Modulation of rat synaptosomal ATPases and acetylcholinesterase activities induced by chronic exposure to the static magnetic field.

PURPOSE: It is considered that exposure to static magnetic fields (SMF) may have both detrimental and therapeutic effect, but the mechanism of SMF influence on the living organisms is not well understood. Since the adenosine triphosphatases (ATPases) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) are involved in both physiological and pathological processes, the modulation of Na+/K+-ATPase, ecto-ATPases and AChE activities, as well as oxidative stress responses were followed in synaptosomes isolated from rats after chronic exposure toward differently oriented SMF. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into three experimental groups (six animals per group): Up and Down group - exposed to upward and downward oriented SMF, respectively, and Control group. After 50 days, the rats were sacrificed, and synaptosomes were isolated from the whole rat brain and used for testing the enzyme activities and oxidative stress parameters. RESULTS: Chronic exposure to 1 mT SMF significantly increased ATPases, AChE activities, and malondialdehyde (MDA) level in both exposed groups, compared to control values. The significant decrease in synaptosomal catalase activity (1.48 ± 0.17 U/mg protein) induced by exposure to the downward oriented field, compared to those obtained for Control group (2.60 ± 0.29 U/mg protein), and Up group (2.72 ± 0.21 U/mg protein). CONCLUSIONS: It could be concluded that chronic exposure to differently oriented SMF increases ATPases and AChE activities in rat synaptosomes. Since brain ATPases and AChE have important roles in the pathogenesis of several neurological diseases, SMF influence on the activity of these enzymes may have potential therapeutic importance.

Static magnetic field reduces blood pressure short-term variability and enhances baro-receptor reflex sensitivity in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

PURPOSE: It has been shown that chronic exposure of young spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) to static magnetic field (SMF) delays the development of overt hypertension. Therefore the aim of the present work was to investigate the effects of SMF on autonomic cardiovascular control in adult spontaneously hypertensive rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Experiments were performed in freely moving spontaneously hypertensive rats equipped with femoral arterial catheter for blood pressure recording. Spontaneously hypertensive rats were exposed for 30 days to upward-oriented SMF (n = 17) or downward-oriented SMF (n = 17) of 16 mT intensity. A control group of spontaneously hypertensive rats (n = 17) was not exposed to SMF. Neurogenic cardiovascular control was evaluated by spectral analysis of arterial blood pressure and heart rate short-term variability and baro-receptor reflex sensitivity using the sequence method. RESULTS: Exposure of spontaneously hypertensive rats to both upward- and downward-oriented SMF significantly reduced arterial blood pressure and enhanced baro-receptor reflex sensitivity. Downward-oriented SMF reduced heart rate, too. SMF of either orientation reduced systolic blood pressure variability in very low frequency domain while downward-oriented SMF also reduced low-frequency and increased high frequency domains. CONCLUSION: It follows that prolonged exposure to SMF is beneficial for neurogenic cardiovascular control in hypertension.

Morphometric analysis, region of supply and microanatomy of the lenticulostriate arteries and their clinical significance.

The lenticulostriate arteries (LSA) and their microanatomy, region of supply and atherosclerosis were examined in 24 microdissected brains, arterial casts, and histological specimens. The LSA ranged from 2 to 12 in number and from 0.10 mm to 1.28 mm in diameter. They always arose from the initial segment of the middle cerebral artery (MCA), often from the MCA leptomeningeal branches (38.24%), and rarely from the insular segment (2.94%). They always originated as individual branches, often (61.76%) with their own common stems. In two hemispheres we found that the LSA supplied either a larger or a smaller portion of the basal ganglia and internal capsule than usual. The number of twigs to the innominate substance (substantia innominata) (3-11), and their diameters (0.07-0.30 mm), has been described for the first time, to our knowledge. Microatheromas were found in two LSA. Data about the LSA microanatomy and territory could form the basis of safer neurosurgery, more accurate neuroimaging evaluation, and precise neurological diagnosis in patients with focal ischemic lesions in the basal ganglia and internal capsule.

Neuroradiology and art: a review and personal contribution.

Radiology has attracted the world of art with the esthetic value of its images, and as a new medium for the artistic expression. In order to investigate the links between neuroradiology and art, we examined 12,763 artworks presented in corresponding publications and in Google images on the Internet. The selected artworks were created by 1,964 authors. To give our own contribution to this field, we produced several artful radiological images using the X-ray of 4 cerebral hemispheres, one dissected brain, serial sections of one head and brain, the vascular casts of 2 brains, the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of one volunteer, and various options in Photoshop. Among the examined artworks, neuroradiological images were used in 129 artworks (1.01%) that were created by 31 artists (1.58%). The artists applied different radiological techniques: X-ray, angiography, computed tomography (CT), multislice CT, MRI, functional MRI, positron emission tomography (PET) or single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), either alone or in various combinations. They used the original images, i.e. radiographs or scans, or their electronic modifications in Photoshop or three-dimensional (3D) software. Some artworks presented the skull, yet others the brain, and still others both, either with or without a head image. The neuroradiological artworks were created as paintings, photographs, digital works and sculptures. Their authors were professional artists, designers, amateurs and radiologists. In conclusion, thanks to the esthetics of some radiological images and the valuable creations of certain artists, neuroradiology has become an important field of contemporary art.