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Journal Article 2013; 34(1): 62-70 PubMed PMID: 23524626 Citation  Keywords:  Animals, Axonal Transport:physiology, Horseradish Peroxidase:pharmacokinetics, Lactic Acid:pharmacology, Microscopy, Electron, Transmission, Myelin Sheath:physiology, Nerve Regeneration:drug effects, Polyesters, Polymers:pharmacology, Rats, Rats, Sprague-.   

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the poly(dextrogyr-levogyr) lactide acid-triiodothyronine (PDLLA-T3) seeded with Schwann cells conduit for repairing sciatic nerve defect.r />r /> MATERIALS & METHODS: The rats were divided into three groups: autologous nerve transplantation (Group A), PDLLA-T3 + Schwann cells (Group B) and PDLLA + Schwann cells (Group C).r />r /> RESULTS: Myelin sheath thickness was significantly greater in Group A compared with Group B and Group C. The regenerated nerves had nearly normal structure in Group A, and in Groups B and C nerve tissues filled in the anastomotic site and angiogenesis was noted. The mean number of myelinated nerve fibers and neurons in Group B was greater than in Group C.r />r /> CONCLUSIONS: PDLLA-T3 is superior to PDLLA alone for repairing nerve defects....

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Journal Article 2013; 34(1): 58-61 PubMed PMID: 23524625 Citation  Keywords:  Animals, Cholinergic Neurons:drug effects, Cholinesterase Inhibitors:pharmacology, Heart Rate:drug effects, Hippocampus:cytology, Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System:cytology, Male, Microinjections, Neostigmine:pharmacology, Pituitary-Adrenal System:cytology, .   

OBJECTIVES: We previously demonstrated that the direct microinjection of cholinesterase inhibitor (neostigmine) into the hippocampus in rats activated the hypothalamo-pituitary -adrenal axis and increased the level of norepinephrine in the plasma. In the current study we tried to measure the effects of neostigmine injection into the hippocampus using the non-invasive measure of heart rate variability (HRV).r />r /> MATERIALS AND METHODS: After the hippocampal injection of neostigmine (50 nM and 125 nM) or saline as a control in rats, HRV measurement was performed for 30 min.r />r /> RESULTS: After the injection of neostigmine into the hippocampus, LF/HF, the index of the sympathetic nervous system, significantly increased.r />r /> CONCLUSIONS: The results of the current study indicated that stimulation of the hippocampal cholinergic system induced the activation of the sympathetic nervous system....

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Journal Article 2013; 34(1): 52-57 PubMed PMID: 23524624 Citation  Keywords:  Acute Disease, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Brain Ischemia:immunology, Female, Glutathione:blood, Humans, Inflammation:immunology, Insulin Resistance:immunology, Interleukin-10:blood, Interleukin-6:blood, Male, Malondialdehyde:blood, Middle Aged, Nitric Oxide.   

OBJECTIVE: Insulin resistance (IR) has effects on inflammation and oxidative stress which have importance in acute stroke. Our aim was to investigate the relationships between IR, inflammation, oxidative stress and stroke severity in acute ischemic stroke patients.r />r /> METHODS: We examined the relationships between inflammation, oxidative stress and stroke severity in 75 acute stroke patients with and without IR. Serum levels of oxidative stress markers (nitric oxide (NO), malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH)) were measured as well as the cytokines interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-10 (IL-10).r />r /> RESULTS: The levels of IL-10 (13.7±19.11 vs 51.20±89.32 pg/ml, p<0.00) in IR group were significantly reduced. Patients with IR had higher levels of NO (30.26±17.63 vs 22.57±14.5 µmol/L, p=0.04) and IL6 (27.44±57.13 vs 8.68±11.8 pg/ml, p<0.00) and higher NIHSS scores (11.40±5.35 vs 8.81±5.76, p=0.04) when compared with noninsulin resistant group. IL-10 was found negatively correlated with HOMA. Additionally, the parameters with positive correlations with HOMA were NIHSS, IL-6 and NO.r />r /> CONCLUSIONS: Inflammation and oxidative stress are more evident in acute stoke patients with insulin resistance which may cause worse stroke severity. Our data also suggest that IL-10 as an antiinflammatory cytokine can be much lower in insulin resistance in acute phase of ischemic stroke. However it can be elevated as an adaptive mechanism in metabolic syndrome as a chronic condition....

