there is growing evidence indicating that neuronal calcium channels play an important role in the mechanism of morphine dependence. in this study, the effects of acute and chronic administration of nitrendipine on naloxone precipitated morphine withdrawal signs were investigated. mice were rendered dependent to morphine by subcutaneous injection of morphine over a period of 5 days. in chronic s...

We read with interest the editorial by Staessen et al., which discusses very objectively the position of calcium antagonists in the treatment of hypertension. As scientists who are familiar with calcium antagonists both in daily practice and pre-clinical experiments, we have had difficulty in accepting negative clinical trial results on the use of calcium antagonists in hypertension. We use cal...

The endocannabinoid (EC) system regulates food intake and energy metabolism. Cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1) antagonists show promise in the treatment of obesity and its metabolic consequences. Although the reduction in adiposity resulting from therapy with CB1 antagonists may not account fully for the concomitant improvements in dyslipidemia, direct effects of overactive EC signaling on plas...

Although the impact of neuronal excitation on the functional activity of brain is well understood, the nature of functional responses to inhibitory modulation is far from clear. In this work, we investigated the effects of modulation of the metabotropic GABA(B) receptor on brain metabolism using a targeted neuropharmacological, (1)H/(13)C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and metabolomic...

schizophrenia is a severe psychiatric illness with a lifetime prevalence of ˜1% that imposes a huge toll on patients, their families and public health services worldwide. delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, grossly disorganized or catatonic behavior and negative symptoms constitute the core symptoms of schizophrenia. although the neurotransmitter dopamine plays a prominent role in t...

The endocannabinoid system (ECS), including cannabinoid type 1 and type 2 receptors (CB1R and CB2R), endogenous ligands called endocannabinoids and their related enzymatic machinery, is known to have a role in the regulation of energy balance. Past information generated on the ECS, mainly focused on the involvement of this system in the central nervous system regulation of food intake, while at...

Lipid abnormalities such as obesity, increased circulating free fatty acid levels, and excess intramyocellular lipid accumulation are frequently associated with insulin resistance. These observations have prompted investigators to speculate that the accumulation of lipids in tissues not suited for fat storage (e.g., skeletal muscle and liver) is an underlying component of insulin resistance and...