title: The effect of dihydroergotoxine on lipid peroxidation in vitro.
abstract: Dihydroergotoxine mesylate (DHET), an ergot alkaloid derivative, is widely used to treat senile cerebral vascular insufficiency. Aspects of this age-related phenomenon may be due to deterioration by lipid oxidation of cellular membranes. DHET stabilizes EEG alpha frequencies, increases cerebral blood flow and oxygen uptake and accumulates in lipid-rich structures of the brain. The effect of DHET was studied on iron-catalyzed peroxidation of liposomes as measured by the thiobarbituric acid assay. It was found that DHET inhibits peroxidation in vitro in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest that DHET acts in part as a lipid antioxidant when used to treat senile cerebral vascular insufficiency.
mesh_terms: D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy; D004088:Dihydroergotoxine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007501:Iron; D007700:Kinetics; D008054:Lipid Peroxides; D008081:Liposomes
chemical_list: D008054:Lipid Peroxides; D008081:Liposomes; D004088:Dihydroergotoxine; D007501:Iron