB), although the precise mechanism remains unclear. To unravel the cellular and molecular mechanism of A beta transport across the BBB, we established a new in vitro model of the initial internalization step of A beta transport using TR-BBB cells, a conditionally immortalized endothelial cell line from rat brain. We show that TR-BBB cells rapidly internalize A beta through a receptor-mediated mechanism. We also provide evidence that A beta internalization is mediated by LRP1 (low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1), since administration of LRP1 antagonist, receptor-associated protein, neutralizing antibody, or small interference RNAs all reduced A beta uptake. Despite the requirement of LRP1-dependent internalization, A beta does not directly bind to LRP1 in an in vitro binding assay. Unlike TR-BBB cells, mouse embryonic fibroblasts endogenously expressing functional LRP1 and exhibiting the authentic LRP1-mediated endocytosis (e.g. of tissue plasminogen activator) did not show rapid A beta uptake. Based on these data, we propose that the rapid LRP1-dependent internalization of A beta occurs under the BBB-specific cellular context and that TR-BBB is a useful tool for analyzing the molecular mechanism of the rapid transport of A beta across BBB.

The enhanced hyperglycemic response to hemorrhage hypotension in obese rats is related to an impaired baroreflex

The aim of the present study was to assess the metabolic adjustments in adult rats with autonomic imbalance induced by hypercaloric diet. Male Wistar rats (4 weeks of age) were fed a chow diet (CD, n = 12) or hypercaloric diet (HD, n = 13) for 19 weeks. Body weight and dietary intake were measured every week and the basal metabolic rate was assessed. After 19 weeks of diet, six animals from each group were anesthetized with a lethal dose of barbital sodium (100 mg/Kg body weight, intraperitoneal; i.p.). Lee index was evaluated and adipose pads weighted. The remaining animals had a silastic cannula placed into the jugular vein for drug administration, blood collecting, and hemorrhage (1.2 mL/100 g bw/2 min). A polyethylene catheter (PE50) was inserted into the abdominal artery through the femoral artery for cardiovascular monitoring. The assessment of autonomic balance was done by evaluation of baroreflex sensitivity (intravenous (IV) injection of phenylephrine and sodium nitroprusside) and hemorrhage (1.2 mL/100 g bw/2 min). As expected, the HD induced obesity; increased weight gain (28%), adipose pads weight, and baroreflex dysfunction. The plasma level of free fatty acids and triacylglycerols were increased in HD rats by about 124% and 424%, respectively, as well as the basal metabolic rate measured at 19th weeks of diet (p < 0.01). We observed that baroreflex sensitivity to phenylephrine was reduced by about 50%, and the hyperglycemic response to hemorrhage hypotension was increased by 128% in HD rats. We found also a negative correlation between the alteration in baroreflex sensitivity and the increase in hyperglycemic response to hemorrhage in the obese rats (r = 0.72, p < 0.01) and a strong positive correlation between the increased Lee index and the hemorrhagic hyperglycemia (r = 0.93, p < 0.01). Our data demonstrate that obesity induced by hypercaloric diet in Wistar rats promotes an autonomic imbalance, which interferes with metabolic responses dependent on baroreflex sensitivity. In addition, we showed the existence of close correlation between the loss of baroreflex sensitivity and the degree of obesity.

Mimicking Biological Systems through Modular Control of Solvation: A Synthetic Receptor that Binds in Both Water or Chloroform

Two receptors are described which are designed to complex barbiturates and cyanuric acids. The functional groups at the binding pocket are polar and are designed to enable guest exchange from water to occur by a dispersion of the host. One receptor has a charged binding pocket lined with two phosphate groups resembling a surfactant. Evidence for the partial extraction of diethylbarbituric acid from water is presented. The more polar guest sodium alloxan 5-f-sulfonatophenylhydrazone was not complexed. The receptors were both used to solubilise two insoluble bis-isocyanuric acids by forming 2:1 complexes in chloroform.

