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Journal Article 2001; 22(5): 309-321 PubMed PMID: 11600881 Citation  Keywords:  Animals, Behavior:physiology, Ethology, Female, Humans, Male, Neurosecretory Systems:physiology, Odorants, Pheromones:physiology, Sexual Behavior, Smell, Vomeronasal Organ,.   

: The effect of sensory input on hormones is essential to any explanation of mammalian behavior, including aspects of physical attraction. The chemical signals we send have direct and developmental effects on hormone levels in other people. Since we don t know either if, or how, visual cues might have direct and developmental effects on hormone levels in other people, the biological basis for the development of visually perceived human physical attraction is currently somewhat questionable. In contrast, the biological basis for the development of physical attraction based on chemical signals is well detailed....

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Journal Article 2001; 22(4): 248-250 PubMed PMID: 11524631 Citation  Keywords:  Adult, Contraceptives, Oral:pharmacology, Female, Humans, Hyperandrogenism:complications, Incidence, Italy, Menstruation Disturbances:complications, Multiple Sclerosis:complications, Reference Values,.   

: A mild prevalence of multiple sclerosis (MS) is present in females (2:1). To elucidate the pathogenetic role of sex steroids on the disease, we studied 76 women affected by MS, compared to 50 healthy women (mean age +/- SD, 34.9 +/- 0.9 vs. 33.4 +/- 1.7 years). The menarche was at mean age of 12.3 +/- 0.2 vs. 12.4 +/- 0.2. Interval between menses was 28.0 +/- 0.3 vs 27.8 +/- 0.3 days, with duration of menstrual flow of 5.0 +/- 0.2 vs. 5.0 +/- 0.2 days. Oligo- or amenorrhea was present in 20% of patients and in 16% of controls. Oral contraceptives were assumed by 21% of patients and 34% of controls (n.s.). Premenstrual symptoms were found in 43% of patients and in 46% of controls (n.s.). The incidence of hyperandrogenism (greasy skin, acne and hirsutism), evaluated by a specific questionnaire, was higher and statistically significant in MS patients than in controls (28% vs. 10%, p<0.05). Further studies, including a complete clinical and laboratory evaluation of gonadal function, are necessary in order to clarify whether hyperandrogenism may influence MS disease activity....

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Journal Article 2001; 22(3): 175-180 PubMed PMID: 11449195 Citation  Keywords:  Emotions, Humans, Immune Tolerance, Neoplasms:immunology, Neuroimmunomodulation, Pineal Gland:physiology, Sexuality,.   

: With the advances in the knowledge of neuroimmunomodulation, a new era of investigations about the chemical basis of the state of mind has been initiated. Both emotions and states of spiritual consciousness may influence immune functions and cancer growth. Stress, anxiety and depressive states are associated with immunosuppression and enhanced frequency of tumors. On the other hand, the states of sexual pleasure and spiritual joy enhance the immune efficacy, by counteracting tumor onset and dissemination. The biochemistry of pleasure and immunostimulation is mainly mediated by pineal indoles and cannabinergic substances, whereas that of stress, anxiety and depression is associated with enhanced production of adrenal steroids, opioids and catecholamines. The sexual repression would allow a progressive immunosuppression through a profound damage in the biochemistry of pleasure. Therefore, a better definition of psychospiritual status-associated neuroimmunochemistry could allow us to improve the immune dysfunction by acting on the same neuroendocrine secretions which are involved in mediating the psychic influence on the immunity, including that against cancer....

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Journal Article 2001; 22(2): 81-86 PubMed PMID: 11335883 Citation  Keywords:  Animals, Basement Membrane:pathology, Blood Platelets:pathology, Brain Ischemia:chemically induced, Capillaries:ultrastructure, Cerebral Cortex:blood supply, Endothelium, Vascular:ultrastructure, Erythrocytes:pathology, Extracellular Matrix:ultrastructure.   

OBJECTIVES: In our investigations we have reported that photochemical reaction leading to brain ischemia can also be precipitated with visible light from a non-coherent light source. It was revealed that focal cerebral ischemia after photochemical reaction cause the alterations in the capillaries ultrastructure and perivascular spaces of the barrier-competent regions of the brain. The purpose of this study is to first characterize the ultrastructural morphological consequences of photochemically induced ischemia in the cerebral cortex on the capillaries of neurohypophysis as the barrier-free region of the brain.

METHOD: We used a model of ischemic brain damage due to obliteration of microvessels following the photochemical reaction. Rats were treated with an intravenous injection of rose bengal and irradiated from a halogen lamp source through an intact cranium to precipitate microvascular damage. Material for electron microscopic studies were sampled from the neurohypophysis 1 and 4 days after irradiation (4 animals in each group) in experimental group and 1 and 4 days after a rose bengal injection in control group.

RESULTS: Investigations in transmission electron microscopy revealed platelet aggregation on the endothelium preceded by its early ultrastructural damage. In the capillaries of the neurohypophysis, one and four days after irradiation, numerous microthrombi adhering to the damaged endothelium were present. The capillary vessels contained a continuous, rather than a fenestrated endothelium. The basement membrane was thickened, blurred and locally multiplicated.

CONCLUSION: Our results show that experimentally-induced thrombosis of cortical microvessels leads to alterations in the capillaries of neurohypophysis....

