[Effect of 4-(o-benzylphenoxy)-N-methylbutylamine hydrochloride (bifemelane hydrochloride, MCI-2016) on cerebral glucose metabolism]

To predict the influence of MCI-2016 on cerebral energy metabolism, the activity of MCI-2016 on uptake of 2-deoxy-D-[14C]glucose ([14C]-DG) into the brain under normal or hypoxic conditions, formation of 14CO2 from 14C-glucose in the brain, and local cerebral glucose utilization (LCGU) were examined. Cerebral uptake of [14C]-DG in mice were significantly enhanced by 6 day repeated administration of MCI-2016 (25 mg/kg, i.p.) and Ca-hopantenate (100 mg/kg, i.p.). The two drugs showed a slight enhancing effect on [14C]-DG uptake after single administration. As an index of cerebral glucose metabolism, 14CO2 formation from 14C-glucose was also stimulated by 6 day repeated administration of MCI-2016 (100 mg/kg, p.o., mice and rats) and Ca-hopantenate (250 mg/kg, i.p., rats). MCI-2016 moderately attenuated the decreased [14C]-DG uptake under the hypoxic condition in rats after 6 day repeated administration (100 mg/kg, p.o.). In addition, local cerebral glucose utilization (LCGU) in rats was also significantly potentiated by MCI-2016 (100 mg/kg, p.o., 6 days) in the areas of the visual cortex, thalamus ventral nucleus and uvula. From these results, MCI-2016 may be suggested to have a moderate activating effect on cerebral energy metabolism.

[Pharmacological studies on sufoxazine (Y-8894). (II). Anti-anoxic effect]

The anti-anoxic effect of sufoxazine was investigated in various cerebral anoxia models with mice, in comparison with those of various cerebroactive drugs. Sufoxazine reduced dose-dependently the duration of coma induced by a sublethal dose of KCN (1.8 mg/kg, i.v.), significantly stimulating recovery from the coma at 5 mg/kg, i.p. and 30 mg/kg, p.o. It also protected against a lethal dose of KCN (2.5 mg/kg, i.v.). Sufoxazine prolonged the survival time of mice subjected to hypobaric and normobaric hypoxia. Dihydroergotoxin and ifenprodil gave similar protection in the KCN-induced anoxia models, but produced adverse effects in the hypoxia models. Calcium hopantenate exerted similar but weak protection only at a dose as high as 300 mg/kg, i.p. These findings suggest that sufoxazine has an anti-anoxic action superior to those of the other cerebroactive drugs used.

[Effect of MCI-2016 (bifemelane hydrochloride) on cerebral ischemia following ligation of both common carotid arteries in Mongolian gerbils]

Cerebral protective effect of MCI-2016 and influence of age on survival time in the cerebral ischemic model induced by bilateral-carotid-arterial ligation in male Mongolian gerbils were studied. Of all animals (6 to 40 weeks old), the mean survival time of the immature group (6 to 7 weeks) was long (3.6 hr), but variable, and that of the 10 to 40 weeks group was relatively stable (1.9-2.4 hr), but that of the older group (30-40 weeks) inclined to be reduced. Effects of drugs on this model were studied in 10 to 15 weeks old male Mongolian gerbils. The mean survival time in the control groups was 2.3-2.4 hr. After a single administration of MCI-2016 at doses of 25 mg/kg, i.p., and 100 mg/kg, p.o., the mean survival time were 8.1 and 6.4 hr, respectively. In these cases, some animals survived over 12 hr, while no animals surviving over 12 hr were observed in the control group. In this model, animals showed severe neurological symptoms. This, however, tended to be depressed by the administration of MCI-2016 at a dose of 25 mg/kg, i.p., which was observed early after ligation. A cerebral metabolic activator, Ca-hopantenate, slightly increased the survival time at a dose of 100 mg/kg, i.p., and a cerebral vasodilator, ifenprodil, was not effective. Subsequently, consecutive administration of MCI-2016 at a dose of 25 and 50 mg/kg, p.o., was more effective than a single administration of MCI-2016 at each dose. The mechanism for the cerebral protective effect of MCI-2016 was discussed.

