Alterations in peripheral nerves of rats treated with chlorphentermine or with iprindole

Summary This study deals with the effects of two amphiphilic lipidosis-inducing drugs (chlorphentermine, iprindole) upon the ultrastructure of peripheral nerves of rats. After prolonged drug treatment the preterminal and terminal axoplasm of motor and sensory nerves within skeletal muscles contain numerous abnormal inclusions (osmiophilic conglomerates, autophagic vacuoles, lamellated bodies). By contrast, the axons within large peripheral nerves are little affected. The present observations are tentatively interpreted as resulting from interference with catabolic processes involved in the normal turnover of axoplasmic constituents at the nerve terminal. The exact pathogenesis and the functional significance of these alterations remain to be elucidated.     

Involvement of peripheral noradrenaline and 5-hydroxytryptamine in carrageenin-induced pedal oedema in rats

Role of peripheral and central noradrenaline and 5-hydroxytryptamine in the carrageenin-induced pedal oedema in rats was studied using agents which influence catecholamine synthesis and receptor activity of noradrenaline and 5-hydroxytryptamine. Reserpine, guanethidine, α-methyl-p-tyrosine, diethyldithiocarbamate, 6-hydroxydopamine, phenoxybenzamine, phentolamine, chlorpromazine and yohimbine markedly inhibited carrageenin-induced pedal oedema. However, 6-hydroxydopamine given intracerebroventricularly, 5,6-dihydroxytryptamine,p-chlorophenylalanine, lower dose of yohimbine, pro pranolol, haloperidol, cyproheptadine and mepyramine did not alter the carrageenin-induced oedema, whereas, cyproheptadine and mepyramine given simultaneously, markedly inhibited carrageenin-induced oedema. Our studies indicate that the process of oedema formation in rats by carrageenin involves both the peripheral noradrenaline and 5-hydroxytryptamine Communication No. 58 from IDPL Research Centre, Hyderabad.