Multiple sclerosis: oral health, behaviours and limitations of daily oral hygiene - a questionnaire study.

CLINICAL RATIONALE FOR THE STUDY: Neurological deficits and progressing disability in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) may hamper daily oral hygiene, but their relations with oral problems have not yet been clearly determined. AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of this study was to identify the most significant dental problems and limitations of daily oral hygiene in Polish patients with MS. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 199 patients with diagnosed MS (median age 37 years) treated in the neurological outpatient clinic were interviewed using a paper-based questionnaire. They provided answers on oral health, behaviours and the limitations of their daily oral hygiene. Clinical information regarding symptoms, MS phenotype, relapses, medication and degrees of disability was based on medical records. RESULTS: The most frequent symptoms were dry mouth (43.2%) and bleeding from gums (28.1%). Dry mouth was more frequent in patients with secondary-progressive MS (SPMS) than relapsing-remitting MS (65.4% vs 41.3%, p = 0.023). Patients with bleeding from gums had had MS for a longer duration (median 6 vs 4 years, p = 0.002). Difficulties in daily oral hygiene were more frequent in patients with SPMS (24.0% vs 8.1%; p = 0.016). Greater proportions of patients with muscle weakness of limbs, imbalance or pain brushed their teeth irregularly. Frequent (i.e. at least every six months) visits to the dentist's surgery were uncommon in patients with SPMS (12.0% vs 39.7%, p = 0.010). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Dry mouth and bleeding from gums are more frequent in patients with longer lasting and more advanced types of MS. Daily oral hygiene and oral health self-control is limited in patients with MS, mainly due to motor deficits, balance problems and pain, and this becomes worse with disease duration. To minimise the burden of the disease, patients with MS require better education and improvement in their awareness regarding proper oral health control, such as the use of electric toothbrushes. In addition, patients with chronic and progressive disability from multiple sclerosis may benefit from better organised access to dental care.

Hypoglossal nerve palsy in the course of dissection of the internal carotid arteries - Case reports.

Internal carotid artery dissection (ICAD) has become an increasingly recognized cause of cerebrovascular accidents in young and middle-aged patients. We report 2 cases of hypoglossal nerve palsy in the course of dissection of the internal carotid arteries. The first patient was admitted to the Department of Neurology due to swallowing difficulty, speech articulation disorders and numbness of the right half of the tongue for 4 weeks. Extracranial vessel ultrasound (US) and transcranial colour Doppler (TCD) visualized thrombus causing occlusion of the right internal carotid artery (RICA). Angio-CT revealed a compression on right XII nerve and a dissection of the RICA. The second patient was referred to the Department of Neurology due to articulation disorders and swallowing difficulties. On admission, neurological examination revealed tongue deviation towards the right side with evidence of atrophy of the right half of the tongue, deviation of the uvula to the right side, absence of palatal and pharyngeal reflexes, rhinolalia and dysphagia. Vessel imaging was taken using angio-MR showing mural thrombus of the RICA. CONCLUSION: The diagnosis of spontaneous non-traumatic dissection of the carotid arteries is a major challenge for clinicians. ICAD must be considered for young and middle-aged patients when severe headache is preceded by the co-existence of focal neurological symptoms. The probability of ICAD increases in the presence of predisposing diseases. The final diagnosis is based on imaging studies: color duplex ultrasound, CT angiography or MR angiography.

Validity and reliability of the Polish version of myasthenia gravis - Quality of life questionnaire - 15 item.

AIM: The myasthenia gravis-quality of life questionnaire 15 item (MG-QOL15) is a short, and easy to use disease-specific quality of life (QOL) tool in myasthenia gravis. The aim of this study was to validate and adapt the Polish version of the MG-QOL15. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The total number of 50 patients with MG were qualified for the examination. Each patient underwent neurological examination and completed the quality of life evaluation questionnaire MQ-QOL 15 after translation and back-translation. Additionally, each patient was asked to evaluate the quality of his/her life by means of questionnaire SF-36 in Polish language version. RESULTS: The MG-QOL15 was found to have high internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and concurrent validity. CONCLUSION: The MG-QOL15 is accepted to be a valid, reliable, valuable tool for measuring disease-specific QOL in Polish patients with MG.

Pharmacological stroke prevention in the elderly with atrial fibrillation in Poland - Results of PolSenior study.