Clinical and biochemical effects of calcium-hopantenate on neuroleptics-induced tardive dyskinesia

Calcium-hopantenate (HOPA), a derivative of GABA, was administered to 9 psychiatric patients with neuroleptics-induced tardive dyskinesia. In a clinical study, involuntary movements have improved significantly after a 4-8-week medication. Although there was no correlation between the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of HOPA, GABA, HVA or clinical response, the CSF HOPA levels significantly correlated with changes in the CSF GABA levels. These results suggest that HOPA alleviates the symptoms of tardive dyskinesia being mediated by the central GABAergic mechanisms.

Cerebral endogenous substrate utilization during the recovery period after profound hypoglycemia

Markedly decreased levels of energy-rich phosphates were seen in cerebral cortex after severe hypoglycemia, followed by their partial restitution during the recovery period. During hypoglycemia the nonglucose endogenous substrates were provided by glycolytic intermediates, by Krebs cycle intermediates, and by related amino acids. Other potential substrates for brain oxidation were provided by the breakdown of phospholipids and fatty acids. After a 20-min period of posthypoglycemic recovery, partial restoration of carbohydrates and amino acids occurred, although the amino acid pool size was still reduced. The alterations in phospholipids and fatty acids persisted, while there was a tendency toward normalization of the free fatty acid content. During the posthypoglycemic recovery, treatment with some specific metabolic modulators (6-aminonicotinamide, hopantenate, uridine, L-acetylcarnitine) suggested the possibility of an alternative cerebral substrate utilization owing to modulation of the cerebral biochemical machinery. Thus, increased carbohydrate utilization by hopantenate was consistent with decreased lipid breakdown, while increased carbohydrate utilization by uridine was concomitant with decreased amino acid degradation. In this way, decreased cerebral carbohydrate utilization by 6-amino-nicotinamide was associated with increased lipid and amino acid breakdown. Furthermore, the increased loss of cerebral phospholipids and phospholipid-bound fatty acids by L-acetylcarnitine occurred in the presence of a large glucose availability and was associated with an extensive reduction of cerebral glycolytic flux.

[Alteration of the acute toxicity and various pharmacologic effects of streptomycin sulfate by calcium 4'-phosphopantothenate]

The effect of calcium 4'-phosphopantothenate (CPP) on acute toxicity of streptomycin and the decrease by the antibiotic of the muscle working capacity, "holes" reflex, body temperature and oxygen intake was studied on 258 albino mice weighing 22-26 g. Medical calcium pantothenate (CPA) was used for control purposes. CPP is an antagonist of streptomycin sulfate. In a dose of 1/10 or 1/5 of the LD50 injected intraperitoneally CPP lowered acute toxicity of streptomycin and prevented its effect in a dose of 0.11--1.1 g/kg injected subcutaneously on the muscle working capacity, "holes" reflex and body temperature. The spectrum index of the CPP antitoxic effect was equal to 22.5. By its acute toxicity CPP (LD50 1.18 +/- 0.07 g/kg) did not differ from CPA (LD50 1.25 +/- 0.08 g/kg). The efficacy of CPP, by its antitoxic spectrum, was 1.8 times higher than that of CPA. CPA lowered the streptomycin effect on the "holes" reflex and body temperature, while CPP prevented it. Both the drugs did not influence the decrease in the oxygen consumption induced by streptomycin.

The effects of megadoses of selected B complex vitamins on children with hyperkinesis: controlled studies with long-term follow-up

One hundred children with hyperkinesis and cerebral dysfunction were given individual three-day trials of pharmacologic doses of thiamin, calcium pantothenate, pyridoxine, and placebo. When beneficial response was noted, a second week-long trial of vitamins was given, alternating with placebo, followed by long-term therapy. Two-thirds of the remaining children not responding to this schedule were then given pharmacologic doses of niacinamide, combinations of B-complex vitamins, or elimination diets.

Eight children dramatically responded to pharmacologic doses of thiamin, of which four still require the vitamin either intermittently or continuously after four years. Nine children responded to 300 mg of pyridoxine; an additional 5 patients responded only after receiving larger doses. Only one child could be maintained on placebo.

