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Journal Article 2004; 25(1-2): 94-101 PubMed PMID: 15159691 Citation  Keywords:  Adenocarcinoma:metabolism, Animals, Disease Models, Animal, Female, Light, Melatonin:physiology, Ovarian Neoplasms:metabolism, Photoperiod, Poultry Diseases:metabolism, Turkeys:metabolism,.   

OBJECTIVES: The effect of photoperiod or melatonin treatments on ovarian adenocarcinoma in turkey breeder hens (Meleagris gallopavo) was investigated to evaluate the usefulness of this animal as a model for studying ovarian cancer.r />r /> METHODS: In Experiment 1, photoperiod effects were tested by exposing turkeys with ovarian tumors to 8 wks of short days (8:16LD) followed by a 12 wk period of long days (16:8LD). In Experiment 2, exogenous melatonin was administered to turkeys during long day-induced development of ovarian tumors. In both experiments, the stage of tumor growth was scored weekly on a scale of 0 to 4.r />r /> RESULTS: It was clear that exposure to short days produced complete regression of tumors, with a mean time to score 0 of 4.4 wks. Following re-exposure to a long photoperiod, all of the same birds showed re-growth of the ovarian tumor with a mean time to first palpable detection of 5.4 wks. When melatonin was administered daily during the long photoperiod (Experiment 2), there was a significant delay in the re-growth of tumors.r />r /> CONCLUSION: It was clear from this study that the growth of solid ovarian tumors in the turkey breeder hen was promoted by long photoperiods and ceased, to the point of remission, on short photoperiods. Thus, ovarian adenocarcinoma in turkeys can be completely manipulated by photoperiod. In addition, treatment with melatonin attenuates tumor growth in the turkey hen. The results suggest that the domestic turkey hen is a useful in vivo model for studying spontaneous ovarian adenocarcinoma....

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Comparative Study 2004; 25(1-2): 87-93 PubMed PMID: 15159690 Citation  Keywords:  Animals, Cerebral Cortex:metabolism, DNA, Complementary:analysis, Dipeptides:physiology, Female, Gene Expression, Gene Expression Profiling, Melatonin:physiology, Mice, Mice, Inbred CBA, Myocardium:metabolism, Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis, Olig.   

OBJECTIVES: Aging is associated with significant alterations in gene expression in numerous organs and tissues. Anti-aging therapy with peptide bioregulators holds much promise for the correction of age-associated changes, making a screening for their molecular targets in tissues an important question of modern gerontology. The synthetic tetrapeptide Cortagen (Ala-Glu-Asp-Pro) was obtained by directed synthesis based on amino acid analysis of natural brain cortex peptide preparation Cortexin. In humans, Cortagen demonstrated a pronounced therapeutic effect upon the structural and functional posttraumatic recovery of peripheral nerve tissue. Importantly, other effects were also observed in cardiovascular and cerebrovascular parameters.r />r /> DESIGN: Based on these latter observations, we hypothesized that acute course of Cortagen treatment, large-scale transcriptome analysis, and identification of transcripts with altered expression in heart would facilitate our understanding of the mechanisms responsible for this peptide biological effects. We therefore analyzed the expression of 15,247 transcripts in the heart of female 6-months CBA mice receiving injections of Cortagen for 5 consecutive days was studied by cDNA microarrays.r />r /> RESULTS: Comparative analysis of cDNA microarray hybridisation with heart samples from control and experimental group revealed 234 clones (1,53% of the total number of clones) with significant changes of expression that matched 110 known genes belonging to various functional categories. Maximum up- and down-regulation was +5.42 and -2.86, respectively.r />r /> CONCLUSION: Intercomparison of changes in cardiac expression profile induced by synthetic peptides (Cortagen, Vilon, Epitalon) and pineal peptide hormone melatonin revealed both common and specific effects of Cortagen upon gene expression in heart....

