Low-dose Consumption Research Articles

Bilateral Anterior Shoulder Dislocation Following Tramadol Induced Seizure After Low Dose Consumption in a Healthy Adult

Tramadol is a synthetic analgesic used for the treatment of moderate to severe pain with a dual mechanism of action. Although Tramadol-induced seizures are reported in the literature, however, the incidence is rare with its use in therapeutic dosage. Bilateral symmetrical anterior dislocation following a seizure is an unusual complication. We present a rare case of bilateral symmetrical anterior shoulder dislocation following Tramadol-induced epileptiform reaction in an otherwise healthy adult male. The dislocations were diagnosed early and reduced immediately with a satisfactory outcome. An awareness of this entity and a high index of suspicion are required to make an early diagnosis and offer prompt treatment in order to avoid unpleasant complications.

CHANGES IN RAT THYMUS MORPHOLOGY AND FUNCTION AFTER CHRONIC EXPOSURE TO LOW DOSES OF DDT

There is increasing evidence that chronic environmental exposure to DDT and other pesticides play an important role in disregulation of the immune system and increased incidence of autoimmune and allergic diseases. The aim of the research was to investigate whether consumption of low doses of DDT may affect the immune system and change morphology and function of thymus. The research was performed on 42 Wistar rats 80-100gg body weight. Rats were exposed to 1.89±0.086μg/kg DDT per os for 6 and 10 weeks. Histological examination found time-depending acceleration of apoptosis both of lymphocytes and reticuloepitelial cells. After 10 weeks of exposure proliferation of thymocytes was significantly decreased. Concanavalin A-induced mitogenic activity of thymocytes after 10 weeks of exposure to DDT was 6 times higher than the control values. The data obtained showed that even low doses of DDT accelerated thymus aging and modulated proliferation of thymocytes.

Down-Regulation of Oxidative DNA Lesions in Human Mononuclear Cells After Antioxidant Supplementation Correlates to Increase of Gamma-Tocopherol

The protective effect of vitamin E supplements has been questioned, possibly because they often contain only alpha-tocopherol, and recent studies indicate that gamma-tocopherol also has important properties. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the levels of DNA lesions in middle-aged, overweight males could be reduced by consumption of low doses of an antioxidant supplement for six weeks, designed to imitate a balanced diet. The participants (n=60) were randomly divided into: placebo, single-, and double-dose groups. Genotoxic and oxidative DNA lesions in mononuclear cells were measured with the Comet assay, before and after supplement administration. Furthermore, a cell study was performed to investigate if pre-incubation of a human lung cell line (A549) with alpha- and gamma-tocopherol (5 and 50 microM for 23 hours) could protect against induced oxidative DNA lesions as measured by the Comet assay. The level of oxidative DNA lesions in the double-dose group was significantly lower than in the control group. Oxidative DNA lesions correlated only to changes in serum gamma-tocopherol, and not alpha-tocopherol. In the cell study, only gamma-tocopherol protected cells against induced oxidative DNA lesions. We therefore hypothesize that gamma-tocopheol rather than alpha-tocopherol is involved in reducing oxidative DNA lesions.

Room 309, 10/18/2000 2: 00 PM - 3: 30 PM (PD) Chronic Intermittent Consumption of Low Doses of Ethanol Reduces Experimental Myocardial Infarct Size by KATPChannel Activation in Dogs

Room 309, 10/18/2000 2: 00 PM - 3: 30 PM (PD) Chronic Intermittent Consumption of Low Doses of Ethanol Reduces Experimental Myocardial Infarct Size by KATPChannel Activation in Dogs

Chronic nicotine reverses age-associated increases in tail-flick latency and anxiety in rats

The chronic consumption of low doses of nicotine in drinking water for two years consistently increased the sensitivity of rats to a nociceptive thermal stimulus (tail-flick test), but reduced aversiveness in the elevated plus-maze test, relative to the responses of age-matched controls in these tests. The responses of aged nicotine-consuming rats were indistinguishable from those of young adult rats that did not receive nicotine. To determine whether these effects were due to a nicotine-induced retardation of age-related changes, young adult rats were similarly treated with nicotine for three months and similar changes in the tail-flick latency and performance in the plus-maze test were observed during nicotine consumption. These changes were reversed following withdrawal from nicotine. It is concluded that the maintenance of circulating low levels of nicotine (and/or its metabolites) increased the nociceptive sensitivity of the rats and reduced their aversions in the plus-maze test regardless of their age.