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Journal Article 2006; 27(4): 453-458 PubMed PMID: 16892000 Citation  Keywords:  Adolescent, Biomarkers:blood, Blood Glucose, C-Reactive Protein:metabolism, Child, Child, Preschool, Cholesterol, HDL:blood, Cholesterol, LDL:blood, Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2:epidemiology, Female, Fibrinogen:metabolism, Humans, Inflammation:epidemiology, .   

BACKGROUND: There is growing evidence that low-grade systemic inflammation is closely involved in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between serum inflammatory markers and selected parameters known as risk factors of type 2 diabetes in obese children and adolescents.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Fasting levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), fibrinogen (FB) interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin 1-beta (IL-1beta), glucose, insulin, total, HDL and LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, white blood cell count (WBC) and fasting glucose to insulin ratio (FGIR) were measured in 281 obese children and adolescents. Pearson's correlation was used for assessing the relationship between inflammatory markers and selected clinical parameters.

RESULTS: Inflammatory markers correlated significantly with insulin resistance indices, HbA1c, lipid profile, hypertension, positive family history of type 2 diabetes, low physical fitness, and mixed high-fat and high-carbohydrate diet.

CONCLUSIONS: Serum inflammatory markers were significantly correlated with most factors implicated in the development of type 2 diabetes. These data provide additional support for previously reported in adults relationship between subclinical inflammation and the risk of type 2 diabetes....

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Journal Article 2006; 27(4): 415-423 PubMed PMID: 16891999 Citation  Keywords:  Adult, Apolipoprotein E2:genetics, Chronic Disease, Dental Amalgam:adverse effects, Dental Restoration, Permanent, Depression:chemically induced, Fatigue:chemically induced, Female, Genetic Predisposition to Disease, Genotype, Humans, Male, Memory Disorde.   

: In a group of 465 patients diagnosed as having chronic mercury toxicity (CMT), 32.3% had severe fatigue, 88.8% had memory loss, and 27.5% had depression. A significant correlation was found between CMT and the Apo-lipoprotein E4 genotype (p=0.001). An investigation into an additional 864 consecutively seen general practice patients, resulted in 30.3% having evidence consistent with CMT, and once again a significant correlation was found with the APO-E4 genotype (p=0.001). Removal of amalgam mercury fillings when combined with appropriate treatment resulted in a significant symptom reduction (p<0.001) to levels reported by healthy subjects....

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Journal Article 2006; 27(4): 473-481 PubMed PMID: 16891998 Citation  Keywords:  Adolescent, Adult, Anxiety:drug therapy, Cognitive Therapy, Combined Modality Therapy, Female, Follow-Up Studies, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Moclobemide:therapeutic use, Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors:therapeutic use, Patient Dropouts, Phobic Disorders:drug.   

: The aim of the study was to assess the 6-months treatment efficacy and 24-month follow up of three different therapeutic programs (A. moclobemide and supportive guidance, B. group cognitive-behavioral therapy and pill placebo, and C. combination of moclobemide and group cognitive-behavioral therapy) in patients with a generalized form of social phobia. Eighty one patients (38 males and 43 females) were randomly assigned to three different therapeutic programs. Patients were regularly assessed on a monthly basis by an independent rater on the LSAS (Liebowitz Social Anxiety scale), CGI (Clinical Global Impression) for severity and change and BAI (Beck Anxiety Inventory). Altogether, sixty-six patients completed the six month treatment period and 15 patients dropped out. All therapeutic groups showed significant improvement. A combination of CBT and pharmacotherapy yielded the most rapid effect. Moclobemide was superior for the reduction of the subjective general anxiety (BAI) during the first 3 months of treatment, but its influence on avoidant behavior (LSAS avoidance subscale) was less pronounced. Conversely, CBT was the best choice for reduction of avoidant behavior while a reduction of subjective general anxiety appeared later than in moclobemide. After 6 months of treatment there were best results reached in groups treated with CBT and there was no advantage of the combined treatment. The relapse rate during the 24-month follow up was significantly lower in the group treated with CBT in comparison with the group A. formerly treated with moclobemide alone....

