Search NEL Online

Journal Article 2004; 25(3): 196-200 PubMed PMID: 15349085 Citation  Keywords:  Acute Disease, Animals, Corticosterone:blood, Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental:blood, Male, Rats, Rats, Wistar, Testosterone:blood, Time Factors,.   

OBJECTIVES: Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) was induced to investigate the levels of circulating total testosterone (TT) and the possible association of corticosterone with the steroid-producing capacity of the testes.r />r /> SETTING AND DESIGN: We determined gonad weights, serum TT and corticosterone levels during the development of EAE in male rats.r />r /> METHODS: Active EAE was induced in young male Wistar rats by injection of whole myelin in complete Freund's adjuvant. All the rats were weighted and monitored daily for clinical signs and blooded during different phases of the disease. Serum TT was measured by radioimmunoassay and circulating corticosterone was determined using a competitive enzyme immunoassay. Also testes and seminal vesicles were removed to determine their weights.r />r /> RESULTS: Seminal vesicle weights and serum TT levels diminished during the acute stage of the disease in all EAE rats and then they began gradually to increase, reaching the normal values at the post-recovery phase. Concomitantly a significant increase in serum corticosterone levels was observed during the acute EAE and the post-recovery phase was accompanied by a decline in corticosterone levels.r />r /> MAIN FINDING: Our results indicated an inverse correlation between serum TT and corticosterone levels during the acute EAE. Moreover, the diminution of TT was not a consequence of an alteration of the testes induced by anti-myelin antibodies neither contributed by apoptosis of testis cells by exposure to corticosterone.r />r /> CONCLUSIONS: The negative correlation between corticosterone and TT levels associated to EAE may be relevant in understanding the association of the endocrine system and the development of autoimmune demyelinating diseases....

Read abstract

Journal Article 2004; 25(3): 191-195 PubMed PMID: 15349084 Citation  Keywords:  Animals, Base Sequence, DNA Primers, Female, Gene Expression Regulation, Hypothalamus:physiology, Leptin:genetics, Pituitary Gland:physiology, Polymerase Chain Reaction, Pregnancy, Pregnancy, Animal:physiology, RNA, Messenger:genetics, Swine,.   

BACKGROUND: Leptin, the 16-kDa peptide hormone product of the ob gene, is a regulatory hormone secreted mainly by adipose tissue. Recent studies have shown leptin production by other tissues, including rat hypothalamus, rat and human pituitary, rat skeletal muscle, kidney and stomach, human and porcine placenta, human mammary epithelial cells as well as endometrial tissues. This hormone is a central modulator of food intake, metabolism and neuroendocrine functions.r />r /> OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to detect and locate porcine leptin gene expression in the different areas of the hypothalamus and pituitary on days 14-16 and 30-32 of pregnancy in pigs.r />r /> METHOD: Leptin gene expression was analysed by RT-PCR method. PCR products were subjected to sequencing analysis.r />r /> RESULTS: Leptin mRNA was expressed in the medial basal hypothalamus, preoptic area, stalk median eminence, anterior pituitary, posterior pituitary and adipose tissue on days 14-16 and 30-32 of pregnancy. Sequence analysis of the 258 bp product from the hypothalamus and pituitary confirmed 99% homology with the corresponding region of porcine leptin cDNA sequence.r />r /> CONCLUSION: Leptin mRNA expression in the porcine hypothalamus and pituitary gland implies its paracrine and/or autocrine role in the regulation of hypothalamic-pituitary axis activity....

Read abstract

Journal Article 2004; 25(3): 184-190 PubMed PMID: 15349083 Citation  Keywords:  Alternative Splicing, Animals, Base Sequence, Bivalvia:genetics, Cilia:drug effects, Enkephalin, Ala(2)-MePhe(4)-Gly(5)-:pharmacology, Ganglia, Invertebrate:drug effects, Genetic Variation, Haloperidol:pharmacology, Molecular Sequence Data, Morphine:pharm.   