INTRODUCTION: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most frequent clinically significant arrhythmia, especially common in the elderly. As it is known, AF is associated with increased risk of stroke. Little is known about pharmacological cardiovascular prevention in the elderly with AF in Poland. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the frequency of pharmacological stroke prevention among the elderly with AF in Poland and its association with clinical characteristics and concomitant cardiovascular risk factors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The analysis included elderly (≥65 years) participants of the PolSenior study performed in years 2008-2012. RESULTS: The study group consisted of 4979 people (mean age: 79.3±8.7 years). Among them, there were 875 patients (18.7%) with documented history of AF. Pharmacological prevention with the use of vitamin K antagonists (VKA) was applied by 117 (13.4%) of the elderly with AF, including 15 (1.7%) on dual therapy. Additionally, 386 (45.3%) subjects with AF were using oral antiplatelet therapy (OAPs), mostly aspirin. Acenocoumarol was much more often used than warfarin. New oral anticoagulant drugs (NOACs) were not used at all. Only personal income was associated with the use of VKA. No significant correlation was found for the age, sex, place of residence and level of education. CONCLUSIONS: The study was unique to determine the frequency of pharmacological stroke prevention among elderly people with AF in Poland. It occurred that oral anticoagulant drugs were applied too rarely in this group of patients. Educational programs should be developed among general practitioners concerning current recommendations for patients with AF.

Multimodal evoked potentials in patients with multiple sclerosis in assessment of the course of the disease.

INTRODUCTION: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory, demyelinating disease of the central nervous system with a multifocal damage. THE AIM: The assessment of the MS course by multimodal evoked potentials (EP). MATERIAL AND METHODS: We evaluated 95 patients (63 female, 32 male) with relapsing-remitting MS in the average age of 36.4±10.4. The average disease duration was 4.6±7.4 year. Among them, 48 patients (50.5%) were treated with immunomodulatory drugs. All patients underwent neurological examination and EP testing: VEP (visual evoked potentials), SEP (somatosensory evoked potentials), endogenous potential P300. The latencies of following waves were evaluated: P100 (VEP), N4 , N9 , N13, N20, P22 (SEP) and P300, with the reference values of the Neurophysiological Research Laboratory of the Department of Neurology in Zabrze. RESULTS: Abnormal VEP(I) was found in 80 patients (84.2%), SEP(I) in 9 patients (9.5%), P300(I) in 15 patients (15.8%). Abnormal result of the control research VEP (II) was found in 23 patients (82.1%), SEP(II) in 1 patient (3.6%), P300(II) in 4 patients (14.3%). The average values of the waves latencies in the control study were higher, however the statistical significance was not found. The correlation was observed between EDSS, and N20 and P22. No relationship was found between EP and age, disease duration, number of relapses and treatment. CONCLUSIONS: In the era of neuroimaging, usage of EP in the diagnosis and assessment of MS is limited. Electrophysiological studies may be used in addition to the clinical examination to confirm the multifocal damage.

Changes in Serum Ceruloplasmin Levels Based on Immunomodulatory Treatments and Melatonin Supplementation in Multiple Sclerosis Patients.

BACKGROUND The cause of multiple sclerosis (MS) is currently unknown, but it is thought that oxidative damage and iron metabolism mechanisms are involved. The aim of this study was to examine ceruloplasmin concentration in MS patients based on various immunomodifying therapies and to test the effect of antioxidative melatonin on ceruloplasmin levels. MATERIAL AND METHODS This prospective study included 102 MS patients and 15 healthy controls. Patients were divided into groups according to different immunomodifying therapies: interferons beta 1a, interferons beta 1b, glatiramer acetate, mitoxantrone, and immunomodifying pre-treatment (A, B, G, Mx, and P groups, respectively), and the relapse R group. MS patients were supplemented with melatonin for 3 months. Serum ceruloplasmin concentrations, EDSS, brain MRI, serum C-reactive protein level, and white blood cell count were examined. RESULTS The results indicated significantly increased levels of ceruloplasmin in MS patients. No differences in ceruloplasmin concentrations between the relapse group and controls were observed. In A and G groups, ceruloplasmin levels before and after melatonin were similar to levels in controls. In group B, ceruloplasmin concentration was significantly higher vs. control and relapse groups. After melatonin administration in group B, ceruloplasmin levels decreased. Ceruloplasmin concentrations in the Mx group were significantly higher compared to controls. CONCLUSIONS We found for the first time that ceruloplasmin concentration in MS patients varies depending on different immunomodulatory treatment and decrease after 3 months of melatonin administration. Ceruloplasmin could be a valuable serum marker for the chronic demyelinating process participating in oxidative stress mechanisms, as well as a neurodegenerative marker, but not a marker of acute-phase MS.