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Journal Article 2006; 27(4): 445-452 PubMed PMID: 16891997 Citation  Keywords:  Adult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Aging:immunology, Antioxidants:metabolism, Carcinogens:pharmacology, Circadian Rhythm:immunology, Female, Flow Cytometry, Granulocytes:drug effects, Humans, Infant, Newborn, Male, Middle Aged, Monocytes:drug effects, Oxidat.   

OBJECTIVES: In the present paper the circadian variation and age differences in human leukocyte reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and plasma total antioxidant status were studied. Different ROS levels could influence disease during ageing and at different times of the day/night.

METHODS: Unstimulated and stimulated (12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA) blood samples were analysed by flow cytometry using dihydroethidium (DHE) and dihydrorhodamine 123 (DHR) as probes. 60 healthy individuals were divided into five equal groups ((I) 1-2 days post partum, (II) 20 +/- 2 years, (III) 40 +/- 2 years, (IV) 60 +/- 2 years and (V) 80 +/- 2 years) and 6 healthy volunteers were followed with blood samples at 3 hour intervals for 24 hours.

RESULTS: We observed a significant peak of ROS levels in both monocytes and granulocytes at 6 pm and 3 am using DHE as probe. DHR showed in principle the same pattern. The monocytes (unstimulated and stimulated) and unstimulated granulocytes of the newborn group showed higher ROS values than all the other groups, whereas the groups of adults did not differ from each other. The plasma total antioxidant status was significantly higher in the newborn group and showed no circadian variation.

CONCLUSIONS: The present data show that there is a circadian variation of ROS production in leukocytes that might possibly influence the occurrence of cardiovascular incidents like myocardial infarction. No increase in ROS production was found in healthy elderly compared to younger individuals. The increased ROS levels and antioxidant status of newborns might influence neonate immunity and play a part in cell signalling and development....

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Journal Article 2006; 27(4): 459-464 PubMed PMID: 16891995 Citation  Keywords:  Adolescent, Biomarkers:blood, Blood Glucose, Blood Pressure:immunology, C-Reactive Protein:metabolism, Child, Endothelium, Vascular:immunology, Female, Humans, Inflammation:epidemiology, Insulin:blood, Insulin Resistance:immunology, Intercellular Adhesion.   

OBJECTIVE: To determine the role of low-grade, systemic inflammation and endothelial activation in the modulation of blood pressure (BP) independently of other traditional risk factors in obese children and adolescents.

DESIGN: We surveyed 281 obese subjects, aged 6-18 years to investigate the relationship of serum inflammation and endothelial activation markers and blood pressure.

MEASUREMENTS: Clinical variables, indices of obesity, ambulatory 24-h blood pressure and serum concentrations of C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta), intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), glucose and insulin. HOMA IR was used as a marker of insulin resistance (IR).

RESULTS: CRP, IL-6, IL-1 beta, and ICAM-1 correlated significantly with mean 24-h systolic BP, whereas CRP and IL-6 was positively correlated with mean 24-h diastolic BP. Multiple regression analysis showed that serum IL-6 (P < .001) concentration, HOMA IR (P < .01), and waist to hip ratio (P < .05) were the significant determinants of systolic BP, whereas CRP (P < .05) level was the only predictor of diastolic BP. There were no significant associations of cell adhesion molecules with BP.

CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that low-grade inflammation may play a role in the modulation of arterial BP relatively early in life....

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Journal Article 2006; 27(4): 501-505 PubMed PMID: 16891994 Citation  Keywords:  Animals, Cerebral Decortication, Corpus Callosum:cytology, Denervation, Frontal Lobe:cytology, Functional Laterality, Luteinizing Hormone:blood, Male, Neural Pathways, Occipital Lobe:cytology, Pituitary Gland, Anterior:metabolism, Rats, Rats, Wistar, Test.   

OBJECTIVES: In addition to being regulated by the hypothalamo-hypophyseal system, testosterone (T) secretion is influenced by a number of less understood mechanisms. The aim of the present study was to examine whether defined areas of the right cerebral cortex could modulate T production.

