Levodopa Versus Levodopa Sparing in Early Parkinson´s Disease: Can we Meet Halfway?

ABSTRACT Monotherapy is the recommended initial treatment for early Parkinson´s disease. The pharmacological options for initial treatment include dopaminergic agonists, monoamine oxidase B inhibitors, and levodopa formulations. Several factors should be considered when selecting the optimal treatment, such as disease severity, disease duration, age, activity level, and the risk of developing motor and non-motor complications. Early evidence on the potential role of levodopa formulations in the risk of dyskinesia led to levodopa aversion in the late 1990s and early 2000s, favoring the use of levodopa-sparing options like dopamine agonists. This shift resulted in an increase in behavioral adverse effects, such as impulse control disorders, leading to a subsequent dopamine agonist aversion in the mid-2000s. This review aims to provide a comprehensive evaluation of the existing literature regarding the benefits and drawbacks of levodopa versus levodopa-sparing strategies in drug-naive early-stage Parkinson´s disease.

Dopamine Dynamics in the Amygdala Influence Emotional Changes in the Early Stage of Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome in Rats / La Dinámica de la Dopamina en la Amígdala Influye en los Cambios Emocionales en la Etapa Temprana del Síndrome de Respuesta Inflamatoria Sistémica en Ratas

SUMMARY: Systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) is a potentially fatal reaction to various forms of tissue damage and infections that cause damage to various organs. Furthermore, the brain is damaged earlier than other organs, resulting in diffuse brain dysfunction. The central clinical symptom of SIRS is delirium and emotional changes are involved in disease development. Although the amygdala is known to play a major role, the mechanisms underlying emotional changes in the early stages of SIRS have not been elucidated. Therefore, changes to dopamine levels in the amygdala were observed using an in vivo model of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)- induced SIRS to clarify the biochemical mechanisms activated in the early stages of SIRS. Extracellular dopamine was collected from the amygdala of free moving rats via microdialysis and then analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography. In addition, emotional changes were assessed with the open field and sucrose preference tests. In the LPS group, dopamine release in the amygdala increased remarkably immediately after LPS administration, peaking at 120 min. Thereafter, dopamine release temporarily decreased, but then significantly increased again after 180 min. The present results suggest that diffuse brain dysfunction in the early stages of SIRS may involve altered dopamine levels in the amygdala.

El síndrome de respuesta inflamatoria sistémica (SRIS) es una reacción potencialmente fatal a diversas formas de daño tisular e infecciones que causan injuria a varios órganos. Además, el cerebro se daña antes que otros órganos, lo que provoca una disfunción cerebral difusa. El síntoma clínico central del SIRS es el delirio y los cambios emocionales están involucrados en el desarrollo de la enfermedad. Aunque se sabe que la amígdala desempeña un papel importante, no se han dilucidado los mecanismos que subyacen a los cambios emocionales en las primeras etapas del SRIS. Por lo tanto, en el estudio se provocaron cambios en los niveles de dopamina en la amígdala utilizando un modelo in vivo de SRIS inducido por lipopolisacáridos (LPS) para dilucidar los mecanismos bioquímicos activados en las primeras etapas del SRIS. La dopamina extracelular se recogió de la amígdala de ratas en movimiento libre mediante microdiálisis y luego se analizó mediante cromatografía líquida de alta resolución. Además, se evaluaron los cambios emocionales con las pruebas de campo abierto y de preferencia de sacarosa. En el grupo de LPS, la liberación de dopamina en la amígdala aumentó de manera notable inmediatamente después de la administración de LPS, alcanzando un máximo a los 120 minutos. A partir de entonces, la liberación de dopamina disminuyó temporalmente, pero luego volvió a aumentar significativamente después de 180 min. Los resultadosactuales sugieren que la disfunción cerebral difusa en las primeras etapas del SIRS puede implicar niveles alterados de dopamina en la amígdala.

Protective effect of Humanin on rotenone-induced dopamine neuron toxicity / 陆军军医大学学报

Objective To investigate the mechanism and protective effect of Humanin(HN)on rotenone(Rot)-induced toxic damage for dopamine neurons.Methods The Rot-poisened PC12 cell model was constructed,and the control group,the Rot poisening group,the HN pretreated Rot poisening group,and the HN treatment group were set up.ELISA was used to detect the content of HN inside and outside of Rot-infected cells,CCK-8 assay was used to detect cell viability,and ATP detection kit was used to detect the intracellular ATP content.Dichloro-dihydro-fluorescein diacetate(DCFH-DA)assay was used to detect the level of reactive oxygen species(ROS)in cells.Western blotting was performed to detect the expression level of mitochondrial autophagy regulatory proteins Pink1,Parkin,p62,LC3,mitochondrial biogenesis regulatory protein PGC1α,division/fusion regulatory proteins OPA1,MFN2,DRP1,p-DRP1 and antioxidant stress regulatory proteins Keap1 and Nrf2.HBAD-mcherry-EGFP-LC3 adenovirus transfected cells was used to observed the number of autophagosomes and autophagolysosomes.Results The results showed that the intracellular concentration of HN in PC12 in the Rot poisening group was significantly higher than that in the control group(P＜0.05);Compared with the control group,the Rot poisening group had significantly decreased activity of PC12 cells,decreased ATP content and increased production of ROS.After the poisen of Rot in PC12 cells,the expression of Pink1 and p-Parkin,the ratio of LC3Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰ and the expression of p-DRP1 in mitochondrial fusion protein was increased,while the expression of p62,the expression of mitochondrial biogenesis protein PGC1 α,mitochondrial fusion proteins MFN2 and OPA1,and antioxidant stress proteins Keap1 and Nrf2 were decreased(all P＜0.05).The number of autophagosomes and autophagolysosomes in PC12 cells in the Rot poisening group was higher than that in the control group(P＜0.05),and HN pretreatment(20 μmol/L)could significantly improve the changes mentioned above caused by Rot poisening(P＜0.05).Conclusion HN ameliorates Rot-induced toxic damage for dopamine neurons by inhibiting mitophagy and mitochondrial division and promoting mitochondrial biogenesis and fusion,and anti-oxidative stress.