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Journal Article 2013; 34(1): 47-51 PubMed PMID: 23524623 Citation  Keywords:  Adolescent, Decision Making:physiology, Depression:blood, Economics, Behavioral, Emotions:physiology, Games, Experimental, Happiness, Humans, Interleukin-6:blood, Male, Neuroimmunomodulation:physiology, Predictive Value of Tests, Young Adult,.   

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to examine one of biological correlates, pro-inflammatory cytokine, in rejection of unfair financial offers in the Ultimatum Game (UG), where the division of a sum of money is proposed and the player can accept or reject this offer.r />r /> METHODS: Nineteen participants played 20 trials of the UG as responders, and they were proposed unfair offers in a half of the trials. Baseline levels of several pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines, subjective happiness, and depression of them were measured.r />r /> RESULTS: Participants with higher levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokine, interleukin (IL)-6 rejected fewer unfair offers. This effect of IL-6 levels on decision-making was independent from other pro-inflammatory cytokines, anti-inflammatory cytokines, subjective happiness, and depression.r />r /> CONCLUSIONS: These results suggested that chronic higher levels of IL-6 might affect functions of neural regions related to decision making, and thus can modulate rejection of unfair offers....

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Journal Article 2013; 34(1): 38-46 PubMed PMID: 23524622 Citation  Keywords:  Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Carica:chemistry, Constipation:drug therapy, Digestive System Diseases:drug therapy, Double-Blind Method, Female, Flatulence:drug therapy, Gastrointestinal Agents:administration & dosage, Heartburn:drug therapy, Humans, Irritable .   

OBJECTIVE: Papaya (Carica papaya L.) is used as a natural remedy in abnormal digestion in tropical and industrialized countries. Besides this wide distribution little evidence has been produced with reference to its physiological effect in humans and the proof of efficacy. Former clinical observations had revealed positive effects for patients with constipation, heartburn, and symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) after eating papaya preparations. In line with these former positive clinical observations, we studied the clinical effects of the papaya preparation Caricol® in a double blind placebo controlled study design.r />r /> METHODS: In this study the participants were volunteers, with chronic (prevailing) indigestions and dysfunctions in the gastrointestinal tract. During the trial the intake of the substance of intent and placebo was 20 ml daily for 40 days. The endpoints were the frequency of 22 symptoms recorded before and after the documented intake recorded by questionnaire.r />r /> RESULTS: The symptoms "Constipation", "Bloating", and "Heartburn" were defined as primary and frequency of "painful (straining) bowel movements" as secondary endpoint. The participation ended after the intake period within two days ("early returnees"). Wash out effects were observed in "late returnees", who returned with a delay of 8.6 (±5.95 days). In the verum group early returnees revealed statistically significant improvements of the symptoms "constipation" and "bloating". The analysis of "heartburn" felt short of significant improvement because of the small number of included cases with this criteria (N=13, p=0.114). None of the significant benefits were observed after the washout phase.r />r /> CONCLUSION: We conclude from these results, that the papaya preparation (Caricol®) contributes to the maintenance of digestive tract physiology. It ameliorates various functional disturbances, like symptoms of IBS. The mechanism of this digestive tract physiology support is discussed....

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Journal Article 2013; 34(1): 27-37 PubMed PMID: 23524621 Citation  Keywords:  Adult, Circadian Rhythm:genetics, Female, Genotype, Humans, Hydrocortisone:secretion, Life Change Events, Male, Middle Aged, Period Circadian Proteins:genetics, Police, Polymorphism, Genetic, Salivary Glands:secretion, Sleep Disorders, Circadian Rhythm:ge.   

