The drug malononitrile dimer (1,1,3-tricyano-2-amino-1-propene) was administered intraperitoneally to groups of mice at 20 mg/kg body weight, either as a single injection or as chronic 2-month injections. To study the effect of malononitrile dimer on RNA synthesis in the brain, it was necessary to choose a precursor that would pass the blood-brain barrier. Animals were injected with 14C-formate, then sacrificed 1 h later. RNA synthesis in the brain, liver and kidney of the drug-injected and control animals was determined by the amount of 14C-formate incorporated into newly synthesized RNA. A new method involving the comparison of RNase-extracted with non-extracted slides is described for determining the proportion of 14C-formate incorporated into RNA radioautographically. The results show that RNA synthesis was significantly increased as a result of both single and chronic malononitrile dimer injections in all tissues studied. In most cases, malononitrile dimer nearly doubled the percentage of 14C-formate incorporated into newly synthesized RNA. The effect of the chronic injections was most pronounced in the brain. The mechanism of malononitrile action on RNA synthesis as mediated by thyroxine is discussed.

Keywords:
Radioautography, Cytology, Psychobiology, Cell metabolism
This content is only available via PDF.
© 1978 S. Karger AG, Basel
1978
Copyright / Drug Dosage / Disclaimer
Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug.
Disclaimer: The statements, opinions and data contained in this publication are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publishers and the editor(s). The appearance of advertisements or/and product references in the publication is not a warranty, endorsement, or approval of the products or services advertised or of their effectiveness, quality or safety. The publisher and the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content or advertisements.
You do not currently have access to this content.