1. The effects of acute in vitro exposure of rat isolated vas deferens to ethinyl estradiol (EE; 1.01 x 10-5M) on the contractile responses to various agonists were investigated. 2. EE increased the pD2 values of noradrenaline (NE) and phenylephrine (PE); the pD2 values of methoxamine (MTX), and acetylcholine (ACh) were unaltered. 3. Pretreatment of vas deferens with neuronal uptake blocker, cocaine (1 x 10-5M) and also its denervation abolished the potentiating effect of EE on NA responses. 4. Pretreatment with extraneuronal uptake blocker, normetanephrine (1.2 x 10-5M) or monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor, nialamide (3.35 x 10-5M) or catechol-O-methyl transferase (COMT) inhibitor tropolone (2 x l0-6M) or NE+-K+ ATPase inhibitor, digoxin (3.2 x l0-6GM) did not modify the potentiating effect of EE on NE response. 5, Combined treatment with normetanephrine (1.2 x l0-5M) pargyline (5.2 x l0-6M) and tropolone (2 x 10-6M) did not alter the potentiating effect. However, combined treatment with cocaine (1x 10-5M), normetanephrine (I .2 x 10-5), pargyline (5.2 x 10-5M) and tropolone (2 x 10-6M) abolished the potentiating effect. 6. It is concluded that in rat isolated vas deferens EE, specifically potentiated the contractile responses to certain alpha-adrenoceptor agonists, especially NE. which may be due to its neuronal uptake blocking property.

1. Dopamine (1.3 x l0-7M to 7.7 x 10-5M) and noradrenaline (NE) (1.9x l0-7 M to 1.9 x l0-4M) produced dose dependent contractions of rat anococcygeus muscle. 2. Bromocriptine (5 x IO-6M) and dopamine (1 x 10-10M) inhibited the contractions evoked by field stimulation. These inhibitions were prevented by metoclopramide (9.8 x IO-6M). 3. Bromocriptine also significantly inhibited the dopamine evoked contractions but did not alter the responses to NE. The inhibition induced by bromocriptine was prevented by metoclopramide. 4. SKF 38393 (4.1 x IO-6M), a selective dopamine D1 receptor agonist potentiated the contractions elicited by dopamine and NE. Pimozide (7.0 x 10-7 M) prevented the potentiation produced by SKF 38393. 5. SKF 38393 (4.1 x lO-6M) failed to potentiate the dopamine and NE induced contractions in the reserpinized preparations. 6. Further, nialamide (2.2 x 10-6 M), pyrogallol (2.6 x 10-5 M) and cocaine (3.3 x 10-6M) potentiated the responses to dopamine (2.2 x I0-6M) and NE (1.7x 10-6 M). SKF 38393 (4. I x lO-6M) caused further potentiation of dopamine and NE evoked contractions in presence of nialamide and pyrogallol. 7. However, in the presence of cocaine, SKF 38393 failed to potentiate further the responses to dopamine and NE. 8. The results suggest that the rat anococcygeus muscle consists of excitatory as well as inhibitory dopamine receptors. The inhibitory dopamine receptors appear to be located pre-synaptically and are of D2 type.The dopamine D1 receptors also appear to be located pre-synaptically and they are linked to the catecholamine uptake blocking mechanism.

1. Ethanolic extract of Ferula jaeschkeana Vatke has been studied on vital organs of rats during early pregnancy so as to elucidate its metabolic effect on these organs. 2. Administration of the extract in a dose of 200 mg/kg for 5 days (day 1 to 5post-coitum) did not change protein contents of liver and spleen, however, that of the kidney were decreased and adrenal showed high contents. 3. It also caused depletion of glycogen contents in the kidney and adrenal at 5th day schedule, but in liver and spleen, glycogen contents remained unchanged. 4. Increase in the activity of acid phosphatase and decrease in that of alkaline phosphate has been observed in liver and kidney spleen and adrenal when compared with their respective controls.

1. Blood platelet 3H-spiperone binding sites in patients suffering from hyperkinesia, mental retardation and Parkinson's disease were significantly altered and showed a close relationship with the clinical findings. 2. Exposure of rats to neurotoxicants methyl mercury chloride (0.4 or 4.0 mg/kg) or methyl methacrylate (250 or 500 mg/kg) resulted in changes in the binding characteristics of 3H-spiperone which were similar in blood platelets and brain tissues. 3. The similar behaviour of 3H-spiperone and 3H-5HT binding sites in blood platelet and neuronal tissue in the above mentioned diseases and on exposure to some neurotoxic chemicals indicate that blood platelets could serve as a useful peripheral model for studying neurological disorders after further validation.

1. The action of (+) INPEA and vasicine on the isolated rat uterus, guinea pig uterus, rat mammary gland, guinea pig ileum and guinea pig tracheal chain were studied. 2. (+) INPEA (1' g/ml and 10 'g/ml) and vasicine (1 'g/ml and 10 'g/ml) elicited a stimulant action, with an increase in amplitude and frequency of contractions in the isolated rat and guinea pig uterus. 3. Vasicine (1 'g/ml) potentiated the action of oxytocin in isolated rat mammary strip preparation. 4. Vasicine (1 'g/ml) potentiated the action of barium chloride evoked contractions in guinea pig ileum. 5. The study indicates that ( + ) INPEA shows selectivity for uterine tissue.

1. A total of 1008 cases under treatment with antituberculous drugs were included in the study. Cutaneous reactions to antituberculous drugs in the form of skin rash were seen only in 18 (1.8%) patients. 2. Thiacetazone was found to be the commonest offending drug followed by isoniazid. No adverse reaction was observed in patients on pyradnamide. 3. Morphologically commonest type of cutaneous rash observed was papulosquamous type (7 patients) followed by acneiform eruptions (4 patients) and macular rash (3 patients). The clinical diagnosis was confirmed by disappearence of rashes on stopping the suspected drug.

1. This study included 54 patients of essential hypertension. 2. 17 patients received atenolol combined with hydrochlorthiazide and 37 patients received atenolol alone. 3. Significant reduction in blood pressure was observed with both forms of treatment. 4. Fall in blood pressure was greater with combination therapy. 5. Weakness and giddiness were the most common adverse effects and addition of thiazide diuretic did not increase the incidence of adverse events. 6. It is concluded that hydrochlorthiazide increases the anti-hypertensive efficacy of atenolol without increasing adverse reactions.

1. A case of cardiac toxicity following chloroquine administration in a single dose of 150 mg is reported. 2. ECG changes included absent P-wave, A. V. dissociation and idioventricular rhythm. 3. Xylocaine (I. V. drip) with supportive treatment caused reversal of arrhthmia.