OBJECTIVES: The study sought to determine how dopamine controls ganglionic processes involved with modulating lateral cilia beating via the peripheral branchial nerve.r />r /> METHODS: The lateral cilia found on the gill filaments exhibit metachronal ciliary beating determined stroboscopically. Novel opiate receptors were determined pharmacologically and demonstrated by RT-PCR and sequence analysis of total RNA from Mytilus edulis visceral ganglia.r />r /> RESULTS: Dopamine applied to the visceral ganglion inhibits the activity of lateral cilia in a concentration and haloperidol sensitive manner. Morphine or DAMGO significantly enhances ciliary beating in a naloxone sensitive manner, whereas L-NAME, a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, only antagonized morphine's action. SNAP, a nitric oxide donor, also enhanced lateral ciliary beating rates. Supporting the observation, i.e., morphine sensitive nitric oxide enhancement of ciliary beating and DAMGO insensitive, that two different mu opiate receptors are present in this tissue, a 602 bp fragment of the human micro 3 opiate receptor and a 935 bp fragment, designated micro 4 have been demonstrated.r />r /> CONCLUSIONS: The lateral epithelium of the gill is innervated by serotonergic, cilioexcitatory neurons and dopaminergic, cilioinhibitory neurons, originating in the visceral ganglion. This data supports previous reports that demonstrate inhibiting ganglionic dopamine release allows the serotonin signals to prevail uncontrolled, enhancing ciliary rates. Supporting the observation that two different mu opiate receptors are present in this tissue, evidence is presented that identifies a 602 bp fragment of the human micro 3 opiate receptor and a 935 bp fragment, designated micro 4. Overall, the data strongly suggests that the two alternatively spliced mu opiate receptors may be involved in the physiological regulation of lateral ciliary activity in the visceral ganglia via dopamine and nitric oxide....

Read abstract  Full text PDF

Journal Article 2004; 25(3): 178-183 PubMed PMID: 15349082 Citation  Keywords:  Amines:pharmacology, Analgesics:pharmacology, Animals, Antimanic Agents:pharmacology, Body Weight:drug effects, Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids:pharmacology, Female, Fertility:drug effects, Follicle Stimulating Hormone:blood, Male, Organ Size:drug effects, Pr.   

PURPOSE: A case control study was conducted to assess the effect of Sabril (Vigabatrin), Lamictal (Lamotrigine) and Neurontin (Gabapentin) on fertility in male rats. Their effect on the body and organs weight and certain biochemical profiles including total serum protein, cholesterol, triglycerides, serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT), serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT), serum testosterone, and FSH levels were also measured.r />r /> METHODS: several parameters, concerning fertility were measured in 40 albino male rats of Sprague Dawley strain, they were divided into 4 groups, group one received vehicle (distilled water), group two received Vigabatrin in a dose of 200 mg/kg body weight, group three received Lamotrigine in a dose of 30 mg/kg body weight, and group four received Gabapentin 100 mg/kg body weight. All the male rats in these groups received the different medications for a complete reproductive cycle (60 days). After 24 hours of the last dose, the animals were weighed and autopsied under light ether anesthesia. Parameter of fertility that has been measured in this study includes: sperm count and motility, weight of different reproductive organs, germ cell and interstitial cell population, serum testosterone and FSH levels and assessment of pregnancies in females mixed with tested males. Biochemical profiles such as serum cholesterol, serum triglycerides, serum bilirubin, SGOT, SGPT level are all measured. The results of the histological, histometerical studies and biochemical profiles were compared to that of the control group, and the significance of these results was measured using student's "t" test.r />r /> RESULTS: There was significant reduction in the body weight and the weight of the testes, epididymis, seminal vesicles, ventral prostate, and vas deferens in the antiepileptic fed male rats in comparison to the control group (p > 0.001). There was significant reduction in testicular cells population dynamics including both germinal cell types and interstitial cell types in the antiepileptic fed male rats in comparison to the control group. There was also significant reduction in histometrical parameters and sperm dynamics in the antiepileptic fed male rats histologies in comparison to the control group. There was significant reduction in both testosterone and FSH levels (p < 0.001) in the antiepileptics fed male rats in comparison to the control group. There was also significant reduction in pregnancy rate observed in female rats exposed to the tested male rats among antiepileptic fed male rats compared to controls. The results of biochemical profiles assessment showed significant reduction in serum glucose, serum cholesterol, serum triglycerides levels and significant increase in serum bilirubin, SGOT, and SGPT levels in antiepileptics fed male rats in comparison to the control group.r />r /> CONCLUSIONS: Fertility rate and other parameters concerned with fertility, sex hormones and certain biochemical profiles were significantly disturbed in male rats fed with three of the second-generation antiepileptic drugs Vigabatrin, Lamotrigine, and Gabapentin, indicating a possible toxic effect of these three medications on sexual organs, liver, and lipid metabolism....

