G-Protein-coupled inwardly rectifying potassium channels (GIRKs) regulate synaptic transmission and neuronal firing rates. Selective enhancement of GIRK2 function by intoxicating concentrations of ethanol was recently shown for recombinant homomeric and heteromeric channels. We proposed that specific behavioral actions of ethanol are due to activation of GIRK channels and that these behaviors w...

AIMS The effects of intracerebroventricular administration of neuropeptide Y (NPY) on ethanol withdrawal were studied in rats. METHODS Ethanol was administered intragastrically five times daily for 4 days. At 16-17 h after the last infusion of ethanol, rats were rated for withdrawal using a score based on three signs: irritability, tremor and rigidity. Subsequently, the rats received an injec...

The observation that alcohol and nicotine are commonly abused together suggests that the two drugs have common sites of action. In vitro studies indicate that nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) function is enhanced by ethanol. Furthermore, some ethanol-related behaviors are associated with a region of mouse chromosome 2 that contains the gene encoding the alpha4 subunit of the nAChR (Chrn...

Gene therapy is in its development stage as a novel method for cancer treatment. Liposomes look promising as gene delivery vectors; however, investigations have shown that these vesicles are not doing well in some cases. It was decided here to investigate the possibility of augmentation of liposomal gene delivery by chemical penetration enhancers.Cationic liposome containing antisense oligonucl...

In a model of psychological dependence, a very stable ethanol intake was induced by a chronic (1-year) intermittent (once a week) exposure to intoxicating amounts of ethanol (24 h choice between ethanol and water, followed by 2.0 g/kg i.p.). After this year, the rats had continuous access to ethanol and water. Stability was shown by the ability of the rats to take the same dose of ethanol (in g...

OBJECTIVE Alcohol consumption is habitually accompanied by the use of other psychoactive substances, mostly tobacco. Nicotine and alcohol affect male accessory reproductive glands function. Most studies have been done on pathologic features of prostate, but there has been no systematic study on the seminal vesicle. Therefore, the aim of current study was to investigate the distribution of andro...

This work presents new elements of understanding for the microwave-based gas sensors behavior at room temperature. A TiO2-covered microstrip interdigital capacitor was submitted to various ethanol concentrations and showed a proportional response in the 1–10 GHz microwave range. For each concentration and right after ethanol injection, the sensor response presented a slight overshoot which is o...

Introduction & Aim: The ethanol and aqueous extracts of Alhagi camelorum Fisch. (Fabaceae) whole plant, Scrophularia desertii Del. (Scrophulariaceae) whole plant and ethanol extracts of Echinophora platyloba DC. (Apiaceae) whole plant, Teucrium polium L. (Lamiaceae) whole plant and Berberis integerrima Bunge root b...

Despite decades of research, the role of free radicals in alcohol-induced organ injury is still a matter of debate. The present work was designed to investigate the potential protective effect of melatonin, a reported radical scavenger and antioxidant, on free radical toxicity induced by chronic ethanol administration. The major end-point of oxidative damage measured in this report was lipid pe...

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Percutaneous ethanol sclerotherapy has been reported to be efficacious for head and neck venous malformations. We sought to evaluate the safety and efficacy of percutaneous sclerotherapy by using ethanol for treatment of symptomatic venous malformations of the tongue. METHODS Eleven sclerotherapy procedures were performed in seven patients from January 1995 to February ...