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Journal Article 2006; 27(6): 719-723 PubMed PMID: 17187003 Citation  Keywords:  Case-Control Studies, Docosahexaenoic Acids:blood, Fatty Acids, Omega-3:blood, Fatty Acids, Unsaturated:blood, Humans, Male, Pedophilia:blood, Reference Values, Serotonin:metabolism, Statistics, Nonparametric,.   

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have suggested that abnormalities in plasma phospholipid fatty acids may play a role in aggressive behavior. Recently, it was suggested that a dysfunctional serotonergic turnover in the brain may be involved in the etiopathology of pedophilia. Depletion of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) may cause alterations in the serotonergic system that may be related to pedophilia and aggression.

METHODS: This study examines the serum phospholipid n-3 and n-6 PUFA fractions in pedophilia. Twenty-seven pedophilic men and eighteen healthy volunteers participated in this study.

RESULTS: In pedophilia there was a significant depletion of the C22:6n-3 (docosahexaenoic acid, DHA), total n-3 fractions and an increase in the total n-6/n-3 and C20:4n-6/C20:5n-3 (arachidonic acid/eicosapentaenoic acid) ratios. Using the NEO Personality Inventory, lower DHA in pedophiles is related to more impulsiveness and lower agreeableness (trust, altruism, straightforwardness, compliance) and conscientiousness (self-discipline).

CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that a depletion of the serum phospholipid n-3 higher unsaturated fatty acids (HUFAs) and, in particular, of DHA may take part in the pathophysiology of pedophilia. One hypothesis is that a depletion of n-3 HUFAs and DHA may cause alterations in the serotonergic turnover, which are related to impulse discontrol and aggression-hostility, behaviors which are associated with pedophilia....

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Case Reports 2006; 27(6): 733-736 PubMed PMID: 17187002 Citation  Keywords:  Adrenocorticotropic Hormone:blood, Female, Follicle Stimulating Hormone:secretion, Gonadotrophs:pathology, Humans, Hydrocortisone:blood, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Middle Aged, Neoplasms, Multiple Primary:pathology, Pituitary ACTH Hypersecretion:blood, P.   

OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE: We encountered a Cushing's disease patient whose surgically removed pituitary macroadenoma was not an ACTH-producing, but rather a gonadotroph adenoma. Cure was obtained only after a tiny microadenoma, overlooked on preoperative studies, was removed by a 2nd operation from a compressed thin normal anterior pituitary gland.

CLINICAL PRESENTATION: This 45-year-old woman with Cushing syndrome presented with diabetes mellitus and steroid psychosis. Endocrinological examinations suggested Cushing's disease and MRI disclosed an invasive macroadenoma (22 mm in diameter) with suprasellar extension.

INTERVENTION: Despite total removal of the invasive macroadenoma by transsphenoidal surgery, her elevated serum cortisol- and ACTH levels failed to decrease. Histologic study of the surgical specimen disclosed that the tumor was a silent FSH-producing, rather than an ACTH-producing adenoma. Detailed re-evaluation of pre- and postoperative MRI suggested the presence of a 3-mm microadenoma on the left side of a thin compressed normal gland. Venous sampling of the cavernous sinus confirmed this suspicion. In a 2nd operation an ACTH-producing microadenoma was removed from inside the thin remaining compressed normal pituitary gland and endocrinological cure of Cushing's disease was achieved.

CONCLUSION: Although double adenomas, being a non-ACTH producing macroadenoma associated with an ACTH producing tiny microadenoma, are extremely rare in patients with Cushing's disease, detailed preoperative MRI evaluation is necessary to avoid missing tiny adenomas hidden in a compressed normal pituitary gland which is the cause of Cushing's disease, especially when a macroadenoma is found in patient with Cushing's disease....

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Journal Article 2006; 27(6): 748-754 PubMed PMID: 17187001 Citation  Keywords:  Adolescent, Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity:blood, Child, Dopamine beta-Hydroxylase:blood, Humans, Polymorphism, Genetic:genetics,.   