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated whether measures of waking or diurnal cortisol secretion, or self-reported psychological disturbances differed among police officers with a Period3 (PER3) clock gene length polymorphism.r />r /> METHODS: The cortisol awakening response was characterized via the area under the salivary cortisol curve with respect to the increase (AUCI) or total waking cortisol (AUCG). Diurnal cortisol measures included the slope of diurnal cortisol and the diurnal AUCG. Psychological disturbances were characterized using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, Impact of Events Scale, and Life Events Scale.r />r /> RESULTS: Officers with a 4/5 or 5/5 genotype had higher awakening AUCG and greater diurnal cortisol AUCG levels compared to officers with the 4/4 genotype. Among those working more afternoon or night shifts, waking AUCI and AUCG were greater among officers with a 4/5 or 5/5 genotype compared to the 4/4 referents.r />r /> CONCLUSION: Cortisol secretion was modified among police officers with different PER3 VNTR clock gene variants....

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Comparative Study 2013; 34(1): 18-26 PubMed PMID: 23524620 Citation  Keywords:  Adolescent, Adult, Age Factors, Aging:blood, Alanine Transaminase:blood, Aspartate Aminotransferases:blood, Biomarkers:blood, Female, Human Growth Hormone:blood, Humans, Insulin-Like Growth Factor I:metabolism, Male, Middle Aged, Opioid-Related Disorders:.   

OBJECTIVE: To compare IGF1 levels in opiate dependent and general patients both absolutely and by age.r />r /> DESIGN: A naturalistic observational study was undertaken of opiate dependent and general medical patients.r />r /> SETTING: Primary care.r />r /> PATIENTS: 74 opiate substance use dependent (SUD) patients were compared with 262 non-SUD (NSUD) patients.r />r /> RESULTS: (1) Comparative IGF1 levels; (2) age and sex corrected IGF1 levels; (3) IGF1 levels corrected for age, sex, and hepatic and immune biomarkers.r />r /> MAIN FINDINGS: The SUD patients were younger (32.60+0.89 vs. 42.49+0.96 years, mean+S.E.M., p<0.0001) and had more males (72.9% and 39.3%, p<0.0001) than the NSUD patients. Restriction of the age range to 15-45 years (70 vs. 153 patients) made the difference in ages non-significant (31.27+0.71 vs. 32.32+0.61 years, p=0.47) but IGF1 remained elevated in SUD (26.56+1.21 vs. 22.65+0.57nmol/L, p=0.0039). When multiple regression was used to correct for the age and sex disparities, the age: addiction interaction remained significantly elevated (p=0.0003). In an additive model opiate dependence showed a 23.8% elevation in IGF1. When the interactive model was further adjusted by the inclusion of ALT and CRP as indices of hepatic inflammation and immune activation respectively, addictive status remained significant both alone (p=0.0134) and in 2-, 3- and 4-way interactions with age, male sex, and ALT (all p<0.0255).r />r /> CONCLUSION: These data demonstrate that serum IGF1 is elevated in opiate dependence both absolutely and after adjustment for age, sex, and markers of immune and hepatic activation....

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Journal Article 2013; 34(1): 14-17 PubMed PMID: 23524619 Citation  Keywords:  Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Blood-Brain Barrier:metabolism, Chemistry, Clinical:methods, Female, Ghrelin:blood, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Multiple Sclerosis, Chronic Progressive:blood, Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting:blood, Reprod.   

: Ghrelin, an orexigenic peptide, exerts immunomodulatory and other effects in the CNS and has neuroprotective properties. Ghrelin is predominantly produced by X/A-like cells in the gastric mucosa. Hence, ghrelin's main source of production lies outside the CNS while important functions of ghrelin are operated by specific receptors in the CNS. We analyzed 82 samples of our repository (45 samples form patients with multiple sclerosis and 37 control samples) for cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and corresponding serum concentrations of ghrelin. Desacyl ghrelin concentrations were measured with a commercially available enzyme immunometric assay. We validated the assay for CSF samples. The test-retest reproducibility for ghrelin in CSF samples was excellent. Ghrelin CSF concentrations were higher in patients with multiple sclerosis (p<0.02) compared with controls. CSF concentrations correlated with serum concentrations in patients with multiple sclerosis (p<0.01). No such correlation was found in controls. Our findings endorse existing hypotheses that ghrelin affects the central inflammatory process in MS. The correlation between serum and CSF concentrations in MS, but not in controls, suggests a differential regulation of blood-to-brain transport mechanisms for ghrelin in MS and indicates that central effects of ghrelin in MS might be amenable to pharmacological manipulation of the systemic ghrelin secretion....

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