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Journal Article 2006; 27(1-2): 277-280 PubMed PMID: 16648799 Citation  Keywords:  Adult, Carbohydrate Metabolism:physiology, Diabetes, Gestational:blood, Diet, Diabetic, Fatty Acids, Nonesterified:blood, Female, Fetal Blood:chemistry, Fetal Development:physiology, Humans, Hypoglycemic Agents:therapeutic use, Insulin:therapeutic use, Pr.   

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).r />r /> 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.r />r /> 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.r />r /> 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....

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Journal Article 2006; 27(1-2): 81-84 PubMed PMID: 16648798 Citation  Keywords:  Aflatoxin B1:antagonists & inhibitors, Animals, Antioxidants:pharmacology, Apoptosis:drug effects, Cell Death:drug effects, Injections, Intraperitoneal, Male, Melatonin:pharmacology, Rats, Rats, Wistar, Thyroid Gland:cytology,.   

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).r />r /> 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.r />r /> 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.r />r /> CONCLUSION: Melatonin can assumingly regulate the growth of cells and tissues by influencing the process of apoptosis....

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Journal Article 2006; 27(1-2): 225-230 PubMed PMID: 16648797 Citation  Keywords:  Absorptiometry, Photon, Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Aldehydes:blood, Body Composition:physiology, Body Mass Index, Bone Density:physiology, Female, Glucose Intolerance:physiopathology, Glucose Tolerance Test, Human Growth Hormone:blood, Humans, Lipid Peroxid.   

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.r />r /> 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.r />r /> 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.r />r /> 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....

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Journal Article 2006; 27(1-2): 253-256 PubMed PMID: 16648796 Citation  Keywords:  Aggression:drug effects, Animals, Behavior:drug effects, Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal:administration & dosage, Drug Implants, Feces:chemistry, Female, Grooming:drug effects, Hydrocortisone:metabolism, Levonorgestrel:administration & dosage, Macaca, Peri.   

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.r />r /> 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).r />r /> 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.r />r /> 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.r />r /> 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....

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Journal Article 2006; 27(1-2): 63-69 PubMed PMID: 16648795 Citation  Keywords:  Animals, Arachidonic Acids:pharmacology, Behavior, Animal:drug effects, Central Nervous System Stimulants:pharmacology, Indoles:pharmacology, Male, Methamphetamine:pharmacology, Mice, Mice, Inbred ICR, Motor Activity:drug effects, Piperidines:pharmacology.   

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.r />r /> 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.r />r /> 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.r />r /> CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the activity of the endocannabinoid system is involved in the neuronal circuitry underlying the development of sensitization to methamphetamine....

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Journal Article 2006; 27(1-2): 263-266 PubMed PMID: 16648794 Citation  Keywords:  Animals, Injections, Intraperitoneal, Lactic Acid:blood, Male, Melatonin:pharmacology, Rats, Rats, Sprague-Dawley, Swimming:psychology, Zinc:blood,.   

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the present study is to examine the effect on melatonin supplementation on plasma lactate levels and its relation with zinc in rats subjected to acute swimming exercise.r />r /> METHODS: Thirty adult male rats of Spraque-Dawley species were allocated to 3 groups, each containing an equal number of rats: general control group which was not subjected to any procedure (Group 1), the group which was subjected to 30 minutes acute swimming exercise (Group 2), and the group which was subjected to 30 minutes acute swimming exercise after 4-week intraperitoneal (i.p.) melatonin (3 mg/kg/day) supplementation. Lactate and zinc levels in the plasma were studied in the blood samples taken from the experimental animals by decapitation method.r />r /> RESULTS: The animals in the control group, which was not subjected to any procedure (group 1), had higher lactate levels than those in groups 2 and 3 (p<0,05). Lactate levels in the swimming group supplemented with melatonin (group 3) were lower than those in group 2 (swimming group) (p<0,05). The highest plasma zinc levels were obtained in the melatonin-supplemented swimming group (group 3) (p<0,05). Group 2 (swimming control) had the lowest plasma zinc levels (p<0,05).r />r /> CONCLUSION: Results of the study demonstrate that melatonin supplementation to rats subjected to acute swimming exercise reduces lactate levels, thereby delaying exhaustion. Increased zinc levels may be mediating this melatonin effect....

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Journal Article 2006; 27(1-2): 198-202 PubMed PMID: 16648793 Citation  Keywords:  Adolescent, Adult, Female, Gonadal Steroid Hormones:blood, Humans, Kidney:diagnostic imaging, Kidney Transplantation:physiology, Menstrual Cycle:physiology, Ovary:physiology, Reproduction:physiology, Ultrasonography,.   

OBJECTIVES: End-stage renal failure is associated with amenorrhaea and extremely reduced fertility. After successful kidney transplantation restoration of menstrual function is observed. The aim of the study was to investigate ovarian function and menstrual cycles in kidney-transplanted women of reproductive age.r />r /> MATERIALS AND METHODS: 55 ovarian cycles in kidney transplanted women, aged 18-40 years, being one to five years after transplantation, were analyzed and compared with 50 cycles of healthy women. The duration of the cycles as well as FSH, LH, estradiol, progesterone, prolactin and testosterone serum concentrations were monitored. Simultaneously the presence of ovulation was evaluated with repeated sonographic examinations.r />r /> RESULTS: Regular menstrual cycles were observed in 72.7% of kidney transplanted women. The rates of ovulatory cycles were similar in the study group and the control: 65% and 70% respectively. Mean estradiol level in the follicular phase of the cycle was significantly higher in transplant patients (205.9, SD 160.22 vs 135.9 pg/ml, SD 68.34 in the control). Significantly lower levels of progesterone (13.2 ng/ml, SD 14.2 vs 26.7 ng/ml, SD 14.1 in the control) and testosterone were observed in kidney recipients. Other hormonal parameters did not differ significantly between the groups.r />r /> CONCLUSIONS: The rate of ovulatory cycles in regularly menstruated kidney transplanted patients is similar to that of healthy women. Similar serum FSH, LH and PRL concentrations as well as increased levels of estrogens are observed in kidney graft recipients in comparison to healthy non-recipients. Increased levels of estrogens put that group of patients at risk of gynecological pathologies....

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Case Reports 2006; 27(1-2): 13-15 PubMed PMID: 16648792 Citation  Keywords:  Acidosis:etiology, Brain Edema:etiology, Child, Preschool, Humans, Hydronephrosis:congenital, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Male, Metabolic Diseases:complications, Nephrectomy, Reye Syndrome:complications, Stroke:etiology,.   

: Three years old boy with developmental renal dysplasia was hit as newborn child by attack of cerebral edema with metabolic disturbances (hypoglycemia, hypophosphatemia, ketoacidosis and with hypocoagulation state) and was classified as child at risk in the pediatric evidence. In the third year of the age he went through nephrectomy and after the operation, the similar metabolic disturbances occurred (hypoglycemia, ketoacidosis, derangement of the metabolic situation). Cerebral edema and the metabolic stroke developed. Reye's-like syndrome was considered and serious functional disturbances of basal ganglia and brain-stem structure were observed....

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