The thymus and pineal gland (epiphysis) are endocrine glands with pivotal role in the maintenance of normal physiological processes. Their hormonal activity has been the subject of many studies, but on most occasions, each gland has been considered separately. Surveys that identify the link between these two glands, as well as the connection between their hormones, appeared only recently. The growing body of data about the morphology and the functions of the thymus and epiphysis reveals not only the bi-directional links between these glands but also common involutionary mechanisms. The immune activity of the thymus is wellknown, and the results indicate that melatonin has significant immunomodulatory potential as well. The hormones of both glands play a role in the antioxidant and antitumor defense of the organism, as well as in the hemostasis processes. Some studies confirm the existence of a functional relationship between the endocrine, immune, and nervous systems and the contribution of thymic and pineal hormones to its establishment. The association between thymus and epiphysis is important not only for the normal immune response but also for the regulation of aging and the occurrence of age-related conditions and diseases.

No abstract

INTRODUCTION:Verapamil is a drug that is used often due to its wide spectrum of action. Many authors consider it to be the most dangerous of the calcium channel blockers due to its negative chronotropic and inotropic effect on the heart, leading to severe cardiodepression. Overdose is difficult to treat and is associated with high mortality despite existing treatment options.Over the last 15 years, lipid emulsions (LEs) have been increasingly used for resuscitation after overdosing with lipophilic drugs such as verapamil. Despite the convincing results and the improved patient status, the association of the administration of LE with the recovery of patients may be questioned since LE was given in addition to standard therapy. AIM: The aim of this article is to conduct an evaluation of the self-cardioprotective effect of LE in acute verapamil overdose (15 mg/kg) in rats by measurement of the heart rate and survival at the recommended LE dose of 1.5 mL/kg and 7 times the recommended LE dose (10 mL/kg). MATERIAL AND METHODS:The experiment was performed on 30 male Wistar rats, provided by the Medical University of Varna. Instrumental methods included monitoring the heart rate of rats using an electrocardiographic monitor. The statistical analysis was performed using the statistical functions in Excel 2016 and Statistica 7.0. RESULTS: A survival rate of 100% was observed in rats pretreated and treated with low and high LE dose. The high LE dose (10 mL/kg) showed a faster improvement in cardiac function as the highest mean heart rates were established.CONCLUSION: Pretreatment and resuscitation with low or high LE dose reduce toxicity and prevent dosedependent asystole induced by verapamil. The administration of a high LE dose (10 mL/kg) proved to be more effective in terms of heart rate in rats.