Biochemical Eflfects of Thiethylperazine (Torecan®) on the Vestibular System of Rabbits

Abstract

Albino rabbits were subjected to unilateral vestibular neurotomy and sacrificed 7 days later. One group received intravenous injections with thiethyl-perazine (Torecan) 6.5 mg in 1 ml solution twice daily. Controls were injected with Ringer's solution. Succinoxidase activity was determined in Deiters' giant cells and RNA content in Purkinje cells from hemisphere lobulus III. Incorporation of ³H-leucine into protein from cerebral cortex, lateral vestibular nuclei and cerebellar nodulus and hemisphere lobulus III was determined in neurotomized rabbits and in rabbits given thiethylperazine. Neurotomy caused pronounced vestibular disturbances and the animals had higher succinoxidase activity on the operated side than on the non-operated side. Rabbits treated with thiethylperazine showed minor signs of vestibular disturbance and the Deiters' cell succinoxidase activity was similar on both sides as well as the Purkinje cell RNA content 1 week after the operation. The ³H-leucine incorporation into protein from cerebellum was higher on the operated side whereas no side differences were observed in the cerebral cortex and lateral vestibular nuclei.