Read abstract  Full text PDF

Comparative Study 2004; 25(3): 176-177 PubMed PMID: 15349081 Citation  Keywords:  Alzheimer Disease:blood, Cognition:physiology, Humans, Nervous System:physiopathology, Reference Values, Vitamin B 12:blood,.   

: In this contribution we investigated the correlation between plasma vitamin B12 levels and cognitive impairment in Alzheimer's disease. We could demonstrate a significant inverse correlation when the MMSE scores of those patients with the lowest 10% Vitamin B12 plasma levels (<184 ng/ml) were compared with the upper 10% Vitamin B12 plasma levels (>598 ng/ml): p=0.008, Spearman-Rho= -0.36. MMSE in the upper percentile of plasma B12 levels was 20.0 +/- 4.6 and in the lower percentile 15.7 +/- 6.1, resulting in a difference of 4.3 MMSE points. We conclude, that vitamin B12 deficiency could aggravate or accelerate the course of Alzheimer disease as vitamin B12 possesses neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory properties....

Read abstract  Full text PDF

Case Reports 2004; 25(3): 173-175 PubMed PMID: 15349080 Citation  Keywords:  Child, Cysts:surgery, Female, Humans, Luteinizing Hormone:blood, Pineal Gland:surgery, Puberty, Precocious:etiology,.   

: Accelerated development of secondary sexual characteristics or sexual precocity is a well-known entity. Most authors recognize two groups of patients, those described as having central precocious puberty (CPP) and those with precocious pseudopuberty. CPP results from premature activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis and pseudopuberty is caused by lesions that secrete gonadotropin-like substances or hormones. The onset of CPP is usually before age 8 in females and age 9 in males; however, there is contention that the age of onset is much earlier and also differs depending on the patients' race. Previously reported causes of CPP include intracranial neoplasm, infection, trauma, hydrocephalus and Angelman's syndrome. Pineal cysts are usually asymptomatic incidental findings, but have been associated with CPP. We present an interesting case of a patient with CPP and an associated pineal cyst. We review the literature on the pathogenesis of CPP and associated pineal cyst, the neuroendocrine relationship between the pineal gland and puberty and the neurosurgical role in these cases....

Read abstract  Full text PDF

Historical Article 2004; 25(3): 169-172 PubMed PMID: 15349079 Citation  Keywords:  Arabia, China, Documentation, History, Ancient, History, Medieval, Humans, Japan, Persia, Poetry as Topic:history,.   

: A periodicity of about 500 years has been discovered in the history of poetry and documented by means of inferential statistics. Great poets of Arabia, Persia, China and Japan emerged periodically every 500 years. Moreover, the waves of poetic creativeness in the West and in the East have been synchronous for the last 3000 years. It is a surprising fact, that this periodicity has been known already before 800 B.C. to the priests of Babylon, who ascribed it to the influence of goddess Inanna. A set of psychological symptoms typical for pubescence recurs on a global (worldwide) scale during these historical epochs every 500 years. One possible explanation would be to search for a cosmophysical factor, which impacts the neuroendocrine system of men....

Read abstract

Journal Article 2004; 25(3): 164-168 PubMed PMID: 15349078 Citation  Keywords:  Environment, Genetics, Medical:trends, Humans, Phylogeny, Primary Prevention, Sociology:trends,.   

: Prevention of environment- and gene-dependent, teratogenic malfunctions ("Functional Teratogenesis")-- caused by abnormal hormone, neurotransmitter and cytokine concentrations during organization of the neuro-endocrine-immune system (NEIS) should be considered as a global challenge of outstanding relevance. By optimizing the natural and social environment and correcting in time abnormal concentrations of hormones, neurotransmitters and cytokines during the critical perinatal (pre- and early postnatal) organization period of the NEIS ("Neuro-Endocrine-Immune Prophylaxis") human ontogenesis and sociogenesis can be decisively improved ("Primary Prevention of Maldevelopments of Human Beings and their Societies"). Finally, phylogenesis is dependent on incessant sequencies of ontogenesis and sociogenesis ("Onto-Socio-Phylogenesis")....

Read abstract  Full text PDF