[Antistress effect of dimethyl sulfoxide in the rat]

Administration of scavenger of hydroxyl radicals--dimethylsulfoxide (1 g/kg intraperitoneally, daily for 3 weeks) did not lead to any significant changes in animals behaviour in the open field and in visceral functions (arterial pressure, respiratory rate, heart rate) but prevented shifts of these characteristics caused by chronic 3-week emotional-pain stress. In rats injected with dimethylsulfoxide, an increase was observed of superoxide dismutase activity in the brain and blood serum. Molecular mechanisms are discussed of antistress action of dimethylsulfoxide (scavenge of hydroxyl radicals, activation of superoxide dismutase) and possible role of hydroxyl radicals in realization of damaging action of stress on the organism.