Correlation analysis of serum dopamine,5-hydroxytryptamine,homovanillic acid levels and cognitive dysfunction in patients with Parkinson's disease / 国际检验医学杂志

Objective To explore the relationship between the levels of serum dopamine,5-hydroxytryptamine,homovanillic acid and cognitive dysfunction in patients with Parkinson's disease.Methods A total of 118 Parkinson's disease patients admitted to Bazhong Central Hospital from February 2020 to February 2022 were selected as the disease group,and 106 healthy patients who underwent physical examination in the hospital during the same period were selected as the control group.The levels of serum do-pamine,5-hydroxytryptamine and homovanillic acid were measured in all subjects,and the cognitive function was evaluated with Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale(MoCA).Parkinson's disease patients were divided into cognitive impairment group and non cognitive impairment group according to MoCA score.The serum do-pamine,5-hydroxytryptamine,homovanillic acid levels of the cognitive impairment group and the non cogni-tive impairment group were compared.Pearson correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation be-tween serum dopamine,5-hydroxytryptamine and homovanillic acid levels and cognitive function of Parkinson's disease patients,and the receiver operating characteristic curve was drawn to analyze the evaluation value of serum dopamine,5-hydroxytryptamine and homovanillic acid levels on cognitive dysfunction of Parkinson's disease patients.Results The levels of serum dopamine,5-hydroxytryptamine,homovanillic acid and MoCA score in the disease group were lower than those in the control group,with statistical significance(P＜0.05).The levels of serum dopamine,5-hydroxytryptamine,homovanillic acid and MoCA score in advanced patients were lower than those in early patients,and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).The levels of serum dopamine,serotonin and homovanillic acid in the cognitive dysfunction group were lower than those in the non-cognitive dysfunction group,and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).The results of Pearson analysis showed that the levels of serum dopamine,5-hydroxytryptamine and homovanillic acid in Parkinson's disease patients were positively correlated with MoCA score(P＜0.05).The sensitivity of the combined assessment of serum dopamine,serotonin and homovanillic acid in Parkinson's disease patients was higher than that in Parkinson's disease patients alone(x2=7.413,P=0.006;x2=9.714,P=0.002;x2=8.541,P=0.003),the area under the curve(AUC)was higher than the AUC for assessing cognitive impair-ment in Parkinson's disease alone(Z=2.479,P=0.013;Z=2.271,P=0.023;Z=2.451,P=0.014).Conclusion There are differences in serum levels of dopamine,5-hydroxytryptamine,homovanillic acid and cognitive function among different stages of Parkinson's disease patients.Serum levels of dopamine,5-hydroxytryptamine,and homovanillic acid are closely related to cognitive function in Parkinson's disease pa-tients,all of which have evaluation value for the occurrence of cognitive dysfunction in Parkinson's disease pa-tients.However,the combination of the three serum indicators is more helpful for clinical evaluation and diag-nosis.

Clinical Observation on Therapeutic Effect of Huatan Jieyu Anshen Decoction Combined with Abdominal Vibration Tuina Manipulations on Chronic Insomnia in the Elderly / 广州中医药大学学报