What you cannot get from routine MRI of MS patient and why - The growing need for atrophy assessment and seeing beyond the plaque.

Multiple sclerosis is a disease that still has not been fully understood and calls for better diagnostic procedures for the improvement of everyday patient care and drug development. Routine magnetic resonance examinations reveal demyelinating focal lesions, but they do not correlate sufficiently with the patients' disability and cognitive impairment. For more than 100 years it has been known that demyelination affects not only white but also grey matter of the brain. Recent research has confirmed the serious consequences of grey matter pathology. Over the last several years, atrophy of the brain and especially of its grey matter has become a most promising marker of the patients' clinical status. The paper discusses the concept and importance of atrophy assessment in relation to the standard magnetic resonance results.

Improvement of quality of life after therapeutic plasma exchange in patients with myasthenic crisis.

INTRODUCTION: We sought to evaluate quality of life patients with myasthenic crisis before and after therapeutic plasma exchange. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In our study we conducted an assessment of the quality of life with the use of the questionnaire SF-36, when executed eleven therapeutic plasma exchange. The assessment was made on baseline and after 4 weeks. We also did neurological clinical evaluation before and after TPE. RESULTS: Patients in the study showed significant improvement in quality of life after performed therapeutic plasma exchange. The changes were observed in physical functioning, which confirmed the results of the statistical significance of p<0.05. In the analysis, the assessment of mental functioning not obtained the results of statistical significance, but the results also showed improvement in self-assessment. We observed high correlation between general health and physical mental functioning, between the role limitations due to physical health problems and role limitations due to emotional problems, and general health perception and bodily pain. CONCLUSIONS: Therapeutic plasma exchange significantly improves the quality of life of patients with myasthenia gravis during the crisis.

[Neurosarcoidosis - clinical characteristics, diagnosis and treatment]. / Neurosarkoidoza - obraz kliniczny, diagnostyka i leczenie.

Neurosarcoidosis (NS) manifests itself clinically in approximately 8-13% of patients with sarcoidosis. Granulomas are localized in both the central and peripheral nervous system, mainly within the meninges and cranial nerves. Changes may spread interstitially, occupying different structures of the brain and spinal cord. Diagnosis of NS is made by characteristic clinical symptoms and the exclusion of other diseases, with the presence of specific changes in the magnetic resonance and cerebrospinal fluid, and it is mainly based on histopathological examination. The first choice treatment are corticosteroids. In case of failure or adverse events, methotrexate, azathioprine, cyclosporine, cyclophosphamide, mycophenolate mofetil and infliximab could be used.

Interictal heart rate in patients with epilepsy.

INTRODUCTION: Electrocardiographic abnormalities in patients with epilepsy are related to the presence of discharges in central autonomic structures and the effect of antiepileptic drugs. These patients are at risk for sudden unexpected death, and cardiac arrhythmias are one of the most probable causes related to it. THE AIM: The heart rate (HR) assessment recorded on electrocardiography (ECG) in the interictal period in patients with newly diagnosed and previously treated epilepsy, depending on the type of changes in electroencephalography (EEG) and the treatment option. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifty patients with epilepsy were enrolled in the study: 22 comprised a non-treated patient (NTP) group with newly diagnosed epilepsy and 28 comprised a treated patient (TP) group that had been treated for more than 2 years. Resting ECG and EEG were performed in all patients. RESULTS: A significantly higher HR was recorded in the TP group compared to the NTP group (80±13 vs 67±15 bpm, p=0.00006). The tendency to higher HR was observed in polytherapy patients, carbamazepine patients and in patients with a focus in the right hemisphere. CONCLUSIONS: There is a relationship between the presence of the disorders related to bioelectric activities of the brain and the heart, therefore the ECG should be periodically monitored in epileptic patients.

Interictal heart rate in patients with epilepsy.

