Changes in adrenergic and cholinergic innervation of the external genitalia in alcohol and drug intoxication

Eighteen cadavers of persons, who died of acute and chronic alcohol and drug intoxication (ephedron-addiction), were used to study the changes in the spinal nerve plexuses and external genitals. The activity of acetylcholinesterase and of NADPH-diaphorase was determined histochemically; the adrenergic nerve fibers were detected by a glyoxyl-acid technique. Rectified changes in the relative density of adrenal-cholinergic- and nitroxydergic structures and in the activity of mediators in different intoxications were found. The chronic intoxication by alcohol and ephedron was accompanied by a reduced activity of enzymes involved in the metabolism of acetylcholine, nitric oxide and catecholamines. A lower density was observed in the nerve fibers that contained the examined substances. The results can be used as an additional criterion in evaluating the male sexual-function status.     

Epidemiologic analysis of ephedrone substance abuse in the Primorye territory

Biochemical effects of ephedrone and their clinical manifestations are described. Statistical data on the prevalence of ephedrone narcomania in the Primorye territory are compared with the prevalence of use of psychostimulating narcotics in other regions (analysis of the files of thanatological department of Bureau of Forensic Medical Expert Evaluations in Moscow). Morphological changes in the viscera are described detail. The authors come to a conclusion on high incidence and multifactorial toxic effects of ephedrone and multilevel somatic involvement in ephedrone narcomania.     

Morphofunctional changes of external male genitalia in alcoholism and substance abuse

The external male genitals (EMG) of male corpses, who abused alcohol and narcotics at lifetime, were examined. The objects were stained according to the common histological and histochemical methods. The study results are indicative of a high frequency rate of pathologic changes of the EMG in persons, who abused alcohol and narcotics at lifetime. The inflammatory, fibrosing and atrophic changes of the EMG as well as a reduced vascular permeability can be a cause for erection malfunction.     

The histoenzymological diagnosis of the time of occurrence of a closed spinal cord trauma]

Time course of the activities of transport enzymes in capillary walls of human spinal cord was studied in various periods after closed injury to the cord, inflicted by hard blunt objects, with the use of histochemical methods for the detection of alkaline phosphatase and Mg-dependent ATPase. Wave-like fluctuations in the activities of the examined enzymes were revealed. The findings may be used to assess the period elapsed since the cord injury.