No abstract

The effect of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) on the gut microbiota was evaluated in experiments on 47 rats with metabolic stress (MS) induced by food deprivation. MS was found to be associated with changes in the qualitative and quantitative composition of the caecum microbiota, including the redistribution of opportunistic flora, the growth of pathogenic microorganisms, as well as a decreased number of lactobacilli and bifidobacteria. Daily administration of GABA at a dose of 70 mg/kg during MS led to a decrease in the number of pathogens, thus leading to the restoration of normal eubionts in the cecum.

The review discusses approaches to metabolic treatment of chronic liver diseases of various origins with the use of modern succinate-containing hepatoprotective agents. Main succinate-containing hepatoprotective drugs are considered. Data about the current state of the issue of hypothesised mechanisms of their action are presented, as well as the range of indications and the possibility of using these drugs for effective metabolic treatment of chronic liver diseases of various origins. According to many Russian authors, succinate-containing hepatoprotective drugs increase the liver’s resistance to pathological influences, improve its detoxification function, enhance the processes of regeneration and normalization of functional activity, and also eliminate cell damage and inflammatory response, contributing to recovery or deceleration of disease progression. The pharmacotherapeutic effect of succinate-containing drugs in chronic liver diseases is ensured by their hepatoprotective activity, due to reduction of cytolysis and cholestasis, improvement of hepatic protein synthesis, stabilization of antioxidant enzymes, and improvement of the quality of life. Key words: antioxidant, antihypoxic protection, chronic liver diseases, hepatoprotective

Following a single administration of sodium thiopental in high doses (85 mg/kg intraperitoneally), the animals demonstrated the absence or weakening of reflexes at the levels of the spinal cord, medulla oblongata, bridge and midbrain and cerebral cortex over the period of one day. Other signs included a pronounced hypothermia, a decrease in the respiratory rate and a violation of its rhythm, a distinct tendency to bradycardia. On days 1-3 after the administration of sodium thiopental, a restoration of the respiratory rate, heart rate, body temperature, and the functional state of the central nervous system at various levels was observed, with the exception of the cerebral cortex. In the long term, following the administration of sodium thiopental for up to 21 days, a depression of the functional state of the central nervous system at the level of the cerebral cortex, violation of coordinated propulsive peristalsis of the small intestine and intestinal microbiocenosis were detected. Hence, in experimentally simulated barbiturate poisoning, not only is the suppression of the functions of the central nervous system observed, but also significant and prolonged restructuring of the functional state of the gastrointestinal tract.

On a sample of 14 rats, the role of cholinergic mechanisms in the effects of GABA on the small bowel electrical activity under the conditions of 18-hour food deprivation in a chronic experiment was studied. Administration of GABA at a dose of 70 mg/kg resulted in stimulation of phase II (irregular activity) and the disappearance of phases I (rest) and III (regular activity) of the migrating myoelectric complex (MMC). The main effect of the M-cholinoblockator — atropine (1 mg/kg) was manifested in the disappearance of phase III MMC. The administration of GABA after the administration of atropine caused the appearance of extraordinary phase III MMC, thereby exerting a release effect on the regular (propulsive) activity of the small intestine. Therefore, one of the mechanisms of GABA action on the electrical activity of the small intestine is cholinergic pathways.