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Journal Article 2013; 34(3): 236-240 PubMed PMID: 23685423 Citation  Keywords:  Animals, Apolipoproteins E:genetics, Astrocytes:cytology, Brain Neoplasms, Cell Line, Tumor, Fibroblasts:cytology, Gene Expression:physiology, Genotype, Glioma, Melatonin:biosynthesis, Mice, Monoamine Oxidase:genetics, NIH 3T3 Cells, Rats, Serotonin:biosy.   

OBJECTIVE: Melatonin not only plays an important role in regulating circadian rhythms, but is also involved in antioxidative defense and immunomodulation. Circulating melatonin levels are derived primarily from the pineal gland while other sources of melatonin have also been reported. Recently, we reported that cultured rat cortical astrocytes and glioma C6 cells synthesize melatonin. In addition, apolipoprotein E genotype influences melatonin biosynthesis by regulating NAT and MAOA expression in C6 cells.r />r /> METHODS: Here, we investigated the expression of genes and enzymes that is responsible for the multistep conversion of tryptophan to serotonin and further to melatonin in mouse embryonic fibroblasts NIH3T3 cells by radioimmunoassay, Immunofluorescence staining, real-time PCR and Western blotting techniques.r />r /> RESULTS: Our results showed that cultured NIH3T3 cells could synthesize melatonin and serotonin. Serotonin N-acetyltransferase (NAT), the key enzyme in the pathway of melatonin synthesis, was also detectable using both by western blot and PCR methods. In addition, two other key enzymes, tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH1 and TPH2) for serotonin synthesis and the metabolic enzyme monoamine oxidase A (MAOA) for 5-HT, were present in NIH3T3 cell line.r />r /> CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, we provided evidence that the NIH3T3 cells can synthesize intrinsic serotonin and melatonin and express key enzymes related biosynthetic pathways....

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Journal Article 2013; 34(3): 229-235 PubMed PMID: 23685422 Citation  Keywords:  Adiponectin:blood, Adolescent, Adult, Athletes, Bicycling:physiology, Exercise:physiology, Homeostasis:physiology, Humans, Insulin:blood, Insulin Resistance:physiology, Leptin:blood, Male, Physical Fitness:physiology, Young Adult,.   

OBJECTIVE: Adiponectin, the most abundant protein secreted by white adipose tissue, is known for its involvement in insulin resistance (HOMA-R). The purpose of this investigation was to assess the effect of intense cycling training for six months on plasma concentrations of adiponectin and leptin and HOMA-R.r />r /> METHODS: Eight trained males non professional cyclists participated in this study. They completed two times maximal exercises separated by six months heavy cycling training. Blood samples were obtained before exercise, at the end and after 30 and 60 minutes of recovery.r />r /> RESULTS: Before training, adiponectin concentrations were not significantly altered after maximal exercise, but plasma leptin levels decreased significantly at the end of exercise (-21.42%, p<0.01) and after 60 min of recovery (-21.18%, p<0.05). After 6 months training, subjects exhibited a decreased in control leptin concentrations (-44.91%, p<0.05) and in HOMA-R (-30.68%, p<0.05) and showed delayed increase in adiponectin concentrations (after 30 min of recovery) (14.10%, p<0.01).r />r /> CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed that adiponectin is sensitive to maximal exercise when realised after intense training and that six months heavy cycling training don't affect adiponectin concentrations, but decreases the synthesis of leptin and HOMA-R and improves aerobic capacity. Furthermore, it appears that after 6 months heavy chronic exercise adiponectin is not associated with aerobic capacity and/or insulin resistance and/or body composition modifications....

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Clinical Trial 2013; 34(3): 222-228 PubMed PMID: 23685421 Citation  Keywords:  Adolescent, Body Height:drug effects, Child, Drug Monitoring:methods, Female, Growth Disorders:drug therapy, Human Growth Hormone:blood, Humans, Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3:blood, Insulin-Like Growth Factor I:metabolism, Male, Predictive.   

rong>BACKGROUND:rong> Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) generation test has been introduced for the assessment of growth hormone (GH) sensitivity, however, its significance in predicting growth response to GH therapy has also been brought up. The molar ratio of IGF-I to its binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) determines IGF-I bioavailability.r />r /> rong>AIMS:rong> Evaluation of usefulness of IGF-I and IGFBP-3 generation test in predicting the effectiveness of rhGH therapy in children with short stature.r />r /> rong>PATIENTS AND METHODS:rong> The analysis comprised 60 children with short stature, normal results of GH stimulating tests but decreased IGF-I secretion. In all the patients, GH insensitivity was excluded on the basis of IGF-I and IGFBP-3 generation test. Next, GH therapy was administered and height velocity (HV), together with IGF-I and IGFBP-3 secretion, was assessed every year, during 3 years. The comparative group consisted of 30 children with partial GH deficiency (pGHD).r />r /> rong>RESULTS:rong> Both IGF-I secretion and IGF-I/IGFBP-3 molar ratio increased significantly during generation test (p<0.05) and - further - during GH therapy (however insignificantly), together with at least doubling of pretreatment HV. There was no significant difference between the studied group of patients and children with pGHD.r />r /> rong>CONCLUSIONS:rong> Significant increase of IGF-I in generation test speaks for GH therapy effectiveness in short children, despite normal results of GH stimulating tests.

