Search NEL Online

Comparative Study 2007; 28(2): 166-169 PubMed PMID: 17435668 Citation  Keywords:  Adiponectin:blood, Animals, Inflammation:chemically induced, Injections, Intraperitoneal, Lipopolysaccharides, Male, Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide:administration & dosage, Rats, Rats, Inbred WKY,.   

BACKGROUND: Pituitary adenylate cyclase activating peptide (PACAP 38) is a neuropeptide with anti-inflammatory activity. Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP)/PACAP receptors are found in immune cells, endocrine glands and also in adipose tissue. Adiponectin is an adipocyte-derived protein hormone which possesses anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic and antiatherogenic properties. The aim of this study was to examine the influence of PACAP 38 on adiponectin release in basal conditions and during lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute inflammation.r />r /> METHODS: Male Wistar-Kyoto rats were divided into four groups which received intraperitoneal injections of 0.9% NaCl, LPS, PACAP 38 or LPS+PACAP 38, respectively. Serum adiponectin concentrations were measured using an ELISA test.r />r /> RESULTS: LPS administration did not change adiponectin concentration; however, PACAP 38 administered alone decreased serum adiponectin concentration after 2 h (p<0.05) and 4 h (p<0.01). In the group that received LPS+PACAP38, compared with LPS alone, no difference in adiponectin concentration was observed.r />r /> CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that PACAP 38 may directly modulate adiponectin secretion by adipocytes in basal conditions....

Read abstract  Full text PDF

Comparative Study 2007; 28(2): 170-174 PubMed PMID: 17435667 Citation  Keywords:  Animals, Brain Ischemia:drug therapy, Drug Evaluation, Preclinical, Erythropoietin:administration & dosage, Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery:drug therapy, Injections, Intraperitoneal, Male, Neuroprotective Agents:administration & dosage, Rats, Rats, Spr.   

OBJECTIVE: Majority of severe disabilities in adults are caused by stroke. The aim of our study is to learn the effects of erythropoietin (EPO), on infarct size in cerebral ischemia and to determine neurological behavioral scores and histopathological evaluation.r />r /> MATERIAL & METHODS: In this study 30 adult Sprague-Dawney rats were used. Cerebral ischemia was constituted by intraluminal filament method with a 4-0-nylon suture. Reperfusion was started after two hours of middle cerebral artery occlusion. The rats were randomly divided into two groups as follow: control and EPO groups. Saline 0.9% (0.5 ml/kg) and EPO (5 000 U/kg) was administered intraperitoneally in the groups. Three coronal slices in two millimeters thickness were obtained from cerebrum, cerebellum and brain stem, and were stained with a 2% solution of triphenyltetrazolium chloride. Transparent sheets were placed over each section and the areas of the brain and infarct were measured. The neurological scores were determined at 24th, 48th and 72nd hours after reperfusion.r />r /> RESULTS: Percent of ischemic area (%) in cerebrum, cerebellum and brain stem level in EPO groups were less than those of control group (p<0.0001). In addition, we determined that EPO group was better than controls of neurologic score and histopathologically after cerebral ischemia.r />r /> CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that EPO may decrease ischemic area in experimental cerebral ischemia in rats and it seems that EPO may be beneficial....

Read abstract  Full text PDF

Comparative Study 2007; 28(2): 175-181 PubMed PMID: 17435666 Citation  Keywords:  Adult, Female, Genetic Diseases, Inborn:diagnosis, Gestational Age, Humans, Maternal Age, Nuchal Translucency Measurement:methods, Poland, Pregnancy, Pregnancy Trimester, First, Retrospective Studies, Risk Factors,.   