INTRODUCTION: Electrocardiographic abnormalities in patients with epilepsy are related to the presence of discharges in central autonomic structures and the effect of antiepileptic drugs. These patients are at risk for sudden unexpected death, and cardiac arrhythmias are one of the most probable causes related to it. THE AIM: The heart rate (HR) assessment recorded on electrocardiography (ECG) in the interictal period in patients with newly diagnosed and previously treated epilepsy, depending on the type of changes in electroencephalography (EEG) and the treatment option. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifty patients with epilepsy were enrolled in the study: 22 comprised a non-treated patient (NTP) group with newly diagnosed epilepsy and 28 comprised a treated patient (TP) group that had been treated for more than 2 years. Resting ECG and EEG were performed in all patients. RESULTS: A significantly higher HR was recorded in the TP group compared to the NTP group (80±13 vs 67±15 bpm, p=0.00006). The tendency to higher HR was observed in polytherapy patients, carbamazepine patients and in patients with a focus in the right hemisphere. CONCLUSIONS: There is a relationship between the presence of the disorders related to bioelectric activities of the brain and the heart, therefore the ECG should be periodically monitored in epileptic patients.

Demographic characteristics of MS patients in Poland's upper Silesia region.

OBJECTIVES: In Poland, no national registry of MS patients has yet been introduced. So far, no demographic studies have been conducted in patients with MS in Upper Silesia. The aim of the present study was to evaluate, for the first time, a selected demographic and clinical parameters in MS patients from the Upper Silesia region and compare these characteristics with previously published data from other regions of Poland. MATERIALS & METHODS: 640 patients with clinically defined MS, were prospectively and randomly selected for the study. Social, socio-economic, and demographic data were obtained through a questionnaire study. All subjects performed a self-assessment of their health condition using EQ-5D and EQ-VAS version questionnaires. RESULTS: The ratio of women to men was 2.18. The average age of onset was 29.6 ± 11.1 years; the disease duration was 7.9 ± 4.5 years. The relapsing-remitting form of MS was diagnosed in 73.12%. In 71.25% the onset was monofocal and in 28.75% multifocal disease onset was observed. Among the studied population 339 (52.97%) patients were still employed. A mean EQ-VAS score of 66.11 ± 20.12 was calculated. CONCLUSIONS: Results from our study identify for the first time the demographic and clinical characteristics of the Upper Silesia MS population.

[Evaluation of the nature and prevalence of risk factors for stroke in patients with known cerebral vascular disease, depending on the place of residence]. / Ocena rodzaju i czestosci wystepowania czynników ryzyka udaru mózgu u chorych z rozpoznana choroba naczyniowa mózgu w zaleznosci od miejsca zamieszkania.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to answer the question whether there are differences in the type and frequency of risk factors for stroke in patients coming from urban and suburban areas. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included patients with a diagnosis of cerebrovascular disease treated in the Department of Neurology, Provincial Hospital in Czestochowa in 2004-2005. Socio-demographic and risk factors for cerebrovascular diseases were determined based on a retrospective analysis of medical records of each patient. RESULTS: The study included 294 patients. 153 persons (52.0%) were from suburban environment, and 141 people (48.0%)--from the urban environment. There were no statistically significant difference in age and gender between the two groups, while the differences in education were significant (p < 0.00001). The most common riskfactorfor stroke was hypertension, more frequent among patients from the city (64.0%) than suburban areas (55.7%), but this difference was not statistically significant. The next most common riskfactorwas dyslipidemia. It was recorded more frequently among patients from the urban environment (30.2%), compared to suburban areas (19.5%) (p = 0.03). There were no differences in the prevalence of other risk factors between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Hypertension was the most frequently observed risk factor for stroke. The only risk factor significantly differentiating both environments was dyslipidemia. It was identified significantly more often in patients from the city. Prevention of cardiovascular disease should include more frequent occurrence of certain risk factors in patients living in the city, which may be associated with the promotion of an appropriate lifestyle.

[Psychometric and neurophysiological assessment of cognitive functions in patients with epilepsy].