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Journal Article 2001; 22(1): 19-26 PubMed PMID: 11335875 Citation  Keywords:  Animals, Apoptosis, Basement Membrane:ultrastructure, Cell Movement, Cerebral Cortex:injuries, Cytoplasm:ultrastructure, Endothelium, Vascular:ultrastructure, Intercellular Junctions:ultrastructure, Macrophages:ultrastructure, Necrosis, Phagocytosis, Rats.   

OBJECTIVES: The effect of the traumatic injury of the cerebral cortex on the ultrastructure of the cerebrovascular junction was studied in rats. The aim of the present study is to describe the ultrastructural alterations in the cerebrovascular junction in rat cerebral cortex after traumatic injury. We were particularly interested in the alterations in endothelium, pericytes and the differentiated population of cerebral macrophages.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: The observations were conducted four days (group I-five animals) and seven days (group II-five animals) after induction of cortical trauma. Traumatic injury was induced in the fronto-temporal region of cerebral cortex in general anesthesia with 20 mg/kg ketamine hydrochloride.

RESULTS: In the first group we found the features of damage of the blood-brain barrier and migration of the morphological blood components to the perivascular space. The trauma caused necrosis and apoptosis within brain tissue. An important observation was the presence of numerous brain macrophages that participated in phagocytosis of damaged cellular elements. Additionally, we found an increase in the connective tissue ground substance around brain capillaries. In the second experimental group we noted an increased number of pericytes (1-3) near capillary walls. In some instances, the basement membrane surrounding the pericytes was interrupted and these cells were also located beyond the rim of the vessel wall. Some pericytes showed numerous phagolysosomes indicating that these cells belonged to perivascular macrophages. Moreover, we observed a population of phagocytes residing in close contact with neurons. These cells were different from the typical perivascular macrophages.

CONCLUSIONS: These observations indicate that the traumatic injury of the brain results in mobilization of a heterogeneous population of brain macrophages. This study indicates that different subpopulations of macrophages emerge in the region of traumatic brain damage, and that the morphology and dynamics of these phagocytes changes and depends on the time elapsed after the initial traumatic incident....

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Journal Article 2018; 39(3): 209-218 PubMed PMID: 30431738 Citation  Keywords:  Animals, Behavior, Animal, Blood-Brain Barrier:metabolism, Brain:diagnostic imaging, Brain Edema:etiology, Disease Models, Animal, Evans Blue, Intracranial Hypertension:etiology, Locomotion, Male, Myelin Sheath:pathology, Permeability, Rats, Rats, Wistar,.   

OBJECTIVES: This paper presents our own rat model of the cellular brain edema, induced by water intoxication (WI). The basic principle of the model is an osmotic imbalance in the cell membrane followed by an intracellular flow of sodium and simultaneous accumulation of water leading to the subsequent increase of BBB permeability. METHODS: The usefulness of the model was tested in precisely specified conditions whose results were clearly expressed. The procedure determined both how WI induces cellular edema as well as the disturbances caused by cellular edema. RESULTS: The evidence of existing cellular edema with increased BBB permeability was proved by intracellular accumulation of intravital dye with a large molecular size; increased brain-water content was confirmed by using the dry/wet weight method and by the decrease in CT density; the elevated intracranial pressure (ICP) due to the expanding volume was determined by continuous monitoring the ICP; the structural lesions were proved by identification of the myelin disintegration; and the impaired nervous functions was demonstrated by the of open field test method. CONCLUSION: Our experimental model can help the future studies of pathophysiology of cellular brain edema and is suitable for testing neuroprotective agents....

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Journal Article 2018; 39(4): 294-298 PubMed PMID: 30531698 Citation  Keywords:  Benzhydryl Compounds:toxicity, Comet Assay, DNA:drug effects, DNA Breaks, Double-Stranded:drug effects, DNA Damage:drug effects, Endocrine Disruptors:toxicity, Environmental Pollutants:toxicity, Estrogens, Non-Steroidal:toxicity, Free Radical Scavengers:t.   

OBJECTIVES: Bisphenol A (BPA) is an endocrine disruptor which has been shown to be a harmful compound for living organisms. It is the main component of the most commonly used plastic products such as plastic bottles, food cans and containers or dental fillings, and other medical aids. Recently, it has become a new environmental pollutant. The current knowledge about the BPA effects (including genotoxic one) on different cells is in many cases contradictory. Thus, the aim of the paper is to study the potential genotoxic effect of BPA. METHODS: An observation of the genotoxic activity of BPA on human lymphocytes was evaluated by using the alkaline comet assay and a modified comet assay with bacterial DNA repair enzyme Fpg. The potential DNA-protective effect of BPA was tested by using the DNA-topology assay. RESULTS: The results show that rising concentrations of BPA increase the risk of DNA double-strand breaks and modified purines in human lymphocytes. Interestingly, BPA shows an ability to protect plasmid DNA from the damage of iron ions in cell-free system. CONCLUSIONS: BPA itself does not induce genotoxic effect to DNA. However, BPA treatment of human lymphocytes leads to the induction of DNA damage. The proposed mechanism of BPA action in the human lymphocytes could be mediated by cell metabolism that induces an oxidative stress and ROS formation. ROS subsequently attack DNA and thus induce DNA damage. According to our results, BPA can be included in the group of substances with dual effects involving genotoxic and DNA-protective activity....

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