Macroscopic brain architecture changes and white matter pathology in acromegaly: a clinicoradiological study

Although long-term exposure of the brain to increased GH/IGF-1 likely influences cerebral functions, no in vivo studies have been directed towards changes of the brain structure in acromegaly. Here, we used high resolution magnetic resonance images to compare volumes of gray matter (GM), white matter (WM) and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of forty-four patients with acromegaly to an age and gender matched, healthy control group (n = 44). In addition, white matter lesions (WMLs) were quantified and graded. Patients exhibited larger GM (+3.7% compared with controls, P = 0.018) and WM volumes (+5.1%, P = 0.035) at the expense of CSF. Differences of WML counts between patients and controls were subtle, however, showing more patients in the 21-40 lesions category (P = 0.044). In conclusion, this MRI study provides first evidence that acromegalic patients exhibit disturbances of the macroscopic brain tissue architecture. Furthermore, acromegalic patients may have an increased risk of neurovascular pathology, likely due to secondary metabolic and vascular comorbidities.

Cellular chimerism of the lung after transplantation. An interphase cytogenetic study

The present study evaluated the origin of endothelial and epithelial cells, as well as of lymphocytes and macrophages, after lung transplantation. Biopsy specimens from patients who underwent lung and heart-lung transplantation and received organs of sex-mismatched donors were studied by means of nonisotopic in situ hybridization with DNA probes of the X and Y chromosome. By means of monoclonal antibodies against leukocytes, T and B lymphocytes, and macrophages, the various infiltrating cell types were analyzed. In all allografted lungs, the endothelial cells and bronchial and alveolar epithelium retained the donor sex type. The lymphocytes of the donor were almost completely replaced by recipient cells 1 month after transplantation. Low numbers of alveolar macrophages of the donor were present during the entire period under study. Low numbers of donor lymphocytes and high numbers of donor alveolar macrophages in the allografted lung seem to be correlated with a worse clinical course.

[Interferon beta-1b (Betaferon)therapy in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis: findings of a prospective, multi-center study of disease progression]

In a survey of disease course, the efficacy and tolerability of 24-month interferon beta-1b therapy for relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) were evaluated in 410 patients. The investigation aimed at obtaining data from general practice and of possibly unknown, unexpected adverse reactions. In the 241 patients still on therapy, efficacy was rated after 24 months as "good" or "very good" in 75% of cases. After 24 months, 36.9% of the patients had no exacerbation (baseline 0.3%). Annual exacerbation rates dropped from 1.5 before treatment to 0.7 in the second treatment year. In the 2 years before treatment, 66.2% had worsened by at least 0.5 points on the extended disability status scale (EDSS). This proportion was reduced to 41.2% after 2 years of treatment. The safety profile corresponded to results from controlled trials. This postmarketing survey supports data from the published controlled interferon beta-1b studies and confirms the main effects of this therapy under routine conditions in general practice.

[Symptomatic cluster headache. Expression of multiple sclerosis relapse with magnetic resonance tomography detection of pontomedullary lesion in the ipsilateral trigeminal nucleus area]

We describe a 25-year-old male who developed, in the course of an acute exacerbation of his multiple sclerosis, cluster headache-like attacks which responded to oxygen therapy. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a lesion in the area of the ipsilateral pontomedullary trigeminal nuclei. This symptomatic case and other published cases are most probably explained by an activation of the trigeminovascular system as it is assumed for primary headache syndromes.

Multiple sclerosis: comparison of copolymer-1- reactive T cell lines from treated and untreated subjects reveals cytokine shift from T helper 1 to T helper 2 cells

Copolymer 1 (COP), a standardized mixture of synthetic polypeptides consisting of l-glutamic acid, l-lysine, l-alanine, and l-tyrosine, has beneficial effects in multiple sclerosis and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. We selected a panel of 721 COP-reactive T cell lines (TCL) from the blood of COP-treated and untreated multiple sclerosis patients and from healthy donors by using the split-well cloning technique. All TCL selected with COP proliferated in response to COP but not to myelin basic protein (MBP). Conversely, 31 control TCL selected with MBP proliferated in response to MBP but not to COP. We used intracellular double-immunofluorescence flow cytometry for quantitative analysis of cytokine production (IL-4, IFN-gamma) by the TCL. The majority of the COP-reactive TCL from untreated multiple sclerosis patients and normal donors predominantly produced IFN-gamma and, accordingly, were classified as T helper 1 cells (TH1). In contrast, the majority of the COP-reactive TCL from COP-treated patients predominantly (but not exclusively) produced IL-4-i.e., were TH2 (P < 0.05 as assessed by using a suitable preference intensity index). Longitudinal analyses revealed that the cytokine profile of COP-reactive TCL tends to shift from TH1 to TH2 during treatment. Interestingly, although there was no proliferative cross-reaction, about 10% of the COP-reactive TCL responded to MBP by secretion of small amounts of IL-4 or IFN-gamma, depending on the cytokine profile of the TCL. These results are consistent with a protective effect of COP-reactive TH2 cells. It is hypothesized that these cells are activated by COP in the periphery, migrate into the central nervous system, and produce immunomodulatory cytokines after local recognition of MBP.