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Clinical Trial 2013; 34(3): 217-221 PubMed PMID: 23685420 Citation  Keywords:  Adult, Aged, Ambulatory Surgical Procedures:methods, Anesthesia, General:methods, Anesthesia, Spinal:methods, Consciousness Monitors, Female, Hemorrhoids:surgery, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Operative Time, Pain, Postoperative:prevention & control, Patient.   

OBJECTIVES: The gradual advancement of one-day surgery and conjoint ambulatory anaesthesia results from possibilities to execute mini-invasive surgeries. Such surgeries offer great benefits to the patient due to faster reconvalescence and less pain as well as faster return to normal life. The HAL-RAR method for haemorrhoid surgery, introduced as early as in 1995 by Dr. Morigan in Japan.r />r /> DESIGN AND SETTING: The goal of our study including 137 patients was research of effects of the spinal and general anaesthesia while monitoring the Bispectral Index (BIS) during the surgery. We focused mainly on the need of postoperative analgesia and possibility to discharge patient to home care after the surgery with the above mentioned type of anaesthesia. BIS helped us to monitor the sufficiency of anaesthesia and anaesthetics dosage regulation that was reflected in earlier awakening and faster reconvalescence, as well as saving anaesthetics.r />r /> RESULTS: The length of surgery was not affected by the particular type of anaesthetic procedures (25.7 minutes for the general anaesthesia and 30.2 minutes for the spinal anaesthesia). The need for postoperative analgesia was necessary for the period of 240.0 minutes after the completion of surgery for the general anaesthesia and 313.0 minutes for the spinal anaesthesia after the administration of anaesthetics intrathecally.r />r /> CONCLUSIONS: BIS is a processed EEG parameter measuring the hypnotic effect of hypnotics and sedatives in brain. BIS helps to reduce the use of anaesthetics during anaesthesia. Our results are promising and we continue in the study, monitoring also other possible parameters....

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Journal Article 2013; 34(3): 212-216 PubMed PMID: 23685419 Citation  Keywords:  Adolescent, Asthma:blood, Body Mass Index, Child, Cross-Sectional Studies, Disease Progression, Female, Humans, Hypersensitivity:epidemiology, Male, Resistin:blood, Risk Factors, Severity of Illness Index, Sex Distribution,.   

OBJECTIVES: There are limited data on the role of adipokines in atopic asthma.r />r /> DESIGN AND SETTING: To determine serum levels of resistin in asthmatic children in relation to body weight, asthma severity and gender, serum resistin (RES) levels were measured using ELISA in 89 asthmatic children (61 boys and 28 girls, aged 7.0-17.0 years) and in 33 healthy children. Among examined asthmatics 59 (19 girls and 40 boys) had normal weight (ANW) and 30 (9 girls and 21 boys) were obese (AO).r />r /> RESULTS: The mean serum levels of resistin were significantly (p<0.01) higher in all non-obese asthmatic children (4.11±0.1 ng/mL) than in healthy children (3.83±0.1 ng/mL). After stratifying by gender only ANW boys and AO boys had significantly higher RES levels than boys from control group. Both AO (4.4±0.2 ng/mL) and ANW girls (4.38±0.2 ng/mL) as well as girls from control (4.09±0.1) group showed significantly higher mean RES serum concentrations than boys from corresponding groups (3.99±0.1 ng/ml, 3.83±0.17 ng/ml and 3.44±0.06 ng/ml, respectively). No relationship between examined adipokine levels and asthma severity, spirometric parameters, degree of allergic sensitization, BMI, BMI-SDS was stated.r />r /> CONCLUSION: Increased serum RES in children with atopic asthma suggest that this adipokine may be implicated in its pathogenesis....

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Journal Article 2013; 34(3): 207-211 PubMed PMID: 23685418 Citation  Keywords:  Adult, Cohort Studies, Female, Follow-Up Studies, Galactorrhea:diagnosis, Humans, Hyperprolactinemia:diagnosis, Middle Aged, Pituitary Gland, Anterior:physiology, Pituitary Neoplasms:diagnosis, Pregnancy, Pregnancy Outcome, Prolactin:blood, Prolactinoma:d.   

