...
Plagemann A, Davidowa H, Harder T, Dudenhausen J. Developmental programming of the hypothalamus: a matter of insulin. A comment on: Horvath, T. L., Bruning, J. C.: Developmental programming of the hypothalamus: a matter of fat. Nat. Med. (2006) 12: 52-53. Neuro Endocrinol Lett. 2006 Apr; 27(1-2): 70-72
AIM OF THE STUDY: The investigation of the influence of maternal serum free fatty acids (FFA) levels on the course of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).
MATERIAL AND METHODS: On the basis of GDM diagnosis 52 diabetic and 39 non-diabetic pregnant women were recruited to the study. Treatment modalities for diabetic group included diet alone (GDM1; n-36) or a combination of insulin and diet (GDM2; n-16). Maternal serum free fatty acids were measured before treatment, after 4 weeks therapy, during delivery and in umbilical cord blood.
RESULTS: Plasma levels of FFA were higher in GDM pregnant women treated later only by diet compare with GDM patients required later insulin and non-diabetic gravidas. In GDM diet treated group plasma FFA levels progressively decreased with treatment duration. The plasma FFA levels in umbilical cord blood did not differ between the study groups. We found a positive correlation between maternal venous and umbilical cord blood concentration of free fatty acids. Maternal FFA levels positively correlated with neonatal births weight.
CONCLUSION: Elevated plasma FFA levels are associated with GDM and can influence fetal growth. Early and intensified GDM treatment may decrease the level of circulating fatty acids....
Bomba-Opon D, Wielgos M, Szymanska M, Bablok L. Effects of free fatty acids on the course of gestational diabetes mellitus. Neuro Endocrinol Lett. 2006 Apr; 27(1-2): 277-280
OBJECTIVE: It has been well acknowledged that hypoglycemia induces cognitive impairment. However, the behavior of hippocampal cholinergic system, which is thought to play a key role in cognition, during hypoglycemia remains to be elucidated.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study we conducted a microdialysis using 9 weeks old virgin male Wistar/ST rats to determine the changes of extracelluar acethylcholine and glucose levels in the hippocampus during insulin-induced severe hypoglycemia, and compared the results with those obtained from a microdialysis in the striatum.
RESULTS: The extracelluar concentrations of acethylcholine both in the hippocampus and striatum did not change during hypoglycemia.
CONCLUSION: The results of the present study may suggest that changes of hippocampal cholinergic release may not be involved in the mechanism of cognitive impairment during hypoglycemia....
Umegaki H, Yamaguchi Y, Suzuki Y, Iguchi A. Microdialysis measurement of acetylcholine in rat hippocampus during severe insulin-induced hypoglycemia. Neuro Endocrinol Lett. 2006 Apr; 27(1-2): 128-132
OBJECTIVE: Some neuropeptides and monoaminergic neurotransmitters may affect hypothalamic feeding centres, sympathetic activity and thermogenesis. Sibutramine (BTS54524; N-[1-[1(4-chloro phenyl) cyclobutyl]-3methyl N,N-dimethylamine hydrochloride monohydrate) is a new 5-HT serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor (SNRI), antiobesity drug. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the sibutramine therapy on plasma neuropeptide Y (NPY), insulin, leptin and beta-endorphin concentrations in obese patients.
METHODS: Sibutramine, serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake antiobesity drug was administered for 6 months in a dose of 10 mg daily in 60 obese women (BMI 30-40 kg/m2) (mean 34 kg/m2). Plasma NPY, leptin, beta-endorphin and insulin concentrations were measured with RIA methods using commercial kits (Peninsula Lab, Linco, Peninsula Lab, Swierk respectively). The above neuropeptides levels were evaluated before and after the 6 month sibutramine therapy in 60 obese women as well as in 30 obese women on low caloric diet and in 30 of the control group.
RESULTS: In 85% obese patients a decrease of body weight was found after 6 month therapy with sibutramine. A decrease in total cholesterol, LDL and triglycerides and an increase in HDL were observed after the sibutramine treatment. We have demonstrated that the sibutramine therapy leads to the decrease of plasma NPY, beta-endorphin, insulin and leptin concentrations in obese patients. After low diet therapy we have observed a decrease in plasma leptin levels, however we did not find significant changes in plasma leptin, NPY, beta-endorphin and insulin concentrations.
CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that the effects on the disturbed activity of NPY, beta-endorphin, insulin and leptin may be involved in the mechanism of sibutramine action....
Baranowska B, Wolińska-Witort E, Martyńska L, Chmielowska M, Mazurczak-Pluta T, Boguradzka A, Baranowska-Bik A. Sibutramine therapy in obese women--effects on plasma neuropeptide Y (NPY), insulin, leptin and beta-endorphin concentrations. Neuro Endocrinol Lett. 2005 Dec; 26(6): 675-679
OBJECTIVES: The serum concentrations of somatotrophin axis hormones (growth hormone--GH, insulin-like growth factor-I--IGF-I and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3--IGFBP-3) in the patients with psoriasis in its active stage have been evaluated in relation to the control group consisting of healthy people in order to see whether these hormones may play a role in the psoriasis aetiopathogenesis.