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to assess cognitive functions in patients with epilepsy using the neurophysiological method and psychological tests, and analysis the relationship between clinical features of the disease and test results. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 31 patients with epilepsy aged 37.3±18.4 years. The control group consisted of 40 healthy volunteers aged 33.5±12.2 years. Cognitive functions were assessed using endogenous evoked potential P300 and psychological tests - Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), three subtests of Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised (WAIS-R), Trail Making Test (TMT), Benton Visual Retention Test (BVRT) and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). RESULTS: Epileptic patients achieved significantly lower scores in all, except STAI-1, psychological tests in relation to the controls. A correlation between age and TMT-A (p<0.050) and BVRT (p<0.050) was observed. The disease duration affected results of MMSE (p<0.050), TMT-B (p<0.050) and BVRT (p<0.050). Type of seizures was related to results of MMSE (p=0.005), type of therapy - to results of STAI-1 (p=0.014) and TMT-B (p=0.008). The average latency of P300 was significantly prolonged (p=0.00003) in epileptic patients (348±38ms) in relation to the controls (324±26ms). The relationship between P300 and the duration of seizures (p=0.017) was observed. There was no correlation between P300 and age, sex, frequency and type of seizures and therapy. A correlation between P300 and TMT-B (p<0.050), BVRT-LPO(p<0.050) and STAI-1 (p<0.050) was noticed. CONCLUSION: In epileptic patients cognitive impairment is often found. It is advisable to perform regular neuropsychological testing; P300 can be used only as a preliminary assessment.

Melatonin acts as antioxidant and improves sleep in MS patients.

The relationship between the prevalence of multiple sclerosis (MS) and sunlight's ultraviolet radiation was proved. Oxidative stress plays a role in the pathogenic traits of MS. Melatonin possesses antioxidative properties and regulates circadian rhythms. Sleep disturbances in MS patients are common and contribute to daytime fatigue. The aim of study was to evaluate 5 mg daily melatonin supplementation over 90 days on serum total oxidant status (TOS), total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and its influence on sleep quality and depression level of MS patients. A case-control prospective study was performed on 102 MS patients and 20 controls matched for age and sex. The Kurtzke's Expanded Disability Status Scale, magnetic resonance imaging examinations, Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS), Beck Depression Inventory questionnaires were completed. Serum TOS and TAC levels were measured. We observed higher serum levels of TOS in all MS groups, while after melatonin treatment the TOS levels significantly decreased. The TAC level was significantly lower only in mitoxantrone-treated group and it increased after melatonin supplementation. A strong positive correlation between T1Gd(+) number lesions and TAC level in interferon-beta-1A group was observed. AIS group mean score above 6 defining insomnia were observed in interferon-beta-1B-group, glatiramer acetate-group and mitoxantrone-group: 6.62 ± 2.88, 8.45 ± 2.07, 11.1 ± 3.25, respectively. After melatonin treatment the AIS mean scores decrease in glatiramer acetate-group and mitoxantrone-group achieving 5.25 ± 1.14 and 7.08 ± 2.39, respectively (p < 0.05). Finding from our study suggest that melatonin can act as an antioxidant and improves reduced sleep quality in MS patients.

Epidemiology and clinical record of multiple sclerosis in selected countries: a systematic review.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease of the central nervous system mainly affecting young adults. The aim of this paper is to review the literature concentrating the main national MS registries in selected countries of the world. We performed a systematic review to determine the MS epidemiology reported on prevalence, incidence, environmental factors, treatment, social consequences of MS and neurological disability or progression among MS-affected people. We got the information on the high-MS prevalence in Sardinia, Sweden or Sicily and on the effects of MS treatment in United States of America, Italy or Germany. We emphasized environmental factors taking into account as MS risk factors. We concluded that there were many descriptions of MS status in particular countries, but they were often insufficiently detailed and not uniform enough to compare it. The paper indicated an importance of the MS epidemiology in the light of the healthcare or quality of life of the MS patients, but further research is needed to optimize this issue.

Secondary prevention of stroke in elderly people in Poland--results of PolSenior study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the frequency of use of oral antiplatelet (OAP) and anticoagulant (OAC) drugs as secondary stroke prevention among older people in Poland and its association with sociodemographic factors, place of residence, and concomitant cardiovascular risk factors. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study group consisted of 426 subjects with a history of a previous stroke (mean age of 81.5±8.2 years), participants of multicentre, population-based PolSenior study. RESULTS: Among the study group, 261 people (61.3%) used at least one drug as a secondary prevention. OAPs were regularly used by 237 people (55.6%), and OACs-by 25 people (5.9%). The most often used drug was acetylsalicylic acid. Ticlopidine was more frequently used than clopidogrel, and acenocoumarol was used more often than warfarin. Among all of the concomitant cardiovascular risk factors, congestive heart failure was mostly associated with OAP treatment, and a history of atrial fibrillation-with OAC treatment. Use of drugs did not depend on age, sex, place of residence (rural or urban), level of education and personal income, but it was associated with the region where the respondents lived. CONCLUSIONS: Secondary cardiovascular preventive therapy in Poland is used too rarely in older people after stroke, and it especially concerns anticoagulant therapy in those with a history of atrial fibrillation. Structured educational programmes should be developed in Poland to improve usage of secondary preventive therapy in the elderly.

