"Glucago" administration by intracerebroventricular (I. C. V.) route resulted in lowering of total blood cholesterol level by 29.89% with a maximum decrease within 15 minutes. The hypocholesterolaemic effect of glucagon was not obtained in vasgotomized dogs, leading to the hypothesis that I. C. V. glucagon stimulates the vagal centre. In hepatectomized dogs. in which both vegi were intact, intraventricular administration of glucagon did of cause any hypocholesterolaemic effect and this suggests that centrally administered glucagon exerts its effect on liver through vagus. It is possible that I. C. V. administered glucagon stimulates the vagal centre which brings about a decrease in total blood cholesterol level by inhibiting the synthesis or its release from the liver.

In continuation of search by the present group of workers fore scientific basis behind the therapeutic application of common domestic insect, Periplaneta americana (cockroach) in bronchial asthma by the Iaity, the effect of the lipid extract of cockroach on the ascorbic acid content of the adrenal cortex and liver of albino rats has been studied to provide further evidence in favour of the corticosteroid like properties of this extract. A simultaneous study with prednisolone acetate (Deltacortil) has been made for comparison. Besides the changes in the blood picture of rats, characterised by both relative and absolute eosinopenia 3.6 hours after the administration of the lipid extract or prednisolone. a marked increase was noted in the ascorbic acid content of the adrenocortical tissue and liver in either case. After eighteen hours the blood picture returned to normal but the rise in the ascorbic acid content in adrenal cortex and liver continued even after twenty four hours. This may be indicative of a possible role of the lipid or prednisolone in the endogenous synthesis of ascorbic acid in rats.

The effects of a number of autonomic agents and procedures which modify cholinergic and/or adrenergic activity were studied on cardiac acetylcholine, cardiac, skeletal muscle and hepatic glyeogen and blood sugar contents in albino rats and frogs. Tissue glycogen content was found to be higher, blood sugar much lower and cardiac acetylcholine slightly lower in frogs than in rats. Physostigmine treatment increased cardiac acetylcholine content in rats as well as in frogs. Atropine reduced cardiac acetylcholine contents in rats as well as in frogs. Vagotomy and pentolinium reduced cardiac acetylcholine content in rats and frogs, respectively. Modification of adrenergic activity did not affect cardiac acetylcholine content. Physostigmine in higher doses slightly increased ventricular glycogen in rats. Vagotomy reduced ventricular es well as hepatic glycogen in rats. Propranolol produced an increase in ventricular as well as muscle glycogen and decrease in blood sugar in rats but not in frogs. Adrenalectomy and 6-hydroxydopamine produced tissue glycogenolysis in rats. Pentolinium had variable effects in rats and frogs. The results indicate that cardiac acetylcholine content can be modified by altering parasympathetic activity and that adrenergic as well as cholinergic systems both effect tissue glycogen level.

Histamine response on chicken arterial blood pressure was characterized with a sharp fall followed by a rise. The depressor response of histamine in graded doses (1 to 8 (g/Kg. i. v.) was linear when plotted against its log doses. Blockade of histamine response on blood pressure with diphenhydramine was less in intensity and duration when compared with that of promethazine. Antihistaminic produced a marked and sustained rise in fowl blood pressure. Histamine in lower concentrations (2.5 x10-8 to 2 x 1 O-7 (g/ml) relaxed the isolated ileum of chick and this relaxation was blocked by pronethalol. Histamine in higher concentrations 4 x 1 O-7 to 8 x 1 O-7(g/ml) produced contractile response which was blocked both by promethazine and diphenhydramine. ED50 of histamine on chick ileum and oviduct, calculated from cumulative dose response curve, were 1 O-6M and 5 x 10-8 M respectively.

Several amino acids were tested for their effect on carregeenan-induced inflammation in the rat. If was found that creatine, creatinine, L-isoleucine. DL-isoleucine, L-glutamine. DL-tryptophan. L valine, DL-valine. L-methionine and DL-methionine were effective whereas the remaining compounds, taurine, L-histidine. (-alanine, L-arginine, L-swine, L-threonine and DL-threonins, were ineffective in reducing inflammation.

Effect of onion on normal fasting level of blood cholesterol, fibrinogen and fibrinolytic activity was investigated after acute administration in man and chronic feeding in rabbits. In both experiments onion did not affect these parameters. Keeping in view the results of earlier researches, it was concluded that anion only affects blood cholesterol, fibrinogen and fibrinolytic activity during hyperlipidemia.

Noradrenaline when injected into unanaesthetised dogs on third or fourth post-operative day follwing coronary ligation, induced extrasystoles. Pretreatment with diazepam reduced the number and percentage of these extrasystoles. A Similar effect was also observed when diarepam was given after extrasystoles were induced by noradrenaline. The results suggest that diarepam may be useful in controlling the ventricular extrasystoles associated with myocardial infarction.

Food consumption has been linked with central dopaminergic system. The present study is conducted to note if any changes in food consumption occur in rats during chronic administration of drugs like amphetamine. DOPA and alpha methyldopa. Food was presented only for 6 hours in day and intake was measured after 3 and 6 hours. The results suggest that dopamine may have a role in the central control of appetite.