Objective To investigate the therapeutic effect of Huatan Jieyu Anshen Decoction(mainly with the actions of resolving phlegm,relieving depression and calming mind)combined with abdominal vibration tuina manipulations on chronic insomnia in the elderly.Methods Ninety-four cases of elderly patients with chronic insomnia of phlegm-heat harassing the interior type were randomly divided into the observation group and the control group,with 47 cases in each group.The control group was given Huatan Jieyu Anshen Decoction orally,while the observation group was given oral use of Huatan Jieyu Anshen Decoction combined with abdominal vibration tuina manipulations.The course of treatment for the two groups lasted for 4 weeks.Before and after the treatment,the two groups were observed in the changes of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndrome scores,Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index(PSQI)score,Athens Insomnia Scale(AIS)score,Fatigue Scale-14(FS-14)score,World Health Organization Quality-of-Life Brief Scale(WHOQOL-BREF)score,and the serum levels of melatonin(MT),dopamine(DA),and cortisol(CORT).After treatment,the clinical efficacy of the two groups was evaluated.Results(1)After 4 weeks of treatment,the total effective rate of the observation group was 97.88%(46/47),while that of the control group was 87.23%(41/47),and the intergroup comparison(tested by chi-square test)showed that the therapeutic efficacy of the observation group was superior to that of the control group(P＜0.01).(2)After treatment,the scores of primary and secondary TCM symptoms in the two groups were significantly decreased compared with those before treatment(P＜0.05),and the decrease of the scores of primary and secondary TCM symptoms in the observation group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P＜0.01).(3)After treatment,the PSQI scores,AIS scores,and FS-14 scores in the two groups were significantly decreased compared with those before treatment(P＜0.05),and the WHOQOL-BREF scores were significantly increased compared with those before treatment(P＜0.05).The decrease of the PSQI scores,AIS scores and FS-14 scores as well as the increase of the WHOQOL-BREF scores in the observation group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P＜0.01).(4)After treatment,the serum MT level of both groups was significantly higher than that before treatment(P＜0.05),and the serum DA and CORT levels were significantly lower than those before treatment(P＜0.05).The increase in serum MT level and the decrease in serum DA and CORT levels of the observation group were significantly superior to those of the control group(P＜0.01).Conclusion The combined therapy of Huatan Jieyu Anshen Decoction combined with vibration tuina manipulations can achieve satisfactory efficacy in the elderly patients with chronic insomnia of phlegm-heat harassing the interior syndrome.The therapy is effective on regulating the central nervous system of the patients,improving the quality of the sleep,and promoting the relief of fatigue and the enhancement of the quality of life,which has great significance to the enhancement of the overall therapeutic efficacy of insomnia.

Effects of different doses of sodium valproate on serum TSH,PRL and DA levels in patients with bipolar disorder / 实用医学杂志

Objective To explore the effects of different doses of valproate on serum thyroxine(TSH),prolactin(PRL)and dopamine(DA)in patients with bipolar disorder(BPD)level of influence.Methods A total of 90 patients with BPD who received treatment in hospital from May 2020 to May 2022 were selected as the study objects.They were randomly divided into groups A,B and C,with 30 cases in all.Groups A,B and C were orally administered 10 mg/kg,15 mg/kg and 20 mg/kg sodium valproate every day,respectively.The clinical efficacy,scores of mental diseases before and after treatment,indexes related to blood drug concentration,serum levels before and after treatment,indexes related to liver function and incidence of adverse reactions were compared among the three groups.Results There was no significant difference in the total effective rate among the three groups after treatment(P>0.05).After treatment,the scores of the three groups were significantly improved compared with before treatment(P<0.05).There was significant difference in the time to reach the stable state serum concentration(P<0.05).There were no significant differences in TSH,PRL and DA levels among the three groups after treatment compared with before treatment(P>0.05).ALT and AST levels in the three groups after treatment were increased compared with those before treatment(P<0.05),and there were statistically significant differences in ALT and AST levels among the three groups after treatment(P<0.05).There was significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions among the three groups(P<0.05).Conclusion Sodium valproate can effectively treat BPD patients and relieve the degree of mania or depression,but has no significant effect on the level of TSH,PRL and DA.Among them,small dose of sodium valproate can guarantee the thera-peutic effect and have less impact on liver function,and less adverse reactions,high safety,worthy of clinical promotion.

Performance of 3D-printed polylactic acid-nano-hydroxyapatite/chitosan/doxycycline antibacterial scaffold / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND:Polylactic acid has good biocompatibility and biodegradability,and has become a new orthopedic fixation material.However,the lack of cell recognition signal of this material is not conducive to cell adhesion and osteogenic differentiation,which limits its application in biomaterials. OBJECTIVE:3D-printed polylactic acid-nano-hydroxyapatite(nHA)/chitosan(CS)scaffold to evaluate its drug sustained-release and biological properties. METHODS:The porous polylactic acid scaffold(recorded as PLA scaffold)with interporous pores was printed by fused deposition modeling technique,and the scaffold was soaked in dopamine solution to prepare polylactic acid-dopamine scaffold(recorded as PLA-DA scaffold).Nano-hydroxyapatite was immersed in chitosan solution,and then the PLA-DA scaffold was immersed in it to prepare polylactic acid-nano-hydroxyapatite/chitosan scaffold(recorded as PLA-nHA/CS scaffold).The micro-morphology,porosity,water contact angle,and compressive strength of the three scaffolds were characterized.PLA-nHA/CS scaffold loaded with doxycycline(recorded as PLA-nHA/CS-DOX scaffold)was prepared by freeze-drying method,and its drug release was characterized.PLA,PLA-DA,PLA-nHA/CS,and PLA-nHA/CS-DOX scaffolds were co-cultured with MC3T3-E1 cells,separately,to detect cell proliferation and osteogenic differentiation.Staphylococcus aureus suspensions of different concentrations were co-cultured with four groups of scaffolds.The antibacterial performance of scaffolds was detected by inhibition zone test. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Under scanning electron microscopy,the surfaces of PLA and PLA-DA scaffolders were dense and smooth,and nHA particles were observed on PLA-nHA/CS scaffolders.The porosity of PLA,PLA-DA and PLA-nHA/CS scaffolds decreased gradually,and the compressive strength increased gradually.The elastic modulus of PLA-nHA/CS scaffolds met the requirements of cancelous bone.The water contact angle of PLA-DA and PLA-nHA/CS brackets was smaller than that of PLA scaffolds.The PLA-nHA/CS scaffold sustainably released drugs in vitro for 8 days.(2)CCK-8 assay showed that the proliferation of MC3T3-E1 cells was not significantly affected by the four groups of scaffolds.The activity of alkaline phosphatase in PLA-DA group,PLA-nHA/CS group,and PLA-nHA/CS-DOX group was higher than that in PLA group.Alizarin red staining showed that compared with PLA group,the cells in PLA-nHA/CS group and PLA-nHA/CS-DOX group showed higher mineralized water level.(3)Inhibition zone test exhibited that PLA and PLA-DA scaffolds had no antibacterial properties.PLA-nHA/CS scaffolds had certain antibacterial properties.PLA-nHA/CS-DOX scaffolds had super antibacterial properties.(4)The results showed that the PLA-nHA/CS-DOX scaffold had good drug release performance,cell compatibility,osteogenic properties,and antibacterial properties.