[The impact of demographic factors on the course and outcome of stroke]. / Wplyw uwarunkowan demograficznych na przebieg i wynik leczenia udaru mózgu.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of the study was to answer the question, whether living in urban or suburban areas has an impact on disease course and outcome of stroke patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included patients with a diagnosed cerebrovascular disease treated in the Department of Neurology, Provincial Hospital in Czestochowa in 2004-2005. Data were obtained on the basis of a retrospective analysis of medical records. The assessment of the functional status of patients was based on the scale of Activities of Daily Living (ADL) and the modified Rankin scale. RESULTS: The study included 294 patients (152 women, 142 men) hospitalized for a stroke. The mean age was 70.2 ± 13.2 years. Patients were divided into two groups, Group 1 living in suburban environment (n = 153, 52.0%), and Group 2--living in urban environment (n = 141, 48.0%). There were no statistically significant differences in age, sex, and type of stroke between the two groups. In Group 1, hospitalization time was longer (17.7 ± 13.5 days) compared with patients in Group 2--12.0 ± 10.2 days (p = 0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in the ADL scale between the two groups, both on admission and discharge. However, in the Rankin scale status of patients from urban areas was better on the day of admission (p = 0.005) and at discharge. Seizure onset of the disease, the presence of coronary artery disease and dyslipidemia had a strongest influence on the functional status of patients. Patients from both groups were discharged home with a similar frequency. CoNCLUSIONS: The study showns that there are slight differences in the course of the disease in patients from different backgrounds.

[The association between oral diseases and stroke]. / Zwiazek pomiedzy chorobami jamy ustnej a udarem mózgu.

In recent years there have been many studies concerning the effect of periodontal disease on the vascular system, including the development of stroke, either ischemic or hemorrhagic. The aim of this study was to present the relationship between periodontal disease and stroke based on the available literature. As it is evident from studies, patients with periodontal disease are predisposed to the formation of chronic systemic inflammation, which in turn is a risk facto for cardiovascular diseases, particularly diseases of the large vessels, including atherosclerosis, as well as chronic inflammation in the atherosclerotic plaque Atherosclerosis is a recognized risk factor for stroke. Current knowledge indicates the relationship between periodontal inflammation and stroke. Periodonta diseases are considered as an independent risk factor for vascular disease of the brain. Therefore, the prevention of periodontal disease is important, also early detection and treatment. Dental care should be an essential element of primary and secondary prevention of vascular events of central nervous system.

Role of melatonin receptor MT(2) and quinone reductase II in the regulation of the redox status of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes in vitro.

We have examined the role of melatonin receptor MT2 and quinone reductase II in the regulation of the redox status of preadipocytes (3T3-L1) in vitro. 3T3-L1 cells were treated with melatonin at a physiological concentration (10(-9) mol/L) and a supraphysiological (pharmacological) concentration (10(-3) mol/L) for 24 h. Luzindole (10(-4) mol/L), an antagonist of MT2 receptor, and prazosin (10(-5) mol/L), an inhibitor of quinone reductase II, were added 30 min before subsequent exposure of the cells to melatonin. The level of oxidative stress was determined by the analysis of activities of enzymes neutralising reactive oxygen species, and determination of the malondialdehyde (MDA) content. Melatonin increased activities of manganese and copper-zinc superoxide dismutase (MnSOD, Cu/ZnSOD) and catalase (CAT) at both a physiological concentration (10(-9) mol/L) and a pharmacological concentration (10(-3) mol/L). MDA content was unchanged, whereas activities of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and glutathione reductase (GSSG-Rd) were increased only by the physiological concentration. Both effects were partially inhibited by luzindole, but not prazosin. These observations suggest that melatonin, acting at least partially via MT2 receptors, can increase antioxidant enzymes activities in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes.