EFFECTS OF CERTAIN COMPOUNDS ON ANIMALS SUBJECTED TO SIMULATED HIGH ALTITUDE.
Abstract
It has been previously reported that N-beta-phenethyl-biguanide (phenformin) protected both anesthetized and unanesthetized rats from the lethal effects of severe hypoxia. Data in these studies indicated that phenformin HCl protected the rats by preventing cardiovascular collapse and central depression and simultaneously producing marked respiratory stimulation accompanied by arterial PCO2 and pH significantly lower and arterial PO2 significantly higher than that found in untreated animals. In the present studies, hexamethonium abolished the pressor response of phenformin HCl in cats providing additional evidence that one of the actions of phenformin HCl is facilitation of ganglionic activity. Phenformin HCl, 75 mg/kg, orally, markedly improved the lever press shock-avoidance performance of rats tested at altitudes between 18,000 and 24,000 feet. Altitudes in excess of 21,000 feet produced a much greater detrimental effect on learning than on performance and phenformin HCl did not improve the ability of the experimental animals to learn a relatively simple avoidance program at elevated altitudes ranging from 18,000 to 24,000 feet. The compound did increase the spontaneous activities of animals subjected to a simulated altitude of 21,000 feet whereas it produced a slight sedative effect on animals at normal atmospheric pressures. Phenformin HCl, 75 mg/kg, orally, did alleviate certain detrimental effects of hypoxia of high altitude in rats but did not appear to enhance the ability of these animals to learn at elevated altitudes. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 1968
- Accession Number
- AD0678639
Entities
People
- Herbert Barry Iii
- Joseph P. Buckley
Organizations
- University of Pittsburgh