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Comparative Study 2004; 25(1-2): 83-86 PubMed PMID: 15159689 Citation  Keywords:  Animals, Antigens, CD13:metabolism, Blood Glucose:analysis, Cathepsin D:metabolism, Cathepsin L, Cathepsins:metabolism, Cysteine Endopeptidases, Down-Regulation, Female, Insulin:physiology, Kidney:enzymology, Leucyl Aminopeptidase:metabolism, Liver:enzymo.   

OBJECTIVES: Changes in the activity of alanine aminopeptidase, leucine aminopeptidase and cathepsins D and L in the liver and kidney of male and female of mice, injected with 0.4 IU/kg b.w. insulin for 4 and 8 days.

METHODS: The homogenates of the liver and kidney were taken for examination. The activity of alanine aminopeptidase, leucine aminopeptidase and cathepsins D and L has been determined according to [1] method.

RESULTS: The activity of alanine aminopeptidase, leucine aminopeptidase, cathepsins D and L in the liver and kidney of male and female of mice decreased in effect of insulin injections for 4 and 8 days.

CONCLUSION: The changes of enzyme activities showed a stimulating effect of the insulin injection on the labilization of lysosomal membranes. The range of the reaction remained in a relationship with the kind of the organ, the type of enzyme, time over which insulin introduced operates in the organism, and with the sex....

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Comparative Study 2004; 25(1-2): 78-82 PubMed PMID: 15159688 Citation  Keywords:  Adenosine Triphosphatases:genetics, Animals, Cation Transport Proteins:genetics, Copper:deficiency, Disease Models, Animal, Female, Male, Median Eminence:diagnostic imaging, Menkes Kinky Hair Syndrome:genetics, Mice, Mice, Mutant Strains, Mutation, Recomb.   

OBJECTIVES: The mosaic mutation (Atp7a(mo-ms)) linked to X-chromosome is caused by changes in the Atp7a gene encoding CPx-type protein responsible for the ATP-dependent copper transport across cell membranes. Mosaic mutant males represent an animal model for Menkes disease in humans. Starting from the eighth day of life the mosaic males exhibit a progressive decrease in body weight with poor viability and progressive paresis of the hind limbs. In order to examine whether hypothalamic somatostatin metabolism may be different in normal and copper deficient mice, somatostatin accumulation at the level of median eminence in 14 days old normal and mosaic mutant males was compared.

METHODS: An electron microscopic immunocytochemical study on ultrathin brain slices was performed according to post-embedding immunogold procedure.

RESULTS: In non-mutant animals somatostatin has been detected in many synapses within median eminence. Gold particles moderately decorated synaptic vesicles and mitochondria. In mosaic mutant animals somatostatin expression within the median eminence was very low and only a few gold particles represented somatostatin. Particles were sporadically associated with synaptic vesicles, mitochondria or cytoskeleton elements. Moreover, pre- and post- synaptic parts of synapses were very often swollen.

CONCLUSION: Our data demonstrating that copper deficiency leads to the pathological changes within the median eminence ultrastructure and severe impairment of somatostatin expression suggest that this trace metal is an important element necessary for normal neurohormonal brain development....

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Clinical Trial 2004; 25(1-2): 75-77 PubMed PMID: 15159687 Citation  Keywords:  Adaptation, Physiological, Adolescent, Adult, Altitude, Atmospheric Pressure, Fasting:blood, Humans, Jordan, Luteinizing Hormone:blood, Male, Reference Values, Religion, Testosterone:blood,.   

OBJECTIVES: To study a possible effect of Ramadan fasting on luteinizing hormone and testosterone in people of the Jordan Valley.

METHODS: A comparative study (n=40) of serum levels of luteinizing hormone (LH) and testosterone (T) between people living in the Jordan Valley (JV), n=20, 360 meters below sea level, and those living in Ramtha City (RC), n=20, 600 meters above sea level, was conducted in December, 1998. A similar study (n=40) was also done during January 1999 in fasting people during the month of Ramadan.

RESULTS: Serum levels of LH in non-fasting people of the JV were statistically similar to those in people of RC. There was also no difference in serum levels of T between non-fasting people of the JV and those in RC. Serum levels of LH in fasting people of the JV were statistically indifferent from those fasting in RC. Serum T levels in fasting people of the JV, on the other hand, were higher than those in fasting people of RC (76+/-18.3 ng/ml compared to 62.7+/-24.2 ng/ml).

CONCLUSIONS: It is probably the environmental factors such as the higher barometric pressure of the JV compared to that at above sea level that play a role in higher serum levels of T in people of the JV. Other factors, such as genetic background and/or the cultural and nutritional characteristics of the people of the JV, may also contribute to this difference in serum T levels....

