PHARMACOLOGY AND THERAPEUTICS Publication Record Sabra, R., H. Khuri, G. Beshara, N. El-Bizri, and L. Sharaf.
2000. Post-junctional mechanisms involved in the potentiation of cardiac
adrenergic responses by cocaine. European Journal of Pharmacology 397
(1):139–150. Sabra, R., and S. Shuman.2001. Influence of phenobarbital on
changes in Na(+) handling, hemodynamics and liver function due to partial
portal vein ligation in rats. European Journal of Pharmacology 413
(2–3):287–294. Sabra, R., L. Zeinoun, L. Sharaf, R. Ghali, G. Beshara, and H.
Serhal.2001. Role of humoral factors in, and influence of, a liposomal
formulation on acute amphotericin B nephrotoxicity. Pharmacology and
Toxicology 88 (4):168–175. Sawaya, J.I., C. Jazra, F. Farhat, S. Alam, E.V. Eid, and R.
Sabra.2000. In-hospital mortaltiy after acute myocardial infarction in
Lebanon: Incidence, associations and influence of newer treatment regimens. Lebanese
Medical Journal 48 (2):63–69. Abstracts, Conferences, and Proceedings Sabra, R. April 2001. Influence of captopril on development of
Na retention in cirrhotic rats. Federation of the American Societies for
Experimental Biology, Orlando, Florida, USA. Sabra, R., and H. Khuri. June 2000. Post-junctional mechanisms
in the potentiation of cardiac adrenergic responses by cocaine. American
Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Boston,
Massachusetts, USA. Simaan, Joseph A. June 2000. Nitric oxide role in the vasodilator
effect of acetylcholine in the coronary vascular bed explored in the cat
heart-lung preparation. American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental
Therapeutics, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. ———. March 2001. The role of nitric oxide in the metabolically-induced
increase in coronary outflow by norepinephrine and phenylephrine.
Experimental Biology 2001, Orlando, Florida, USA. Graduate Theses and Projects Puzanian, H. May 2001. The role of nitric oxide in the
metabolically-induced increase in coronary outflow by norepinephrine and
phenylepherine. J. A. Simaan. Research Projects Role of phosphodiesteases 1 and 5 (PDE 1 and 5) in
control of vascular ton Specific inhibitors of PDE 1 and 5, which are localized to
the smooth muscle cells of vascular tissue, are being used to explore the
role of the two isoforms in control of vascular tone and vasodilation
secondary to nitric oxide release. The studies use isolated aortic
rings, in-vivo whole animal work, to measure hemodyanmics and biochemical
techniques in order to characterize changes in the expression of these
isoforms. The role of the drugs in animal models of hypertension will
be explored. Sabra, R., and C. Lugnier (Strassbourg, France) Completed or in progress at AUB and Université Louis
Pasteur Influence of thymulin on hepatic failure induced by
galactosamine in rats Thymulin is an immunomodulating hormone which, at high
doses, inhibits, and at low doses, enhances, the production of cytokines,
specifically interleukin-1 and tumor necrosis factor. Fulminant hepatic
failure is a condition associated with high mortality, for which no specific
medical therapy is available. Bothinterleukin-1 and TNF are believed to play
a major role in its pathogenesis. The present proposal explores the effect of
varying doses of thymulin on survival, and the extent of liver injury induced
in a model of fulminant hepatic failure in rats induced by
galactosamine. The effects of thymulin on changes in cytokine levels
induced by the disease, as well as biochemical, pharmacological, and
histological markers of liver damage will be examined. Sabra, R. (PL), B.
Safieh-Garabedian, and A. Sharara. Supported by URB Old indigenous plants in Lebanon: Studies on the
pharmacology and safety of indigenous plant extracts with potential medicinal
uses This is a collaboration with investigators from the
Faculties of Arts and Sciences and Agriculture and from universities in Ohio,
USA. The aim of this particular part of the project will be to conduct
pharmacological and safety studies on extracts of plants which have been
studied with regard to their potential for development in Lebanon, and
extracts of which have been shown, by other members of the team, to
possess some biological activity (anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anticancer,
or antibacterial). Sabra, R., S. Talhouk (PL), E. Barbour, H. Mohtasseb, R.
Baalbaki, E. Abu Fakhr Hammad, Gh. Hamadeh, B. Saab, N. Hwalla, and R.
Talhouk. Supported by Mercy Corps Nitric oxide and myocardial contractility The role of nitric oxide in the control of myocardial contractility,
induced by the sympathetic system using norepnephrine (NE) as a
representative, was explored in the modified cat heart-lung preparation.
Contrary to reports in the literature, blockade of the synthesis of nitric
oxide by nitro-L-arginine was associated with a derease in myocardial
contractility induced with NE. Confirmation of this finding and
exploration of the underlying mechanisms are in progress. Simaan, J.A. (PL),
and J. Matar. The potentiative effect of the sympathetic system on
the coronary vasodilatation produced by nitroglycerine The effect of nitroglycerine on the coronary vascular
bed and coronary outflow was explored in the cat heart-lung preparation
, modified to measure coronary outflow. Doses of nitroglycerine, which
produce minimal effects on coronary outflow, were markedly potentiated and
produced a significantly greater increase in coronary outflow during a
concomitant infusion of norepinephrine. Nitroglycerine produces its vascular
effects by donating nitric oxide molecules. The mechanism involved in this
potentiative effect is under exploration. Simaan, J. A. (PL), and J. Matar. The role of nitric oxide in the metabolically-induced
increase in coronary outflow by norepinepherine and phenylephrine The effect of infusions of norepinehrine (NE) and
phenylephrine (PE) on coronary outflow, and the role of nitric oxide in
mediating this effect were explored in the cat heart-lung preparation,
modified to measure coronary outflow. NE and PE increased coronary outflow,
and this increase was completely blocked by nitro-L arginine, an inhibitor of
nitric oxide synthase. It may be concluded from this study that nitric oxide
production mediates the metabolically-induced coronary dilatation and
increase in coronary outflow due to NE and PE, without the participation of
other mediators, such as adenosine. Simaan, J. A. (PL), and H. Puzanian. |