Coma Blister, Compressive Neuropathy and Rhabdomyolysis: Case Reports and Literature Review

Coma blister was first reported in 1965 as a bullous lesion in acute barbiturate intoxication. The etiology is debated and may be drug induced or caused by other factors. Regardless of causes, coma blisters have similar pathologic findings: epidermal-dermal separation with bullous formation and necrosis over all skin appendages, especially the sweat duct wall. In most patients, coma blisters are self-limited lesions without surgical indication. We present three cases of coma blister with diverse clinical presentations. Two patients with compartment syndrome and compressive neuropathy required fasciotomy to release the compartment pressure. Variable degrees of rhabdomyolysis were observed, and one patient developed acute renal failure requiring hemodialysis. Two other patients presented with self-limited rhabdomyolysis needing only supportive care. We review the literature on the relationship between compressive neuropathy, rhabdomyolysis, and coma blister.

Comparison of various sensitive and selective spectrophotometric assays of environmental cyanide

A review is presented to show the advantages involved in the use of some new spectrophotometric cyanide (CN) assays, which are highly sensitive and selective, quick and affordable. Among these, the ninhydrin-based assay, the method based on CN reaction with resorcinol, as well as the Berthelot reaction were found to be highly selective. The old Aldridge 1 method, based on the formation of cyanogen bromide and its subsequent reaction with pyridine and benzidine to form a highly-colored polymethine chromophore is still in use, although recent assays using isonicotinic acid–sodium barbiturate are safe, selective, and sensitive (with a detection limit of 0.005–0.01 mg L−1 CN). Ninhydrin-based procedures are suitable to detect low trace amounts of CN with a molar absorptivity below 2.2 × 105 L M− 1 cm−1 and detection limit of less than 1 ng cm−1 CN. The sensitivity, specificity, and reliability of the investigated methods were compared and the most appropriate protocol for a given analytical problem described.

Biochemical, Histological And Histochemical Studies On The Effect Of Sodium Barbital On The Renal Tissue Of Albino Mice

Introduction:Anaesthetic drugs are nowadays used on a large scale in surgical operations as well as in other various medical purposes. Sodium barbital is a derivative of barbituric acid and is widely used on short surgical operations and other various medication. However, such anaesthetic drug has been reported to evoke many serious alterations as a result of its application. Materials and Methods:The experimental animals (30 mice-weighing 25-30 g) were divided into 3 groups (10/group), the first group served as a control group (i.e. injection with saline), while the other two groups were treated daily with the therapeutic dose of 60 mg/kg.b.wt sodium barbital (i.p.) for 7 days (short-term group) and 21 days (long-term group) as repeated daily doses. Blood sera and kidney samples were collected for physiological, histological and histochemical studies. Results:The results obtained showed a significant increase in urea, blood urea nitrogen, uric acid and creatinine levels in all treated groups. On the other hand serum total protein and albumin levels showed a significant decrease in both treated groups, while the globulin showed a significant decrease only in the long term group. The applied dose of sodium barbital caused histophathological alterations in the renal tissue mainly in the cortex such as damage and shrinkage of the Malpighian corpuscles, cloudy swelling and necrosis of the cells of the proximal convoluted tubules. Also, distal convoluted tubules exhibited degenerated features. In the histochemical studies, polysaccharides were progressively reduced in both short and long- term groups, while the total proteins showed a reduction in the short term group and considerably increase in the long term group. Conclusion: So these results came to conclusion that barbiturates should be prohibited and carefully used specially when prescribed as tranquilizer.

Desenvolvimento e validação de um método cromatográfico em fase gasosa para análise da 3,4-metilenodioximetanfetamina (ecstasy) e outros derivados anfetamínicos em comprimidos