OBJECTIVES: To determine the frequency of macroprolactinemia in a cohort of hyperprolactinemic women, describing 1) the association of macroprolactinemia with clinical variables and morphological changes in the pituitary gland and 2) clinical status and prolactin levels after 10 years of follow-up.r />r /> DESIGN: Blood samples were obtained from 32 patients for hormonal assessment. Treatment with cabergoline or bromocriptine was interrupted 3 months before the determination of serum prolactin and macroprolactin. Macroprolactin was measured using the polyethylene glycol (PEG) precipitation method. Computed tomography was performed in all patients.r />r /> RESULTS: The frequency of macroprolactinemia was 28.1%. In 19 patients prolactin remained elevated (persistent hyperprolactinemia). In 13, prolactin returned to normal (former hyperprolactinemia). Nine patients with PEG recovery between 40 and 50%, and the only two macroprolactinemic patients with previous hyperprolactinemia were excluded from the analysis of clinical outcomes. Only one of seven macroprolactinemic patients had an abnormal pituitary image (empty sella). None had galactorrhea.r />r /> MAIN FINDINGS: Classic symptoms of hyperprolactinemia and abnormal imaging findings are not common in patients in whom macroprolactin is the predominant form of PRL.r />r /> CONCLUSIONS: Women with hyperprolactinemia, especially if asymptomatic, should be routinely screened for macroprolactinemia. Macroprolactinemia remains stable in the long term....

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Journal Article 2013; 34(3): 200-206 PubMed PMID: 23685417 Citation  Keywords:  Atherosclerosis:epidemiology, Humans, Periodontitis:epidemiology, Risk Factors, Stroke:epidemiology,.   

: There are various forms of periodontitis characterised as an inflammatory disease with more or less expressed alteration of genetic immunological components and associated with local as well as psycho-social factors. Presence of chronic destructive inflammation in the mouth - a region with rich blood supply, contributes to escape of bacteria, their virulent factors and various pro-inflammatory cells, cytokines and immunologically active substances into the blood stream and their subsequent penetration into different organs and tissues, where they continue in their harmful destruction. Atherosclerosis of cerebral vessels and its consequences resulting in ischaemic stroke are the most frequents cause of acute strokes. Today's knowledge and studies of etiopathogenesis of vascular atherosclerosis present the atherosclerotic process of vascular walls as metabolic, infectious and immunological process, which progressively obliterates vascular lumen and creates conditions for acute and chronic vascular events in various regions. Inflammation is a source of chronic and acute infections in often distal organs and tissues as a risk factor of a atherosclerotic vascular process. This review study deals with epidemiological and etiopathogenetic association between chronic periodontitis and a stroke. A special emphasis is put on explanation of possible relations between an oral infection and stimulation of pro-atherogenetic mechanisms. The second part of the paper deals with principles of treatment in patients after stroke....

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Journal Article 2013; 34(3): 185-199 PubMed PMID: 23685416 Citation  Keywords:  Consensus, Evidence-Based Medicine, Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic:diagnosis, Humans, Neuroendocrinology, Oxidative Stress:physiology,.   

: The symptom spectrum of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) was first detailed in 1959 and later operationalised into a diagnostic protocol (Melvin Ramsey). In 1988 the Holmes case definition coined the term chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). Fukuda's Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria are very heterogeneous and comprise patients with milder symptoms than the Holmes case definition. The CDC Empirical Criteria for CFS lack sensitivity and/or specificity. Other CFS definitions, e.g. the Oxford criteria, delineate people with idiopathic fatigue. Some authors make the clinical CFS diagnosis when slightly increased self-rated fatigue scores are present. In 2011, Carruthers' International Consensus Criteria attempted to restore the focus on selecting people who suffer from ME. Cognitive bias in criteria construction, patient selection, data collection and interpretation has led to the current state of epistemological chaos with ME, CFS, CFS/ME and ME/CFS, and CF being used interchangeably. Moreover, none of the above mentioned classifications meet statistically based criteria for validation. Diagnostic criteria should be based on statistical methods rather than consensus declarations. Ongoing discussions about which case definition to employ miss the point that the criteria did not pass appropriate external validation. In 2012, Maes et al. performed pattern recognition methods and concluded that CFS patients (according to Fukuda's criteria) should be divided into those with CFS or ME, on the basis that people with ME display a worsening of their illness following increases in physical or cognitive activity. Both ME and CFS are complex disorders that share neuro-immune disturbances, which are more severe in ME than in CFS. This paper expands on that strategy and details a range of objective tests, which confirm that a person with ME or CFS has a neuro-immune disease. By means of pattern recognition methods future research should refine the Maes' case definitions for ME and CFS by including well-scaled symptoms, staging characteristics and neuro-immune biomarkers, including immune-inflammatory assays, bioenergetic markers and brain imaging....

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