UNLABELLED: THE AIMS OF THE STUDY WERE: To evaluate range and median values of NT in a large, unselected Polish population; to determine the value of the 95th percentile and the median values for NT for given weeks of late 1st trimester pregnancy and to determine the level of chromosomal aberration risk corresponding to the values of the 95th percentile in the examined groups; to examine the possible correlation between CRL, NT width as well as the mother's age with the risk of the most frequent chromosomal aberrations.r />r /> MATERIAL & METHODS: We have retrospective analyzed 7,866 pregnant women. All fetuses of this women had NT measurement performed, as well as CRL and assessed of the most frequent chromosomal abnormalities. The group of pregnant women was divided into 2 subgroups: until and above 35 years old. All population group was divided into 3 subgroups depending on gestational age (11, 12 and above 13th weeks of gestation).r />r /> RESULTS: The median of NT in all population group was 1.5 mm and 95th percentile was 2.4 mm, whilst in group with low risk median of NT and 95th percentile were the same and in group with high risk of chromosomal abnormalities respectively 1.5 mm and 2.5 mm. There were strong correlations between maternal age and the risk of most frequent chromosomal abnormalities from NT.r />r /> CONCLUSIONS: The obtained results of median values and the 95th percentiles of NT in the examined group and the age groups under 35 and 35 plus are similar to these quoted by FMF. The risk levels of trisomy of 21st chromosome were similar to the reference values used by FMF. With gestational age, NT value increases in a non-linear way, therefore it is incorrect to use the term "a normal value" for NT, therefore, only the risk level calculated with the dedicated software using NT and CRL measurements with maternal age should be stated....

Read abstract  Full text PDF

Comparative Study 2007; 28(2): 182-186 PubMed PMID: 17435665 Citation  Keywords:  Adult, Aged, Gonadal Steroid Hormones:blood, Humans, Lipoproteins:blood, Male, Middle Aged, Myocardial Infarction:blood,.   

OBJECTIVE: To compare the serum levels of total testosterone(TT), free testosterone (FT), estradiol, sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), and androstenedione (AS) in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) at the time of hospitalization, patients with old myocardial infarction (OMI), and patients with normal coronary arteries (NC) admitted for diagnostic coronary angiography.r />r /> METHODS: Serum sex hormones and lipid profile were measured in 79 male patients; 30 patients with AMI, 21 patient with OMI and 28 patients with NC. Ages ranged from 33-68 years. Androstenedione, estrogen, both total and free testosterone levels were quantified using coat-a-count radioimmunoassay kits. Sex hormone binding globulin was analyzed using immunoradiometric assay (IRMA)-count kits.r />r /> RESULTS: The levels of serum estradiol in the AMI were significantly higher and serum levels of TT, FT, and SHBG were significantly lower in AMI than in OMI and NC but there was no difference found for the levels of AS in all groups. Estradiol level was also higher in OMI than in control group but no significant changes found for other sex hormones in OMI and control group. Also triglyceride, high density and low density lipoprotein in AMI were significantly different from that in OMI and control groups.r />r /> CONCLUSIONS: Serum estradiol and low density lipoprotein levels are increased but TT, FT and SHBG levels are decreased in men with AMI compared with patients with NC....

Read abstract  Full text PDF

Clinical Trial 2007; 28(2): 187-190 PubMed PMID: 17435664 Citation  Keywords:  Air Pollutants:analysis, Basketball, Exercise, Humans, Lead:blood, Male, Physical Exertion, Respiration,.   

: This study is related to the investigation of the Pb levels in blood of the 12 healthy University male basketball players before and after a strenuous training session by the use of square wave anodic stripping voltammetry. Although the results do not show acute lead intoxication it is obvious that blood lead levels show significant increase after training sessions. The average increase in blood lead levels is 297%. This increase is largely due to increased respiration rate during the training period....

Read abstract  Full text PDF

Journal Article 2007; 28(2): 204-212 PubMed PMID: 17435663 Citation  Keywords:  Animals, Cell Line, Tumor, Cell Survival:drug effects, Curcumin:pharmacology, DNA, Neoplasm:analysis, Dose-Response Relationship, Drug, Drug Evaluation, Preclinical, Gap Junctions:chemistry, Glycoproteins:analysis, Metalloproteases:analysis, Mice, Neurobl.   

