Central Interleukin-1ß Suppresses the Nocturnal Secretion of Melatonin.

In vertebrates, numerous processes occur in a rhythmic manner. The hormonal signal reliably reflecting the environmental light conditions is melatonin. Nocturnal melatonin secretion patterns could be disturbed in pathophysiological states, including inflammation, Alzheimer's disease, and depression. All of these states share common elements in their aetiology, including the overexpression of interleukin- (IL-) 1ß in the central nervous system. Therefore, the present study was designed to determine the effect of the central injection of exogenous IL-1ß on melatonin release and on the expression of the enzymes of the melatonin biosynthetic pathway in the pineal gland of ewe. It was found that intracerebroventricular injections of IL-1ß (50 µg/animal) suppressed (P < 0.05) nocturnal melatonin secretion in sheep regardless of the photoperiod. This may have resulted from decreased (P < 0.05) synthesis of the melatonin intermediate serotonin, which may have resulted, at least partially, from a reduced expression of tryptophan hydroxylase. IL-1ß also inhibited (P < 0.05) the expression of the melatonin rhythm enzyme arylalkylamine-N-acetyltransferase and hydroxyindole-O-methyltransferase. However, the ability of IL-1ß to affect the expression of these enzymes was dependent upon the photoperiod. Our study may shed new light on the role of central IL-1ß in the aetiology of disruptions in melatonin secretion.

Interleukin-1 ß Modulates Melatonin Secretion in Ovine Pineal Gland: Ex Vivo Study.

The study was designed to determine the effect of proinflammatory cytokine, interleukin- (IL-) 1ß, on melatonin release and expression enzymes essential for this hormone synthesis: arylalkylamine-N-acetyltransferase (AA-NAT) and hydroxyindole-O-methyltransferase (HIOMT) in ovine pineal gland, taking into account the immune status of animals before sacrificing. Ewes were injected by lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 400 ng/kg) or saline, two hours after sunset during short day period (December). Animals were euthanized three hours after the injection. Next, the pineal glands were collected and divided into four explants. The explants were incubated with (1) medium 199 (control explants), (2) norepinephrine (NE; 10 µM), (3) IL-1ß (75 pg/mL), or (4) NE + IL-1ß. It was found that IL-1ß abolished (P < 0.05) NE-induced increase in melatonin release. Treatment with IL-1ß also reduced (P < 0.05) expression of AA-NAT enzyme compared to NE-treated explants. There was no effect of NE or IL-1ß treatment on gene expression of HIOMT; however, the pineal fragments isolated from LPS-treated animals were characterized by elevated (P < 0.05) expression of HIOMT mRNA and protein compared to the explants from saline-treated ewes. Our study proves that IL-1ß suppresses melatonin secretion and its action seems to be targeted on the reduction of pineal AA-NAT protein expression.

The effect of rivastigmine on the LPS-induced suppression of GnRH/LH secretion during the follicular phase of the estrous cycle in ewes.

This study was designed to determine the effect of a potent subcutaneously injected acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, rivastigmine (6mg/animal), on the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)/luteinizing hormone (LH) release during inflammation induced by an intravenous lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (400ng/kg) injection in ewes during the follicular phase of the estrous cycle. The results are expressed as the mean values from -2 to -0.5h before and +1 to +3h after treatment. Rivastigmine decreased the acetylcholinesterase concentration in the blood plasma from 176.9±9.5 to 99.3±15.1µmol/min/ml. Endotoxin suppressed LH (5.4±0.6ng/ml) and GnRH (4.6±0.4pg/ml) release; however, the rivastigmine injection restored the LH concentration (7.8±0.8ng/ml) to the control value (7.8±0.7ng/ml) and stimulated GnRH release (7.6±0.8pg/ml) compared to the control (5.9±0.4pg/ml). Immune stress decreased expression of the GnRH gene and its receptor (GnRH-R) in the median eminence as well as LHß and GnRH-R in the pituitary. In the case of the GnRH and LHß genes, the suppressive effect of inflammation was negated by rivastigmine. LPS stimulated cortisol and prolactin release (71.1±14.7 and 217.1±8.0ng/ml) compared to the control group (9.0±5.4 and 21.3±3.5ng/ml). Rivastigmine also showed a moderating effect on cortisol and prolactin secretion (43.1±13.1 and 169.7±29.5ng/ml). The present study shows that LPS-induced decreases in GnRH and LH can be reduced by the AChE inhibitor. This action of the AChE inhibitor could result from the suppression of pro-inflammatory cytokine release and the attenuation of the stress response. However, a direct stimulatory effect of ACh on GnRH/LH secretion should also be considered.

Inhibition of acetylcholinesterase activity by rivastigmine decreases lipopolysaccharide-induced IL-1ß expression in the hypothalamus of ewes.