Mechanism by which exercise improves inhibitory control and drug craving in methamphetamine abstinent patients / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND:Inhibitory control and drug craving are the core elements of evaluating drug withdrawal in methamphetamine addicts,which has attracted much attention in academic circles.As we all know,in order to achieve complete abstinence from drug addiction,the key is to restore the damaged inhibition and control function of drug addicts and effectively reduce the craving for drugs. OBJECTIVE:To systematically analyze the relationship between exercise and methamphetamine abstinence inhibitory control and drug craving,to find out an effective exercise intervention scheme that can promote methamphetamine abstinence,and to further explore the internal mechanism of exercise,in order to provide theoretical support and applied reference for the future use of exercise in drug withdrawal. METHODS:CNKI,WanFang,VIP,Web of Science,and PubMed databases were searched for relevant literature using the keywords of"exercise,physical activity,methamphetamine,inhibitory function,craving,addiction"in Chinese and"sport*,exercise,methamphetamine,drug craving,executive function,addiction"in English.According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria,86 documents were finally included for review. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:In terms of inhibitory control in methamphetamine abstinent individuals,either acute and long-term moderate-intensity aerobic exercise or acute high-intensity interval training can significantly improve the inhibitory control capacity of methamphetamine abstinent individuals.For long-term aerobic exercise,aerobic group exercise or full-body comprehensive exercise is more effective.If the exercise format is power cycling,it is recommended to increase the frequency of exercise intervention.In terms of the drug craving intensity in methamphetamine abstinent individuals,acute moderate-intensity aerobic exercise and resistance training,as well as long-term moderate-intensity,high-intensity,or progressive load aerobic and resistance training,can effectively reduce the drug craving in methamphetamine abstinent individuals.Exercise exerts intrinsic regulatory effects on methamphetamine-mediated addiction.Exercise can influence the expression of tyrosine hydroxylase in the brain's ventral tegmental area,thereby stimulating the expression of dopamine receptor coupling proteins and promoting dopamine synthesis in the brain's reward regions,thereby compensating for dopamine depletion caused by methamphetamine addiction.Furthermore,exercise can also regulate protein kinase A inhibitors,affecting the protein kinase A signaling pathway mediated by dopamine D1 receptors,by inhibiting protein kinase A,thus affecting cAMP response element-binding protein and regulating methamphetamine addiction.Additionally,exercise can also,at the genetic level,affect the expression of the c-fos gene in the brain's nucleus accumbens region,activate a subset of glutamatergic neurons in this area,generate a rewarding effect,and thus improve methamphetamine addiction.Although current research has confirmed the relationship between exercise and methamphetamine addiction and has clarified the brain mechanisms underlying the effects of exercise,whether there are other brain regulatory pathways for the effects of exercise remains to be explored through more scientifically rigorous animal or human experiments,starting from the cellular or molecular level.

A comparative study of drug treatment effect of anterior wall STEMI with heart failure after primary PCI / 现代医院

