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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
OBJECTIVE: Cortistatin (CST) is a 17-amino acid neuropeptide expressed mainly in the cortex and hippocampus. It is also found in the peripheral tissues such as the stomach, kidney, pancreas and the immune system. Two forms of cortistatin CST-17, CST-29 bind with high affinity all somatostatin (SS) receptor subtypes. It has been reported that a receptor called MrgX(2) is able to selectively bind both CST-17 and CST-14 rather than SS. In human tissues CST-17 and CST-29, rather than SS, also bind ghrelin receptor GHS-r1a. In in vivo experiments CST inhibited GH and insulin secretion.
THE AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of cortistatin on GH release in in vitro experiments.
RESEARCH METHODS: CST-14 and SS-14 in doses of 1nMol, 10nMol, and 100nMol were added after 48 hrs of pituitary cell culture, and the medium was collected 30, 60, 120, 240 min thereafter. rGH was measured with RIA kits provided by Linco.
RESULTS: CST-14 stimulated GH release from cultured pituitary cells in a dose dependent manner. The maximum effect of CST-14 was observed after 60 min of incubation. However, SS-14 in doses of 10 nMol and 100 nMol inhibited GH release.
CONCLUSION: A direct stimulating effect of Cortistatin-14 on GH release from cultured pituitary cells was found....
Baranowska B, Chmielowska M, Wolinska-Witort E, Bik W, Baranowska-Bik A, Martynska L. Direct effect of cortistatin on GH release from cultured pituitary cells in the rat. Neuro Endocrinol Lett. 2006 Apr; 27(1-2): 153-156
BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of various sports disciplines on basic elements of the acquired and natural defense systems and to compare their results with that of non-sporting controls.
MATERIALS/METHODS: The study included 15 sedentary (Group 1), 15 volleyball players (Group 2) and 15 long distance running athletes (Group 3). The VO2 Max for the groups was determined by subjecting the individuals to a 20 meter Shuttle run test. Immunoglobin and complement levels were measured by the turbidometric method. Leukocyte counts were made through peripheral blood smear examination.
RESULTS: The IgA levels in sedentary living individuals was found to be lower than that in volleyball and athlete groups while that in athletes was in turn lower than that in volleyball players (p<0.05). In volleyball players the IgG level was significantly higher than both the sedentary living individuals and the athletes (p<0.05). IgM however, showed a significantly higher level in the sedentary group than in both athletes and volleyball players. The C3 levels in athletes was significantly lower than that of volleyball players and sedentary individuals (p<0.05), while the C4 levels were higher in the volleyball group (p<0.05). The leukocyte, eosinophil, and monocyte counts in the athletes were also significantly lower than those in the volleyball and sedentary groups (p<0.05). The values for the sedentary group on the other hand however, was found to be lower than those of the volleyball players (p<0.05). The neutrophil counts was lower in the sedentary group than in the volleyball group (p<0.05). The levels in the athlete group was lower than that in the volleyball group, however (p<0.05). The lymphocyte counts in volleyball players was higher than that in the sedentary group (p<0.05).
CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, changes in the immune parameters were found to be dependent on the type of physical exercise performed on regular basis. Considering the protective antibody response in those performing regular sports, moderate exercise carried out on regular basis can be said to affect positively mononuclear and polymorphonuclear phagocytic cells--the basic elements of the natural immune system....
Saygin O, Karacabey K, Ozmerdivenli R, Zorba E, Ilhan F, Bulut V. Effect of chronic exercise on immunoglobin, complement and leukocyte types in volleyball players and athletes. Neuro Endocrinol Lett. 2006 Apr; 27(1-2): 271-276
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
OBJECTIVES: Apoptosis, or programmed cell death, is a normal component in the development of multicellular organisms and is essential for many physiological processes. Apoptosis is a process in which cells play an active role in their own death (apoptosis is often referred to as "cell suicide"). Disturbances of apoptosis regulation can result in many diseases. Certain substances (for example--aflatoxin B1; AFB1) can induce apoptosis in various organs and tissues. Melatonin (Mel) is a hormone (indoleamine) which has antioxidant, antiproliferative and, potentially, anticancerogenic activities. The aim of our study was to examine the influence of late-afternoon (1600-1800) intraperitoneal (i.p.) Mel injections, administered for 3 weeks, on the process of apoptosis in male Wistar rat thyroid follicular cells (TFC); Mel was injected alone or together with AFB1 (i.p., also once daily for 3 weeks).
METHODS: In order to assess the process of apoptosis, evaluated in microscopic preparations of rat thyroids, an In Situ Cell Death Detection, POD Kit [Roche, GER] and the DAKO Liquid DAB Substrate-Chromogen System [DakoCytomation, USA] were employed.