The present study was designed to determine the effect of subcutaneous rivastigmine treatment on IL-1ß expression and IL-1 type I receptor (IL-1R1) gene expression in the hypothalamic structures (preoptic area [POA], anterior hypothalamus [AHA], and medial basal hypothalamus [MBH]) of ewes after lipopolysaccharide (LPS) treatment. Endotoxin treatment increased (P ≤ 0.01) both IL-1ß and IL-1R1 gene expression in the POA, AHA, and MBH compared with the control group, whereas concomitant rivastigmine and LPS injection abolished this stimulatory effect. It was also found that LPS elevated (P ≤ 0.01) IL-1ß concentration in the hypothalamus (71.0 ± 2.3 pg/mg) compared with controls (16.1 ± 3.6 pg/mg). The simultaneous injection of LPS and rivastigmine did not increase IL-1ß concentration in the hypothalamus (24.6 ± 13.0 pg/mg). This central change in IL-1ß synthesis seems to be an effect of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition by rivastigmine, which decreases (P ≤ 0.01) the activity of this enzyme from 78.5 ± 15.0 µmol · min(-1) · g(-1) of total protein in the control and 68.8 ± 9.8 µmol · min(-1) · g(-1) of total protein in LPS-treated animals to 45.2 ± 5.6 µmol · min(-1) · g(-1) of total protein in the rivastigmine and LPS-treated group. Our study showed that rivastigmine could effectively reverse the stimulatory effect of immune stress induced by LPS injection on IL-1ß synthesis through a decrease in AChE activity in the hypothalamic area of sheep. Our results also proved that the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway could directly modulate the central response to endotoxin.

[Effect of cinnamon and lavender oils on FtsZ gene expression in the Staphylococus aureus ATCC 29213].

This study was designed to determine the effect of lavender and cinnamon oils on FtsZ gene expression in Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213. The cinnamon and lavender oils at least partially results from the inhibition of FtsZ transcription and disruption of cell division process at the level of the septum synthesis, what is similar to mechanisms of drug action used in anti-staphylococcal therapies. The presented results could be an important background for the further detailed research, which is needed to clarify the effect of essential oils on FtsZ synthesis at the posttranscriptional level and other stages of cell division process of S. aureus and other pathogenic bacteria.

The National Cholesterol Education Program: implications for dietetic practitioners from the Adult Treatment Panel recommendations.

The National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) was initiated to contribute to the prevention of illness and death from coronary heart disease by reducing the prevalence of high blood cholesterol. The report of an expert panel of this program provides guidelines for the treatment of high blood cholesterol in adults 20 years of age and over. Dietary therapy is the primary treatment. The goal of the recommended dietary therapy is to lower the LDL-cholesterol concentration, although measurement of total blood cholesterol can be used to monitor the response to diet. Dietary modification involves a progressive decrease in intake of saturated fatty acids and cholesterol. The Step-One Diet calls for an intake of total fat less than 30% of calories, saturated fatty acids less than 10% of calories, and cholesterol less than 300 mg/day. If the desired decrease in LDL-cholesterol is not achieved with that dietary change, then the Step-Two Diet is begun. It requires a reduction in saturated fatty acids to less than 7% of calories and cholesterol to less than 200 mg/day. This article provides background information on the organization and objectives of the NCEP and focuses on the recommendations of the Adult Treatment Panel (ATP), e.g., classification of risk for developing coronary heart disease based on total and low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol levels and recommendations for treatment of patients with high blood cholesterol. The emphasis of the discussion is on dietary treatment. The implications of the recommendations for the dietetic practitioner are discussed. These include an expanded leadership role to meet the education needs of health professionals and patients.

Investigation of dressings designed for treatment of alveolitis sicca dolorosa ("dry socket"). Part 3: Influence of mannitol and sorbitol on properties of tablets and dressings comprising acetylsalicylic acid, mefenamic acid and aseptin P.

In the dressings for dry tooth sockets, mannitol and sorbitol as solid hydrophilizers have been applied. Increase of concentrations of these hydrophilizers in the tablets results in dressings with increased swelling ability and pharmaceutical availability but decreased viscosity and resistance to washing out. These properties of the dressings are also influenced by medicinal substances present. The dressing fills the tooth socket within several min, removes pain and remain there for 24-48 h.

Investigation of dressings developed for the treatment of alveolitis sicca dolorosa. Part 2: Influence of glycerol and PEG 200 on the properties of tablets and dressings comprising mefenamic acid and Nipagin P.

Some hydrogel dressings have been investigated to determine their utility for the treatment of painful dry tooth-socket (Alveolitis sicca dolorosa). As drugs mefenamic acid and Nipagin P have been applied. Hydrophilized methylcellulose, 5-15% glycerol or 5-20% PEG 200 were the filling and gel building material. It has been found, that the properties of the dressings depend on the content of the hydrophilizers. The half liberation time of the drugs under study ranges from 0.5 to 11 h, the swelling degree amounts to 366-400%, the washing out time runs to 80-140 min and the period of activity of the dressings inside the tooth-socket amounts to 24-48 h. The dressings show thixotropic properties and a high flow limit.

[Tooth-socket dressing in the treatment of postextraction complications (alveolitis sicca dolorosa). 1. The influence of glycerol and polyoxyethyleneglycol 200 on the physicochemical properties of tablets with acetylsalicylic acid and nipagine P]. / Untersuchung von Zahnhöhleneinsätzen zur Behandlung der Postextraktionswunden (Alveolitis sicca dolovosa). 1. Mitteilung: Einfluss von Glycerol und Polyoxyethylenglycol 200 auf die physikochemischen Eigenschaften von Tabletten mit Acetylsalicylsäure und Nipagin P.

Using methylcellulose with an addition of glycerol or of polyoxyethylene glycol 200 tablets were made which produce after swelling a dressing designed for treatment of Alveolitis sicca dolorosa. The pharmaceutical availability of acetylsalicylic acid and of Nipagine P as well as the swelling degree increase on a parallel line to increasing quantities of hydrophylizators in a tablet. However the washing out time as well as that of half liberation remain in a reversed proportionality to the content of glycerol and of polyoxyethylene glycol 200. The dressings show non ideally plastic viscosity, they possess thixotropic properties and are characterized by a high flow limit. Below the flow limit the dressing possess in properties of on elastic body.