Objective To compare the therapeutic impact of acute anterior wall ST-segment elevation myocardial infarc-tion(STEMI)and primary percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI)in patients with heart failure.Methods 90 patients with anterior wall STEMI with heart failure after primary PCI were selected from the cardiovascular Department of Yunfu People's Hos-pital from July 2021 to June 2023,and they were split into three groups using the random number expression approach,each group containing 30 examples.Group A was treated with furosemide+nitroglycerin,group B was treated with furosemide+nitro-glycerin+neoactin,and group C was treated with furosemide+nitroglycerin+dopamine.The clinical efficacy,cardiac function[left ventricular end-systolic diameter(LVESD),left ventricular end-diastolic diameter(LVEDD),left ventricular ejection frac-tion(LVEF),amino terminal B-type natriuretic peptide precursor(NT-ProBNP)]and clinical indexes of the three groups after treatment were compared.Results ①There was significant difference in total treatment rate among the three groups(P＜0.05).Group B and C had significantly greater total effective rates than group A.(P＜0.05).②After 3 days of treatment,the levels of LVEF in the three groups were increased(P＞0.05),while the levels of NT-ProBNP,LVESD and LVEDD were decreased,and the levels of NT-ProBNP,LVESD and LVEDD in group B and C were lower than those in group A(all P＜0.05).③The length of hospital stay and readmission rate of the three groups were significantly different(P＜0.05).The length of hospital staying and readmission rate of group B and C were lower than those of group A(P＜0.05).Conclusion Furosemide+nitroglycerin combined with neoactin or dopamine in the treatment of anterior wall STEMI patients with heart failure after primary PCI is more effective,can enhance patients'heart health,shorten the length of hospital stay,reduce the readmission rate,worthy of clinical promotion.

Regulation effect of dopamine on sepsis-associated macrophage functions and the mechanisms involved / 中国小儿急救医学

Sepsis is a life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by the host disordered response to infections.As one of the most important innate immune cells in the body，macrophages can maintain the immune homeostasis by recruiting other immune cells，clearing pathogens，presenting antigens，and play important regulatory roles in infectious diseases such as sepsis by releasing inflammatory factors.As a critical neurotransmitter，dopamine not only participates in the neurological processes such as learning and cognition，but also regulates the immune processes，including regulating the activation，proliferation and functional changes of immune cells such as neutrophils，lymphocytes，monocytes and macrophages.Current studies demonstrate that during the infection and inflammation process of sepsis，the phagocytosis，polarization，and release of inflammatory factors of macrophages are regulated by dopamine.This review summarized the recent research progress on the regulatory functions and the underlying mechanisms of dopamine on macrophages in sepsis.

Effect of light pattern on dopamine transporter in the guinea pig retina / 中华实验眼科杂志

Objective:To study the distribution and changes of dopamine transporter (DAT) in guinea pig eyes under different light patterns.Methods:Thirty-six 3-week-old white ordinary-grade guinea pigs were randomly selected and divided into groups of 10 000 lx, 5 000 lx, and 500 lx, with 12 guinea pigs in each group exposed to strong light, medium strong light, and normal light, respectively.Each group was randomly divided into 3 subgroups, with 4 guinea pigs in each subgroup.The 3 subgroups of 500 lx group received light exposure for 5, 20, and 40 minutes, respectively.The 3 subgroups of 5 000 lx group received light exposure for 2, 4, and 40 minutes, respectively.The 3 subgroups of 10 000 lx group received light exposure for 2, 5, and 20 minutes, respectively.After light treatment, each group of guinea pigs was injected with 99mTc-TRODAT-1 for SPECT DAT imaging, and image data were collected by Micro-SPECT.The region of interest (ROI) of guinea pig retinas was analyzed using Micro-CT software.The counts of ROI were expressed as Sum, which reflected the relative distribution or density of DAT.The DAT density between experimental and control eyes of guinea pigs after light exposure, the differences in DAT density between guinea pig eyes under different light intensities, the differences in DAT density between guinea pig eyes after different light durations, and the cumulative and interactive effects of light intensity and light duration on DAT aggregation in guinea pigs were compared.Another 3 guinea pigs were selected, and after light exposure, the 3 guinea pigs' eyes underwent continuous image acquisition for 6 hours at 20-minute intervals, and 18 images per guinea pig were acquired to analyze the trend of DAT density in guinea pig eyes over time.This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Shanghai General Hospital (No.2020SQ196). Results:The DAT density (Sum value) of experimental eyes at 500, 5 000, and 10 000 lx were 5 598.97±3 159.38, 8 636.78±2 503.16, and 7 407.39±2 053.41, respectively, significantly higher than 4 388.89±2 902.90, 5 981.92±3 057.44, and 5 091.32±2 039.36 of control eyes ( t=5.31, 4.69, 11.80; all at P<0.001). At 500 lx, there was a statistically significant difference in DAT density between the experimental and control eyes of guinea pigs at different light exposure durations ( F=14.01, P<0.01), while no significant difference was found at other light intensities at different light exposure durations (both at P>0.05). When the light exposure time was 5 minutes, the difference in DAT density between the experimental and control eyes of guinea pigs was significantly greater in the 10 000 lx group than in the 500 lx group ( t=-13.22, P<0.001). There was no statistically significant difference between different groups at other light exposure durations (all at P>0.05). No cumulative or interactive effects of light intensity and light duration were found on the differences in DAT density (all at P>0.05). Continuous scanning after illumination showed that DAT density in guinea pig retinas first increased to a peak over time and then gradually returned to normal values. Conclusions:Light, even under moderate or normal light levels, can cause an increase in the secretion of DAT in the retina and stimulate the production of DAT.Light intensity and duration have no cumulative or interactive effects on the distribution and density of retinal DAT.

