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Journal Article 2018; 39(4): 310-314 PubMed PMID: 30531705 Citation  Keywords:  Age Factors, Animals, Behavior, Animal:drug effects, Brain Edema:physiopathology, Erythropoietin:pharmacology, Locomotion:drug effects, Male, Motor Activity:drug effects, Neuroprotective Agents:pharmacology, Rats, Rats, Wistar, Recombinant Proteins:pharma.   

OBJECTIVES: Effect of recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO) on spontaneous motor activity was tested in young rats after intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of rhEPO, followed by induction of cellular brain edema (CE). Induced changes in the spontaneous horizontal locomotor activity was studied by open field test (OFT). METHODS: CE was induced by water intoxication (WI) using standard method of fractional hyperhydration accompanied with desmopressin administration. Using the accepted method of OFT average time spent in locomotion (s) was determined. 48 young rats at the age of 25, and 35 days were divided into three groups - controls, rats after WI (OFT followed after 44 hours), and rats administered with rhEPO prior to application WI (OFT after 48 hours). RESULTS: In 35-day-old rats rhEPO administration increased the spontaneous locomotor activity, previously decreased by cellular edema. In 25-day-old rats, rhEPO administration prior to the induced CE, decreased spontaneous locomotor activity. CONCLUSION: Presented results demonstrate the neuroprotective capacity of rhEPO, manifested by elimination of the suppressive influence of CE on the locomotion in 35-day-old rats. In 25-day-old rats the neuroprotective effect was not present. These results confirmed that the 10 day interval in the development may represent a different stage of brain maturation in the relation to the neuroprotective effect of rhEPO....

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Journal Article 2018; 39(4): 277-280 PubMed PMID: 30531704 Citation  Keywords:  Animals, Hypothalamus:enzymology, Light, Male, Neprilysin:metabolism, Photoperiod, Pituitary Gland:enzymology, Rats,.   

OBJECTIVES: Enkephalins functions are partly modulated by enkephalinases especially membrane-bound alanyl aminopeptidase (EC-3.4.11.2) considered as the major enkephalin-degrading enzyme in brain. The analysis of its activity in standard and non-standard light/dark conditions may help the understanding of the regulatory mechanisms of enkephalins. METHODS: Enkephalinase activity was determined fluorometrically, using an arylamide derivative as substrate, in hypothalamus and pituitary of adult male rats, in a standard 12:12 h light/dark cycle; samples were collected at 10:00 h, 13:00 h and 16:00 h of the light period (light on from 7:00 to 19:00 h) and at 22:00 h, 01:00 h and 04:00 h of the dark one (light off from 19:00 h to 07:00 h). For comparison, the enzymatic activity was also measured in the same locations at the same time-points but under constant light conditions. RESULTS: In standard light/dark conditions, the results demonstrated an opposite daily rhythm in hypothalamus and pituitary. While the highest levels of AlaAP or enkephalinase activities were measured in hypothalamus during the dark period, they were the highest in the pituitary during the light one. In contrast, the lowest levels of activity were observed in the light period in the hypothalamus whereas they were in the dark one in the pituitary. A similar pattern was observed under constant light. The differences were however higher in hypothalamus and lower, but still significant, in pituitary. CONCLUSION: These results may reflect the behaviour of the endogenous substrates of enkephalinase and consequently be involved in their functions. This observation may affect the chronotherapeutic strategies....

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Journal Article 2018; 39(4): 315-320 PubMed PMID: 30531703 Citation  Keywords:  Animals, Cadmium:analysis, Chromium:analysis, Copper:analysis, Fishes, Lead:analysis, Mercury:analysis, Metals, Heavy:analysis, Muscles:chemistry, Nickel:analysis, Rivers, Salmonidae, Slovakia, Trout, Zinc:analysis,.   