: Attention-deficit Hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a multifactorial disorder clinically characterized by inattentiveness, impulsivity and hyperactivity. The occurrence of this disorder is between 3 and 6% of the children population, with boys predominating over girls at a ratio of 3:1 or more. The research of some candidate genes (DRD4, DAT, DRD5, DBH, 5HTT, HTR1B and SNAP25) brought consistent results confirming the heredity of ADHD syndromes. Dopamine-beta-hydroxylase (DBH) is an enzyme responsible for the conversion of dopamine into noradrenaline. Alteration of the dopamine/noradrenaline levels can result in hyperactivity. The DBH protein is released in response to stimulation. DBH activity, derived largely from sympathetic nerves, can be measured in human plasma. Patients with ADHD showed decreased activities of DBH in serum and urine. Low DBH levels correlate indirectly with the seriousness of the hyperkinetic syndrome in children [19,20]. In the DBH gene, the G444A, G910T, C1603T, C1912T, C-1021T, 5 -ins/del and TaqI polymorphisms occur frequently and may affect the function of gene products or modify gene expression and thus influence the progression of ADHD. This article reviews the DBH itself and polymorphisms in the DBH gene that influence the DBH activity in the serum and the CSF level of DBH. All those are evaluated in connection with ADHD....

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Case Reports 2006; 27(6): 737-739 PubMed PMID: 17187000 Citation  Keywords:  Acute Disease, Akathisia, Drug-Induced:diagnostic imaging, Antipsychotic Agents:adverse effects, Benzodiazepines:adverse effects, Cerebellum:diagnostic imaging, Fluorodeoxyglucose F18, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Positron-Emission Tomography:methods, Radio.   

OBJECTIVES: Akathisia is a clinical important symptom, frequently induced by neuroleptic treatment. Despite its clinical importance, less is known about its pathophysiology.

METHODS: Using [18]-FDG-PET, imaging patterns of cortical metabolic activity were obtained in a patient during olanzapine-induced akathisia and after recovery.

RESULTS: Akathisia was characterized by a reduced metabolic activity in thalamus and cerebellum. After discontinuing medication akathisia disappeared, reflected by a recovery of metabolic activity in these brain areas.

CONCLUSION: [18]-FDG-PET may be useful to identify cortical regions mediating clinical aspects of drug-induced akathisia, thereby offering a deeper insight into the pathophysiology of this serious side effect....

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Journal Article 2006; 27(6): 758-762 PubMed PMID: 17186999 Citation  Keywords:  Adult, Age Factors, Androstenedione:blood, Atherosclerosis:blood, Blood Glucose:analysis, Cholesterol:blood, Coronary Disease:blood, Estrogens:blood, Female, Gonadal Steroid Hormones:blood, Humans, Incidence, Lipoproteins, HDL:blood, Lipoproteins, LDL:blo.   

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to investigate the relationship between the incidence of coronary heart diseases in premenopausal women and plasma level of total and free testosterone, estrogen, androstenedione and sex hormone binding globulin with coronary risk factors: fasting plasma concentration of glucose, triglyceride, total cholesterol, high and low density lipoproteins.

METHODS: The study was conducted in Faculty of Medicine, Jordanian University of Science/Irbid Jordan and Technology and department of cardiology in Queen Alia Heart Institute/Amman Jordan during the period from April 2003 to March 2004. Serum sex hormones levels were measured in fifty-three premenopausal women; 25 women with coronary heart disease who had hypertension and/or diabetes mellitus and 28 women without coronary heart disease. Ages ranged from 34 to 48 years. Blood samples were collected just before performing coronary angiography and serum was obtained and frozen at -70 degrees C until use.

RESULTS: We found that the mean triglyceride, fasting blood sugar total cholesterol, and low density lipoprotein concentration were significantly higher in coronary heart disease patients than in patients with normal coronaries. We also found that the low levels of sex hormone binding globulin and high levels of free testosterone are associated with development of coronary heart disease. No significant correlation could be established between other plasma sex hormones level and coronary heart disease.

CONCLUSION: In young women, in the presence of coronary risk factors and normal level of serum estrogen, the high levels of serum free testosterone and low levels of serum sex hormone binding globulin are associated with development of atherosclerosis and increased incidence of coronary heart disease....

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Comparative Study 2006; 27(Suppl 2): 148-151 PubMed PMID: 17159802 Citation  Keywords:  Benzothiepins:pharmacology, Histamine:pharmacology, Histamine H1 Antagonists:pharmacology, Humans, Loratadine:pharmacology, Neutrophils:drug effects, Peroxidase:metabolism, Superoxide Dismutase:metabolism, Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate:pharmacology,.   

OBJECTIVES: To study the effect of H1-antihistamines dithiaden (Dit) and loratadine (Lor) and compare it with that of histamine (His) on phorbolmyristate acetate (PMA) stimulated chemiluminescence (CL) of whole blood, isolated neutrophils, release of myeloperoxidase (MPO), and on superoxide (SO) generation.