OBJECTIVE: Neuroblastoma (NB) is a well-known malignant disease in infants, which comprises 10% of childhood malignancies. Despite recent advances in understanding the neuro-oncology, NB still accounts for more death in childhood than any other cancer. Research in childhood tumors should not only be focused on the malignant signatures of cancer cells but also novel drug prototypes using phytochemicals. The present study was aimed to determine the role of curcumin against murine neuroblastoma cell line (N2a).r />r /> METHODS: The in vitro assessment of curcumin against was made in N2a cell line in a dose-dependent manner (group I (control) and group II - IX (10 microM-80 microM). The efficacy of the drug was evaluated by estimating the levels of protein bound carbohydrates, glycoprotein, genomic DNA, total RNA levels, and inhibition of MMP-9 were studied. The gap junctional communication in the cells was also assessed.r />r /> RESULTS: The levels of protein bound carbohydrates, DNA, RNA levels, glycoprotein were found to be altered on drug supplementation in NB cells. Inhibition of MMP-9 in curcumin-supplemented N2a cells was revealed by zymographic analysis. Assessment of Lucifer yellow dye uptake in curcumin-supplemented N2a cells showed the up-regulation of GJIC.r />r /> CONCLUSIONS: These observations suggest that the curcumin, the active principle of curcuma longa, could be developed into an effective chemo preventive and chemotherapeutic agent. This selected concentration range needs further studies at molecular level, for conforming its role and its action against uncontrolled proliferation of NB....

Read abstract

Journal Article 2007; 28(2): 199-203 PubMed PMID: 17435662 Citation  Keywords:  Adult, Aged, Case-Control Studies, Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate:blood, Female, Humans, Huntington Disease:blood, Hydrocortisone:blood, Middle Aged, Testosterone:blood,.   

OBJECTIVE: The neuronal loss in several brain regions that characterize the progression of Huntington's disease (HD), is expected to influence the activities of hypothalamus-adrenal and hypothalamus-gonadal axes, and the changes may relate to common features of the disease, like depression and dementia. While in male HD patients low plasma testosterone levels have been reported, information on female patients is lacking.r />r /> METHODS: We assessed the plasma levels of the androgens total testosterone (TT) and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), as well as of cortisol in 41 female patients with HD, confirmed by determination of the CAG repeat number in the IT-15 gene, and searched for associations to the disease symptomatology. We also included a group of 18 females with expanded CAG repeat number in the HD gene (subjects at risk), and a group of 66 age-matched healthy females. Hormone levels of the pre- and post-menopausal subgroups were also compared separately.r />r /> RESULTS: Significant negative correlations to age were found for TT and DHEAS in both control (age range 20-71 years) and patient (age range 26 to 78 years) groups, and the calculated decline per year was around 1% for TT and 1.5% for DHEAS. There were no significant differences in hormone levels among patients, subjects at risk and controls, either in premenopausal or in postmenopausal state. The subgroup of patients with depression in their symptomatology had significantly lower TT and DHEAS levels compared to patients without depression, or to controls.r />r /> CONCLUSIONS: While TT and DHEAS seem to decline with age in female patients with HD to the same extend as for healthy females, the presence of depression, but not dementia, in their symptomatology, is connected to lower ovary-adrenal androgen levels....

Read abstract  Full text PDF

Journal Article 2007; 28(1): 33-38 PubMed PMID: 17277734 Citation  Keywords:  Adult, Antidepressive Agents:therapeutic use, Anxiety:physiopathology, Combined Modality Therapy, Double-Blind Method, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Panic Disorder:physiopathology, Prefrontal Cortex:physiopathology, Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors:therap.   

BACKGROUND: Transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) can modulate cortical activity. The goal of our study was to assess whether rTMS would facilitate effect of serotonin reuptake inhibitors in patients with panic disorder.r />r /> METHOD: Fifteen patients suffering from panic disorder resistant to serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SRI) therapy were randomly assigned to either active or to sham rTMS. The aim of the study was to compare the 2 and 4 weeks efficacy of the 10 sessions 1 Hz rTMS with sham rTMS add on SRI therapy. We use 1 Hz, 30 minutes rTMS, 110% of motor threshold administered over the right dorso-lateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). The same time schedule was used for sham administration. Fifteen patients finished the study,. Psychopathology was assessed using the rating scales CGI, HAMA, PDSS and BAI before the treatment, immediately after the experimental treatment and 2 weeks after the experimental treatment by an independent reviewer.r />r /> RESULTS: Both groups improved during the study period but the treatment effect did not differ between groups in any of the instruments.r />r /> CONCLUSION: Low frequency rTMS administered over the right dorso-lateral prefrontal cortex after 10 sessions did not differ from sham rTMS add on serotonin reuptake inhibitors in patients with panic disorder....

Read abstract  Full text PDF