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Comparative Study 2004; 25(1-2): 70-74 PubMed PMID: 15159686 Citation  Keywords:  Animal Feed, Animals, Antioxidants:physiology, Brain:metabolism, Dose-Response Relationship, Drug, Iodides:administration & dosage, Liver:metabolism, Lung:metabolism, Male, Melatonin:physiology, Oxidative Stress:physiology, Rats, Rats, Wistar, Schiff Base.   

OBJECTIVES: Administration of iodides to animals, living in iodine-deficient areas, can induce necrosis and fibrosis of the thyroid gland. It is believed that structural and functional changes of the thyroid may be related to oxidative processes. Increased lipid peroxidation levels were reported in murine thyroid glands after high doses of iodine. Melatonin (MEL) is believed to exert its effects via electron donation to directly detoxify free radicals, such as, e.g., the highly toxic hydroxyl radical. In numerous reports related to the antioxidative action of MEL, the authors have considered the protective ability of this hormone against peroxidation of lipids. The goal of the study was to evaluate oxidative processes and the protective role of MEL in three organs of the rat (the liver, the brain, and the lungs) during treatment with different doses of iodide.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Schiff's bases (SB) concentrations (a parameter of oxidative stress) were measured in liver, lung and brain homogenates of male Wistar rats. The animals received iodides in their diet in the following concentrations, for 2 weeks: Group 1--Controls (standard normal-iodine diet, containing approx. 0.7 mg of kalium iodide per kg; KI/kg); Group 2--diet containing 0,25 mg KI/kg; Group 3--diet with 4,0 mg KI/kg; Group 4--diet with 8,0 mg KI/kg. Group 5--standard normal-iodine diet and MEL alone in a dose of 1 mg/kg BW i.p. at 3.00 pm, every day for two weeks. Subsequent three groups (6-8) received KI in their diet in doses as above, respectively, together with MEL.

RESULTS: We noted increased levels of SB in the lungs and in the liver, when compared to those observed in controls. We also found decreased SB concentrations in liver and lung homogenates after an administration of MEL but--unexpectedly--the level of SB increased in the group with the highest dose of iodine in diet in lung homogenates. Increased levels of Schiff's bases suggest that iodine is involved in oxidative processes not only in the thyroid but also in other tissues, and MEL protects against the iodine-induced oxidative stress.

CONCLUSION: Our results confirm the differences in lipid peroxidation among the examined organs. These alterations can possibly be related to different sensitivity rates of examined tissues to oxidative damage....

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Evaluation Studies 2004; 25(1-2): 52-56 PubMed PMID: 15159683 Citation  Keywords:  Algorithms, Biomechanical Phenomena:methods, Female, Humans, Image Processing, Computer-Assisted:methods, Imaging, Three-Dimensional:methods, Models, Anatomic, Moire Topography:methods, Pregnancy,.   

THE AIM OF THE STUDY: Methods of automatic and semiautomatic picture determination, evaluation of Moiré contourgraph applied to pregnant women

TYPE OF THE STUDY: Development of algorithm, experimental biomechanical study of the dynamics of pregnant women's axial system.

METHOD: Achieving the correct data for 3D picture analysis derived from 2D pictures requires further precision making. In general, it requires algorithmization and elaboration of software plug-in, which make processing of enormous number of picture data significantly faster. The following corrections, adjustments and calculations had to be done to be used for Moiré contourgraph: correction of the radial distortion of the lens--automatically, aligning the histogram--automatically, picture detection of the defined object shape and determining its centre of gravity with sub-pixel precision--automatically, centre of gravity of the picture of the cross-section of pseudo-contour line of the Moiré contourgraph--semi-automatically, correction of radial shifts in 2D-data orthonormalization--semi-automatically, determining the distance of a projected point in 2D from the net as z-coordinate in 3D--semi-automatically, a) points projected in 2D picture on the pseudo-contour line, b) points not projected in 2D picture on the pseudo-contour line.

RESULTS: Algorithmization of each approach leading to semi-automatic and automatic processing of data obtained from Moiré contourgraphs. Main distortions, errors and inaccuracy of picture data are eliminated. The resulting position of the detected point in 3D derived from the 2D picture is determined with sub-pixel precision of primary picture coordinates.

CONCLUSION: Precision given to coordinates of reference points obtained from original picture data allows for eliminating limiting inaccuracy in determining real coordinates of a 3D object from 2D Moiré contourgraph. Coordinates of a virtual model of a real object corresponding to its real values are determined. This makes the base for non-invasive recording and reconstruction of data on the human body's shape including the details in 3D. The presented file of methods will be used to assess dynamics of the women's axial system during their pregnancy and one year after giving birth....