RESULTS: Aflatoxin B1 increased the apoptotic index (I(apopt)) in rat TFC, in comparison to controls (p<0.001). The I(apopt) value in the rats, receiving Mel and AFB1 injections, was statistically lower, as compared to the value of the examined index in the group of AFB1-treated animals (p<0.001). No statistically significant differences of I(apopt) value were observed between the Mel-treated group of animals and the controls.
CONCLUSION: Melatonin can assumingly regulate the growth of cells and tissues by influencing the process of apoptosis....
Gesing A, Jagiela J, Lewinski A. Effects of melatonin on the process of apoptosis in rat thyroid follicular cells. Neuro Endocrinol Lett. 2006 Apr; 27(1-2): 81-84
OBJECTIVES: Growth hormone (GH) deficiency in adults is associated with a higher risk of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. It has recently been suggested that enhanced oxidative stress may be implicated in vascular (and probably other) disturbances, occurring in GH-deficient subjects. The aim of the study was to evaluate serum levels of lipid peroxidation (LPO) products in adult patients with severe GH deficiency during insulin tolerance test (ITT), and to estimate the relationships between LPO and GH, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, and other parameters of metabolic processes.
MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twelve adult patients with severe GH deficiency hospitalized in our department and 12 healthy volunteers, matched for sex, age and body mass index (BMI), were enrolled in the study. Peripheral blood was collected during ITT. The concentrations of malondialdehyde + 4-hydroxyalkenals (MDA+4-HDA), as an index of LPO, were measured in blood serum.
RESULTS: Serum LPO level was approximately twice as high in GH-deficient patients as in the controls at each time point of ITT. A positive correlation was found between bone mineral density in the lumbar spine and GH concentration in GH-deficient patients. A positive correlation was found between LPO and BMI in the controls, but no such correlation was observed in GH-deficient patients.
CONCLUSION: The increased LPO in GH-deficient patients may indicate enhanced oxidative stress within the vascular compartment and, possibly, in other tissues, which may contribute to the proatherogenic state and corresponding organ disturbances in GH-deficient patients, independently from conventional risk factors....
Kokoszko A, Karbownik M, Lewiński A. Increased lipid peroxidation in growth hormone-deficient adult patients. Neuro Endocrinol Lett. 2006 Apr; 27(1-2): 225-230
OBJECTIVES: Contraceptives are common tools in controlling the reproductive physiology in primates. Levonorgestrel, a synthetic gestagen, can usually enable contraception and does not suppress the extension of perineal swellings.
SETTING: This study investigated the effects on intra-sexual behavior and fecal cortisol excretion rates in different swollen Barbary macaque females (N =24) during the non-reproductive phase of the year. The study was conducted on a semi-free population at Affenberg Salem (Germany).
RESULTS: The results showed that females with reduced swellings received more aggressive encounters than females with enlarged perinea; whereas, at the same time the latter individuals have increased their active grooming interactions paralleled with decreased fecal cortisol excretion rates. No correlations were found between the perineal swelling size and the dominance rank, age, or implantation time of the females.
MAIN FINDINGS: This report shows that the rate of perineal swelling expression can modulate intra-sexual behavior and stress reactivity in levonorgestrel implanted Barbary macaque females.
CONCLUSION: We conclude that large perineal swellings represent an influencing key factor in Barbary macaque females' social interactions, irrespective of whether these signals are shown naturally or induced biochemically....
Wallner B, Dittami J, Wallis J. Influence of perineal swellings on behavior and stress reaction in levonorgestrel implanted Macaca sylvanus females. Neuro Endocrinol Lett. 2006 Apr; 27(1-2): 253-256
OBJECTIVES: An increased behavioural response ("behavioural sensitization") to drugs of abuse occurs after repeated treatment. In the present study the possibility of cross-sensitization existence between various cannabinoid receptor ligands--CB1 agonist methanandamide, CB2 agonist JWH 015, and CB1 antagonist AM 251 with methamphetamine was explored.
METHODS: Locomotion in the open field was measured in naive mice and in those pre-treated acutely and repeatedly (for 8 days), respectively, with either vehicle or tested drugs.
RESULTS: Methamphetamine produced significant sensitization to its stimulatory effect on locomotion. Methanandamide pre-treatment elicited cross-sensitization to methamphetamine effect, whereas pre-treatment with JWH 015 did not. Combined pre-treatment with methamphetamine+AM 251 suppressed sensitization to methamphetamine.
CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the activity of the endocannabinoid system is involved in the neuronal circuitry underlying the development of sensitization to methamphetamine....
Landa L, Sulcova A, Slais K. Involvement of cannabinoid CB1 and CB2 receptor activity in the development of behavioural sensitization to methamphetamine effects in mice. Neuro Endocrinol Lett. 2006 Apr; 27(1-2): 63-69