α-Linolenic acid (ALA) is a nutraceutical found in vegetable products such as flax and walnuts. The pleiotropic properties of ALA target endogenous neuroprotective and neurorestorative pathways in brain and involve the transcription factor nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a major neuroprotective protein in brain, and downstream signaling pathways likely ...

the effect of nmda (n-methyl-d-aspartate) receptor antagonists on tolerance to morphine antinociception was investigated in mice. daily subcutaneous administration of 50 mg/kg of morphine hydrochloride for three days induced tolerance to different (3,6 and 9 mg/kg) test doses of morphine. the tolerance obtained was decreased by pretreatment of animals with single or repeated doses of competitiv...

Biosensors are analytical devices being approachable for multiple analytes assay. Here, biosensors with intercepted acetylcholinesterase (AChE) or butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) are presented as tool for assay of anticholinergic compounds such as pesticides, nerve agents and some natural toxins. Principle of assay is based on evaluation of cholinesterase activity and its pertinent decrease in pre...

The weapons of mass destruction, chemical, biological and nuclear warfare are the most brutal created by the humans. They kill and incapacitate not only the armed forces but also the innocent public, without any mercy. The Chemical Weapons Convention prohibits the production, storage and use of toxic chemicals during warfare. In fact, the use of “Any chemical which through its chemical action o...

The Iran-Iraq war (1980–1988) was the first modern in which chemical weapons were used. purpose of this work is to summarize experience treating victims, affected by nerve agents. publications Iranian authors different scientific journals used for preparation article. use Iraqi army occurred August 1983 Kurdistan (sulfur mustard). Nerve agent (tabun) on February 29, 1984 battles Majnun Islands....

multiple sclerosis (ms) is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by central nervous system (cns) lesions that can lead to severe physical or cognitive disability as well as neurological defects. although the etiology and pathogenesis of ms remains unclear, the present documents illustrate that the cause of ms is multifactorial and include genetic predisposition together with environmenta...

Organophosphates, used as chemical warfare nerve agents and pesticides are the most toxic chemicals known to date. Despite the number of studies done on the subject matter, intoxication caused by such agents is among the most complicated problems in medicine because of the induced increase in abnormal electrical activity in the brain and the subsequent brain damage. The anticonvulsant and neuro...

Nerve agents belong to the most toxic organophosphates (OP) in the group of cholinesterase inhibitors. They can be used as chemical warfare agents and, they can be (and were) misused by terrorists, as happened in Matsumoto city (1994) and Tokyo subway (1995). Sarin was used in these cases. Medical protection against their effect (i.e. antidotal treatment) is of prime importance (Bajgar 2004, 20...

The five-coordinate compound, Salen((t)Bu)Al(Ac), prepared in situ from Salen((t)Bu)AlBr and NH4Ac, forms Lewis acid-base adducts in aqueous solution with the G-type nerve agents, Sarin and Soman, and the VX hydrolysis product, ethylmethylphosphonate (EMPA). The resulting compounds, [Salen((t)Bu)Al(NA)](+)[Ac] (-) (with NA = Sarin, Soman, and EMPA) are sufficiently stable to be identified by ES...

Acetylcholinesterase has important role in synaptic cleft. It breaks down the acetylcholineatcholinergic synapsesand terminates the cholinergic effects. Some chemical agents likeorganophosphorus compounds (OPCs) including nerve agents and pesticides react withacetylcholinesteraseirreversibly. They inhibit normal biological enzyme action and resultin accumulation of acetylcholineand show toxic e...