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Case Reports 2004; 25(1-2): 45-48 PubMed PMID: 15159681 Citation  Keywords:  Analgesics, Non-Narcotic:therapeutic use, Blepharospasm:diagnosis, Botulinum Toxins, Type A:therapeutic use, Dronabinol:therapeutic use, Dystonic Disorders:diagnosis, Female, Humans, Middle Aged, Treatment Outcome,.   

: The benign essential blepharospasm is a subliminal form of primary torsion dystonia with still uncertain aetiology. It is characterized by involuntary convulsive muscle contractions of the M. orbicularis occuli, accompanied by unbearable pain of the cornea, eye bulb and the muscle itself. It has been suggested that blepharospasm is neurobiologically based on a dysfunction of the basal ganglia and an impairment of the dopamine neurotransmitter system. Therefore, therapy of blepharospasm contains administration of anticholinergic- and tranquillizing drugs as well as botulinum toxin as neuromuscular blocking agent. However serious side effects can be observed as well as failure of therapy. In the brain a dense co-localisation of cannabinoid (CB1) and dopamine (D2)-receptor was identified which had been associated with the influence of cannabinoids on the dopaminergic reward system. Additionally, it has been demonstrated that cannabinoids may have an impact on the central GABAergic and glutaminergic transmitter system and thus might be involved in the influence of movement control. In the present case we administered the cannabinoid receptor agonist Dronabinol (Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol) to a woman suffering from severe blepharospasm. Multiple treatments with botulinum toxin did not reveal a long-lasting beneficial effect. By contrast, treatment with 25 mg Dronabinol for several weeks improved the patients' social life and attenuated pain perception remarkably. This case study demonstrates that the therapy with a cannabinoid agonist may provide a novel tool in the treatment of blepharospasm and maybe of other multifactorial related movement disorders....

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Case Reports 2004; 25(1-2): 40-44 PubMed PMID: 15159680 Citation  Keywords:  Adolescent, Child, Child, Preschool, Dronabinol:therapeutic use, Epilepsy:complications, Feeding and Eating Disorders:drug therapy, Female, Humans, Male, Muscle Spasticity:drug therapy, Neuronal Ceroid-Lipofuscinoses:complications, Paraplegia:complication.   

: An initial report on the therapeutic application of delta 9-THC (THC) (Dronabinol, Marinol) in 8 children resp. adolescents suffering from the following conditions, is given: neurodegenerative disease, mitochondriopathy, posthypoxic state, epilepsy, posttraumatic reaction. THC effected reduced spasticity, improved dystonia, increased initiative (with low dose), increased interest in the surroundings, and anticonvulsive action. The doses ranged from 0.04 to 0.12 mg/kg body weight a day. The medication was given as an oily solution orally in 7 patients, via percutaneous gastroenterostomy tube in one patient. At higher doses disinhibition and increased restlessness were observed. In several cases treatment was discontinued and in none of them discontinuing resulted in any problems. The possibility that THC-induced effects on ion channels and transmitters may explain its therapeutic activity seen in epileptic patients is discussed....

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Clinical Trial 2003; 24(6): 463-467 PubMed PMID: 15073577 Citation  Keywords:  Adult, Continuous Positive Airway Pressure, Humans, Luteinizing Hormone:blood, Male, Middle Aged, Pituitary Gland:physiology, Sleep Apnea, Obstructive:physiopathology, Testis:physiology, Testosterone:blood, Treatment Outcome,.   

OBJECTIVES: Decreased libido and a decline in morning serum testosterone levels were reported in men with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Our study aimed to evaluate the pituitary-gonadal axis in middle age men with OSA before and after treatment with nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP).

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Measurement of the nocturnal serum luteinizing hormone (LH) and testosterone levels and sleep recordings before and after nine months of CPAP treatment in five men with OSA aged 49.5+/-5.2 years. Patients were evaluated during nocturnal sleep at base line and during CPAP treatment. Serum LH and testosterone levels were determined at 20 minutes interval between 1900h and 0700h with concomitant determination of sleep quality, respiration and oxygen saturation.

RESULTS: At base line, patients had higher RDI and PaO2<90%, lower mean and integrated (AUC) values of LH and testosterone. During CPAP treatment, RDI and PaO2<90% were normal. Mean and AUC values of testosterone and LH increased.

CONCLUSIONS: OSA in men is associated with dysfunction of the pituitary-gonadal axis. The central suppression of nocturnal testosterone in these patients is partially corrected during chronic CPAP treatment....

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