O uso abusivo das anfetaminas e seus derivados vêm aumentando dramaticamente nos últimos anos em diversas regiões do mundo, notando-se especial utilização do Ecstasy. A análise de amostras da droga apreendidas nas ruas evidenciou, além da presença de MDMA (3,4-metilenodioximetanfetamina), componente principal da droga, outras feniletilaminas, como a MDA (3,4-metilenodioxanfetamina) e MDEA (metilenodioximetiletilanfetamina) este último também conhecido como a droga Eve, ainda pouco difundida no Brasil. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi desenvolver e validar um método analítico confiável, prático e acessível aos laboratórios de toxicologia, de médio e pequeno porte, no Brasil e em países em desenvolvimento, para identificação separada do MDMA, MDA e MDEA. A cromatografia em fase gasosa utilizando-se coluna capilar e detector de ionização de chama foi a técnica escolhida. O método analítico apresentou para os três analitos de interesse, faixa ampla de linearidade (1,0 a 500,0 µg/mL); limites de quantificação de 1,0 µg/mL e coeficientes de variação intra e interensaio inferiores a 9,5%. Os limites de detecção estabelecidos foram 0,7 µg/mL, 0,8 µg/mL e 0,6 µg/mL, respectivamente para o MDMA, MDA e MDEA. O método foi seletivo na presença de epinefrina, cocaína, anfetamina, ácido acetilsalisílico, metanfetamina, ácido dietilbarbitúrico, p-aminobenzoil dietilbarbitúrico, paracetamol e cafeína.

Comparison of the sedative and hypnotic effects of flavonoids, saponins, and polysaccharides extracted from Semen Ziziphus jujube

Semen Ziziphus jujube (SZJ), the seeds of Ziziphus jujuba Mill. var. spinosa, is a kind of traditional Chinese medicine used for its action on insomnia. In order to analyze the effective component, we investigated and compared the sedative and hypnotic effects of three kinds of compounds, flavonoids, saponins, and polysaccharides. Flavonoids, saponins, and polysaccharides were extracted from SZJ and orally administered to mice separately at 17 g kg−1 per day for certain days before animal tests. Spontaneous motility and coordinated movement tests were used to observe the effects of the three kinds of compounds on the mouse behavior, and sodium barbital-induced sleeping time of mouse were tested to analyze the effects of the three kinds of compounds on the sleep of mouse. Results show that flavonoids and saponins caused a significant reduction of walking time and coordinated movement ability of mouse, significantly prolonged its sleeping time at 40 mg kg−1, ip, subthreshold dose and increased the sleeping number of animals at 50 mg kg−1, ip, superthreshold dose induced by coeliac injection of sodium barbital. Polysaccharides did not show any significance in all animal tests. Comparative analysis showed that saponins had a more effective sedative and hypnotic function than that of flavonoids, polysaccharides did not show a sedative and hypnotic effect.

The Hemolymph of the Ascidian Styela plicata (Chordata-Tunicata) Contains Heparin inside Basophil-like Cells and a Unique Sulfated Galactoglucan in the Plasma

The hemolymph of ascidians (Chordata-Tunicata) contains different types of hemocytes embedded in a liquid plasma. In the present study, heparin and a sulfated heteropolysaccharide were purified from the hemolymph of the ascidian Styela plicata. The heteropolysaccharide occurs free in the plasma, is composed of glucose ( approximately 60%) and galactose ( approximately 40%), and is highly sulfated. Heparin, on the other hand, occurs in the hemocytes, and high performance liquid chromatography of the products formed by degradation with specific lyases revealed that it is composed mainly by the disaccharides DeltaUA(2SO(4))-1-->4-beta-d-GlcN(SO(4)) (39.7%) and DeltaUA(2SO(4))-1-->4-beta-d-GlcN(SO(4))(6SO(4)) (38.2%). Small amounts of the 3-O-sulfated disaccharides DeltaUA(2SO(4))-1-->4-beta-d-GlcN(SO(4))(3SO(4)) (9.8%) and DeltaUA(2SO(4))-1-->4-beta-d-GlcN(SO(4))(3SO(4))(6SO(4)) (3.8%) were also detected. These 3-O-sulfated disaccharides were demonstrated to be essential for the binding of the hemocyte heparin to antithrombin III. Electron microscopy techniques were used to characterize the ultrastructure of the hemocytes and to localize heparin and histamine in these cells. At least five cell types were recognized and classified as univacuolated and multivacuolated cells, amebocytes, hemoblasts, and granulocytes. Immunocytochemistry showed that heparin and histamine co-localize in intracellular granules of only one type of hemocyte, the granulocyte. These results show for the first time that in ascidians, a sulfated galactoglucan circulates free in the plasma, and heparin occurs as an intracellular product of a circulating basophil-like cell.