METHODS: In adult male Wistar rats right frontal or occipital decortication, anterior or posterior callosotomy and corresponding sham-operations were performed. After 7-day survival time, T secretion in vitro, serum T and LH concentrations were measured by RIA.

RESULTS: Right occipital decortication and posterior callosotomy resulted in an increase in T secretion in vitro when compared to the corresponding sham-operated controls. In contrast, right frontal decortication or anterior callosotomy did not interfere with steroidogenesis. Serum LH concentration was not altered by any interventions.

CONCLUSION: The right occipital but not the right frontal cortex is involved in the control of T secretion. The caudal part of the corpus callosum accommodating the fibers originating from the occipital cortex might have a similar function. The fact that LH remained unchanged in all experimental groups suggests that the right occipital cortex and the caudal part of the corpus callosum influence testicular steroidogenesis by a pituitary-independent mechanism....

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Journal Article 2006; 27(4): 439-444 PubMed PMID: 16891992 Citation  Keywords:  Adult, Choice Behavior:physiology, Decision Making:physiology, Economics, Humans, Impulsive Behavior:metabolism, Male, Nonlinear Dynamics, Risk-Taking, Saliva:metabolism, Surveys and Questionnaires, Testosterone:metabolism, Time Factors,.   

OBJECTIVES: Although impulsivity has been associated with androgens (e.g., testosterone), little is known regarding the relationship between testosterone levels and impulsivity in intertemporal choice (delay discounting). This study was aimed to examine the relationship between delay discounting of gains and losses and testosterone levels, which is of interest in neuroendocrinology and neuroeconomics.

METHODS: We assessed degrees to which delayed monetary gains and losses were discounted (hyperbolic discounting rate) in healty male students (age: 22.4+/-2.67). Participants' salivary testosterone levels were also assessed by utilizing liquid chromatography/mass spectroscopy (LC/MS) method.

RESULTS: Non-linear curve fitting analysis showed an inverted-U relationship between delay discounting of gains and salivary testosterone levels; while no relationship between salivary testosterone levels and delay discounting of losses was observed.

CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that (i) testosterone may enhance delay discounting rate of gains in non-impulsive subjects, (ii) testosterone may have an opposite (reducing) effect on delay discounting rate of gains in impulsive subjects, and (iii) testosterone is unrelated to subject's sensitivity to future bad outcomes. Implications for evaluating the effects of testosterone treatment and anti-androgenic therapy on impulsive behavior often observed in psychiatrics (e.g., pathological gambling, credit card debt, substance misuse, and needle-sharing) are discussed....

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Controlled Clinical Trial 2006; 27(4): 513-515 PubMed PMID: 16891991 Citation  Keywords:  Aged, Analgesics:administration & dosage, Bone Density Conservation Agents:administration & dosage, Diphosphonates:administration & dosage, Female, Humans, Infusions, Intravenous, Male, Middle Aged, Osteitis Deformans:complications, Pain:drug therapy, Pai.   

INTRODUCTION: Although an analgesic effect is an essential component of the mode of action of bisphosphonates, its physiological mechanisms are still unclear. Beta-endorphin release plays an important role in the analgesic effect of both calcitonin and raloxifene. As patients with Paget's disease receive large doses of bisphosphonates within relatively short time periods, we examined whether repeated pamidronate infusion therapy would cause measurable change in beta-endorphin levels

MATERIALS & METHODS: Visual analog scale (VAS) scores of pain intensity, beta-endorphin levels, and alkaline phosphatase activity of 11 patients with Paget's disease (7 with the mono- and 4 with the polyostotic form) were determined at baseline, as well as after 3 and 6 infusions (on Days 6 and 12 of treatment, respectively). Eleven untreated patients with Paget's disease (7 with the mono- and 4 with the polyostotic form) served as controls.

RESULTS: It was established that in the course of pamidronate infusion therapy BE levels remained constant, whereas the values in serum alkaline phosphatase and pain intensity scores were significantly reduced.

CONCLUSIONS: Although high-dose pamidronate therapy does mitigate pain substantially (as demonstrated by the reduction of VAS scores), its analgesic action is probably unrelated to the enhancement of beta-endorphin release....

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