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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.r />r /> 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.r />r /> 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.r />r /> 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.r />r /> METHODS: An electron microscopic immunocytochemical study on ultrathin brain slices was performed according to post-embedding immunogold procedure.r />r /> 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.r />r /> 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.r />r /> 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.r />r /> 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).r />r /> 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.r />r /> 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.r />r /> 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.r />r /> 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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Clinical Trial 2004; 25(1-2): 62-69 PubMed PMID: 15159685 Citation  Keywords:  Acute Disease, Adult, Analysis of Variance, Animals, Blood Glucose:analysis, C-Reactive Protein:analysis, Cholesterol, HDL:blood, Cholesterol, LDL:blood, Fractures, Bone:blood, Humans, Lipoproteins:blood, Middle Aged, Pain:blood, Pain Measurement:methods,.   

OBJECTIVES: Our aim was to evaluate whether some biochemical parameters in the blood serum can establish and discriminate pain intensity of different etiology.r />r /> METHODS: Three groups of patients hospitalised at the Department of Surgery have been investigated: 1) the patients without pain but with the indicated surgical treatment, 2) the patients with acute pancreatitis, which represents severe pain of the visceral type, and 3) the patients with fractures of upper or lower extremities, which represented acute somatic pain. Whole serum proteins, albumin, C-reactive protein, glucose, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triacylglyceroles (triglycerides), apolipoprotein-B and electrophoretic levels of alpha-lipoprotein, beta-lipoprotein and pre-beta-lipoprotein were analysed immediately after the first clinical inspection in the hospital and then 30 days after treatment.r />r /> RESULTS: The intensity of pain estimated by the visual analogue scale (VAS) was higher in patients with acute pancreatitis than in patients with fractures. In both diagnoses during persisting pain, the products of lipid metabolism such as triacylglyceroles and HDL-cholesterol were enhanced together with glucose levels. Electrophoretic measurements, revealed higher levels of beta-lipoproteins in fractures, and increased values of pre-beta-lipoproteins and alpha-lipoproteins in both groups of patients suffering from pain. After 30 days of treatment some indicators decreased, but when compared with normal values, they were still higher, especially in patients with pancreatitis (HDL-cholesterol, triacylglyceroles, pre-beta-lipoprotein). In control patients without pain symptoms, an increase of LDL cholesterol, triacylglyceroles and beta-lipoprotein were observed during their stay in hospital, which may be considered to be due to hospitalisation stress per se. Acute stress generally influences glucose levels so that their increase cannot be considered as a specific marker of pain intensity.r />r /> CONCLUSIONS: It may be concluded from our investigation, that the biochemical composition of the blood serum is changing during painful states, although the question still remains open to what extent these changes reflect the pain intensity and to what extent they may modulate the perception of pain....

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Journal Article 2004; 25(1-2): 57-61 PubMed PMID: 15159684 Citation  Keywords:  Animals, Bivalvia, Enzyme Inhibitors:pharmacology, Feedback, Physiological:physiology, Ganglia, Invertebrate:cytology, Interleukin-1:physiology, Leukocytes:drug effects, Lymphocyte Activation:physiology, NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester:pharmacology, Neuroim.   

: Pedal ganglia excised and maintained in culture for up to 2 h, release NO at low levels. The range can vary between 0 to 1.1 nM. Non-stimulated immunocytes do not significantly stimulate ganglionic NO release when incubated with pedal ganglia. However, ganglia exposed to immunocytes that had been previously activated by a 30 min incubation with interleukin 1 beta, release NO significantly above basal levels. In these experiments, 91 +/- 2.5% of the non-stimulated immunocytes exhibited form factors in the 0.72 to 0.89 range (sampled prior to ganglionic addition), whereas 62 +/- 10.3% of the interleukin 1 beta stimulated immunocytes had form factors in the 0.39 to 0.49 range, demonstrating activation. Addition of the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, L-NAME (10(-4) M), inhibited basal ganglionic NO release as well as that initiated by exposing the ganglia to activated immunocytes. Interestingly, non activated immunocytes, following ganglionic exposure, exhibited activity levels in the 13% range, representing a non significant increase. Cells exposed to interleukin 1 beta had a 65% activity level at the beginning of the experiment, followed by a drop of activity to 19 +/- 3.2% after ganglionic exposure. Repeating this last observation in the presence of L-NAME (10(-4) M), brought the activity level of the immunocytes back to the pre-ganglionic exposure level of activity, demonstrating that ganglionic NO was involved in down regulating immunocyte activity....

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