Acromegaly with pregnancy: A case report and review of literature / 中华内分泌代谢杂志

This article reports the diagnosis and treatment of a case of acromegaly in a pregnant patient who took bromocriptine during pregnancy and delivered successfully. A retrospective summary of the clinical data and treatment outcomes before and after two pregnancies of the patient is provided. The patient took bromocriptine during the second pregnancy, and her condition remained stable. A baby girl was delivered by caesarean section at full term. The article suggests that pregnancy in acromegaly patients, after the stabilization of the condition, can lead to favorable outcomes. The use of dopamine receptor agonists during pregnancy does not increase adverse events during the perinatal period.

The repressing effect of fenoldopam on the development of thoracic aortic aneurysm in mice / 安徽医科大学学报

Objective @#To investigate whether fenoldopam (FNDP) ( an agonist of type 1 dopamine receptor) has a protective effect on thoracic aortic aneurysm ( TAA) in mice .@*Methods @#Three-week-old male C57BL/6J mice were treated with β-aminopropionitrile (BAPN) to induce TAA . The mice were divided into three groups : the con- trol group , the BAPN group , and the BAPN + FNDP group (FNDP inj ected intraperitoneally) . The incidence and survival rate of TAA were recorded . Gross anatomy of the whole aortae was ob served . Elastin staining was per- formed to assess morphological change , while immunohistochemistry was employed to evaluate the expressions of matrix metalloproteinase 2(MMP2) , matrix metalloproteinase 9( MMP9) and cluster of differentiation 68( CD68) respectively. Gelatin zymography was conducted to assess MMP2 and MMP9 activity. Reverse transcription-poly- merase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was performed to measure the mRNA expression levels of dopamine receptor D1(D1DR) , dopamine receptor d2 (D2DR) , dopamine receptor d3 (D3DR) , dopamine receptor d5 (D5DR) , in- terleukin-1β(IL-1β) , interleukin-6 (IL-6) , tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) , monocyte chemoattractant pro- tein-1 (MCP-1) , alpha-smooth muscle actin ( α-SMA) and smooth muscle protein 22 -alpha (SM22α) .@*Results@#Compared to the control group , the BAPN group exhibited significant formation of TAA . Elastic fiber disruption was also ob served in the thoracic aortic wall , along with a significant decrease in the mRNA levels of D1DR and D5DR. The BAPN + FNDP group showed a significant reduction in the incidence of TAA formation and the rate of aneu- rysm rupture compared to the BAPN group . The disruption and rupture of elastic fibers in the thoracic aortic wall were significantly improved in the BAPN + FNDP group . The levels of MMP2 and MMP9 in the thoracic aortic wall significantly decreased , and the enzymatic activity of MMP2 in the serum was significantly reduced . Moreover , macrophage infiltration in the thoracic aortic wall was significantly reduced and the mRNA levels of IL-1β, IL-6 , TNF-αand MCP-1 also significantly decreased after FNDP treatment. There was no statistically significant differ- ence in the mRNA levels of α-SMA and SM22α.@*Conclusion @#FNDP shows an inhibitory effect on TAA progres- sion in mice , suggesting a potential of FNDP as a therapeutic agent for TAA .

Effects of l-tetrahydropalmatine on different stages of conditioned place preference in ketamine dependent rats and the mechanism of DA / 中国法医学杂志

Objective To observe the effects of Levo-tetrahydropalmatine(l-THP)on the expression,regression and relapse of conditioned place preference(CPP)in ketamine induced rats,and to detect the content of dopamine(DA)in the striatum(caudate putamen,CPu)of the rat brain at different time points.Methods Ketamine addiction rat model was established by CPP.The effects of l-THP on the expression,regression and relapse of ketamine induced rat CPP were investigated using CPP score as the index.The content of DA in CPu of rats was determined by ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry(UPLC-MS/MS)after ketamine administration and l-THP intervention at 30 min,60 min,90 min,120 min and 150 min.Results It indicated that 1-THP could decrease the expression of CPP in ketamine induced rats,promote the process of CPP resolution and inhibit the process of relapse.In addition,l-THP combined with ketamine administration significantly inhibited the ketamine-induced increase in DA content in the CPu of the rats.Conclusion The mechanism of l-THP inhibiting the reward effect of ketamine may be related to blocking DA receptors and reducing the release of DA neurotransmitters.l-THP has potential implications for the treatment of ketamine addiction.

Prevention and treatment of vasovagal reflex during and after operation in diseases of urinary system / 中国现代医生

@#Objective To explore the prevention and treatment of vasovagal reflex during and after operation in diseases of urinary system.Methods From February 2020 to April 2023,1436 patients who completed inpatient surgery in Department of Urology,Songshan Hospital,Qingdao University Medical College were selected to analyze the emergency management measures of vasovagal reflex during and after operation and summarize the diagnosis and treatment experience.Results Among 1436 patients,vasovagal reflex occurred in 4 cases during operation and 14 cases after operation,with an incidence of 1.25%.Most patients showed simultaneous decrease in blood pressure and heart rate.After intravenous injection of atropine and dopamine,blood pressure and heart rate returned to normal,and various concomitant symptoms disappeared,and no death cases were reported.Conclusion Urological specialists should pay attention to vasovagal reflex,sum up experience,do early identification,timely treatment to ensure the safety of patients.