OBJECTIVES: This study determines the levels of selected contaminants in the muscle of three common fish species from the upper course of the Nitra River. DESIGN: Were detected levels of Zn, Cu, Ni, Cr, Pb, Cd and Hg in the muscle and correlations among selected metals as well as standard length and total weight in brown trout (Salmo trutta morpha fario), Alpine bullhead (Cottus poecilopus) and grayling (Thymallus thymallus). RESULTS: The content of analysed metals (mg.kg-1 wet weight) ranged as follows: brown trout - Zn 5.86-12.97, Cu 0.51-0.76, Ni 0.00-0.37, Cr 0.18-0.41, Pb 0.00-0.34, Cd 0.03-0.13, Hg 0.04-0.07; Alpine bullhead - Zn 7.02-13.68, Cu 0.34-0.62, Ni 0.00-1.13, Cr 0.19-0.24, Pb 0.00-0.37, Cd 0.03-0.09, Hg 0.06-0.18; grayling - Zn 3.38-6.36, Cu - 0.46-0.62, Ni 0.04-0.22, Cr 0.13-0.22, Pb 0.00-0.25, Cd 0.02-0.09, Hg 0.05-0.12, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The Slovak permissible limits for safe consumption, defined in the Commission Regulations No. 1881/2006 and 629/2008, in the case of Pb, Cd and Hg were exceeded in 10%, 63% and 0%, respectively....

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Journal Article 2018; 39(4): 325-330 PubMed PMID: 30531702 Citation  Keywords:  Adolescent, Adult, Diet, Dietary Exposure, Female, Humans, Meat, Milk, Human:chemistry, Trichothecenes:analysis, Turkey, Young Adult, Zearalenone:analysis,.   

INTRODUCTION: Zearalenone (ZEA) and deoxynivalenol (DON) are toxic fungal secondary metabolites, found mainly in contaminated food, that are associated with serious health problems. It is important to identify undesirable toxins and metabolites that may be present in human milk. The aim of this study was to evaluate human milk ZEA and DON levels, total daily intake of ZEA and DON; and their possible relationship with maternal dietary habits. METHODS: We enrolled 90 lactating mothers who had 7- to 90-day-old babies. A dietary questionnaire was completed by each of the mothers. Human milk samples were obtained from 90 mothers, and human milk ZEA and DON levels were evaluated with the solid-phase direct enzyme immunoassay. The total daily intake (TDI) was calculated for the 63 exclusively breastfed infants. RESULTS: ZEA was detected in all human milk samples; median was 173.8 ng/L (35.7-682 ng/L). The calculated median TDI for ZEA was 33.0 ng/kg body weight (bw) (10.4-120.5 ng/kg) among exclusively breast-fed infants, none of them had a TDI that was above the previously defined threshold levels. Human milk ZEA levels were associated with the maternal consumption of meat, fish, dry fig, dried apricot, flaked red spice and spice. The median DON levels was 3924 ng/L (400-14997 ng/L). The median TDI of DON was 750 ng/kg (240-2774 ng/kg) among exclusively breastfed infants and 36% out of them, the TDI for DON was above the previously defined threshold level. Human milk DON levels were associated with the maternal meat consumption. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings are indicative of dietary exposure to mycotoxins during the pregnancy and lactation periods in nursing mothers. Further, the excessive TDI values for DON observed in 36% of the exclusively breastfed infants point to the need for further regulations and recommendations on the dietary habits of pregnant/nursing mothers in order to avoid exposure to potential mycotoxins....

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Journal Article 2018; 39(4): 281-287 PubMed PMID: 30531701 Citation  Keywords:  Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Brain Neoplasms:radiotherapy, Female, Glioblastoma:radiotherapy, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Neoplasm Recurrence, Local:radiotherapy, Palliative Care, Radiosurgery, Retrospective Studies, Survival Rate, Treatment.   

OBJECTIVE: Local recurrence of glioblastoma is observed in most patients after standard oncologic treatment (surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy). Stereotactic radiosurgery with the Leksell Gamma Knife (SRS with LGK) was used to treat recurrent tumors in selected cases, and retrospective analysis of treatment outcome was performed. METHODS: Altogether 126 patients were treated for glioblastoma at our center from 1992-2014. Sixty-nine patients (55%) were male and 57 (45%) female, with a median age of 56 years (range 17-80 years). Prior to LGK radiosurgery, 123 (98%) underwent surgery, 126 (100%) radiotherapy and 116 (92%) chemotherapy. The median Karnofsky score before LGK radiosurgery was 90% (range 50-100), and the median time from GBM diagnosis to LGK radiosurgery was 12 months (range 1-96 months). The median tumor volume was 3.75 cm3 (range 0.04-37.10 cm3). LGK radiosurgery was performed in a single fraction with a median minimal tumor dose of 12 Gy (range 10-25 Gy) on a median 50% (range 40-86%) isodose line. Two and more LGK radiosurgeries were performed in 19 (15%) cases, a median interval of 9.6 months (range 2-45 months) from the initial LGK radiosurgery. The median prescribed dose in these patients was 12.6 Gy (range 10-15 Gy), and the median volume 5.8 cm3 (range 0.1-13.7 cm3). RESULTS: The median survival from GBM diagnosis was 20 months (range 6-237 months). The median survival after LGK radiosurgery was 7 months (range 1-223 months). The one year survival after LGK radiosurgery was 27%, 2 years 8%, and more than 3 years 4%. Tumor regression on MR images was observed in 17% of patients at a median interval of 7 months. The median interval to tumor progression on MR images after LGK treatment was 8.5 months. No treatment-related radionecrosis with expansive behaviour was detected after radiosurgery. CONCLUSION: We show that LGK radiosurgery is a safe palliative treatment modality in patients with recurrent GBM....

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Journal Article 2018; 39(4): 342-348 PubMed PMID: 30531700 Citation  Keywords:  Adult, Cross-Sectional Studies, Human Growth Hormone:blood, Humans, Hydrocortisone:blood, Insulin-Like Growth Factor I:metabolism, Male, Resistance Training, Testosterone:blood, Time Factors, Weight Lifting,.   

OBJECTIVE: Research indicates that among the many elements of resistance exercise protocols, training volume and total training load are the key factors for post-exercise increase in the secretion of testosterone (T), growth hormone (GH), insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) and cortisol (C). The aim of this study was to determine the effects of resistance exercises with variable volume and constant intensity and movement tempo on post-exercise concentrations of selected anabolic and catabolic hormones. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 28 experienced powerlifters (27.8 ± 2.9 years, with 6.64 ± 1.29 years of training experience, average body mass of 85.3 ± 3.3 kg and body height of 165.8 ± 10.3 cm) who compete at the national and international level performed three repetitions of barbell squats with a constant external load of 90% 1RM and variable volume (3, 6 and 12 sets of squats) in three stages (pre-exercise, immediately post exercise, and 1h after exercise) over three consecutive weeks. Venous blood samples (10ml) were collected from the antecubital vein, to determine pre- and post-exercise values of the following variables T, GH, IGF-1, C, at rest, immediately after the cessation of the last set of squats, and after 60 minutes of recovery. RESULTS: The T test showed that performing 6 and 12 sets resulted in increases of post exercise GH (p<0.01). Performing 6 sets of squats resulted in post exercise decrease (p<0.01) in IGF-1 and C. Performing 3 sets of squats resulted in immediate post exercise decrease of IGF-1 (p<0.01), which was not maintained 1h after exercise. There were no other significant differences in analysed variables, with the training volume of three sets of three repetitions, confirming previous data suggesting that low volume is the limiting factor in increased post-exercise secretion. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that in terms of endocrine response, the optimal volume of high intensity strength exercise is six sets. Therefore, intentionally high volume (12 sets) or low volume (3 sets) are not an effective stimuli for endocrine responses of trained individuals. The 6 sets of squats seems to drive hormonal responses of GH, C and IGF-1, which may play a significant role in stimulating muscle growth and tissue regeneration....

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Journal Article 2018; 39(4): 288-293 PubMed PMID: 30531699 Citation  Keywords:  Adult, Chile, Circadian Rhythm, Depression:blood, Female, Humans, Hydrocortisone:blood, Male, Middle Aged, Primary Health Care,.   

BACKGROUND: Cortisol dysregulation has a potential role in depression. AIM AND METHODS: We evaluated depressive symptoms using the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression in 48 primary care subjects without history of previous or current depression and its association with cortisol dysregulation (morning plasma cortisol, 24-hour urinary free cortisol and cortisol metabolites). Presence of metabolic syndrome and inflammatory parameters were also assessed. RESULTS: Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression correlated significantly with morning cortisol, but not with urinary free cortisol or metabolites. A significant increase in morning cortisol by Hamilton groups (asymptomatic ≤8; mild to moderate: 9-18; moderate to severe: ≥19) was observed even when adjusted by age/gender. We observed no association of depressive symptoms with metabolic or inflammatory parameters. CONCLUSION: Depressive symptoms in primary care subjects not consulting for their mood are associated with higher morning plasma cortisol, but not urinary cortisol or its metabolites. These observations suggest that systemic hypercortisolism and related metabolic disorders are not observed in mild/initial states of depressive disorders....

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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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