MATERIAL AND METHODS: The subjects included 85 psoriatic patients (mean age 36.9 +/- 11.2 years) in the active state of disease and 20 healthy persons (mean age 35.6 +/- 6.6 years) as a control group. GH and IGFBP-3 concentrations in serum were determined by immunoradiometric assay (IRMA), IGF-I concentrations--by radioimmunological assay (RIA). Evaluation of the dermatological state also included a determination of psoriasis area and severity index (PASI).
RESULTS: In the patients with psoriasis the concentration of the growth hormone was found to be significantly higher than in the healthy people at the simultaneously much lower concentrations of the insulin-like growth factor-I and its binding protein-3. IGF-I concentrations correlated negatively to PASI value.
CONCLUSION: In the psoriatic patients the somatotrophin axis activity is disturbed and these disturbances may effect the psoriasis process modulation. However, it is impossible to determine if the disturbances are of the primary, i.e. aetiological, importance for the disease pathogenesis, or only of the secondary--psoroid character....
Damasiewicz-Bodzek A, Kos-Kudła B, Suwała-Jurczyk B. Somatotrophin axis hormones in patients affected with psoriasis. Neuro Endocrinol Lett. 2005 Dec; 26(6): 724-728
OBJECTIVES: Due to the recent increase of incidence of thyroid nodules and the known risk of malignant transformation, there is an elevated risk of thyroid cancer in Poland. Several approaches, including molecular, have been proposed to support fine needle aspiration biopsy in the early detection of malignant lesions. Although the IGF-I system in thyroid cancer has been studied, little is known about the gene and its promoter structure changes. Our aim was to assess, whether the analysis of the IGF-I gene promoter region and 5'UTR exon 1 structure may be useful in assessing the risk of thyroid carcinoma.
MATERIAL: Our study included 46 patients that underwent strumectomy due to a presence of thyroid nodules.
METHODS: All patients underwent clinical examination and laboratory investigations to assess their thyroid structure and function. Tissues obtained during the surgery were used for DNA extraction, PCR, SSCP and direct sequencing.
RESULTS: Among 46 patients, 14 had a nucleotide difference in one of the examined regions. In our study we revealed no significant difference between carcinomatous and non-carcinomatous groups of patients in terms of presence of nucleotide change, but Fisher's exact test gave a significant result in terms of the efficacy of detecting follicular adenoma. Moreover, the patients with nucleotide change had thyroid glands significantly smaller in volume.
CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that the molecular analysis of the IGF-I gene promoter is thought to be of a functional significance, but probably could not be considered useful in the assessment of risk of thyroid cancer in thyroid nodules....
Wasko R, Michalek K, Pacholska J, Obrepalska-Steplowska A, Gozdzicka-Jozefiak A, Sowinski J. Clinical significance of the insulin-like growth factor I gene promoter (P1) polymorphism in thyroid nodular disease. Neuro Endocrinol Lett. 2005 Dec; 26(6): 699-703
OBJECTIVE: It has been reported that the peptides such as orexins, neuropeptide Y (NPY) and leptin may play an important role in the regulation of appetite and energy metabolism. The interaction between leptin, orexins and NPY, as well as between peptides and insulin and cortisol in the different nutritional states have been investigated in animals. However, at present this relationship is poorly understood in humans.
RESEARCH METHODS: Material consisted of 36 obese women and 16 lean women. Plasma orexin A, orexin B, neuropeptide Y (NPY), leptin, insulin concentrations were measured with RIA methods.
RESULTS: Plasma orexin A concentrations were significantly lower in obese women as compared with control group. Plasma orexin A was significantly lower in severe obesity (BMI > 40 kg/m2) than that in moderate obesity (BMI < 40 kg/m2). Plasma orexin B concentrations did not change. However, plasma NPY, leptin and insulin levels were markedly higher in obese women, especially in severe obesity.
CONCLUSIONS: Our results confirmed the thesis that orexin A, NPY, leptin play an important role in the regulation of energy metabolism in humans. In obesity the activity of these peptides is disturbed....
Baranowska B, Wolińska-Witort E, Martyńska L, Martyńska M, Chmielowska M, Baranowska-Bik A. Plasma orexin A, orexin B, leptin, neuropeptide Y (NPY) and insulin in obese women. Neuro Endocrinol Lett. 2005 Aug; 26(4): 293-296
OBJECTIVE: In the light of the recent finding that the atypical antipsychotics clozapine and olanzapine have a stimulatory effect on basal insulin release in vitro, the influence on insulin release of three other atypical agents; quetiapine, risperidone and ziprasidone, was examined.
METHODS: The effect of each atypical antipsychotic in a concentration of 10(-6) M was investigated on both basal and glucose-stimulated insulin release from isolated rat pancreatic islets.
RESULTS: No difference in effect on insulin release was found for any of the three atypical antipsychotic substances compared to controls without antipsychotics, either in basal or in glucose-stimulated insulin release.
CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that the main compounds of quetiapine, risperidone and ziprasidone do not increase insulin release from isolated pancreatic islets, which stands in clear contrast to what has been found previously for clozapine and olanzapine. Thus, atypical antipsychotics seem to differ in their effect on insulin release in vitro....
Melkersson K, Jansson E. The atypical antipsychotics quetiapine, risperidone and ziprasidone do not increase insulin release in vitro. Neuro Endocrinol Lett. 2005 Jun; 26(3): 205-208