P2X7 purinergic receptor modulates dentate gyrus excitatory neurotransmission and alleviates schizophrenia-like symptoms in mouse

ATP-gated P2X7 receptors (P2X7Rs) play a crucial role in brain disorders. However, how they affect normal and pathological synaptic transmission is still largely unclear. Here, by using whole-cell patch-clamp technique to record AMPA- and NMDA receptor-mediated excitatory postsynaptic currents (s/mEPSCs) in dentate gyrus granule cells (DG GCs), we revealed a modulation by P2X7Rs of presynaptic sites, especially originated from entorhinal cortex (EC)-GC path but not the mossy cell (MC)-GC path. The involvement of P2X7Rs was confirmed using a pharmacological approach. Additionally, the acute activation of P2X7Rs directly elevated calcium influx from EC-GC terminals. In postnatal phencyclidine (PCP)-induced mouse model of schizophrenia, we observed that P2X7R deficiency restored the EC-GC synapse alteration and alleviated PCP-induced symptoms. To summarize, P2X7Rs participate in the modulation of GC excitatory neurotransmission in the DG via EC-GC pathway, contributing to pathological alterations of neuronal functions leading to neurodevelopmental disorders.

Stress and Anxiety among High School Adolescents: Correlations between Physiological and Psychological Indicators in a Longitudinal Follow-Up Study

Mental and psychological disorders are serious health problems worldwide. Anxiety among high school students can affect school performance, relationships, and family life.

OBJECTIVE

Our aim is to understand the anxiety levels and associated factors among high school students and compare the results of psychological tests measuring anxiety with the cortisol levels obtained from biological sampling.

METHOD

In our longitudinal follow-up study, we involved 125 individuals in May 2019. Validated measurement tools were used during questionnaire data collection, including the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Clear Communication Scale, Multiple Social Perceived Support Scale, and related HBSC questions. As objective data, we collected hair samples for cortisol level measurement.

RESULTS

At the end of the school year, the anxiety levels measured by psychological tests were significantly higher (p = 0.001) compared to the anxiety levels at the beginning of the next school year. Anxiety levels were higher among girls and were influenced by the type of school and parental expectations. Both state anxiety and trait anxiety showed a strong correlation with psychosomatic symptoms (p < 0.001) and anxiety arising from school expectations (p < 0.05). The changes in cortisol levels did not follow the changes in psychological tests. Cortisol level increased (p = 0.01) in the second sample.

Low level of perfectionism as a possible risk factor for suicide in adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

Introduction

Previous research highlighted that adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are four times as vulnerable to suicidal behavior as the healthy population. Maladaptive perfectionism is also viewed as an important risk factor for suicide. Yet, there are no studies which focused on the relationship between perfectionism and suicide among adolescents with ADHD.

Objectives

The objective of the present study was to explore if perfectionism may be a risk factor for suicidal behavior in adolescents with ADHD.

Methods

The clinical group was recruited from outpatient clinics, while the non-clinical group was recruited from high schools around Hungary. The clinical group’s inclusion criterion was ADHD diagnoses, while the non-clinical group required the absence of any current or past psychiatric treatment or diagnoses.

Results

In the ADHD group 88 adolescents participated, and 96 adolescents participated in the non-clinical group. There was no difference regarding the level of perfectionism in the groups, except one dimension of perfectionism, which is ‘Organization’. The ADHD group had significantly higher level of suicidal behavior than the control group ((χ2 (1) = 11.222, p < .001, V = 0.25). Among the ADHD group adaptive perfectionism was significantly negatively correlated with suicidal behaviour.

Conclusions

Adolescents with ADHD did not have a different level of perfectionism than the healthy control group only in ‘Organization’ trait. This result could add to the therapeutic work with adolescents diagnosed with ADHD with underlining the importance to focus on organizational skills. The result highlights that adaptive perfectionism appears to be a protective factor against suicidality.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.

The dualistic role of the purinergic P2Y12-receptor in an in vivo model of Parkinson's disease: Signalling pathway and novel therapeutic targets

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a chronic, progressive neurodegenerative condition; characterized with the degeneration of the nigrostriatal dopaminergic pathway and neuroinflammation. During PD progression, microglia, the resident immune cells in the central nervous system (CNS) display altered activity, but their role in maintaining PD development has remained unclear to date. The purinergic P2Y12-receptor (P2Y12R), which is expressed on the microglia in the CNS has been shown to regulate microglial activity and responses; however, the function of the P2Y12R in PD is unknown. Here we show that MPTP-induced PD symptoms in mice are associated with marked neuroinflammatory changes and P2Y12R contribute to the activation of microglia and progression of the disease. Surprisingly, while pharmacological or genetic targeting of the P2Y12R augments acute mortality in MPTP-treated mice, these interventions protect against the neurodegenerative cell loss and the development of neuroinflammation in vivo. Pharmacological inhibition of receptors during disease development reverses the symptoms of PD and halts disease progression. We found that P2Y12R regulates ROCK and p38 MAPK activity and control cytokine production. Our principal finding is that the receptor has a dualistic role in PD: functional P2Y12Rs are essential to initiate a protective inflammatory response, since the lack of the receptor leads to reduced survival; however, at later stages of neurodegeneration, P2Y12Rs are apparently responsible for maintaining the activated state of microglia and stimulating pro-inflammatory cytokine response. Understanding protective and detrimental P2Y12R-mediated actions in the CNS may reveal novel approaches to control neuroinflammation and modify disease progression in PD.

AB0107 INVESTIGATION OF THE EFFECTS OF KYNURENIC ACID ANALOGS IN RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Background:

The investigation of anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive functions of kynurenic acid (KYNA) is now in focus. Previously, we demonstrated the opposite effects of KYNA and different KYNA analogs on tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) production and tumor necrosis factor-stimulated gene-6 (TSG-6) expression in U-937 monocytic cells. The potential effect of KYNA analogs on further immune mediators including alarmins (S100A12=EN-RAGE and S100A8/9=calprotectin), and on human neutrofil peptide 1-3(α-defensin) production has not been investigated.