Re-understanding of the clinical application value of dopamine in kidney transplantation / 器官移植

Dopamine is the precursor of biosynthesis of norepinephrine. Low-dose dopamine mainly excites dopamine receptors, which may dilate renal and mesenteric vessels, increase renal blood flow and improve the microcirculation. In recent years, low-dose dopamine has been widely applied in the field of kidney transplantation due to its vasoactive effect. However, with the development of evidence-based medicine, the role of dopamine in protecting the perfusion function of renal allograft in kidney transplantation has been questioned. Multiple studies have shown that dopamine brings no significant benefit to renal and cardiac function in kidney transplantation, exerts low pressor effect, and may even increase the risk of perioperative complications. Norepinephrine may be used as a safe substitute. In this article, recent progress in the effect of dopamine upon renal and cardiac function and hemodynamics during kidney transplantation was reviewed, aiming to provide reference for clinical application of dopamine in kidney transplantation.

Vitamin D Plays a Crucial Role in Regulating Dopamine Nervous System in Brain / 生物化学与生物物理进展

Vitamin D is a unique fat-soluble vitamin that plays an indispensable role in human health. It exists in various forms, the most significant being vitamin D2 (derived from plant sources) and vitamin D3 (synthesized naturally in human skin upon exposure to sunlight). Vitamin D’s primary function is to facilitate the absorption of calcium and phosphorus, which are crucial for maintaining healthy bones. Beyond its role in bone health, vitamin D significantly influences the immune system, muscle function, cardiovascular health, and the regulation of brain functions. A deficiency in vitamin D can lead to various chronic diseases such as rickets, osteoporosis, decreased immunity, increased risk of mental disorders, and cancers. The synthesis of vitamin D in the human body, both peripherally and centrally, relies on sunlight exposure, dietary sources, and various supplements. As a neuroactive steroid, vitamin D impacts both the physiological and pathological processes of the nervous system and plays a key role in brain health. It profoundly affects the brain by regulating neurotransmitter synthesis and maintaining intracellular calcium balance. As an essential chemical molecule, vitamin D participates in complex signal transduction pathways, impacting neurotransmitter functions and synaptic plasticity. Vitamin D’s role in regulating dopamine (DA)—a neurotransmitter critical for motivation, reward perception, and other higher cognitive functions—is particularly noteworthy. Recent studies have revealed that vitamin D not only promotes the synthesis of DA but also plays a role in regulating DA levels within the brain. It exerts neuroprotective effects on DA neurons through anti-inflammatory, antioxidant actions, and neurotrophic support, thereby creating an optimal environment for DA neurons, influencing neuronal structure, and affecting the movement of calcium ions within nerve cells, positively impacting the overall health and functionality of the DA system. Furthermore, vitamin D can regulate the synthesis and release of DA, thus affecting the signal transmission of various DA neural projection pathways in the brain. This function is vital for understanding the complex interactions between neural mechanisms and their effects on key behaviors and cognitive functions. This review aims to delve deeply into the synthesis, metabolism, and pathways of vitamin D’s action, especially its regulatory mechanisms on DA neurons. Through this exploration, this article seeks to provide a solid theoretical foundation and research framework for a deeper understanding of vitamin D’s role in motivation and reward behaviors. This understanding is crucial for appreciating the broader significance of vitamin D in the fields of neuroscience and neurology. In summary, research and discoveries regarding vitamin D’s impact on the nervous system highlight its importance in neural health and function. These insights not only enhance our understanding of the complex workings of the nervous system but also open new avenues for the prevention and treatment of neurological diseases. The exploration of vitamin D’s multifaceted roles offers promising prospects for developing new therapeutic strategies, underscoring the compound’s potential in addressing a range of neural dysfunctions and diseases. As research continues to evolve, the profound implications of vitamin D in the field of neurology and beyond become increasingly apparent, marking it as a key target for ongoing and future scientific inquiry.

Parkinson's disease and levodopa-induced dyskinesias: a quantitative analysis through 99mTc-TRODAT-1 SPECT imaging of the brain / Doença de Parkinson e discinesias induzidas por levodopa: uma análise quantitativa por meio de imagem cerebral com SPECT 99mTc-TRODAT-1

Abstract Objective: To compare the dopamine transporter (DAT) density with other risk factors for L-DOPA-induced dyskinesia (LID) in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), with and without LID. Materials and Methods: We evaluated 67 subjects: 44 patients with idiopathic PD of varying degrees of severity (PD group), and 23 healthy age-matched volunteers (control group). Among the 44 patients in the PD group, 29 were male and the following means were recorded at baseline: age, 59 ± 7 years; disease duration, 10 ± 6 years; Hoehn and Yahr (H&Y) stage, 2.16 ± 0.65; and Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale part III (UPDRS III) score, 29.74 ± 17.79. All subjects underwent 99mTc-TRODAT-1 SPECT. We also calculated specific uptake ratios or binding potentials in the striatum. Results: The DAT density in the ipsilateral and contralateral striata was lower in the PD group. The variables disease duration, L-DOPA dosage, doses per day, L-DOPA effect duration time, H&Y stage, and UPDRS III score explained the occurrence of LID. The DAT density in the ipsilateral striatum, contralateral striatum, and caudate nucleus was lower in the patients with LID than in those without. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that presynaptic dopaminergic denervation is associated with LID in individuals with PD.

