Impact of endurance exercise on levodopa-associated cortisol release and force increase in patients with Parkinson’s disease

Molecularly imprinted Monolithic column-based SERS sensor for selective detection of cortisol in dog saliva

Molecularly imprinted monolithic column embedded with silver nanoparticles (MIMC@Ag) was synthesized by in-situ polymerization with template and porogen inside capillary tube followed by silver precursor reduction and template/porogen removal for realizing Raman detection of cortisol. Dense silver nanoparticles generated within the monolith makes this kind of column suitable for surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) detection, designated as SERS-MIMC. Scanning electron microscopy and BET profiler confirmed larger pore structure in the column after template removal. The corresponding increased mass transfer/binding rate, selective adsorption and adsorptive mechanism of the MIMC were well studied with a series of adsorption experiments. The minimum Raman detectable concentration of cortisol is 1 × 10^-7 mol L^-1 by using MIMC@Ag with a good linear relationship in the concentration range from 1 × 10^-3 to 1 × 10^-7 mol L^-1. SERS sigmal of cortisol can be clearly distinguished from its analogs (estradiol, cholesterol and dexamethasone), proving the selective recognition of cortisol for SERS detection by MIMC@Ag. This ease-to-prepare SERS-MIMC sensor also shows good stability and reusability. The SERS-MIMC has been successfully applied for the easy, sensitive and selective detection of cortisol in dog saliva.

Psychological Stress and Changes of Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis in Patients with "De Novo" Parkinson's Disease

Introduction:

Psychological stress and changes in hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis in period after diagnosis of “de novo” Parkinson disease (PD) could be a big problem for patients.

Materials and Methods:

We measured psychological stress and changes in hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA) in thirty patients (15:15) with “de novo” Parkinson’s disease, average age 64.17 ± 13.19 (28-82) years (Department of Neurology, University Clinical Center Tuzla). We used Impact of events scale (with 15 questions) to evaluate psychological stress. Normal level of morning cortisol was 201-681 nmol/l, and morning adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) up to 50 pg/ml.

Results:

Almost 55% patients suffered from mild or serious psychological stress according to IES testing (Horowitz et al.). Non-iatrogenic changes in HPA axis were noticed at 30% patients. The differences between female and male patients regarding to the age (p=0.561), value of cortisol (p=0.745), value of ACTH (p=0.886) and IES testing (p=0.318) were not noticed. The value of cortisol was the predictor of value of ACTH (r=0.427).

Conclusion:

Psychological stress and changes in hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis are present in patients with “de novo” PD. There is significant relation between values of cortisol and ACTH. Psychological stress is frequent problem for “de novo” PD patients.

Active assistive forced exercise provides long-term improvement to gait velocity and stride length in patients bilaterally affected by Parkinson's disease

Forced exercise training presents a valid method of improving symptoms of Parkinson's disease such as rigor, dyskinesia and gait dysfunctions. Brain imaging data suggest that use of active assistive forced exercise could improve Parkinsonian symptoms more effectively than passive assistive forced exercise. However, the long-term effects of active versus passive assistive forced exercise on the symptoms of Parkinson's disease are unknown. Here, 24 patients showing bilateral effects of Parkinson's disease underwent a 12 week intervention of either passive or active assistive forced exercise. We analyzed tremor scores, gait patterns, and scores on the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale-III from three timepoints--before beginning the intervention, upon completion of the intervention, and twelve weeks after completion of the intervention. Participation in both passive and active assistive forced exercise increased gait velocity (0.5 km/h), swing phase (2%), monopedal stance phase (2%), elongated stride length (11 cm) and decreased double stance phase (4%). However, with participation in active assistive forced exercise, postural and kinetic tremor were also reduced and gait velocity and stride length were increased long-term. Given these findings, we conclude that future treatment for patients bilaterally affected by Parkinson's disease should carefully consider the type of assistive forced exercise intervention to be used.

Relevance of chronic stress and the two faces of microglia in Parkinson's disease

This review is aimed to highlight the importance of stress and glucocorticoids (GCs) in modulating the inflammatory response of brain microglia and hence its potential involvement in Parkinson’s disease (PD). The role of inflammation in PD has been reviewed extensively in the literature and it is supposed to play a key role in the course of the disease. Historically, GCs have been strongly associated as anti-inflammatory hormones. However, accumulating evidence from the peripheral and central nervous system have clearly revealed that, under specific conditions, GCs may promote brain inflammation including pro-inflammatory activation of microglia. We have summarized relevant data linking PD, neuroinflamamation and chronic stress. The timing and duration of stress response may be critical for delineating an immune response in the brain thus probably explain the dual role of GCs and/or chronic stress in different animal models of PD.

Acute effects of passive leg cycling on upper extremity tremor and bradykinesia in Parkinson's disease

BACKGROUND

Previous studies have shown that single bouts of high-rate active cycling (> 80 rpm) improve upper extremity motor function in individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD). It is unknown if passive leg cycling produces a similar effect on upper extremity function. This article examines whether passive leg cycling can promote immediate changes in upper tremor and bradykinesia in PD and if pedaling rates have variable effects.

METHODS

Twenty individuals with mild-to-moderate idiopathic PD completed 4 sessions, with each session taking place 1 week apart. In the second to fourth sessions, a motorized bicycle was set to passively rotate the subjects' legs at rates of 60, 70, or 80 rpm for 30 minutes. Quantitative upper extremity motor assessments were completed immediately before and after each session.

RESULTS

Passive leg cycling was shown to reduce tremor and bradykinesia in PD. However, the rate of passive cycling did not affect the degree of improvement in bradykinesia or tremor.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that lower extremity passive cycling can promote changes in upper extremity motor function in individuals with PD.

Exercise alleviates Parkinsonism: clinical and laboratory evidence

The present review examines the putative benefits for individuals afflicted with Parkinsonism, whether in the clinical setting or in the animal laboratory, accruing from different exercise regimes. The tendency for patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) to express either normal or reduced exercise capacity appears regulated by factors such as fatigue, quality-of-life and disorder severity. The associations between physical exercise and risk for PD, the effects of exercise on idiopathic Parkinsonism and quality-of-life, the effects of exercise on animal laboratory models of Parkinsonism and dopamine (DA) loss following neurotoxic insults, and the effects of exercise on the DA precursor, L-Dopa, efficacy are examined. It would appear to be case that in view of the particular responsiveness of the dopaminergic neurons to exercise, the principle of 'use it or lose' may be of special applicability among PD patients.