Objectives:

Therefore, in the present study, we compared the effects of newly synthesized KYNA analog on the TNF-α, alarmins and α-defensin production, correlation with the effects on the TSG-6 expression in rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods:

93 RA patients were involved and divided subgroups based on DAS28 activity score. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) was isolated from RA patients and healthy controls. As cytokine inducers heat inactivatedStaphylococcus aureus(SA1) were used. In parallel in vitro experiments, the SA1 induced PBMCs were pretreated with a newly synthesized KYNA analog (compound SZR-72 was synthesized by direct amidation of KYNA). The concentrations of the above mentioned inflammatory mediators in the supernatants were quantified by using ELISA kits and the TSG-6 expression was also determined by RTqPCR method.

Results:

The SA1 induced TNF-α, EN-RAGE, calprotectin and α-defensin production was significantly higher in RA patients’ group than in healthy controls. KYNA analog attenuated the SA1 induced TNF-α, EN-RAGE, calprotectin and α-defensin production, and increased TSG-6 production and TSG-6 mRNA expression in PBMC cells from RA patients. The SA1 induced TNF-α and TSG-6 production correlated with the DAS28 activity score. The TNF-α inhibitory effect of the KYNA analog correlated inversely with the TSG-6 stimulatory effect in all subgroups of RA patients based on DAS28 activity score.

Conclusion:

TSG-6 expression could participate in the suppression of inflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-α, EN-RAGE, calprotectin and α-defensin. We suppose that the elevation of the TSG-6 expression by KYNA and especially by new KYNA analogs might be one of the mechanisms that are responsible for their suppressive effect on TNF-α production as a feedback mechanism in RA. KYNA and KYNA analogs have an important role in influencing TSG-6 expression, and there is a possible benefit with potential therapeutic consequence of targeting TSG-6 expression by kynurenines in inflammatory conditions in RA.

References:

[1]Mándi Y, Endrész V, Mosolygó T, Burián K, Lantos I, Fülöp F, Szatmári I, Lőrinczi B, Balog A, Vécsei L, The Opposite Effects of Kynurenic Acid and Different Kynurenic Acid Analogs on Tumor Necrosis Factor-a (TNF-a) Production and Tumor Necrosis Factor-Stimulated Gene-6 (TSG-6) Expression. Frontiers in Immunology. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.01406

Acknowledgments:

This work was supported by GINOP 2.3.2-2015-16-00034

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

Preparation of cubic-shaped sorafenib-loaded nanocomposite using well-defined poly(vinyl alcohol alt-propenylene) copolymer

Vinyl alcohol (VA) copolymers having fine tunable polarities are emerging materials in drug delivery applications. VA copolymers rendering well-defined molecular architecture (C/OH ratio = 2, 4, 5 and 8) were used as carriers for model drug compound, fluorescein, which exhibited significantly different release characteristics depending on the polarity of the polymers. Based on the preliminary drug release tests the well-defined VA copolymer having C/OH = 5 ratio, poly(vinyl alcohol alt-propenylene) copolymer (PVA-5) was selected for nanocomposite synthesis. Sorafenib anticancer drug was embedded into PVA-5 (C/OH = 5 ratio) nanoparticles by nanoprecipitation resulting in nanoparticles exhibiting unusual cubic shape. The sorafenib-loaded nanocomposites showed continuous release during a day and concentration-dependant cytotoxicity on HT-29 cancer cells. This might be interpreted by the sustained release of the drug.

Different work schedules of nurses in Hungary and their effects on health

Background and purpose

The shift work is burdensome for nurses and may lead to health problems. Aims - The purpose of the study was to examine the nursing shift system types and to analyse the effects on nutritional status, subjective state of physical and mental health in case of different shift schedules.

Methods

In the first phase of the research 326 nurses working in changing shifts filled out the Bergen Shift Work Questionnaire after adaptation into Hungarian. 518 nurses participated in our second study in hospitals of the South-Danubian Region, in clinics of University of Pécs and at trainings organized by the Faculty of Health Sciences of the University of Pécs.

Results

Based on the psychometric characteristics of Bergen Shift Work Questionnaire technically it is suitable for the examination of sleeping disorders associated with shift work. Sleeping quality is worse in those working in irregular work shifts compared to those working in regular and flexible work schedules (p<0.001). The irregular work schedule is worse than the regular work schedule according to 76.6% of the nurses. According to 63.8% of the respondents the following regular work schedule is the best: after one 12-hour day shift one 12-hour night shift, followed by two days of rest. The average Body Mass Index (BMI) is 26.16 kg/m2. Since the nurses work in shift work 47.7% of them reported weight gain. Among the psychosomatic symptoms the most frequent is back pain (78.4%) related elevated BMI (p=0.013). The nurses' sense of coherence on average is 61.76 points. In case of full-time employees the sense of coherence is better than those who work in shifts (t=2.933, p=0.004). The nurses working irregular shift work asses their health worst (mean rank: 166.61; p=0.019), and their sense of coherence is lower (p=0.04).

Conclusion

The irregularity of work schedules is stressful for nurses. Due to the health of nurses it would be useful to establish the least exhausting work schedules.

Sample preparation of atmospheric aerosol for the determination of carbonyl compounds

Sample preparation including sonication and solid phase extraction has been developed for the determination of carbonyl compounds in atmospheric aerosol. Aerosol samples were sonicated in acidified acetonitrile containing 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH) to form hydrazone derivatives of aldehydes and ketones. Water was added to the extract to increase its polarity. Then the solution was passed through an octadecyl or phenyl solid phase extraction cartridge. The concentrated hydrazone derivatives were eluted with tetrahydrofuran, the eluate was evaporated to dryness then dissolved in acetonitrile/water mixture and finally analysed by RP-HPLC with UV detection at 360 nm. The absolute detection limits of the individual carbonyl compounds range from 0.4 to 5.8 ng.

Vitamin D supply among healthy blood donors in County Vas, Hungary

Introduction: There is growing evidence showing the importance of adequate vitamin D supply for preserving health. Aim: The aim of the study was to evaluate the vitamin D supply among healthy blood donors and healthy elderly subjects in County Vas, Hungary. Methods: Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D, intact parathyroid hormone, calcium and albumin (Cobas, Modular, Roche), as well as serum alfa-2-globulin concentrations (Gelelfo, Interlab) were determined in 178 serum samples (68 men, 110 women, 41 were taking oral contraceptives). The results were analysed according to sex and age (younger and older than 43 years), and the impact of oral contraceptive use was also taken into consideration. Results: Deficiency and insufficiency in vitamin D levels were detected in 9.6% and 32% of the studied subjects, respectively, whereas sufficient vitamin D levels were present in 58.4% of the subjects. 63% of the older and 41.2% of the younger group had suboptimal vitamin-D supply (p < 0.01). In women taking oral contraceptives serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D and alfa-2-globulin levels were significantly higher, whereas serum albumin and calcium levels were lower than in the control group. There was no difference in serum intact parathyroid hormone concentration between oral anticoncipient users and non-users. Conclusions: The occurrence of suboptimal vitamin D supply is significant, although less frequent than that in literature reports. In women taking oral contraceptives, serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels were higher, but serum intact parathyroid hormone concentrations were not decreased suggesting that the increased 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels may be the consequence of oestrogen-induced alterations of serum protein fractions. Orv. Hetil., 2012, 153, 1629–1637.

Effect of CO2 enrichment on canopy photosynthesis, water use efficiency and early development of tomato and pepper hybrids

The effect of CO2 enrichment on the rate of photosynthesis and the water use efficiency (WUE) of young pepper and tomato plants was studied in the phytotron. A CO2 level of 1000 ppm significantly increased the net assimilation rate in the upper foliage, while the increase was even more considerable in the lower layers of the canopy, with values of up to 100%. The 1500 ppm CO2 level caused a further substantial increase in CO2 assimilation and at least doubled (in tomato) or tripled (in pepper) the water use efficiency on a leaf area basis compared to the ambient values. Although the response in terms of photosynthesis and WUE was not variety-specific, there were differences between the pepper hybrids in the biomass components, exceeding 100% for the total biomass at the 1500 ppm CO2 level. In tomato, however, there was no significant variation in the total biomass of the three hybrids investigated in this early phase of development at either CO2 level.

Effect of climate extremes on the grain yield and quality of cereals

A long-term experiment was started in 2005 in the Agricultural Research Institute to monitor the effects of extreme climatic events on the grain yield, quality and disease resistance of cereals. The yield was poor in 2007 due to the long dry period from autumn till spring, while it was high in 2006 and 2008 when there was more precipitation. The grain quality was the highest in 2007, however, despite the extreme weather events. Fungicide treatment generally resulted in higher yield potential and better grain quality in every year.

Study of solvent-protein coupling effects by neutron scattering

The present work aims to characterize the dynamical behavior of proteins immersed in bio-preserving liquids and glasses. For this purpose, the protein dUTPase was chosen, while the selected solvents were glycerol, a triol, and some homologous disaccharides, i.e., trehalose, maltose, and sucrose, which are known to be very effective bio-preserving agents. The results highlight that the disaccharides show a slowing down effect on the water dynamics, which is stronger for trehalose than in the case of the other disaccharides. Furthermore, a characterization of the medium which hosts the protein is performed by using an operative definition of fragility based on the mean square displacement extracted by elastic incoherent neutron scattering, which is directly connected to Angell's kinetic fragility based on the viscosity. Finally, a study of the dynamics of the protein sequestered within the solvents is performed. The result shows that the protein dynamics is coupled with that of the surrounding matrix.

Correlated species differences in the effects of cannabinoid ligands on anxiety and on GABAergic and glutamatergic synaptic transmission

Cannabinoid ligands show therapeutic potential in a variety of disorders including anxiety. However, the anxiety-related effects of cannabinoids remain controversial as agonists show opposite effects in mice and rats. Here we compared the effects of the cannabinoid agonist WIN-55,212 and the CB1 antagonist AM-251 in CD1 mice and Wistar rats. Special attention was paid to antagonist–agonist interactions, which had not yet been studied in rats. In mice, WIN-55,212 decreased whereas AM-251 increased anxiety. The antagonist abolished the effects of the agonist. In contrast, WIN-55,212 increased anxiety in rats. Surprisingly, the antagonist potentiated this effect. Cannabinoids affect both GABAergic and glutamatergic functions, which play opposite roles in anxiety. We hypothesized that discrepant findings resulted from species differences in the relative responsiveness of the two transmitter systems to cannabinoids. We investigated this hypothesis by studying the effects of WIN-55,212 on evoked hippocampal inhibitory and excitatory postsynaptic currents (IPSCs and EPSCs). IPSCs were one order of magnitude more sensitive to WIN-55,212 in mice than in rats. In mice, IPSCs were more sensitive than EPSCs to WIN-55,212. This is the first study showing that the relative cannabinoid sensitivity of GABA and glutamate neurotransmission is species-dependent. Based on behavioural and electrophysiological findings, we hypothesize that WIN-55,212 reduced anxiety in mice by affecting GABA neurotransmission whereas it increased anxiety in rats via glutamatergic mechanisms. In rats, AM-251 potentiated this anxiogenic effect by inhibiting the anxiolytic GABAergic mechanism. We suggest that the anxiety-related effects of cannabinoids depend on the relative cannabinoid responsiveness of GABAergic and glutamatergic neurotransmission.

Cannabinoid CB1 receptor dependent effects of the NMDA antagonist phencyclidine in the social withdrawal model of schizophrenia

Clinical and laboratory findings suggest that cannabinoid signalling is implicated in schizophrenia. However, the interaction remains poorly understood, as data are often contradictory. Here we investigated wild-type (WT) and cannabinoid CB1 receptor-knockout (CB1-KO) mice in the phencyclidine-induced social withdrawal model of schizophrenia. N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonists (including phencyclidine) induce psychotic symptoms in humans, and are used to model schizophrenia in a variety of experimental conditions. In WTs, 5 mg/kg phencyclidine increased locomotion and stereotyped behaviours, and decreased social interactions. These changes are consistent with a schizophrenia-like effect. In CB1-KOs, phencyclidine decreased locomotion, enhanced ataxia and stereotypy more markedly than in WTs, but did not affect social interactions. Locomotion showed a significant negative correlation with both ataxia and stereotypy, suggesting that in CB1-KOs, the locomotor suppressive effect of phencyclidine was secondary to changes in these variables. Our findings demonstrate that CB1 gene disruption dramatically alters the behavioural effects of the NMDA antagonist phencyclidine, suggesting that the CB1 receptor is involved in schizophrenia. As social disruption and stereotypy respectively are believed to model negative and positive symptoms of schizophrenia, our findings tentatively suggest that cannabinoids are differentially involved in these two symptom categories. These findings require verification by experiments involving CB1 receptor blockers, as the genetic and pharmacological blockade of receptors may not always provide similar results.

Radionuclide monitoring strategy for food-chain in Hungary

Annually about 3000 samples including foodstuff, feeding material, environmental samples, among them bioindicators are examined by the Radiological Monitoring Network of the Ministry of Agriculture and Regional Development. Environmental monitoring strategy and major properties of the network are described. The median value of specific activity of (137)Cs in all kinds of foodstuff produced in Hungary is below 0.1B q/kg fresh weight, based on regular countrywide survey. The committed effective dose due to ingestion for adults was estimated to be 0.6 microSv for (90)Sr and 0.3 microSv for (137)Cs in 2004 according to a conservative estimation. It is shown how (137)Cs contamination due to the accidental release from the steel mill in Algeciras, Spain in 1998 could be detected by a county station of the network making use of the database of the whole network.

CB1 cannabinoid receptors mediate anxiolytic effects: convergent genetic and pharmacological evidence with CB1-specific agents

Cannabinoids are known to modulate GABAergic and glutamatergic transmission in cortical areas, the former via CB1 and the latter via a novel receptor. Pharmacological data demonstrate that several widely used cannabinoid ligands bind to both receptors, which may explain the inconsistencies in their behavioural effects. Earlier we showed that the cannabinoid antagonist SR-141716A affected behaviour in both CB1 knockout and wild-type animals, and its effect (anxiolysis) was different from that of CB1 gene disruption (anxiogenesis). In the present experiments, we studied the effects of the CB1 antagonist AM-251, and the cannabinoid agonist WIN-55,212-2 in wild-type as well as in CB1 knockout mice. CB1 knockout mice showed higher scores of anxiety-like behaviour than the wild-type animals in the elevated plus-maze. Selective blockade of CB1 receptors by AM-251 (0.3, 1 and 3 mg/kg) increased anxiety-like behaviour dose-dependently in the wild-type mice but had no effect in the knockouts. In wild types, the cannabinoid agonist WIN-55,212-2 (1 and 3 mg/kg) caused a decrease in anxiety-like behaviour, which was abolished by the CB1-selective antagonist AM-251 (3 mg/kg). The same agonist did not change plus-maze behaviour in CB1 knockout animals. These data demonstrate at the behavioural level that AM-251 and, at low concentrations, WIN-55,212-2, are selective ligands of the CB1 cannabinoid receptor in mice. Our studies on the behavioural effects of the cannabinoid antagonist SR-141716A and the CB1 antagonist AM-251 show that the CB1 and the novel cannabinoid receptor mediate anxiolytic and anxiogenic effects, respectively. This suggests that agonists of the former, or antagonists of the latter, are promising new compounds in the pharmacotherapy of anxiety.

Context-dependent effects of CB1 cannabinoid gene disruption on anxiety-like and social behaviour in mice

Contrasting data were reported regarding the effects of cannabinoids on anxiety and social behaviour in both animals and humans. The cognitive effects of cannabinoids and their interactions with the HPA-axis raise the possibility that cannabinoid effects are context but not behaviour specific. To assess this hypothesis, we submitted CB1 receptor knock-out (CB1-KO) and wild-type (WT) mice to tests, which involved similar behaviours, but the behavioural context was different. The elevated plus-maze test was performed under less and more anxiogenic conditions, i.e. under low and high light, respectively. We also compared the social behaviour of the two genotypes in the resident/intruder and social interaction tests. Both tests represent a social challenge and induce similar behaviours, but involve different contexts. The behaviour of CB1-KO and WT mice was similar under low light, but CB1 gene disruption increased anxiety-like behaviour under the high light condition. CB1 gene disruption promoted aggressive behaviour in the home-cage, whereas it inhibited social behaviour in the unfamiliar cage. Thus, the anxiogenic-like effect was restricted to the more stressful unfamiliar environment. These data suggest that the effects of CB1 gene disruption were context and not behaviour specific. Novelty stress resulted in higher ACTH levels in CB1-KOs than in WTs, which suggests that context dependency occurred in conjunction with an altered HPA axis function. The present data at least partly explain contrasting effects of cannabinoids in different contexts as well as in different species and strains that show differential stress responses and coping strategies.

[The influence of depression on the effect of Tropisetron in the therapy of fibromyalgia]

As described elsewhere the oral administration of 5 mg of the 5-HT3-receptor-antagonist Tropisetron in fibromyalgia exhibited less amelioration of pain in patients with a depression in comparison to patients without depression. Since an intravenous treatment seems to increase the effect of Tropisetron, the question arises whether patients with depression profit from the intravenous therapy. Methods 68 out patients with fibromyalgia according to ACR-criteria were enrolled in the study. The patients filled in a VAS pain and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) before and after a bolus i.v. injection of 5 mg Tropisetron for 5 days [Beck AT, Steer Ra. Beck-Depression-Inventory (BDI) In: Hautzinger M (Hrsg der dt. Ausg.). Testhandbuch. 1. Auflage Bern: Verlag Hans Huber, 1994]. In the beginning the patients had to have > or = 40 mm in the VAS pain from 0-100 mm. The patients were divided into three groups: group 1 = patients with a BDI<19 without experience with antidepressive drugs (n=26); group 2=patients with a BDI > or = 19 (n=22) and negative experience with antidepressive substances, and group 3=patients with a BDI > or = 19 and an accompanying antidepressant drug therapy and some benefit under this therapy (n=20). Results Before the therapy there was no significant difference in VAS pain in the groups, but in BDI there was a significant difference between group 1 (BDI mean value 11.5) in comparison to group 2 (BDI mean value 26.1) and group 3 (BDI mean value 24.8). After therapy all three groups had a significant amelioration of pain: group 1: p=0.000023; group 2: p=0.00073; group 3: p=0.0145. There was a significant difference between the group with BDI<19 and the group with antidepressant drug in amelioration of pain (p=0.044). A significant correlation was found in group 2 with Beck > or = 19 between amelioration of pain and BDI after therapy (p=0.008, r=0.666). In this group a pain-reactive depression and in group 3 an endogenous depression must be discussed.

Fibromyalgia treatment with intravenous tropisetron administration

A prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, multicenter, double-blind trial in fibromyalgia patients demonstrated that peroral daily treatment with 5 mg tropisetron for 10 days produced a significant reduction in pain and other symptoms. The aim of the present study was to determine whether intravenous administration of 2 mg tropisetron daily for a limited period of time would produce quicker and more favorable results. In the first cohort 18 fibromyalgia patients received a single intravenous injection of 2 mg tropisetron. In the second cohort 24 fibromyalgia patients were treated with 2 mg intravenous tropisetron daily for 5 days. Pain intensity was measured with the visual analog scale and the pain score. Pain at tender and control points (dolorimeter) as well as 17 ancillary symptoms before and after treatment were evaluated. Pain intensity was followed-up by means of a patient diary until recurrence. Dolorimetry revealed that a single intravenous injection of 2 mg tropisetron significantly reduced pain and enhanced pain threshold. These effects, however, lasted for only a few days. Of 18 patients in the first cohort, only three showed no response to therapy. Of the 24 patients in the second cohort, 23 showed pain reduction when 2 mg tropisetron was administered daily for 5 days. Pain relief lasted for 2 weeks to 2 months in 20 of these patients. Two patients stopped filling in the pain diary. Twelve ancillary symptoms such as sleep disturbances, fatigue, morning stiffness were also significantly improved by the latter treatment. In the global assessment 16 out of 24 patients showed significant improvement and seven showed slight improvement. Only one patient experienced no improvement. Tolerability was good. In conclusion, intravenous injection of 2 mg of the 5-hydroxytryptamine3 receptor antagonist tropisetron once daily for 5 days produced a longer-lasting therapeutic effect on fibromyalgia symptoms than did peroral daily treatment with 5 mg of this drug. The results achieved are currently being evaluated in a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial.

IgE-mediated anaphylaxis to Thiomucase, a mucopolyssacharidase: allergens and cross-reactivity

BACKGROUND

Thiomucase is a mucopolysaccharidase obtained from ovine tissues mainly used to facilitate the diffusion of local anaesthetics and in the treatment of cellulitis. A patient with an anaphylaxis in relation to the intramuscular administration of Thiomucase is reported.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate Thiomucase allergens and their possible relationship with dander allergens and animal albumins.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Skin prick tests (SPT) and serum-specific IgE were performed with Thiomucase and danders. Thiomucase SDS-PAGE immunoblotting was performed in order to study allergens. RAST/CAP inhibition and SDS-PAGE immunoblotting inhibition were carried out to study the cross-reactivity.

RESULTS

Skin prick tests (SPT) were positive to Thiomucase, animal dander (cat, dog, sheep, other), bovine serum albumin (BSA), and echinococcus. Specific IgE was also positive to Thiomucase, animal dander (cat, dog, sheep, other), BSA and echinococcus. In the RAST-CAP inhibition assays BSA was nearly completely inhibited by Thiomucase, Thiomucase was partially inhibited by BSA and cat and Echinococcus granulosus was partially inhibited by sheep and Thiomucase. In the Thiomucase SDS-PAGE immunoblotting several proteins fixed IgE, ranging from 20 kDa to > 94 kDa, the strongest with 43 kDa. The IgE fixation to BSA, cat and sheep in the SDS-PAGE immunoblotting was completely inhibited by the preincubation of the serum with Thiomucase.

CONCLUSIONS

An IgE-mediated anaphylaxis to Thiomucase is documented. Multiple allergens are recognized in Thiomucase by the patient serum, the main with 43 kDa. Partial cross-reactivity with BSA, cat dander and sheep dander is documented.

Oral treatment of fibromyalgia with tropisetron given over 28 days: influence on functional and vegetative symptoms, psychometric parameters and pain

The 5-HT3 receptor antagonists are a novel therapy for patients suffering from fibromyalgia, although the optimal duration of treatment is still unclear. The objective of this phase II study was to evaluate whether prolonging treatment with tropisetron to 4 weeks is tolerable and correlated with an improved clinical benefit. Thirty female patients with fibromyalgia received oral tropisetron (5 mg) daily for 28 days in an open-label fashion. Treatment resulted in significantly decreased pain as measured by visual analog scale (VAS), with a mean reduction of 59.7% and an absolute median change of -25.0 from baseline to day 28 (p<0.0001). A similar, significant reduction of 55.7% and absolute median change of -31.0 was observed in the painscore (p<0.0001). The response rate with patients showing a > or = 35% reduction in individual pain scores was 72.4% at day 28. The pressure tolerance of tender-points was slightly increased at the end of the treatment period. In addition, significant improvements were observed in the State-Trait-Anxiety-Inventory (STAI), scales of von Zerssen (Bf-S) and Beck Depression Index (BDI). Functional symptoms were compared with the results from a 10-day, randomized, double-blind phase III study of tropisetron in 418 fibromyalgia patients. In both studies several functional symptoms such as sleep disturbances and dizziness improved significantly (p<0.05). In the 28 days study, the number and extent of improvement in functional symptoms was increased compared with the shorter trial. Tolerability and safety of tropisetron was good, and typically for 5-HT3-receptor antagonists, gastrointestinal symptoms and headache were the most frequently reported events. In conclusion, 28 days treatment of fibromyalgia patients with 5 mg tropisetron resulted in significant pain reduction, which was most pronounced after 10 days with a further reduction up to day 28. Psychometric tests showed significant improvements in depression and anxiety state scores, while functional symptoms improved with extended tropisetron treatment.

The seasonal changes in the concentration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in precipitation and aerosol near Lake Balaton, Hungary

The concentration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in atmospheric precipitation and aerosol samples was monitored in a rural site by Lake Balaton, Hungary to examine the seasonal variation. The seasonal mean concentration of individual 3-6-ring PAHs in precipitation varied from 1 to 54 ng l-1 and from 3 to 350 ng l-1 in summer and winter, respectively. In the atmospheric aerosol samples the seasonal mean concentration of PAHs varied from 4 to 880 pg m-3, from 4 to 300 pg m-3, from 11 to 1050 pg m-3 and from 36 to 5000 pg m-3 in spring, summer, autumn and winter, respectively. Wet (412 micrograms m-2 year-1) and aerosol (190-300 micrograms m2 year-1) deposition rates were also estimated indicating that the two processes are of comparable importance in the removal of 3-6-ring PAHs from the atmosphere.

Zinc protection against cadmium-induced infertility in female rats. Effect of zinc and cadmium on the progesterone production of cultured granulosa cells

Adult female rats were treated subcutaneously (s.c.) with zinc chloride (ZnCl2, 10 or 20 mg kg-1 body weight, bw) four times during two ovarian cycles. The third injection was accompanied by cadmium chloride (CdCl2) administration sc (2.5, 5 and 10 mg kg-1 bw). The fourth zinc (Zn) treatment was followed by mating. ZnCl2 (20 mg kg-1) itself impaired fertility by 20%, while CdCl2 dose-dependently blocked the receptivity of female rats. In combination with 2.5 and 5 mg kg-1 CdCl2 the metal salts decreased fertility in an additive fashion, whereas at the highest CdCl2 dose (10 mg kg-1) a marked ameliorating effect of ZnCl2 (10 and 20 mg kg-1) on cadmium (Cd)-caused sterility was observed. In the pregnant animals apart from the higher Cd-induced blood progesterone levels and reduced body weight gain of dams, no significant treatment-related maternal and fetal effects could be observed. ZnCl2 (10 to 80 microM) and CdCl2 (10 to 80 microM) were added to the culture medium of ovarian granulosa cells. CdCl2 suppressed follicle-stimulating-hormone- (FSH-) and cAMP-stimulated progesterone accumulation. No protective effect of Zn against Cd-induced drop in progesterone production could be seen, while Zn by itself induced a significant increase in FSH-supported progesterone synthesis. In conclusion, while Zn protected against Cd-induced sterility in vivo, it failed to counteract the direct effect of Cd on steroid biosynthesis. The data indicate that Zn protection does not take place at the level of ovary. Moreover, Zn and Cd seem to affect FSH-stimulated progesterone production by different mechanisms.

Effect of cadmium on female fertility, pregnancy and postnatal development in the rat

Adult female rats having regular ovarian cycles were treated with 2.5, 5 or 10 mg/kg cadmium chloride (CdCl2) during estrus or diestrus and mated 32, 80 or 132 h post-treatment. Sperm positivity was checked next day on the predicted estrus. Maternal effects during pregnancy, fetal outcome on day 10 or at term as well as postnatal development of the F1 generation were recorded. CdCl2 caused sterility in 40 or 87% of animals at doses 5 and 10 mg/kg, respectively. Influence of Cd on fertility depended on the day of the cycle, and on the time elapsed between treatment and mating. The Cd-caused overt toxicity in fertile female rats was expressed by dose-dependent decrease in maternal body weight gain and increased progesterone blood levels. No treatment-related alteration in number and weight of conception day 10 of pregnancy or in weight and size of litters, rate of males and females at term and during the 21-day post-parturition study could be seen. It is concluded that Cd given prior mating may lead to sterility in a dose-dependent fashion. This is suggested to be caused by anovulation resulting from reversible pituitary disfunction. Animals proving fertile in spite of Cd-treatment have developed tolerance against Cd in terms of fetal outcome and postnatal development.

Age dependent accumulation of cadmium in the human ovary

Cadmium (Cd) was determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry in small pieces (< 1 g) of healthy human ovaries excised for histologic examination. Cd levels in the ovary increased linearly between 30 and 65 years of age. Below 30 years, there was no age dependent increase and over 65 a tendency was observed for ovarian Cd levels to decrease. There was no difference in the Cd content of fresh luteal and nonluteal tissue taken from regularly cycling ovaries. In smokers, the amount of Cd in the ovaries was elevated compared to nonsmokers. In multiparous women (more than 3 children) a tendency of decreased Cd ovarian levels was observed. There was no difference between ovarian Cd content of physical and mental workers. It can be proposed that Cd may be a risk factor for conception and pregnancy in women in their forties.

Cadmium interferes with steroid biosynthesis in rat granulosa and luteal cells in vitro

Recently, cadmium has been described to disturb ovarian function in rats. In this paper the direct influence of cadmium on steroid production of ovarian cells in vitro has been studied. Granulosa and luteal cells were obtained from proestrous and pregnant rats, and incubated with 0, 5, 10, 20 or 40 micrograms ml-1 CdCl2 in the presence or absence of 0.1-1000 ng ml-1 follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) or luteinizing hormone (LH) for 24 or 48 h. Production of progesterone (P) and 17 beta-estradiol (E2) by granulosa and that of P by luteal cells were measured by radioimmunoassay. In FSH-stimulated granulosa cell cultures, 5 and 40 micrograms ml-1 CdCl2 suppressed P accumulation to 65 and 10%, respectively; accumulation of E2 (at 5 micrograms ml-1 CdCl2) decreased to 44%. P production of LH-supported luteal cells dropped to 86 and 66%, respectively, when 5 and 40 micrograms ml-1 CdCl2 was added to the medium. No alteration in basal P accumulation occurred in granulosa and luteal cell cultures following incubations with 20 and 40 micrograms ml-1 CdCl2, whereas basal E2 production of granulosa cells was markedly diminished. It is concluded that CdCl2 suppressing steroid synthesis in vitro exerts a direct influence on granulosa and luteal cell function.