Resumo Objetivo: Comparar a densidade do transportador de dopamina (DAT) com outros fatores de risco para discinesia induzida pela L-DOPA em pacientes com doença de Parkinson, com e sem discinesias. Materiais e Métodos: Sessenta e sete sujeitos, 23 voluntários saudáveis e 44 pacientes pareados por idade com diferentes graus de gravidade da doença de Parkinson idiopática (29 homens; idade média ± desvio-padrão (DP), 59 ± 7 anos; duração média ± DP dos sintomas, 10 ± 6 anos; H&Y: média ± DP, 2,16 ± 0,65; UPDRS III: média ± DP, 29,74 ± 17,79). Todos os sujeitos realizaram SPECT cerebral com 99mTc-TRODAT-1. Além disso, foram calculadas as taxas de captação específica ou potenciais de ligação no estriado. Resultados: A densidade de DAT do estriado ipsilateral ou contralateral foi menor no grupo doença de Parkinson. As variáveis duração da doença, dosagem de L-DOPA, doses por dia, tempo de duração do efeito da L-DOPA, H&Y e UPDRS III explicaram a ocorrência de discinesia. Adicionalmente, pacientes com discinesia exibiram menor densidade de DAT no estriado ipsilateral ou contralateral e no núcleo caudado do que os pacientes sem discinesia. Conclusão: O presente estudo sugere que a denervação dopaminérgica pré-sináptica na doença de Parkinson está associada ao desenvolvimento de discinesia induzida pela L-DOPA.

Treatment of hyperprolactinemia in women: A Position Statement from the Brazilian Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics Associations (Febrasgo) and the Brazilian Society of Endocrinology and Metabolism (SBEM)

ABSTRACT Dopamine agonists are the first line of treatment for patients with symptomatic hyperprolactinemia due to prolactinomas and in those with idiopathic hyperprolactinemia. Treatment with these agents is effective in 80%-90% of the cases. Infertility treatment of patients with hyperprolactinemia is also carried out with dopamine agonists, aiming for the normalization of prolactin levels. The risk of symptomatic growth of prolactinomas during pregnancy is dependent on the tumor's size, duration of previous treatments, and prolactin levels. Notably, the corresponding risk is relatively low in cases of microprolactinomas (<5%). Remission of hyperprolactinemia occurs in about 30% of the patients after drug treatment and may also occur after pregnancy and menopause. The use of some drugs, such as antidepressants and antipsychotics, is a frequent cause of hyperprolactinemia, and managing this occurrence involves unique considerations. This position statement by the Brazilian Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics Associations (Febrasgo) and Brazilian Society of Endocrinology and Metabolism (SBEM) addresses the recommendations for measurement of serum prolactin levels and the investigations of symptomatic and asymptomatic hyperprolactinemia and drug-induced hyperprolactinemia in women.

Effects of latroeggtoxin-VI on dopamine and α-synuclein in PC12 cells and the implications for Parkinson's disease

Background Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by death of dopaminergic neurons leading to dopamine deficiency, excessive α-synuclein facilitating Lewy body formation, etc. Latroeggtoxin-VI (LETX-VI), a proteinaceous neurotoxin discovered from the eggs of spider L. tredecimguttatus, was previously found to promote the synthesis and release of PC12 cells, showing a great potential as a drug candidate for PD. However, the relevant mechanisms have not been understood completely. The present study explored the mechanism underlying the effects of LETX-VI on dopamine and α-synuclein of PC12 cells and the implications for PD. Results After PC12 cells were treated with LETX-VI, the level of dopamine was significantly increased in a dose-dependent way within a certain range of concentrations. Further mechanism analysis showed that LETX-VI upregulated the expression of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and L-dopa decarboxylase to enhance the biosynthesis of dopamine, and downregulated that of monoamine oxidase B to reduce the degradation of dopamine. At the same time, LETX-VI promoted the transport and release of dopamine through modulating the abundance and/or posttranslational modification of vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2) and dopamine transporter (DAT). While the level of dopamine was increased by LETX-VI treatment, α-synuclein content was reduced by the spider toxin. α-Synuclein overexpression significantly decreased the dopamine level and LETX-VI efficiently alleviated the inhibitory action of excessive α-synuclein on dopamine. In the MPTP-induced mouse model of PD, application of LETX-VI ameliorated parkinsonian behaviors of the mice, and reduced the magnitude of MPTP-induced α-synuclein upregulation and TH downregulation. In addition, LETX-VI displayed neuroprotective effects by inhibiting MPTP-induced decrease in the numbers of TH-positive and Nissl-stained neurons in mouse brain tissues. Conclusions All the results demonstrate that LETX-VI promotes the synthesis and release of dopamine in PC12 cells via multiple mechanisms including preventing abnormal α-synuclein accumulation, showing implications in the prevention and treatment of PD.