Sodium Barbital Induced Biochemical, Histological and Histochemical Changes in the Liver of Albino Mouse

Introduction:The present work was planned to assess and evaluate some physiological parameters, histopathological and histochemical impacts of sodium barbital on the liver of adult male albino mice. Material and Methods :The mice were divided into 3 groups, the first group served as a control group, while the other two groups were treated with the therapeutic dose (60 mg/kg b.wt., i.p.) for 7 days (short-term group) and 21 days (long-term group) as repeated daily doses. Results: Biochemical analysis showed a significant increase in serum glucose level (hyperglycaemia), AST, ALT and bilirubin, in all treated groups. Also, total lipids and triglycerides showed a significant increase in the long-term group and non significant change in the short-term group. On the other hand, alkaline phosphatase ALP, showed a significant decrease in both treated groups. Total cholesterol level showed a significant decrease in the short-term group but exhibited a significant increase in the long-term group. The results obtained from the present study showed marked alterations in the liver tissue. Histopathological changes in liver tissue were congestion of the central veins, wedening of the blood sinusoids, activation of the phagocytic kupffer cells and cytoplasmic degeneration (fatty and hydropic) with nuclear lesions. Histochemical changes in liver tissue revealed depletion of polysaccharides and total proteins in both short-term and long-term groups. ConclusionSotheseresultscametoconclusionthat barbituratesshouldbeprohibitedand carefully used specially when prescribed as tranquilizer.

Sodium Barbital Induced Biochemical, Histological and Histochemical Changes in the Liver of Albino Mouse

Introduction:The present work was planned to assess and evaluate some physiological parameters, histopathological and histochemical impacts of sodium barbital on the liver of adult male albino mice. Material and Methods :The mice were divided into 3 groups, the first group served as a control group, while the other two groups were treated with the therapeutic dose (60 mg/kg b.wt., i.p.) for 7 days (short-term group) and 21 days (long-term group) as repeated daily doses. Results: Biochemical analysis showed a significant increase in serum glucose level (hyperglycaemia), AST, ALT and bilirubin, in all treated groups. Also, total lipids and triglycerides showed a significant increase in the long-term group and non significant change in the short-term group. On the other hand, alkaline phosphatase ALP, showed a significant decrease in both treated groups. Total cholesterol level showed a significant decrease in the short-term group but exhibited a significant increase in the long-term group. The results obtained from the present study showed marked alterations in the liver tissue. Histopathological changes in liver tissue were congestion of the central veins, wedening of the blood sinusoids, activation of the phagocytic kupffer cells and cytoplasmic degeneration (fatty and hydropic) with nuclear lesions. Histochemical changes in liver tissue revealed depletion of polysaccharides and total proteins in both short-term and long-term groups. ConclusionSotheseresultscametoconclusionthat barbituratesshouldbeprohibitedand carefully used specially when prescribed as tranquilizer.

Electrochemical Aspects of Hemosorption

We considered the electrochemical features of hemosorption, based on an electrochemical mechanism of interaction. Activated carbon serves as an electrode, and blood serves as an electrolyte. The proposed electrochemical system revealed a linear correlation between the stationary potential of activated carbon and the platelet count in the carbon/blood system. A “threshold” potential of , corresponding to the point of indifference of carbon toward platelets, was obtained. A considerable effect of activated carbon potential on the adsorption of 1,2-dichloroethane and sodium barbital was found. An electrochemical method of premodification of activated carbon, leading to a change of stationary potential by cathodic or anodic treatment in an aqueous solution of sodium chloride, has been developed. A nonfaradaic method of external direct polarization of activated carbon in blood was realized by a special cylindrical column with granular activated carbon. Changes of hematological, morphological, and rheological indexes of blood subsequent to blood perfusion through activated carbon were investigated. The carbon potential was found to be the only determining factor in the interaction between carbon and blood, but the way of polarization of activated carbon had no influence on this interaction.