METHODS: Luminol- and isoluminol-enhanced CL was applied for measuring the oxidative burst, spectrophotometry was used for determination of MPO (o-dianisidine) and SO generation (superoxide dismutase inhibition of cytochrome c).

RESULTS: Dit and Lor dose-dependently inhibited CL of whole blood and significantly decreased oxidative burst both at the extra- and intracellular sites of neutrophils. Release of MPO was decreased with both drugs tested in 10-times lower concentrations than was SO inhibition. Histamine (His) was much less effective in the inhibition of the parameters investigated.

CONCLUSIONS: Histaminergic drugs of the 1st generation inhibited oxidative burst of human phagocytes in whole blood and in isolated neutrophils. The rank order of potency to inhibit CL, MPO release and SO generation in PMA stimulated phagocytes was: Dit>Lor>His....

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Comparative Study 2006; 27(Suppl 2): 141-143 PubMed PMID: 17159800 Citation  Keywords:  Brompheniramine:pharmacology, Chlorpheniramine:pharmacology, Extracellular Fluid:metabolism, Histamine H1 Antagonists:pharmacology, Humans, Intracellular Fluid:metabolism, Luminescence, Neutrophils:drug effects, Pheniramine:pharmacology, Reactive Oxygen S.   

BACKGROUND: Allergic inflammation was found to be accompanied by activation of neutrophils. Since this resulted in increased formation of reactive oxygen species, the antioxidative activity of antiallergic drugs was considered to decrease the risk of tissue damage. However, if the drug-induced inhibition of radical formation occurred intracellularly, it could disturb regulation of neutrophil functions and decrease bactericidal activity of these cells. Separate analysis of extra- and intracellular activity of antioxidative drugs is thus of particular importance.

OBJECTIVE: To differentiate the effects of three antiallergic H1-antihistamine drugs (pheniramine, chlor- and brompheniramine) on radical formation outside and inside human neutrophils.

METHODS: Formation of reactive oxygen species was determined in vitro using the chemiluminescence method. The chemiluminescence signal, initiated by phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate, was enhanced either with isoluminol (extracellular) or with luminol in the presence of extracellular scavengers, superoxide dismutase and catalase (intracellular).

RESULTS: The antihistamines tested displayed dual activity - they inhibited the extracellular and potentiated the intracellular chemiluminescence. Chlor- and brompheniramine were found to be more effective than pheniramine.

CONCLUSION: Compared to other H1-antihistamines (such as dithiaden or loratadine, active both extra- and intracellularly), the observed inhibition caused by the pheniramines tested was unique since it occurred selectively outside neutrophils. This might indicate the ability of these drugs to minimise toxic effects of extracellular radicals without affecting intracellular oxidant production involved in regulation of neutrophil functions and in microbial killing....

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Clinical Trial 2006; 27(Suppl 2): 138-140 PubMed PMID: 17159799 Citation  Keywords:  Adrenergic beta-Antagonists:pharmacology, Aged, Antihypertensive Agents:therapeutic use, Antioxidants:pharmacology, Carbazoles:pharmacology, Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2:blood, Diabetic Angiopathies:blood, Female, Heart Failure:blood, Humans, In Vitro Techni.   

OBJECTIVES: In the present study we investigated whether the beta-adrenoceptor antagonist carvedilol (CARV) [Dilatrend] prevented reactive oxygen metabolite (ROM) production in human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL) or interfered with ROM already generated. To specify the site of action of CARV, we evaluated its effect on extra- and intracellular ROM generation. In addition, we studied the effect of CARV therapy on ROM production in whole blood obtained from patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) combined with type II diabetes mellitus.

METHODS: ROM generation in whole blood and isolated PMNL was determined after phorbol 12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA-0.05 micromol/l) stimulation by luminol/isoluminol-enhanced chemiluminescence (CL) in the microplate luminometer Immunotech LM-01T.

RESULTS: CARV significantly decreased CL of human whole blood in the concentrations of 10, 20, 50 and 100 micromol/l, both when applied simultaneously and after stimulation. In isolated PMNL, CARV significantly decreased extracellular CL in the concentrations of 50 and 100 micromol/l, intracellular CL was decreased in the concentrations of 20, 50 and 100 micromol/l. The nonstimulated and PMA stimulated CL of whole blood was increased in patients before therapy in comparison with healthy controls. After CARV therapy, 25 mg/day and 50 mg/day, there was a trend to reduce CL as compared to values before therapy.

CONCLUSIONS: In human PMNL, CARV interfered in vitro and ex vivo with ROM generation as well as with already generated ROM, suggestive of its both "preventive" and "therapeutic" effect....

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