Altered ovarian progesterone secretion induced by cadmium fails to interfere with embryo transport in the oviduct of the rat

The effect of Cadmium (Cd) on embryo transport through the oviduct and on ovarian progesterone (P) secretion were studied in the rat. Animals were given 2.5, 5, 10 mg/kg CdCl2 or 1.0 mL/kg NaCl sc on day 1 of pregnancy. On days 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, they were anesthetized with pentobarbital, cannulae were inserted in one of the utero-ovarian veins, and 5-minute blood samples were taken from the ovary. Ovarian venous outflow was recorded, P was determined from the blood fractions, and secretion rates were calculated. P levels were determined in peripheral blood. Body weights and the wet weight of adrenals, ovaries, and oviducts were checked; oviducts and uterine horns were flushed; and number, location, and developmental stage of embryos were observed. Cd content of the oviducts was measured. Cd accumulated dose and time dependently in oviducts and induced a dose-dependent depression and delay in the rise of ovarian P secretion during days 1 through 5 of pregnancy. In the peripheral blood, P levels also failed to rise until day 4 of pregnancy in Cd-treated rats. In embryo transfer, however, no alteration could be observed. It is hypothesized that lack of vascular contact in the oviduct makes it possible for the preimplantation embryos to escape toxic effects of Cd.

Toxic effects of cadmium on LHRH-induced LH release and ovulation in rats

CFY rats were given 5 or 10 mg/kg bw cadmium chloride (CdCl2) or 0.9% NaCl solution (1 mL/kg) subcutaneously on the day of diestrus II. Six days later (proestrus) at 1200 h they were anesthetized with pentobarbital, 0.5 or 2 micrograms/kg LHRH was injected intravenously at 1400 h, and blood was collected for LH determination. A second group of animals pretreated with 10 mg/kg bw CdCl2 and treated with 2 or 4 micrograms/kg LHRH was allowed to recover from the anesthesia and checked for ovulation the next day (estrus). In rats treated with 10 mg/kg of CdCl2, the LH content of pituitary gland diminished, but no significant difference was found in the LH response to LHRH. In controls (ovulation blocked by anesthesia) 2 as well as 4 micrograms/kg of LHRH completely restored ovulation, while after Cd pretreatment, ovulation recovered depending on the dose of LHRH. It is concluded that Cd-induced anovulation is related to altered function of the pituitary gland and ovary, which can be restored by excess LHRH.

[The effect of composite filling materials on the diameter of the blood vessels of the dental pulp in rat teeth]

The authors tested the effect of some of the characteristic types of composite filling materials in a vital-microscope test. The results show that all the four tested filling materials (Biogloss, Evicrol, Isomolar, Isopast) significantly widened the pulpal arteriola; the Biogloss was ineffective for the diameter of the venula, but employing Evicrol, Isomolar and Isopast it was significantly increased. Between the tested materials compared to each difference was observed only during the development of their effect. The hyperaemia observed by us is important in case of short-time inspections as the indicator of acute reactions. Further test is required whether is there any connection between the tested hyperaemia and the toxic effect.

Acute effects of cadmium on preovulatory serum FSH, LH, and prolactin levels and on ovulation and ovarian hormone secretion in estrous rats

On the day of diestrus II CFY rats were given 5, 10, or 15 mg/kg cadmium chloride (CdCl2) or 1.0 mL/kg of 0.9% NaCl. On the next day a group of animals was anesthetized with pentobarbital and blood was collected from the aorta at 13:00, 15:00, 16:30, or 18:00 h. for FSH, LH, prolactin (PRL), progesterone (P), and estradiol-17 beta (E2) determination. On the day of the expected estrus, the second group of animals was anesthetized with pentobarbital and cannulas were inserted in one of the femoral arteries and veins, and in one of the utero-ovarian veins. Five-minute blood fractions were collected from the ovary for 40 min, and following the first blood samples, 10 IU hCG was injected iv. Ovarian venous outflow and blood pressure were continuously recorded. From the blood fractions, P and E2 were determined, and their secretion rates were calculated. In a third group of treated animals, the ovaries were excised for histological examination, and oviducts were flushed for counting oocytes. CdCl2 in the dose of 10 or 15 mg/kg increased the PRL serum levels at 13:00 h; it diminished FSH serum levels in the dose of 10 mg/kg and LH serum levels in the doses of 10 and 15 mg/kg at 15:00 h. The decrease in LH levels continued until 16:30 h in the dose of 10 mg/kg CdCl2. In estrous animals, CdCl2 did not influence the blood pressure and ovarian blood flow. In animals receiving 10 or 15 mg/kg CdCl2, a decrease in basal secretion of P occurred.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Synthesis of angiotensin II antagonists with variations in position 5

Six angiotensin II antagonists containing cyclohexylglycine (Chg) or cyclopentylglycine (Cpg) in position 5 were synthesized by stepwise elongation in solution, using the pentafluorophenyl ester method. The influence of substitution on the inhibitory properties of the analogues was studied in four different bioassays. [Sar1,Chg5,Lac8]AII proved to be the most potent antagonist with low intrinsic activity in both the in vitro and in vivo tests.

Increase of progesterone production in human and rat luteal cells by beta-adrenergic stimulation

The effects of the beta 2-adrenergic agonist hexoprenaline were studied on the progesterone production of rat and human corpora lutea and compared to hCG-induced hormone production. Human corpora lutea were obtained from healthy patients, rat corpora lutea were harvested on day 6 of pseudopregnancy. Corpora lutea were digested by trypsin and homogeneous luteal cell suspension (6 X 10(5) cells/ml) was incubated for 2 h. Hexoprenaline and hCG were added to the medium and progesterone production was measured by RIA. Hexoprenaline or hCG dose-dependently increased the progesterone production of rat luteal cells and of human cells in mid- and late luteal phase. Moreover, hexoprenaline further increased the hCG-induced hormone production. The stimulatory effect of hexoprenaline could be prevented by propranolol. It is supposed that beta 2-adrenergic stimulation induces an increase in progesterone production of luteal cells and potentiates the effects of gonadotropic hormones.