In subsequent trials, 11 responded to niacin or to combinations of B-complex vitamins with minerals. In a two-year follow-up, six children who had demonstrated no beneficial response to these clinical trials had spontaneously improved. Eight children responded to dietary manipulations alone.

Half the children found to be “dependent” on pharmacological doses of thiamin worsened with administration of B6. Conversely, half of the pyridoxine responders worsened when given large doses of thiamin. Blood zinc levels dropped substantially with administration of pyridoxine.

The experience suggests that the hyperkinetic cerebral dysfunction syndrome is multifactoral. A significant number are caused by vitamin deficiency or pharmacologic dependency.

[Effect of pantothenate on indices related to cobalamin metabolism in vitamin B 12 deficiency]

White rats kept on the B12-deficient diet for 9 weeks developed hyperchromic anemia, manifested the reduced content of cobalamines in the blood, kidneys, liver, myocardium and urine, the increased excretion of methylmalonic acid (MMA) and the intensified activity of CoA and its precursors participating in the reaction of acetylation in the liver, kidneys and myocardium. There was a decrease in the content of cobalamine-protein complexes that break down to the greatest extent at 80 degrees C. Ten-fold administration of cyanocobalamine (0.5 microgram/kg), calcium pantothenate (3.3 mg/kg) or of both the preparations concurrently removed the aforesaid disorders of cobalamine metabolism, with the most complete therapeutic effect being attained upon combined use of the vitamin preparations. Administration of pantothenate increased the content of cobalamines and cobalamine-protein complexes in the liver and myocardium, normalizing methylmalonylaciduria.

[Role of the vitamin factor in preventing phenol poisoning]

Experiments on rats were made to examine the effect of vitamin B1, pantothenic and ascorbic acids on the acetylation system and some characteristics of protein metabolism under chronic exposure to phenol. Inhibition of phenol vapours led to inhibition of the acetylation on the 105th day of the experiment, to accumulation of pyruvic acid by the blood and diurnal urine, to elevation of cholesterol content in the blood serum. The total content of protein and protein fractions in the blood serum remained unchanged. Additional vitaminization of the animals with thiamine (150 micrograms), calcium pantothenate (650 micrograms) or with their mixture containing ascorbic acid (2 mg) resulted in normalization of the test characteristics of carbohydrate and fat metabolism. The data obtained and the clinical trials carried out by the authors suggest introduction of the physiological doses of thiamine, calcium pantothenate and ascorbic acid into the diet of the workers in order to prevent phenol poisonings more effectively.

Megavitamins for minimal brain dysfunction. A placebo-controlled study

Preliminary to a stimulant comparison study, 31 children with minimal brain dysfunction randomly received either placebo or a megavitamin combination. During a two-week trial, only two children responded so well that stiumlants were not considered necessary; both were in the placebo group. Change scores from pretest to posttest on four blind ratings by teachers and parents did not show a significant difference between the placebo and vitamin groups.

[Effect of a therapeutic and prophylactic diet enriched with thiamine and calcium pantothenate on the acetylating capacity of the body of workers engaged in the manufacture of phenol-formaldehyde resins]

The present investigation uncovered certain changes in the intensity of the acetylating processes, in the blood and urine levels of the pyruvic acid and in the urinary excretion of thiamine in a number of persons engaged in the production of phenol-formaldehyde resins. An enrichment of medico-prophylactic ration No 4 with thiamine and calcium pantothenate led to normalization of the study characteristics. The results thus made available bear proof to the prophylactic effectiveness of a supplementary vitaminization of the special diet accorded to workers handling phenol-formaldehyde resins.

[Changes in the end part of the ECG ventricular complex under the effect of digitalis preparations and their combination with metabolic preparations]

Analysis of the dynamics of changes in the end part of the ECG ventricular complex in 311 patients with rheumatic heart disease and stages IIA, IIB, and III circulatory insufficiency after treatment with preparations of digitalis and their combination with biologically active substances (orotic acid, vitamin B12, calcium pantothenate, ATP, methionine, inosi-F) is presented. When digitalis glycosides are used with preparations that have an effect on the nucleic acid synthesis and energy production, the "digitalis--induced" changes in the end part of the ECG ventricular complex are less marked while the clinical effect of treatment is more appreciable