Stimulation of progesterone production by adrenocorticotropic hormone and prostaglandin E2 in rat luteal cells

The effects of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) on the progesterone secretion of luteal cells from rats were studied. Corpora lutea were harvested on Day 6 of pseudopregnancy and digested by trypsin. Homogeneous suspensions of luteal cells were used for short-term incubation. ACTH, PGE2, and hCG were added to the medium and the changes in progesterone production were measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA). Furthermore, specific ACTH-binding sites of the luteal cell membrane were studied by Scatchard analysis. ACTH, PGE2 and hCG increased synthesis of progesterone, and the combination of hCG with ACTH or PGE2 further increased production of the hormone. The effect of ACTH could be prevented by indomethacin. These effect of ACTH seem to be connected with specific ACTH-binding sites of the luteal cell membrane and with increased production of PGE2.

Effects of oxytocin and vasopressin on the ovarian blood flow, progesterone and oestradiol-17 beta secretion in oestrous rats

Oestrous rats were anaesthetized with pentobarbital, one of the femoral arteries and veins and one of the ovarian veins were cannulated, and a thin polyethylene cannula was fixed in the ovarian bursa. Five-min blood fractions were collected from the ovary for 50 min. Following the control fractions 15 mU of oxytocin, 15 mU of vasopressin or 50 microliter of 0.9% NaCl solution was given into the ovarian bursa over 10 min. Blood pressure and ovarian blood flow were continuously recorded. Progesterone (P) and oestradiol-17 beta (E2) were determined from the blood samples by RIA. Oxytocin did not alter the blood pressure, whereas the ovarian blood flow showed a short increasing tendency. Later, however, it started to decrease in parallel with the decrease in blood pressure owing to blood loss. The secretion of P and E2 remained unchanged. No changes in blood pressure were observed after vasopressin administration, although the ovarian blood flow quickly decreased in parallel with the secretion of P and E2. It is suggested that oxytocin has no direct effect on ovarian blood flow and hormone secretion in the rat. Vasopressin, however, is an effective vasoconstrictor in the rat ovary and may in this way reduce hormone synthesis.

Effect of local GABA administration on rat ovarian blood flow, and on progesterone and estradiol secretion

The effect of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)--superfused onto the surface of the ovary--on ovarian blood flow and on estradiol-17-beta (E2) and progesterone (P) secretion was studied in anaesthesized, pseudopregnant rats. GABA, 0.5 mumol per 50 microliter per animal, significantly reduced the blood pressure in the femoral artery, increased ovarian blood flow, enhanced the rate of E2 release and markedly decreased P secretion. The present findings indicate that local GABAergic mechanisms may be involved in the regulation of ovarian blood flow and hormone secretion.

Study of the luteinizing hormone-induced increase of ovarian blood flow during the estrous cycle in the rat

CYF rats were anesthetized on various days of the 4-day cycle and blood samples were collected at 5-min interals from the ovarian vein before and after i.v. administration of 5 micrograms/100 g BW of luteinizing hormone (LH). Ovarian venous outflow, blood pressure and hematocrit were continuously recorded, and from the blood samples progesterone (P) and 17 beta-estradiol (E2) were determined by radioimmunoassay (RIA). Ovarian blood flow and P secretion showed a parallel increase on Day 1 (estrus), on Day 2, and on the afternoon of Day 4 (proestrous). LH increased ovarian blood flow each day of the cycle together with P and E2 secretion; however, no relationship was seen between the initial value of hormone secretion and the LH-induced increase of ovarian blood flow. Inhibition of hormone secretion by cycloheximide prevented the LH-induced increase of ovarian blood flow; moreover, a decrease in ovarian blood flow parallel with the diminution of hormone secretion was observed. Indomethacin pretreatment abolished the hyperemic effect of LH and partially inhibited the LH-induced increase of hormone secretion. Propranolol blocked the LH-induced increase of ovarian blood flow and blunted the effect of LH on hormone secretion. It was concluded that in LH-induced hyperemia, cAMP, prostaglandins and other vasoactive metabolites released during the process of hormone synthesis, and also a beta-adrenergic mechanism, are involved in the regulation of ovarian blood flow.

Alteration in the reactivity of hamster cheek pouch arterioles to prostaglandin E2 and noradrenaline during pregnancy or sex steroid treatment

Dioestrous and pregnant, or ovariectomized hamsters treated with sunflower oil, oestradiol or progesterone were anesthetized with pentobarbital and the arterioles of the cheek pouch membrane were prepared for microcirculatory study. Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) or noradrenaline (NA) were topically applied and changes of the arteriolar diameter were measured on the screen of a closed-circuit television. PGE2 induced arteriolar dilatation in dioestrous or ovariectomized hamsters, but induced vasoconstriction in pregnant or in oestrogen-treated animals. Vasoconstriction induced by PGE2 in oestrogen-treated animals disappeared after administration of alpha-adrenergic blockers. In this situation, PGE2 induced vasodilatation once again. NA elicited arteriolar constriction in each experimental group. In ovariectomized hamsters treated with oestrogen the constriction was more pronounced than in progesterone treated animals. In pregnant animals it was significantly greater on day 14 than in dioestrous animals. Progesterone treatment blunted the vascular effect of both PGE2 and NA. It was concluded that the reverse effect of PGE2 and the increased sensitivity to NA induced by high oestradiol levels may have roles in the regulation of local blood flow during the ovarian cycle and pregnancy.

Increase of ovarian progesterone secretion by beta 2-adrenergic stimulation in oestrous rats

Oestrous rats were anaesthetized with pentobarbital and one of the femoral arteries, femoral veins and utero-ovarian veins were cannulated. Five min blood fractions were collected from the ovary for 50 min. Following two control fractions fenoterol, noradrenaline, isoproterenol (0.5 microgram/min) or 0.9% NaCl (0.02 ml/min) were infused iv for 40 min. In a group of oestrous animals fenoterol was given locally to the ovarian bursa. Blood pressure and the ovarian venous outflow were continuously recorded and blood levels of progesterone (P) and oestradiol-17 beta (E2) were determined by RIA. Fenoterol administered iv increased P secretion without altering ovarian blood flow, whereas noradrenaline and isoproterenol had no effect on P secretion. Fenoterol administered locally stimulated both P and E2 secretion, and this was prevented by iv infusion of propranolol. It is suggested that ovarian beta 2-adrenergic receptors have a regulatory role in ovarian hormone secretion.